Monday, August 26, 2019
The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University
Students Dedicated to Professional Journalism Volume 131 | Issue 1
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Then & Now: Newton Gresham Library Celebrates 50 Years Full story on p. 2
The Houstonian | bit.ly/SHSUNews | Monday, August 26, 2019
Page 2
campus news
Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future: NGL’s 50th BY MASON STORRS
Associate Editor/Campus News Editor
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Newton Gresham Library is hosting a student open house and two faculty and staff mixers to commemorate its history on campus. The student open house will occur Aug. 27 from 2-4 p.m. in the lobby area by the main Library Service Desk. The faculty and staff mixers will take place Sept. 4 and 5. “The events will celebrate our history while looking forward to the upcoming building renovation,” Executive Director of Library Services Eric Owen said. “The theme for the anniversary is ‘Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.’” During the open house, the first 100 students to meet their major-specific librarians will get a limited edition 50th anniversary T-shirt. Students are also welcome to participate
Courtesy Lisa Shen in activities including coloring, button making and library trivia quizzes with prizes. Popcorn and cupcakes will be served at the open house. Sammy the Bearkat will also join Owen for a cake cutting at 2:30 p.m.
The two mixers are informal networking events that will give faculty and staff across the campus an opportunity to meet with library faculty and staff over drinks and snacks. There will be a cake cutting with Owen at 2:30
p.m. each day as well. The anniversary celebrations are taking place in anticipation of some big changes for the Newton Gresham Library building. “Beginning in early 2020,
as a joint effort with the Academic Success Center (ASC), the library will embark on a substantial renovation project to improve the existing study areas—reorganizing the physical library collection and creating new collaborative spaces for the ASC to move into the library building,” Owen said. The impending renovations will focus on the first and second floors. “This renovation will ultimately transform the Newton Gresham Library into a more inviting, technologically accessible and collaborative academic learning space for all students and the broader campus community,” Owen said. Renovation plans are still developing. The Houstonian will provide updates on the project periodically as more information becomes available. More information about the open house and mixers is available on the university website.
Student Health Center: Measles Cases Rising in US BY MASON STORRS
Associate Editor/Campus News Editor
There has been a recent spike in the number of measles cases in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 1,203 cases of measles confirmed as of Aug. 15. This is the highest number of cases reported since 1992. There was a small outbreak in El Paso over the summer, as well as some isolated cases in Harris and Montgomery counties. With confirmed cases so close to home, the Student Health
Center sent an email out over the summer regarding measles safety and procedures. The email stated, “We want to ensure that all members of our campus community protect themselves against this preventable and potentially life-threatening disease. Anyone who does not have evidence of presumed immunity should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.” The MMR vaccine covers measles, mumps and rubella. According to the CDC, one dose of MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, 78% effective against mumps, and 97% effec-
tive against rubella. “The vaccine can be obtained from commercial pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, HEB and Kroger,” Student Health Center Director of Medical Services Robert Williams said. “Uninsured adults can get the vaccine from their local office of the Department of State Health Services. In Huntsville, that number is 936-294-2170.” The warning signs of measles can quickly worsen from a relatively unassuming start. “The first signs of measles are fever, body aches, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis (pink eye),” Williams said. “The rash
usually appears 3-5 days after onset of the first signs. It is the rash that more conclusively suggests measles. However, an infected person can be contagious a few days before they have any symptoms, and are still infectious for another 4 days
after the rash starts.” If a student thinks he or she may have measles they should avoid contact with their peers as much as possible and call the Student Health Center or a private physician.
Grant Worley
The Houstonian | bit.ly/SHSUNews | Monday, August 26, 2019
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campus news
Common Reader Program Gets Students ‘Educated’ BY SHARON RAISSI
Reader Program encourages students and faculty from all areas
Editor-in-Chief
The Sam Houston State University’s 2019-2020 common reader is New York Times Bestseller “Educated: A Memoir” by Tara Westover. The book explores ideas about education, determination, family and taking control of one’s own future. In her memoir, Westover describes growing up in a Mormon survivalist family in the mountains of Idaho. With virtually no access to the outside world, Westover was 17 when she first stepped into a classroom. Her book recounts how she took control of her own life and education, eventually earning a PhD from Cambridge in 2014. “This book is relevant on a lot of levels because it is a person who was very unlikely to come to college and had a very interesting childhood,” Director of First-Year Experience and Student Success Initiatives Kay Angrove said. “Really, all of our students have those interesting stories; we just don’t hear all of them.” The Common Reader book selection committee has been reviewing books since last December. After sorting through more than 100 nominations, “Educated” was chosen as the best fit for this year’s Common Reader. “There’s some mental health issues in the book, there’s some abuse that happened to her, but the overarching story is about how she overcame that and how she became her own person,” Angrove said. Designed to “facilitate a campus-wide cross-disciplinary conversation, and enhance the community with students, faculty and staff,” SHSU’s Common
“The beauty of it is that when an educator looks at it in their class, they see something different than a historian would looking at it in their class, or than a nutritionist would, or that a health science expert would.” of the university to explore the themes in this book from their own angle. “The beauty of it is that when an educator looks at it in their class, they see something different than a historian would looking at it in their class, or than a nutritionist would, or that a health science expert would,” Angrove said. “So that’s why we have the out of class dialogues and events so that conversation can continue across disciplines and across campus.” Common Reader events this semester include opportunities to exchange dialogue between differing perspectives as well as presentations and scholarship opportunities. Throughout November, students can participate in the Critical Thinking through Deliberative Dialogues Scholarship Competition, a presentation on self-compassion through the SHSU Counseling Center, a Community Resource Fair, the Fourth Annual Mass Communication Film Festival and many other events. Additionally, there are several Common Reader scholarships up for grabs throughout the semester. Due throughout October and
November, these scholarships provide a platform for students to write about, discuss, and artistically interpret the book their own way. Throughout the multitude of themes throughout the book, one vital idea stands out: taking control of your own life and education. “We have to try to bring it to life,” Angrove said. “Let [students] know they’re on a college campus and that you’re here for this short time, you’re never going to have this experience again. Yes, it’s expensive, yes it’s stressful, but it’s amazing if you let it be. If you come here and just check off a box, you missed
it.” The book is available for students to pick up from the
First-Year Experience office in Academic Building IV while supplies last.
Paul Stuart
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleNews | Monday, August 26, 2019
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community news
City Launches Pilot Program with GOAT Scooters BY SHARON RAISSI Editor-in-Chief Huntsville’s newest public transportation method has people talking. Spotted at various parking places around town, GOAT electric scooters are the first of their kind in the area. As of now, the scooters are part of a temporary pilot program through the City of Huntsville to test how they fit into the community. For six months, GOAT riders must adhere to certain regulations outlined by the city. Director of Development Services Kevin Byal explained a few of the regulations. “The pilot program only authorized 100 units to be deployed,” Byal said. “They’re only allowed on streets where the maximum speed limit is 35 miles an hour. They can only be operated a half hour before and a half hour after sunrise.” The scooters can be accessed through the GOAT rental app. They cost $1 to unlock and 20 cents per minute to ride. The scooters and riders must follow additional regulations including parking them in designated spots. On the app, the rider
must agree to the GOAT terms of agreement. As outlined in the agreement, the rider must wear a helmet, be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license, lock the scooter at the conclusion of the ride, observe all local rules and regulations and not use the scooter while under the influence. Local husband and wife team Brad and Amy Warner had the idea to bring a GOAT fleet to Huntsville. “The idea was to concentrate around the college as far as the apartment complexes, the dorms, give a chance for the students to get back and forth, especially from the apartments to the university without having to deal with the parking situation up there,” Brad Warner said. “Also, it gives students a relatively inexpensive way to get out and about the city.” Every night at sundown, Warner personally removes all scooters from their parking locations and puts them back out by 7 a.m. the following day. The scooters are docked in various locations throughout town, and can be accessed by anyone through the app. “It’s all about the location and accessibility for the students,” Warner said. “We would love to purchase more and make more available for the students, but we need to get through this pilot program and make sure everybody’s safe and going by the
Jordan Likens GOAT THE DISTANCE. GOAT scooters are Huntsville’s newest trend, and are on a limited pilot program until late December.
rules.” According to Warner, the GOAT riders have adhered to the guidelines better than he anticipated. “So far, the students and citizens of Huntsville have been very respectful of the guidelines in the pilot program,” he said. “Everybody’s really doing good, beyond what I would expect. They’re parking them where
they’re supposed to, they’re standing them up. We haven’t had any calls from UPD or the City of Huntsville Police Department. I’ve been in contact with both of them, keeping them informed of how things are going for us and asking if they have any concerns.” As shown by the signs around
SHSU grounds, the scooters are not allowed on campus. The Houstonian is waiting on a response from a campus spokesperson and will update with information as to why they are not allowed on campus in our next issue.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HuntsvilleNews | Monday, August 26, 2019
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community news
Fire Department Volunteers Complete Rigorous Training BY TYLER MOWERY Contributing Reporter Huntsville Fire Department celebrates the graduation of six new volunteer cadets as they receive their black helmets Tuesday. The promotions are awarded after several months of training that include the firefighters completing over 150 skills. “Volunteers are the backbone of Huntsville Fire Department,” Lieutenant Adam Winningham said. “In order to have a strong backbone they must be trained and trained well. The majority of my personal training [began] with the intro training
which was through HFD so I am a firm believer in the program.” The introductory course is designed to ensure the men and women are appropriately trained and well equipped to begin their career in fire service. “Our introductory to fire class that we put on is required by the state and gives you a little bit of the bread and butter of what we do, gives you a lot of exposure to different aspects of fire service operations,” Huntsville Fire Chief Greg Mathis said. In recent years, the number of volunteer firefighters in the country has been on a steady decline. According to a National Fire Protection Association re-
port, the number of volunteers in the United States decreased significantly from 814,850 in 2015 to 682,600. “HFD is steadily moving forward, although the days of finding committed volunteers is significantly more challenging,” Winningham said. “We therefore cherish the new committed volunteers that much more. We cannot neglect the senior volunteers as they carry much of the load during the transition.” Mathis believes the department is currently in a good place with high morale and has high hopes for this class as they further their career with HFD. “I am excited about these new employees,” Mathis said. “We’ve hired some great employees that we’ve hired in this
past year. I’ve been with here for 30 years and I’ve seen highs and lows. Right now, I think we’re in a high. We have volunteer firefighters that are participating, training and responding.” Those who are interested in serving the community as a volunteer firefighter or want to start a full-time career in the fire service are encouraged to visit the fire station and attend drill nights, which are every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. One can also participate in a ride along. “Come be seen, look at what we do, participate in drill nights, come do a ride along. We encourage that,” Mathis said. “Recruiting volunteer firefighters is becoming a bigger challenge as time goes on. So, if someone shows interest, we would encourage you to come by the fire
station and meet the guys and see what we do.” Editor’s Note: Mowery will graduate alongside five other cadets: Tracy Cullens, Diego Garcia, Patrick Reilly, Caleb Postoak and Nick Smith.
Courtesy Tyler Mowery
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianA_E | Monday, August 26, 2019
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Arts & entertainment
Review: ‘Good Boys’ Gives Audiences a Good Time BY TYLER JOSEFSEN Sports Editor Three best friends who call themselves “The Beanbag Boys” just started sixth grade and get caught up in an adventure involving a kissing party, a drone and a sex swing. Sound funny? It is. In fact, it is hilarious! The Cast The cast made this movie great—without question. 12-year-old Jacob Tremblay plays Max, a lovable boy with a teen crush and a heart of gold. Tremblay captures audiences right off the bat with a paradoxical performance filled with child-like innocence and vulgar adult language. As the de facto leader of The Beanbag Boys, Max partakes in a wild and crazy adventure with his best friends Lucas (Keith L. Williams) and Thor (Brady Noon). Lucas is a typical good-doer. Max cares a lot about his friends, but Lucas seems to be the nice guy and the
peacemaker of the group. He almost acts as a foil to every other kid in the movie, but he is easy to root for while you watch the film. Thor loves to sing. He wants to be the bad boy, but when it comes down to it that’s just a lot of big talk. What he really wants to do is get on stage and perform, and he rounds out The Beanbag Boys perfectly. Soren (Izaac Wang) is definitely a secondary character, but I think I literally laughed at every word that came out of his mouth. His role as the stereotypical popular kid demands viewers’ attention, and he takes advantage of every second he has on screen. The Plot Best friends Max, Lucas and Thor are invited to an exclusive junior high kissing party by Soren. The trio of “good boys” then cascades into chaos as they try a variety of things in an attempt to learn how to kiss girls. Their lackluster plans end with them spying on
their neighbor Hannah (Molly Gordon) with a drone that she eventually takes hostage. The friends end up stealing her bag which contains drugs, and thus their frenzied quest begins. Before they can get to the all-important kissing party, the boys lose the drugs that they were going to trade Hannah for their drone and ultimately have to get them back. Long story short, what unfolds is beyond a child’s wildest imagination and probably a parent’s worst nightmare. As the comedic absurdity
Universal Studios continues, Max, Lucas and Thor finally get to their party where they see Max’s crush Brixlee (Millie Davis). A game of spin the bottle turns into a lesson in friendship, and The Beanbag Boys learn some valuable insight about growing up. I hesitate to divulge any more of the events that unfold during their adventure. You need to go see them for yourself. If you want some helpful hints, there is a drug deal that goes south, a living room that gets destroyed, a sex doll that is misconstrued for a CPR dummy, kids sipping a beer and a very valuable card from the popular game Ascension that plays an important role (just to name a few). The Laughs I’m not someone who normally finds funny movies funny. So believe me when I say this movie is 89 minutes of constant fun. Whether it’s the situational comedy, the relatable scenes of adolescent nervousness or the completely off-the-wall one-liners delivered by the lovable trio of tweens, there is no way anyone could sit through this
movie with a straight face. I remember seeing a promotion for the movie where a producer jokingly tells the child actors that they cannot watch their own movie because it so inappropriate. One of the boys responds with “Why don’t we just make a family-friendly version?” and the producer says “That would be about four seconds long.” He was right. The writers thought of everything. Not only did they tap into what movie-goers find humorous, but the script takes viewers back to their own childhood to reflect on crazy adventures and mishaps they probably had with their friends. Sequences of slow-motion scenes with cleverly-selected snippets of music behind them seemed to actually bring the audience together as everyone in the theater felt a unified sense of laughter, happiness and pure enjoyment. Unexpected on-screen moments provided constant excitement and entertainment. Simply put, “Good Boys” is a good time.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/HoustonianA_E | Monday, August 26, 2019
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Arts & entertainment
With Great Power Comes Great Disappointment: Where is Spider-Man? BY ARIOLE JONES Arts & Entertainment Editor This month has proved to be a turning point for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and more specifically for Spider-Man. When it was reported that Marvel Studios and Sony failed to strike a new deal on sharing the rights to the friendly neighborhood superhero, the internet went berserk. To understand the drama with Spider-Man’s move to Sony, one must understand the complicated history between Marvel Studios, Sony and Disney. In 1999, Sony and Marvel made a deal when Marvel sold their film rights for Spider-Man as a way to save themselves from bankruptcy. The deal? They would share the rights and Sony would be the sponsor. To keep the rights, Sony had to produce a new Spider-Man move every few years. This explains the Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield iterations of the character. As each series continued, the
movies grossed less and less. This left Sony looking for alternatives. Later, Sony struck up another deal with Marvel Studios and, after much deliberation, agreed to share the rights to Spider-Man. From this, we saw Tom Holland’s Spider-Man as a centerpiece of the MCU, first appearing
in “Captain America: Civil War” and going on to have a spot in four more movies (two of which were solo Spider-Man films). Earlier this month, when Marvel Studios (owned by Disney) and Sony met to renew their deal, rumor has it that Disney asked for 50% of future Spider-Man profits.
Sony stood its ground and rejected the offer. Because of the disagreement, Spider-Man film rights were taken from the MCU and put solely into the hands of Sony. On a positive note, Spider-Man’s character no longer has Marvel’s storyline limitations and Sony will have creative freedom to do whatever
Marvel they want with the character. Sony plans to continue using Spider-Man but will avoid any references to the MCU. Spider-Man will continue to make his way on screen and fortunately in a new dynamic. Until then, in the words of Norman Osborn, “Godspeed Spider-Man!” See you when we see you.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/Houstonian_Opinions | Monday, August 26, 2019
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Opinions
Loans Leave Students in a Financial Rut BY ZACHARY LEONARD Contributing Writer
Whether your income comes from a job, financial aid refund or some other source, budgeting is important while navigating your collegiate career. Keeping track of how much you make and what you are spending your money on will help you stay on top of your finances even when money is tight. The Sam Houston State University Student Money Management Center helps students become financially literate and is a great spot for getting more
information about budgeting and saving money. According to the most recent figures from the Project on Student Debt, seven out of 10 college graduates leave school with loan debt. Despite their qualifications, grads often have to settle for lower-paying, lower-skill jobs just so they can start paying back their college loans. As a result, graduates carrying college debt often delay buying new cars or homes. ProgressNow found that students facing loan repayments were 36% less likely to purchase a house and were less likely to take out car loans. Other
research has found students with unpaid loan debt have lower credit scores and tend to be more likely to be living with their parents. Despite the financial burden, people are still going to college in hopes of receiving new job opportunities and higher wages once they graduate. College Board released a study in 2013 that showed college graduates have a nearly 60% higher median yearly salary compared to high school graduates. The employment rate for college graduates between the ages of 25 and 64 was 15% higher than high school gradu-
ates of the same age. In spite of the financial drawbacks, higher education makes people more employable. In turn, once they find jobs in their chosen field, college graduates make more money— increasing their chances of being financially independent. The reality is many students will have student loan debt after graduating. Most people pay off their loans for years
after graduating. From keeping you from qualifying for a car loan or increasing your mortgage to preventing you from saving for your retirement, failing to repay your loans can really hurt you. To combat money troubles, develop good budgeting skills in college and check into income-based debt payments or loan forgiveness.
Budgeting Tips from Student Money Management 1. Watch how much you spend eating out, especially if you have already purchased a meal plan or groceries. Students frequently overspend in this category.
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Planning is key: Think about big expenses, such as study abroad trips, buying a vehicle, or moving that might come up a few months down the road.
3. Do not use your credit card for a purchase unless you have the money to make the purchase regardless of using a credit card. 4. Use secure apps to help you track spending and stay within your budget. We highly recommend the Mint app. 5. Online classes are more expensive than face-to-face classes, so if you are trying to save money while in school, take face-to-face classes.
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The Houstonian | bit.ly/Houstonian_Sports | Monday, August 26, 2019
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SPORTS
Football Kickoff: Why Bearkats Will Bounce Back in 2019
BY TYLER JOSEFSEN Sports Editor Head football coach K.C. Keeler brings a 52-17 record into his sixth season at the helm for the Bearkats. Despite putting together SHSU’s ninth consecutive winning season last year, the Kats missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010. The Bearkats’ 6-5 finish last season and the starting quarterback situation are major reasons that SHSU sits in just fourth place in the SLC preseason poll. Despite Nicholls, Central Arkansas and Incarnate Word being picked ahead of SHSU, Keeler is optimistic that SHSU can make a postseason run. “I don’t think our guys really pay attention to that,” Keeler said in an exclusive interview at Southland Conference Media Day. “We were ranked number one last year and didn’t end up there. I think, especially in FCS football, no one really knows a lot about what has happened in the offseason. We’ve had a phenomenal summer.” Long Trips, Early Bonding SHSU’s non-conference
schedule marks a couple of long-distance trips for the team as they travel to battle FBS opponent New Mexico to open the campaign on August 31 and will then make the trek to North Dakota week three. The Kats will face an FBS opponent to begin their season for the first time since 2015 against Texas Tech. SHSU and New Mexico last met in 2011 when the Kats edged out the Lobos 48-45 in overtime. “Sometimes you need a trip like that,” Keeler said. “Sometimes you can’t invent some of the stuff that happens on a road trip to bring guys together. We go and play a Division I school on the road at New Mexico. I think the kids will be very excited about that. Long road trips are a great way to bring teams together.” The home opener comes Sept. 7 when Oklahoma Panhandle State comes to Huntsville. Sept. 14 will be the Kats’ third and final non-conference matchup as they head to North Dakota before returning home to open conference play against the UIW Cardinals who earned a playoff berth in 2018. SHSU will look to continue its
dominance of the annual Battle of the Piney Woods game at NRG Stadium on Oct. 5 when they face the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. The Kats have won the last eight consecutive BOTPW games and lead the alltime series 55-35-2. “The competitiveness of this conference has really gone to a new level,” Keeler said. Total Package of Transfers Keeler and the Bearkats were able to fill many holes thanks to a rich class of transfers, including University of Texas running back Toneil Carter who will likely split duties in the backfield with Jackson. “[Jackson] has really taken his conditioning and weight workouts to a new level,” Keeler said. “[Carter] is one of those guys who has this unbelievable God-given talent. He’s 210 pounds and runs a low 4.4 [40yard dash].” According to Keeler, freshman Alex Williams out of Memorial High School and sophomore Donovan Williams have both had “phenomenal” off seasons. “Last year we really struggled at the running back position,” Keeler said. “We have four
running backs now that we can give the ball to. All four of them can run in space. There’s a lot of versatility at the running back spot, and also it gives us some pretty good depth that we didn’t have last year.” On the other side of the ball, a pair of transfers -- UTEP lineman Trace Mascorro and Oregon State corner Dwayne Williams -- provide leadership and experience. “We’re so excited for Trace [Mascorro],” Keeler said. “We saw glimpses of what he can do in the spring. He had a great summer. I think he will be an All-Conference level player, maybe an All-American level player. “[Williams] started 23 games in the Pac 12,” Keeler said. “He wanted to get back to Texas, go to grad school, wanted to win. Having him in the spring was big because there is a level of confidence and you know he can be a big time player.” Williams will join twin brothers Zyon and Tristin McCollum along with Jaylen Thomas in what Keeler said could be one of the best secondaries in the country this year.
Offensive Optimism One of the cornerstones of the Bearkats offense will be senior wide receiver Nathan Stewart. He enters the 2019 campaign with the prestigious opportunity of becoming just the third player in FCS history to accumulate 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons. “[Stewart] is one of the greats I have ever coached,” Keeler said. “He’s really competitive. He got an ankle surgery in the middle of the spring. In the long run, it might be a good thing. He spent so much time in the weight room and is tremendously strong. You’ll see us move him around a bunch.” Sophomore Dee Bowens gives the team a huge burst of speed that will be important in the slot for the Kats’ offense, and junior Coree Compton and his 6’3” 190-pound frame will return after missing last season. Some new faces including junior Christian Graves and Marshall transfer Brennon Tibbs will likely get some targets, as well. The Bearkats kick off Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. at New Mexico in Albuquerque. The game will broadcast live on 101.7 KSAM.
The Houstonian | bit.ly/Houstonian_Sports | Monday, August 26, 2019
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SPORTS SHSU Upcoming Sports Schedule
Volleyball Aug. 30 vs Aug. 31 vs Aug. 31 vs Sept. 5 vs Sept. 6 vs Sept. 7 vs
Football Aug. 31 vs Sept. 7 vs
Soccer Aug. 29 vs Sept. 6 vs Sept. 8 vs
SHSU Soccer Hits the Pitch for New Season BY SCOTT MORRIS Sports Reporter SHSU women’s soccer (0-0-2) is taking a new approach for the 2019 campaign after finishing second to last in the Southland Conference last year. The Bearkats were picked to finish in 10th place in the preseason poll, but head coach Tom Brown is very optimistic about the team’s potential. “I do have high expectations for this team,” Brown said. “We are very young, with about onethird freshmen and one-third sophomores. It will take some time for them to get comfortable in the college game. I really like this team, and we will keep working hard in training to improve each day.” SHSU dropped their season opener last week 3-0 against a talented University of Houston squad. They faced Gonzaga on Sunday and played an impressive first half. Thanks to Sammi Mayock’s 17th-minute goal and freshman Tatum Krueger’s six saves, the Bearkats took a 1-0 lead into halftime. With time winding down, Gonzaga scored in the 81st minute to tie the game 1-1 on their tenth shot on goal of the match. They took a 2-1 lead in extra time to hand the Kats a heart-breaking loss. According to Brown, only three players who started against Houston in the home opener played significant min-
utes last year. That means there are plenty of new faces on this squad. One of them is freshman transfer Alyssa Austin from Mississippi State, a midfielder who is looking to make a quick impact in her first season at SHSU. “Our biggest challenge is to get this group of young players playing on the same page each game and being consistent,” Brown said. “It takes time for this to evolve. Our younger players need to understand this is a different arena than they played in high school. It takes more commitment to training, watching videos and taking care of yourself. Our players have been moving in the right direction, and I am excited to see the end product.” Despite the influx of youth, there is no shortage of veteran leadership on this team either. Senior forwards Carlota Suarez Crespo and Hannah Dupin certainly have the ability to develop this young core. Crespo started just four games in 2018, but appeared in a total of 16 and really made the most of her time on the pitch. Dupin played a total of 618 minutes last year—finishing the season with 17 total shots and five on goal. She will likely play a larger role this year. In addition to a talented group of players, the program also added new assistant coach Jorden Smith. She was an assistant at Angelina College and Cisco College and was also the inaugural head coach for both
men’s and women’s soccer at Blinn College. Some competition for starting spots will continue as the young campaign develops, too. Krueger from Legacy High School and sophomore Abby DeLozier will both see time in the net as they battle for the goalkeeper job. “I think there is competition going on all over the field for playing time,” Brown said. “That includes the goalkeeper position. We want a good healthy competitive atmosphere for all of our players to develop.” SHSU has a slate full of big games throughout the season even after their first two non-conference matches. On Aug. 29, the Kats will face Texas Christian University who finished in the top five in the BIG 12 conference last season. The conference opener will be against Central Arkansas on Sept. 20— who won the Southland in 2018. A week later on Sept. 27, the Houston Baptist University Huskies who finished second last year come to Huntsville. To end the regular season, the Bearkats will play their biggest rivals— Stephen F. Austin University— Nov. 1. The Southland Conference Tournament will be Nov. 6-10 in Arkansas. The Bearkats next match will be their first road test of the season as they travel to Fort Worth to face TCU Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. Hannah Trojan