03-28-2023

Tradition of success continues for TXST rugby

By Brendan Fielding Sports Contributor

The Texas State Renegade Rugby Club is no stranger to winning games. With their ability to execute, the Renegades strengthen their club's bonds through their community's connective nature.

In order to be successful in a sport that demands a certain physicality, a level of dedication is required. Joe Puccio, Renegades president and junior back, said dedication within the team's highly-skilled roster and staff is something that sets them apart from

ADVOCACY

other rugby programs.

“Our first goal is to always start at the beginning, build up from that, and then show [new players] how we play rugby here at Texas State,” Puccio said. “That’s what I think we do better than every other school is every other school wants to hop into doing the advanced stuff or hop straight in.”

Texas State Rugby has been successful throughout its history which started in 1983. With decades of winning seasons on its belt, it has grown into a club whose culture is one of strong brotherly bonds and winning games.

Main Point: Proposition A needs a formal policy

By Editorial Board

In November, Prop A, an ordinance decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana in San Marcos, was passed with nearly 82% of the vote. However, the San Marcos Police Department said it wouldn't adopt a formal policy.

SMPD is not arresting or issuing citations for small amounts of marijuana, but the ordinance is not clearly outlined in city law.

Without a formal ordinance, it opens the door to the policy potentially fading into obscurity, even after voters expressed support for an official law — not a spoken change of behavior.

After a state championship run this past season, where they lost by just three points, the Renegades have continued to better themselves on and off the field with encouragement from alumni through social events and academic achievement.

Alumni involvement is an element of Texas State Rugby that sets it apart from other Texas State club sports and Texas university rugby teams. Alumni support is showcased via a willingness to show up for the current team.

SEE CLUB SPORTS PAGE 6

Hays County jail inmates, advocates speak out on poor jail conditions

By Samantha Guerrero News Contributor

With new officials elected into the Hays County government last November, advocacy groups have asked for the county government to look into ways to improve the conditions of Hays County Jail.

Inmates claim that the jail fosters a breaking facility, participates in medical negligence, withholds mail and "[encourages] abusive officers." Advocacy groups also speak on Hays County Jail staff and said that the jail has a toxic work environment with a high turnover rate.

Cyrus Grey, a past inmate of Hays County Jail, said the inmates struggle immensely because of the conditions.

"The place is gross," Grey said. "They feed you badly. Not because they don't have the resources to feed you better and it's very unhealthy."

Grey also said that it often takes weeks for them to receive medical attention should they need it.

"I was there maybe five years and saw a medical professional maybe twice," Grey said. "It takes anywhere from a month to three months before you see a doctor. By then, either your situation is much worse or your body has taken care of the problem by itself."

Letters from current Hays County Jail inmates to the Hays County government say that medical neglect can go as far as

near death. Melvin Nichols, an inmate with diabetes, said that he put in several medical request forms that were disregarded.

"I had a real close call with death with a blood sugar count of 1667 by the time they got me to the hospital," Nichols wrote. "When I arrived, I went into a coma that lasted two and a half days."

When he was released, Nichols was prescribed 40 units of insulin once a day and a diabetic diet.

"I didn't receive the insulin for 38 days," Nichols wrote. "And I am still not receiving my diet."

Amy Kamp, the Hays County Jail ambassador for Mano Amiga, said that the issue of medical care also extends into the pharmacy.

"They have their own pharmacy there," Kamp said. "And so, imagine you're at a crossroads where you are given a specific antidepressant you were prescribed then you go into the jail and they tell you 'we don't have that one.'"

John Thomas, an inmate with several diagnosed medical conditions, also wrote a letter to the county about not being able to receive proper medical care.

"Before coming here, I was scheduled to receive a sonogram, endoscopy and a colonoscopy," Thomas wrote. "It has been five months, and the only procedure I have received is the sonogram. Some of these procedures are detrimental to keeping me alive."

(top) A photo of warning signs outside Hays County Jail, Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Hays County Dispatch. (left) A photo of Hays County Law Enforcement Center, Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Hays County Dispatch.

PHOTO BY ALLISON MENDOZA

Texas State masters student forward Joel Rebollar runs downfield against the University of North Texas, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2022, at West Campus Fields.

PHOTO BY ALLISON MENDOZA

PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE RUGBY

Trinity Building 203 Pleasant St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245 - 3487

Editorial Staff

Editor-in-Chief: Arthur Fairchild stareditor@txstate.edu

Managing Editor: Sarah Hernandez starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu

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Life & Arts Editor: Marisa Nuñez starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

Opinions Editor: Dillon Strine staropinion@txstate.edu

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Multimedia Editor: Jeffrey Halfen starmultimedia@txstate.edu

Engagement Editor: Zaria Jackson starengagement@txstate.edu

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Public & Internal Relations

PIR Director: Elle Gangi starpr@txstate.edu

Full-Time Staff

Director: Laura Krantz laurakrantz@txstate.edu

Student Publications Coordinator: Caitlin Mitchell cf1188@txstate.edu

About Us

History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and once a month in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 3,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels HeraldZeitung.

Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, March 28, 2023. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor-in-chief.

Deadlines:

Letters to the Editor or any contributed articles are due on Monday the week prior to publication.

Corrections:

Any errors that are in the pages of The University Star and brought to our attention will be corrected as soon as possible.

Visit The Star at universitystar.com

Students with disabilities struggle with construction on campus

By Samantha Guerrero News Contributor

Over the last few months, Texas State students with disabilities have struggled to get around campus due to construction efforts blocking off usual routes and some hills.

As the university grows in size and population, construction has started to increase in quantity as the administration strives to keep up with the growing student body. According to the Texas State Facilities webpage, there are 14 projects in progress on campus that range from drafting to near completion.

Director of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction (FPDC), Gordon Bohmfalk, said that planning for these projects depends on several factors.

"Funding, planning and coordination of large projects take place over several years prior to construction or renovation," Bohmfalk said. "All projects and schedules are subject to available funding."

Ollie Payne, a technical theatre senior, said that they feel as though construction negatively impacts their ability to make it around campus due to their disability.

"There are paths blocked to get around campus," Payne said. "I haven't seen too many alternative routes that aren't totally out of the way."

Payne was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, an autoimmune disorder affecting the spine and other joints, hypermobility and a heart condition. They said that construction has made them have to take new paths that intensify their pain because of extra strain.

"Everything on campus already inflames my body," Payne said. "The stairs and hills are already hard for me but the construction only makes that strain worse."

In order to accommodate students' ability to get to class, Bohmfalk said that FPDC tries to plan for students' needs in advance.

"Blocking existing access or pathways is an important consideration," Bohmfalk said. "If a project is expected

FROM FRONT ADVOCACY

Grey said he believes that officers on the aggressive side are more likely to be unpunished for their behavior.

"I remember this kid with autism was getting beat up by another guy," Grey said. "Instead of trying to break it up, the officer's response was to run over there and grab the kid who stood up to defend himself and slam him on his head and hold him down while the other kid is still trying to punch him."

Kamp said that there is also an issue with inmates struggling to connect with the outside world.

"When Cyrus was doing things for us like providing us with research, there were so many times that he was supposed to call but wasn't able to because the phones were down," Kamp said.

Grey said that they also had issues with handling inmates' mail.

"I would do a lot of legal paperwork myself to send into different courts and my mail would get tampered with and delayed so long," Grey said. "There were times when I would have to respond by a deadline and I wouldn't be able to because I never got my stuff. That affected my ability to really defend myself."

According to the Hays County Jail database, there are currently 598 inmates in Hays County Jail. Most of them are there awaiting trial and sentencing. Hays County Chief of Staff Alexander Villalobos said the county government is currently working on measures to improve this rate.

"We are setting up pretrial services that could use create some diversionary programs that can help mitigate lowlevel nonviolent crimes or other crimes that could be diverted," Villalobos said. "These pretrial services are still in their infancy. We are identifying ways to improve efficiency within those organizations."

Villalobos said that they are also looking into giving less punishment to petty, nonviolent crimes.

"We have a large population inside the jail that are pretrial," Villalobos said. "Some of them have been there for a very long time. So providing these new resources, we believe that we can address

to block an existing pathway, we look for ways to safely re-route pathways in order to provide an accessible means around the construction activity."

Nate Pasnick, a photography senior, said that the construction near Jones Dining Hall has severely impacted his daily routine.

"I have to think of new ways to get around," Pasnik said. "I am unaware of any better alternative routes nor are they communicated very effectively."

Pasnik said that his POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) impacts his ability to regulate his heart rate. This can cause him to faint if he strains his body.

"I have had to go around UAC and up the other hill for weeks," Pasnik said. "It was annoying because going down and up really messes with me."

According to Bohmfalk, FPDC is aware that there are situations where making it to class can prove to be complicated. In order to aid this, it sends out campus-wide construction notices in order to make students, faculty and staff aware of alternative routes.

"In the cases where campus notices have been overlooked, we are informed that someone needs further assistance," Bohmfalk said. "When contacted, our department will provide more information about a direct route, or a possible alternative means that will help with their needs."

Some students are not aware of the alternative means of getting to class.

easy transportation."

"I haven't heard of other means," Payne said. "I think it would be helpful if they could provide better transportation around campus. [The shuttles] go to very select spots and do not allow for

those a little sooner. But it also is getting people to understand that, again, lowlevel nonviolent crimes don't necessarily need to be addressed by an arrest."

According to Kamp, these issues began to arise a couple of years ago with the previous prosecutor.

Pasnik said that he feels that students with disabilities could be helped through improvements in transportation.

"The campus is already really difficult for students with disabilities," Pasnik said. "It is so hard to get what is already available to us as a lot of us aren't sure where to start."

Pasnik said that he feels as though the university doesn't dedicate enough time or energy to its more vulnerable students.

"I don't think they would ever make alternative means to getting to class explicit," Pasnik said. "I feel as though the Office of Disability Services should have told us about that. I am pessimistic about the school providing manpower to us when we need it."

Bohmfalk said that while there are many projects underway, they communicate their intentions. These projects will interfere with routes going through Smith Hall, the UAC and the front entry to JC Kellam.

"Many of our construction projects will cut across normal pedestrian routes at any given time during the year," Bohmfalk said.

According to Bohmfalk, if a project is expected to block an existing pathway, FPDC looks for ways to safely re-route pathways in order to provide an accessible means around the construction activity.

For maps and dates of construction sites and closures around the Texas State campus, visit https://www.facilities.txst. edu/pdc/construction-shutdown.html.

The Texas State Office of Disability Services did not immediately respond for comment.

thing they tell you is to get comfortable because you're gonna be here a while," Grey said. "And I would hear people talking about how they'd been here three or four years waiting trial."

Villalobos said that he is thankful for advocacy groups in Hays County that work to improve the conditions of the jail. He said that he is proud of his community.

"The previous prosecutor was just going crazy with prosecuting," Kamp said. "And so when you're constantly charging people with the most outrageous charge, the jail is going to be full of people who are there for a long time."

According to Grey, some inmates have been awaiting pre-trial for months or years.

"When I first got there, like the first

"I see advocacy groups as opportunities to learn from some of the organizations that are engaged and are helping us," Villalobos said. "A lot of them come with a lot of information and data and expertise that we can use so I'm glad that we have a very engaged community."

Grey said that he hopes students realize that they are in a time in their life when anything can happen. He said that he hopes they will know what is going on in their community.

"I know a lot of students have lost everything because of a simple situation," Grey said. "And this city still governs itself as it did in the 70s."

A photo of zig-zagged accessibility ramps, Monday, March 27, 2023, on Bobcat Trail.

PHOTO BY JEFFREY HALFEN

A photo of zig-zagged accessibility ramps, Monday, March 27, 2023, on Bobcat Trail.

PHOTO BY JEFFREY HALFEN

"When I first got there, like the first thing they tell you is to get comfortable because you're gonna be here a while,"

CYRUS GREY Past inmate of Hays County Jail

DIVERSITY

DEI statements eliminated from TSUS hiring processes, impacts

By Blake Leschber Assistant News Editor

On March 2, Texas State University System (TSUS) Chancellor Brian McCall sent out a letter stating that all TSUS campuses must remove all diversity statements from the hiring process, effective immediately. The letter was in conjunction with Gov. Greg Abbott's requirement that all public universities must remove diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) statements.

The letter, which was sent to Texas State, Lamar University, Sam Houston State and other TSUS schools, listed four immediate changes that campuses had to make including eliminating a diversity statement for hiring processes, removing language involving DEI and continuously reviewing webpages and hiring policies to ensure that no DEI language is mentioned.

One of the main changes is the change in hiring processes, which according to Texas State President Kelly Damphousse, will involve removing any sort of questions surrounding diversity to applicants such as their beliefs and commitments to upholding diverse values in the workplace.

"What is being changed is any requirement asking applicants to describe their philosophy about diversity, which I think is fair to ask how relevant that is for a job application," Damphousse said. "We removed those requirements from job applications so that people aren't required to answer what would basically be a question about their commitment to diversity."

Under the DEI removal, all public universities in the state are required to not hire people based on anything else other than merit.

"We're proud that we think we can hire great people without that single question on there. We still have information on there about our belief in equity at the university and how it's an important value to us," Damphousse said.

This sentiment of merit is not felt around campus, as some feel that this removal is an attempt to silence certain demographics with the excuse of fairness.

"I feel like it's kind of silencing. Because to me,

I feel they're looking for a specific set of people, they're trying to cater their business to certain people who want to work for them," Ifeoluwa Cole, a health sciences junior, said.

A diversity statement can also be a chance for prospective employees to set themselves apart from other applicants, but with this removal, those opportunities diminish.

Diversity statements can also define the skills that prospective employees can provide to an employer and how their backgrounds lead to their development.

"The purpose of diversity statements is to allow a person to share aspects of their background that have contributed to their skills and explain how they can apply their skills and experience to a position," Ayanni Cartagena, a health sciences freshman said. "Getting rid of it could prevent people from being able to share how aspects of their personal identity enable them to bring something to the table."

Since this change is recent, its effects on the Texas State hiring process are not completely clear as of now, but Damphousse feels that in terms of qualified employees being hired, there will not be a change.

"We get great people training for our jobs and the faculty and staff who are doing the recruiting still have the ability to ask people about their qualifications for the job; that won't stop," Damphousse said.

The Texas State Division of Inclusive Excellence, which works to provide equity and diversity to the university community, did not comment on the removal of diversity language and its possible effects on the division.

Texas State has many clubs and organizations that have DEI goals at their forefront which is the direct language that is being barred under the removal.

"I'm Nigerian and we have a club on campus that caters to not just Nigerian students but African Americans too. There's different clubs around campus that help cater to different students," Cole said.

Clubs that involve diversity at Texas State seem to not be at risk with this change in hiring vocabulary according to Damphousse as the removal only targets the hiring process right now.

With some clubs requiring interviews or applications, there are fears that the removal of diversity statements can reach these clubs impacting both the organizations themselves and the applicants.

"I know that with some clubs on campus you need to be interviewed or send an application in order to join," Cartagena said. "Once again, I feel like if people aren't given the option to provide a diversity statement it could prevent them from being able to share anecdotes about themselves that could reflect in their ability to fulfill a role."

Texas State's diversity and inclusion policy statement, which promotes seeking diversity, inclusion and mutual respect even beyond the hiring process, still stands.

"I think diversity is important in a university setting because it kind of teaches everyone to accept each other because I feel like in a space where there's not enough diversity, a lot of people tend to be excluded," Cole said.

ILLUSTRATION BY MADISON WARE

The Star earns 15 awards at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association

By Staff

The University Star is grateful to announce that our organization won 15 awards at the 2023 Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) conference in Fort Worth, Texas, over the weekend.

TIPA is the oldest collegiate media organization in the country. It consists of 77 public and private two-year colleges and four-year universities in Texas that teach journalism or have existing or planned student publications. The annual awards honor excellence in student media.

The conference features a mix of journalism sessions and on-site and previouslypublished contests.

Here is a list of The Star's winners:

On-site Contests:

First Place, TV Sports Writing - David Cuevas

First Place, Editorial Writing - Rhian Davis

Second Place, Print News Writing - Nichaela Shaheen

Second Place, Print Sports Writing - Carson Weaver

Third Place, Radio Sports Writing - Dillon Strine

Third Place, Magazine Design - Sarah Manning

Third Place, Sports Action Photo - Sarah Manning

Previously-published contests:

First Place, Static Information Graphic - Valid Forms of Identification (Staff)

First Place, Feature Story - From Navy vet to Bobcat tight end: Tyler Huff’s journey to Texas State (Carson Weaver)

First Place, General Column - Opinion: Texas State needs to rethink housing before next year (Andrew Hodge)

Second Place, Sports Column - Opinion: Texas State football should capitalize off transfer rule (David Cuevas)

Second Place, Website - Staff

Third Place, Feature Photo - Liliana Perez

Third Place, Editorial Cartoon - Opinion: Texas State needs to rethink housing before next year (Dillion Strine)

Honorable Mention, Best Use of Social Media - Breaking News - San Marcos police respond to major vehicle collision involving university bus (Vanessa Buentello)

This is a direct attack on San Marcos voters, and it shows a level of disrespect from the local police department. Police Chief Stan Standridge is aware of what his city wants, yet he refuses to take action, stating that he has "sworn to uphold the laws of this state."

Texas has a long history of suppressing the voices of its voters. More recently, college students have found themselves at risk of losing their little representation in the Texas government because of legislation like House Bill 2390, which would ban polling locations on college campuses.

The dismissal of Prop A has the potential to take voter suppression in the state a step further. The voters who passionately took their voice to the ballot boxes are being told their decisions do not matter. The refusal to outline a formal policy for Prop A could lead them not to return.

Texans showed out across the state in the past two midterms, more so than in the two decades prior. As a result, the proposed ordinance received 1,000 more votes than any other city election

during the 2022 midterm. This shows that mobilizing voters, especially young voters, can have massive impacts on elections but must continue after being in the voting booth as it takes an intense push to get through the red tape.

Texas has accounted for 12% of the nation's marijuana possession arrests from 2017-2021. According to the Texas Tribune, 21,265 people serve time in Texas jails because of marijuana charges. Of the roughly 600 inmates in Hays County Jail, at least 50 were accused of possession of marijuana between 2020 and 2021. As other states move toward decriminalization and legalization, Texas has continued to set the wrong example.

Each year, the U.S. government spends more than $3.6 billion enforcing laws on possession. Taking steps to decriminalize marijuana is crucial in Texas and the U.S. as a whole. Instead, we could use the money enforcing these laws and direct them toward more urgent matters.

The prohibition of marijuana is a clear waste of federal resources. By legalizing and taxing cannabis across

the U.S., there is potential for the government to bring in revenue. In Washington State, for example, the marijuana tax revenue was roughly $614.5 million in 2020.

President Joe Biden has shown his support for the move toward decriminalization by pardoning those federally charged and having legislation passed through the U.S. House of Representatives.

In July 2020, the Austin Police Department stated that its officers would no longer arrest individuals for possession of marijuana. Instead, they would only confiscate the substances. Although this did not directly qualify as the decriminalization of marijuana, it showed progress.

The ordinance has since been turned into a policy and put into the city code. The success in Austin shows that it is also possible in San Marcos, but our officials are choosing to refrain from taking action.

Medical marijuana is on the rise in many states, including Texas. The Compassionate Use Program (CUP)

allows physicians to prescribe low-THC for specific medical conditions such as epilepsy, autism and terminal cancer.

The Veterans Association now prescribes medical marijuana. According to a 2019 study, just over 12,000 veterans reside in Hays County. Because the use of marijuana is not always for recreational purposes, SMPD should not have to think twice about officially putting Prop A into effect.

SMPD's decision not only sends the message of a faulty representative democracy but also can potentially stop young voters from using their voices to make a change. No matter the legality of marijuana, SMPD should follow the city ordinance that was decided last November.

Texas State University operates outside of city ordinance and sets its own drug policy, and is therefore unaffected by Proposition A.

Opinions in The University Star are not necessarily those of our entire publication, Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

The Main Point is an opinion written collectively by The University Star's Editorial Board. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of our entire publication. FROM FRONT EDITORAL

ODS art showcase to break the status quo with "Disabled & Proud"

By Carlene Ottah Life and Arts Reporter

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) will present "Disabled & Proud (I Am Different But Not Less)," an interdisciplinary art show, to highlight the experience of Texas State's population of students with disabilities on Thursday, March 30.

With the art show, ODS aims to create a better sense of community within the disabled community and for them to express themselves in an artistic form.

"I understand that they may not always have that opportunity, and I would like to do that for them," Amber Cantu, disability specialist and the event's campus sponsor, said. "I'd like for both the artists and the spectators to again just develop that sense of community and maybe feel more proud to be a student with a disability."

The art show will include a giveaway of two bags with donations from the university bookstore and a fruit and juice display. It is open for all students, faculty and staff to attend. Any student was able to submit a piece for the show by emailing ODS by the deadline.

The show's name "Disabled & Proud (I Am Different But Not Less)" comes from wanting to make students with disabilities proud of themselves. When deciding on a name, ODS noticed many underrepresented groups take pride in their identity. The art show will help boost students with disabilities' confidence in expressing theirs.

Past outreach events have aligned with national observations such as the National Black HIV AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7 and "Tips and Tricks: Beating the Burnout" on April 12. March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and "Disabled & Proud (I Am Different But Not Less)" stands out as the first event of its kind to display the talents of students with disabilities.

"Unlike most of our events, where we're either conducting a tabling and we're passing out brochures and information regarding the services our office provides, this is giving students with disabilities — especially with an office — an opportunity to show a reflection of themselves," Harlan Ballard, outreach coordinator, said.

Ballard said art is a reflection of one's inner self, whether through painting, sculpture, welding clay or another medium. As an expression of one's individual self, art will allow students to express themselves in a way they may not have been able to before.

Frank Lyon, an ODS intern, said the art show can benefit young traditional and nontraditional veteran students. From a veteran's perspective, he plans on attending because it can serve as an outlet for veterans dealing with mental health illnesses to receive help. Lyon said a veteran associated with the Veterans Alliance at Texas State (VATS) brought a binder of artwork to ODS.

"It was beautiful artwork, and he came down because he saw one of the flyers of 'Disabled & Proud,' and he specifically came down here and made sure that Amber Cantu had that," Lyon said. "I think it's really important for people, especially with a mental health illness, to find an outlet."

The event will also spread awareness about ODS as an available resource for Texas State students to request accommodations for campus life. According to Cantu, roughly 2,100 students are registered with ODS. While this is one of the highest numbers recorded in the program's history, she said it still needs to catch up to the old estimate of 3,800 gathered from 10% of the student population and the updated estimate of 7,600, accounting for 18-25%.

"There's many reasons why students may not register with our office," Cantu

STAR SNAPS

said. "I think one reason is simply because they don't know that we exist, and another reason is because of the stigma associated with disabilities. Some students may not want to identify as a student with a disability. I'm looking to break that stigma, and hopefully, this art show can help with that a little bit."

"Disabled & Proud (I Am Different But Not Less)" will be from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 in rooms 3-6.1 and 3-7.1 at the LBJ Student Center.

For more information on the Office of Disability Services and its events, visit https://www.ods.txst.edu/.

ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH MANNING

Jeffrey Halfen Multimedia Editor starmultimedia@txstate.edu

Texas State health science freshman Ayanni Cartagena lines up her shot to break the balls, Thursday March 23, 2023, at George’s in the LBJ Student Center.

Texas State alumnus Joseph Losoya (left), also known as the "Bubble Believer," and nursing sophomore Grace Cantwell blow bubbles, Thursday, March 23, 2023, near Alkek Library.

Texas State theatre freshman Danny Drysdale builds a dragon with LEGO, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at San Jacinto Hall. The dorm hosted a "LEGO and Eggo" event for all residents to attend.

Texas State freshman infielder Case Mora (right) looks out for the ball, Wednesday, March, 22, 2023, at Bobcat Ballpark.

PHOTO BY ODALIS IPINA

PHOTO BY ALLISON MENDOZA

PHOTO BY JEFFREY HALFEN

PHOTO BY ABBY RUSSELL

Carson Weaver

WOMENS BASKETBALL

Hood finishes five-year career

By Kobe Arriaga Sports Reporter

Over the past five years, Texas State women’s basketball has been accustomed to the on-court showmanship and excellence displayed by graduate forward Da’Nasia Hood, one of the Bobcats’ most prolific scorers in recent years.

Hood has completed a total of 130 games while rocking the maroon and gold and has been awarded multiple career accolades and accomplishments during her playing time.

Head coach Zenarae Antoine believes Hood will be mentioned along with the Texas State greats and undoubtedly belongs in the Texas State record books.

“Understanding how special that is to watch her grow and see that she’s been really successful,” Antoine said. “To be a first-generation college student is difficult in itself, but when you add into that a sport at the division one level and competing at the level that she does, that’s the trifecta.”

In her final year, Hood led an experienced veteran squad to its first Sun Belt Conference championship appearance since 2018, finishing with a 23-9 overall record and 13-5 in conference to lead the Sun Belt for the first time in 15 years.

Upon finishing her final season, Hood is now one of only three players to complete their career with at least 1,700 career points and 800 career rebounds, joining Linda Muelker (2001-05) and Tori Talbert (2001-05) in elite company.

“It’s an unexplainable feeling, I always wanted this for myself, no doubt, but you know actually seeing it come about, I can’t be any more grateful,” Hood said, “It’s not enough words to explain everything that I’m so thankful for.”

Throughout the past five years, Hood has proven to be one of Texas State's most lethal offensive weapons, scoring from nearly anywhere on the court.

She finishes her career in the top five in the program’s leaderboard in career points at fourth, fifth in rebounds, and third in three-pointers made.

Antoine also expressed her excitement to be a part of a historic group of girls, stating that old records can’t last forever.

“Records are meant to be broken, so anytime we have a chance to achieve that marker, I think that’s really exciting,” Antoine said. “I’m always celebrating anytime one of our student-athletes breaks a record we’ve had so many records broken under my tenure

FROM FRONT CLUB SPORTS

“I think that the reason we’re so good, and the reason that we’re where we’re at every single year is because of the alumni,” Puccio said. “It’s not like there’s a couple of guys that are from the alumni that help. It’s every alumni. I haven’t met a single alumni that I’m not grateful for.”

On the field, present members of the club deepen their ties through playing with one another — an activity that demands blood, sweat and tears, Puccio said.

Through the steady encouragement of the alumni, a sense of camaraderie and discipline has developed within the club, leading players to encourage one another both on the field and in the classroom.

Sophomore forward Mark Pownall said that if a teammate is struggling in school, they will likely have someone to study with to keep them disciplined.

“We make sure we keep in check,” Pownall said. “If we’re ever struggling and anybody’s in the same field or everybody is in the same class, like, you know, don’t be afraid to reach out.”

Sophomore back and vice president Elisha Garcia agrees on the importance of academics and said that the accomplishments he has made on the field play into his performance in school by heartening him when he faces challenges.

“If the guy weighs 300 pounds and I make a tackle on him... it just proves to your inner self that like, you’re not scared to tackle any challenge, regardless if it’s a human or a test or an assignment,” Garcia said.

and it’s just fun to be a part of the journey.”

Hood was most recently awarded her thirdstraight All-Sun Belt Conference first-team selection for the 2022-23 season in which she averaged a careerbest 17.5 points and nearly eight rebounds a contest this season.

Her teammate, senior forward Lauryn Thompson, said she cherishes the relationship she's had with Hood since her arrival at Texas State as a transfer. She said she has been on the receiving end of Hood’s leadership ever since.

“Me and Da’Nasia bonded on the fact that we could work hard together,” Thompson said. “We spent a lot of hours at the gym at night time during our sophomore year and her impact is always shown in different ways that you might not be able to see or instantly hear, but her impact is always being shown.”

Thompson said Hood has a quiet personality and is typically not one to boast her own achievements or try to put herself over other people.

“It makes me laugh because this girl will not give herself any credit. The way she works you would think she’s at the bottom of everybody’s list,” Thompson said. “Sometimes I remind her just to sit and smell the roses, she’s done some big things here and just the work that she puts in is really admiring to me.”

Hood said that she just doesn’t like to come off as a rude or vain individual but rather strives toward being a good person with pure intentions with the people around her.

“That’s one of the reasons I came back [another year], not only for myself and the things that I can achieve but to invest in my teammates and make them better basketball players and better people,” Hood said. “That’s something I take pride in. Just being a good person with good intentions.”

Hood led all Bobcats in scoring and rebounding this year while also reaching the 30-point mark twice, one of which occurred in Texas State’s conference semifinals victory over Southern Miss.

She also managed to haul in a season-high 16 rebounds in the semifinals victory, showcasing her full abilities on one of the biggest stages of the season.

Hood has cemented her name in the history books after her final year of eligibility, proving to be one of Texas State’s most notable leaders and scorers in recent memory.

Antoine has seen nothing short of growth and loyalty from Hood and credits her family for raising such a powerful individual.

“That is grit, determination, perseverance and for sure is loyalty,” Antoine said, “For me, it’s always exciting to mentor and I’m just thankful for being a part of her journey, and her journey is nowhere near over.”

Looking forward, Hood plans on pursuing her dream of being a professional basketball player and is willing to take whatever opportunities are presented to her.

“My goal is to go play professional basketball, whether it be overseas and I’m definitely continuing to try and strive for a spot in the WNBA and get one of these training camp invites if possible,” Hood said. “But at the end of the day, I’ll be grateful for any opportunity I create at the next level.”

Due to the club's overall successful history, winning regular season games is not much to stir about. With Texas Division titles in 2009 and 2011, and a Texas Cup title in 2015, state and national championships are what drive the motive of the club, Puccio said.

“Our minimum goal is a state championship. That’s our minimum goal every year,” Puccio said. “Texas State’s always been one of the top teams in Texas and one of the top teams in the nation, so, our goal [is] always get to state.”

The hard work that they must put in to fulfill the high standards of their predecessors and themselves has resulted in continuously-growing bonds for members of the club. Pownall agrees that whether it be on the field or in the classroom, Texas State Rugby has provided opportunities to make lasting friendships.

“One of the teammates that I was with, I saw him at the beginning of the semester sitting in one of my classes,” Pownall said. “Didn’t really talk to him before but I knew he was on the team, and now we’re really good friends.”

With a solid support system in the alumni, team values that push their players to be better men and overall brotherly bonds that fill the club, the Texas State Renegades have built what many of them call a

long-term "winning culture" that sustains the success of the club.

Puccio said he thinks the continual winningness of the team plays into the alumni’s will to contribute to the club, and that a “vicious circle” of success has formed due to the club's connectivity. Garcia agrees that this culture is the result of a trend that has been in motion for decades.

“I know historically we’ve been like, a fantastic program,” Garcia said. “I feel like that winning culture has been ingrained in us for 20, 30 years.”

Texas State graduate forward Da'Nasia Hood (32) shoots the ball over Troy junior forward Ja'Mia Hollings (11), Thursday, Feb. 2 2023, at Strahan Arena.

Texas State junior back Joe Puccio gets tackled by two defenders while carrying the ball against the University of North Texas, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at West Campus Fields.

Texas State masters student forward Joel Rebollar prepares for a scrum during a game against the University of North Texas, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2022, at West Campus Fields.

PHOTO BY SARAH MANNING

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE RUGBY

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE RUGBY