10 13 2005 by The University Star

HOMECOMING 2005

Page 2 - The University Star

CONTENTS: Homecoming Court....................2 Soapbox Derby...........................3 The Evolution of the Bobcat....4,5 Powder Puff football..................6 Distinguished Alumni.................7 Homecoming Step Show............9 Message for Students...............10 Homecoming Schedule.............11 Urban Legends.....................12,13 Homecoming Traditions............15 Painting Bobcat Pride...............16

Ashley A. Horton/ Star ﬁle photo

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Homecoming Court2005 By DeLea Garcia Special to The Star

It’s the kind of opportunity most people dream of — the chance to be royalty. Or at least the chance to go down in Texas State history. The nominees for this year’s Homecoming Court have this opportunity as they wait for tonight’s Homecoming 2005 Talent Show, when the top six female and the top six male Gaillardian candidates along with the members of the Court will be announced. The Homecoming Court consists of the top four candidates for king and the top four candidates for queen. The king and queen will be announced at Saturday evening’s football game during halftime. Cassie Holman, Associated Student Government vice president, is one of the nine nominees for Homecoming Queen. She was nominated by ASG and said she is nervous. “If after the talent show, it is announced that I will be on the Court, my father will be coming into town,” said Holman, fashion merchandising senior. “You know parents. I am anxious because I do not want my father to be disappointed.” D’Ana Walls, a Gaillardian nominee who was nominated by the University Ambassadors, is excited to ﬁnd out who wins. “I am pleased to be nominated because I get to represent a great organization on campus, and I’m anxious to see who will be chosen,” said Walls, social work junior. “I know that whoever’s elected into the Homecoming Court will represent their organization or residence hall well.” Rebecca Hind, a Gaillardian nominee who was nominated by the Public Relations Student Society of America, is also excited about the announcement of the winners. “I can’t wait to ﬁnd out,” Hind said. “It’s just a great thing to be involved with because you are representing your organization and the university

in a yearly tradition.” “I’m starting to get nervous actually, although as soon as I start to feel that way, I am reminded that this is midterm week,” said Kandice Cruz, a Gaillardian nominee. She was nominated by Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. Natalie Chandler, Student Association and Campus Activities president and Homecoming director 2005, said the nominees were chosen by allowing various greek chapters, student organizations or residence halls to nominate members and then the nominees who met all requirements were posted for voting by the student body were chosen by SACA. The nominees are proud to represent the organizations that nominated them. “I feel really honored to be nominated, especially because my sorority sisters thought highly of me and chose me out of the 120 girls we have to represent our sorority campuswide,” said Kristen Markette, a member of Alpha Delta Pi and a nominee for Gaillardian. “I feel great about being nominated,” said Hind, mass communication senior. “It gives (Public Relations Student Society of America) some great publicity, and it’s a fun thing to be a part of.” “I am excited. This is my last year at Texas State,” Cruz said. “I’ll graduate in the summer, so I am excited about running. It’s kind of like I’m going out with a bang.” Voting for the members of the Homecoming Court occurred Sept. 30 to Friday online at the Student Affairs Cats Online Voting Booth. Students were sent an e-mail regarding the Homecoming 2005 events, which invited them to vote. There are a few obligations that the nominees must fulﬁll. They are required to attend the talent show dress rehearsal, which was at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, and the talent show. The winners then have a few more

Homecoming Court Nominees 2005

King Nominees Jordan Anderson Adam Anderson Ernest “Skipper” Dunham Michael J. Guerra Chris Magee Will McKinney Matthew Ryan Sinclair William John Trevino Dave Villela Jamal Yusuf Gaillardian Nominees Zachery Jon Alamguer Kirk Anderson Kandice Renee Cruz Meara Siobhan Ervin Allison Freeman Rebecca C. Hind Jermaine D. Jackson Kristen K. Markette Gena M. McCutcheon

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mended,” Cruz said. “A lot of us are in a variety of organizations, balancing school and extracurricular activities.” “All representatives for Homecoming Court are in good standing with the university and play important parts in their organizations,” Chandler said. “Some of the court nominees are involved in various things on campus and are liked by many of their peers.” The talent show takes place at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Evans Auditorium. Overall, the nominees are excited and honored to take their place in Texas State history. “I am very excited to be nominated,” Holman said. “Who wouldn’t want to be queen for a day?”

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duties. “I think they have to shake hands and kiss babies,” joked Cruz, communication studies senior. Actually, the winners then must attend the Soapbox Derby on Friday, the Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony and Luncheon on Saturday afternoon, the spirit rally, the pregame ceremonies and the halftime presentation at the football game. Markette, mass communication junior, said she is excited about all of the activities that she has to attend. The numerous activities that they are required to attend have caused the nominees to be very busy, especially with midterms this week. “All the nominees should be com-

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HOMECOMING 2005

Thursday, October 13, 2005

The University Star - Page 3

The Great Race By Jacqueline Davis News Reporter

MOST VINTAGE 50% OFF

“T

he soapbox derbies are fun. It’s cool to see how the sidelines get ﬁlled up with people cheering.”

— Crystal Childs Order of Omega president

Homecoming Spark Award. The Spark Award goes to the group that is most involved in the various events during Homecoming. The winner of the soapbox derby will gain their team 15 spark points. “The soapbox derbies are fun. It’s cool to see how the sidelines get ﬁlled up with people cheering,” said Crystal Childs, ﬁnance senior and president of the Order of Omega, which sponsors the event. “It’s a really good atmosphere.” “I went last year, and there were a lot of people there,” said Kayla Box, whose residence hall, Laurel, will be competing along with Retama Hall this year. Box, animal science sophomore, will be working with a group during the next few days on giving their car a better paint job and better steering. She laughed as she remembered a car veering slightly off course last year. To help avoid collisions, the event’s organizers make efforts to clear the area of buses and vehicles, and they place hay bales at the end of the slight slope of Bobcat Trail. “The soapbox derbies are one of my favorite homecoming events,” said Natalie Chandler,

pre-mass communication sophomore and this year’s Homecoming director. “They hold the derbies right in the time when people are getting out of class, so people begin to wander over to see what’s going on. It’s like a parade when you look at the crowd that it brings.” The soapbox derbies are one of several competitions that will take place during Homecoming weekend, including the talent show, the window paintings in town and on the LBJ Student Center, Residence Hall decorations, the Powder Puff football game and three-on-three basketball tournaments.

ABOVE: Onlookers at the 2002 race cheer on the drivers. LEFT: Julie Nickel, accounting senior, paints the claw onto the derby car that was used on the Bobcat Fanatics float. The float will be displayed along side many other floats from multiple student and greek organizations.

Bradley Sherman/ Star ﬁle photo

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Ladies and gentlemen, start your… soapboxes? The Soapbox Derby, sponsored annually by the Order of Omega greek honors society, will be held at 3 p.m. Friday on Bobcat Trail between Commons Dining Hall and Flowers Hall. The event’s purpose is to promote school spirit in a fun way to participate in this weekend’s Homecoming celebration and to unify the many organized groups on the Texas State campus. The soapbox derby is one of Texas State’s oldest traditions, and it has been held for more than 40 years, said Terence Parker, coordinator of Greek Affairs. The competing participants will be separated into three categories — greek, student organizations and residence halls. Each group will build a makeshift car with dimensions no wider than 40 inches and no longer than 84 inches. The event is held tournament style with participants racing the nonmotorized, wooden cars down elevated ramps two at a time until they pass the ﬁnish line and lose speed. Parker said about 26 teams are participating this year and that about 200 to 300 people usually attend the event. “Some of the cars are very well-done, and it’s interesting to see just how creative and competitive they can get,” Parker said. “Others are basically just thrown together.” The winners not only get trophies for ﬁrst, second and third places, but they also get points toward Homecoming called spark points, which count toward winning the much-anticipated

Soapbox Derby races toward Homecoming spirit

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HOMECOMING 2005

Page 4 - The University Star

Thursday, October 13, 2005

THE EVOLUTION OF By Eloise Martin News Reporter Before there were the Bobcats, there were the Gypsies, the Nymphs, the Topsies, the Sprites, the Wonders and the Goblins. Without an official mascot, teams at Southwest Texas Normal School were left with the task of choosing a name for each individual team. The college had no athletic nickname or mascot in 1919, when athletic director Oscar Strahan arrived. Soon after his arrival, The Normal Star began a campaign to adopt a mascot in an attempt to “raise school spirit from the depths of obliviation.” Pat Murdock, director of development research, has researched the history of the bobcat at Texas State. Murdock said a committee was formed by the student council and headed by C. Spurgeon Smith, biology department head. Smith’s personal choice was the bobcat because of its residency in Central Texas and its ability to fight with great courage. The committee accepted Smith’s suggestion, and the bobcat mascot was chosen as the official nickname to the athletic teams at Southwest Texas Normal School. Strahan accepted the new name given to his athletic teams. “A bobcat will fight you with everything he has — four claws, teeth, speed and brains,” said Athletic Director Oscar Strahan in 1919. The college, at the time, was the only one with the ability to call its mascot the Bobcats, Murdock said. The unique

mascot was a source of pride for the students until the late 20s, when Montana State University also adopted the mascot. The first Bobcats went on to complete an undefeated football season with their newfound school spirit in the form of a mascot. It was not until 1964 that the bobcat was given an official name. Beth Greenlees, a sophomore from Luling, beat out approximately 100 other students in a “Name the Bobcat” contest, sponsored by Phi Delta Gamma sorority, now Alpha Xi Delta. “Boko the First” was officially debuted at the Texas A&I, now Texas A&M-Kingsville, football game. At the time, a live bobcat was used and students were able to view their mascot as he was displayed from a trailer at the game. A live bobcat has been part of the university’s history. An article published in The University Star in 1959 discussed the tradition of one of two bobcats owned by the university being present at a game against Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, now Texas Lutheran University. The article said the school had hopes to keep the bobcats “long enough to become a tradition.”

Although there are few records of the live bobcat, The Star published another article in 1964 that spoke of the “onagain off-again” attempts to keep a live bobcat on campus. At the time, the bobcat had lived on campus several months, and the administration had no plans of it leaving the university. They predicted success of keeping the tradition of housing a live Boko on campus. Murdock said the last bobcat was given to a zoo in Waco during the early to mid-1970s. The live bobcat had been kept in a cage, located near what is now the Evans Liberal Arts Building in about the same location as the current Paws-N-Go that was built by students from Gary Job Corps. The bobcat was given to the zoo after the university received criticism from people who did not believe in keeping animals caged on the campus. The name “Boko” still remains, but Murdock said it has not been well-recognized over the years. “The name never really caught on,” Murdock said. “It just sort of died and never really went anywhere.” Although the Bobcat has been the mascot for the university for several years, the look of Boko has changed. The most recent Boko was designed by Brad Monk, a student hired by Media Relations and Publications, in 2003 in anticipation of the university’s name change. T. Cay Rowe, Interim Vice President of University Advancement, was the director of Media Relations and Publications at the time. “We had a new athletic director coming in, and we wanted something new,” Rowe said. Rowe said she also had her own personal feelings about the

The many look of Boko at that time and wanted to change it. “I hated the last one,” Rowe said. “He was a steroid cat. A very masculine-looking thing.” Monk had guidelines to follow when he designed the new mascot, Rowe said, including making him look simple, mean, serious and not creating one that could be distinguished as either feminine or masculine. Monk also created the Texas State alphabet. The new look of the mascot has since been licensed through the Collegiate Licensing Corporation, which means the Boko that students have come to know over the last few years legally belongs to the university. With displays throughout the university, games and clothing, the new look of Boko has become well-known and accepted by the university. The name Boko, however, still seems to be lost among students.

Daniel Currey, communication design junior, is one student who was unaware of the mascot’s name. “I have no idea; I couldn’t even guess,” Currey said when asked the bobcat’s name. “I didn’t even know he had a name, honestly.” Kindell Bruington, sociology junior, was also unaware of the Bobcat’s identity. “I don’t know; I have no clue,” she said. When asked to guess, she said she could not even attempt to do so. “I don’t even know where to begin.” Although the name “Boko” may still remain a little known piece of Texas State trivia, the Bobcat has become a part of the university’s identity. There will not be a live mascot at this year’s homecoming game, however, students can still come and unite for a game full of school spirit and a chance to “back the cats”.

Bradley Sherman/ Star ﬁle photo

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HOMECOMING 2005

Thursday, October 13, 2005

The University Star - Page 5

THE BOBCAT Images courtesy of Media Relations

faces of Boko “A bobcat will fight you with everything he has— four claws, teeth, speed and brains.”

Photos courtesy of The Pedagog ABOVE: Chibi-Quatsu, the university’s bobcat that once lived on campus, rests in her new home. The Student Senate voted to approve a live bobcat in the Spring of 1967, but it was not until May 1969 that enough money was raised to build the cage. LEFT: Boko poses on Chibi’s enclosure. The pen was constructed in the area that is now Paws-N-Go between the Nueces and Evans Liberal Arts buildings.

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The University Star - Page 6

HOMECOMING 2005

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Powder Puff playoff winners hope for bigger fan base at championship game

Courtney Addison/ Star photo Tiffany Foust and Mali Garza, athletic training seniors, and Will Bowling, graphic design senior, cheer on the Bobcats at the Homecoming football game on Saturday. By Kevin Washburn Sports Reporter A football game will played on Thursday at Bobcat Stadium, but it will not involve ferocious tackles or shoulder pads, and the only men on the field will be on the sidelines. Instead, the women of Texas State are letting their competitive juices flow in the annual Homecoming Powder Puff championship game. The playoffs of this flag-football tournament were held Saturday and Sunday, with the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Lambda

each defeating two teams to advance to the championship game. Sarah Frey, Lambda Parliamentarian, said although she did not know what to expect from the games, it has been a good experience. “It is not easy; I was sore after the games,” Frey said. “I’ve had a lot of fun though. It is good way for the organizations to get members involved with each other.” Despite the allure of girls playing football, attendance of the playoffs was sparse. “(During the playoffs) it was mostly just the two teams and

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maybe a few friends there,” said Paige Burrer, ZTA president. “Hopefully, there will be a bigger turnout on Thursday.” Powder Puff follows the rules of intramural ﬂag football. According to Natalie Chandler, president of the Student Association for Campus Activites and Homecoming director, only teams representing residence halls, Greek chapters and registered student organizations were allowed to play. Each organization is responsible for putting together its team. “Each organization makes up a team and chooses a coach. The coach can be a dad, one of the frat guys or a friend that knows about football,” said Chandler. “Some girls don’t even have a coach. They coach themselves.” Giving all the control to the teams can lead to disorganization, which was a problem that Lambda successfully overcame. “We weren’t very organized,” said Frey. “We had just enough players for the ﬁrst game. Last game, we had almost a whole different set of girls playing. We never practiced either but we made it through.”

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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

Charles Matthews: Former mayor of Garland and a member of an array of state and national commissions, Matthews had no time for a master’s degree when he enrolled in the continuing education program at SWT in 1997. As a member of the state Railroad Commission, time was a commodity, but Charles Matthews he soon realized higher education was too. In just 23 months, he earned his master’s in public administration in 1999, while maintaining his hectic schedule. Matthews was recently named Texas at the halftime ceremonies dur- State University System chancellor by the ing the Homecoming football Board of Regents. game against Panhandle State University. One of this year’s recipients, Richard Garcia: Nelwyn B. Moore, Ph.D., classes A criminal justice of ’51 and ’66 said she was sur- graduate, Garcia reprised when she learned of her cently retired from award. his extensive govAs an established instructor, ernment career with researcher and therapist, Moore the Federal Bureau said, “I’ve just had opportuni- of Investigation. He ties open up for me, and when it began his journey came down to it, I was delighted at the Dallas Police to take that next step.” Department where Moore, a home economics after five years, he graduate, said she absolutely fell left and pursued his Richard Garcia in love with Texas State, formerly career with the FBI. known as Southwest Texas State As head of the FBI’s University. But SWT was not Los Angeles filed office, Garcia has been the only thing Moore fell in love named one of 100 Influential Hispanics in with during her collegiate years. America in 2004 by Hispanic Business Mag“I actually met my husband azine and also received the 2004 FBI’s Direchere,” Moore said. “He was my tors Award for Service to Law Enforcement. swimming instructor that sum- He has also been portrayed in several books mer. We began going together like Blow, which was later made into a movie in the fall and got married three starring Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. years later. Southwest has been As for retirement, he is currently in Houston so wonderful to me in so many working for Shell Oil as a security consultant ways.” for North American operations. Although time and change seem inescapable, like the most recent name change in 2003, it E.W. Bill Wright III: is evident that Texas State, SWT Wright attended SWT and even Southwest Texas State where he earned his Normal School are one in the sociology degree in same. The common factor here is 1970, after he served a tradition of excellence through four years in Vietnam people such as this year’s dis- with the Marines. He tinguished alumni: Richard T. is currently vice presiGarcia, class of ’75; Charles R. dent of Merrill Lynch Matthews, class of ’99; Tricia and remains involved Tingle, class of ’78; Nina Vaca, with the nonprofit class of ’94; E.W. Bill Wright III, organization he coclass of ’70; and Nelwyn Moore, founded, the Texas Lyclass of ’51 and ’66. ceum, an organization E.W. Bill Wright III

2005

By Flor Trevino-Zapotechne Special to The Star

Although the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are from different fields of study, professions and backgrounds, they are all bound by one common factor — excellence. The Alumni Association presents its most prestigious award to distinguished alumni for their life work or profession on a national or international level. In order to be considered for the award, recipients must have also received previous recognition from their contemporaries as well. “Anyone can be nominated,” said Dorothy Evans, director of Alumni Relations. “What we look for are graduates that have been successful in their chosen field. We want students, faculty and the community to be inspired and proud of this university.” The award’s long history began in 1959 with Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, who later became the 36th president of the United States. Other recipients include pioneers in fields such as space exploration, higher education financing and environmental quality, to name a few. “Our distinguished alumni have made a real difference in the way we live today,” Evans said. The awards will be formally presented at a ceremony scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the J.C. Kellam Administration Building. Later that evening, the recipients will be presented

The University Star - Page 7

geared toward identifying and grooming future leaders whose alumni include President George W. Bush, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Gov. Rick Perry and other prominent leaders. Wright has received an array of awards for his leadership and philanthropic philosophy. He has also served on the Texas State University System Board of Regents. Nelwyn B. Moore: Moore graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in home economics, and after briefly teaching at Tivy High School in Kerrville, she returned to SWT to earn her master’s in 1966. During her post-graduate studies, she became director of the summer laboratory nursery school for the department of home Nelwyn B. Moone economics (now the department of family and consumer sciences) where she stayed until her retirement in 2000. The achievements throughout Moore’s career are impressive, including awards for her works as an educator, marriage and family therapist and an award-winning author. Earlier this year, Moore, along with collaborator Kenneth Davidson Sr., was honored by the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction at Indiana University, which will archive the researchers’ life-long collection of files and scholarly work in a collection named in their honor. She was the co-recipient of the 2003 Ernest G. Osborne Award for Excellence in Teaching Family Studies given by the National Council on Family Relations in recognition of her outstanding leadership and excellence in the teaching of family studies over her career. Moore also developed standards and criteria for the certification of family life educators currently used in the Certification of Family Life Educators Program in the National Council on Family Relations. Nina Vaca: She is the founder, president and chair of Pinnacle Technical Resources, an information technology services provider to the Fortune 500. After graduating in 1994 with a degree in speech communication with a minor in business administration, she accepted

Nina Vaca

a job from a $60 million high-tech company in New York City. It was there that she gained the experience and leadership skills that motivated her to open her own business. Vaca’s numerous achievements in business and the community have earned her a number of awards throughout her career. Most recently, Vaca received the coveted Ernst & Young 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Technology and Communications for the Southwest Region. In 2004, Vaca was recognized for Outstanding Achievement by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. That same year, she was also selected to represent the United States as a German Marshall Memorial Fellow, founded by the World Affairs Council, to introduce the next generation of Western European and U.S. leaders to one another and to reinforce the trans-Atlantic relationship. In 2003, she received the National Hispanic Business Woman of the Year by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Tricia Tingle: Tingle is currently an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Minnesota and deals daily with criminal law on the state’s Native American reservations. Tingle earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 1978 and her paralegal certiﬁcate in 1985 from Tricia Tingle SWT before earning her law degree at the Oklahoma City University School of Law. Initially after graduation, Tingle worked as an elementary teacher and then became interested in family law, becoming a family law attorney dealing with cases of child abuse and neglect. The achievements throughout Tingle’s career include awards for her dedication to the legal profession and her leadership roles in enlightening the American legal system about the nature of tribal law. Tingle has held various leadership positions with the American Bar Association and was an honoree for the Brown v. Board of Education Award by the State Bar of Texas in 2004. In 2001 and 2002, she was the recipient of the U.S. Department of Interior Star Award. In 1995, Tingle received the U.S. Department of Justice Special Achievement Award. She has served as president for the Native American Bar Association and as the founder and president of the Texas Indian Bar Association. She served the American Bar Association Individual Rights and Responsibilities as vice chair for the Indian Law Section.

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Thursday, October 13, 2005

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Paint by Letters

Marc Cleverley/Star photo A Delta Gamma sister paints a window for Homecoming at the LBJ Student Center in cooperation with Sigma Pi and Sigma Delta Lambda

The University Star - Page 9

Homecoming Step Show sets beat for week By Maira Garcia Entertainment Writer There is a Homecoming event that brings rhythms, beats, and bangs to life through a natural instrument. We’re not talking about some drum made out of wood and an animal skin either. Instead, it is the Homecoming Step Show, sponsored by the National Pan-Hellenic Greek Council, which uses the body to bring the beat to post-homecoming game activities. In its 14th year, the step show has become a staple in Texas State Homecoming activities. With it comes an after-party, aimed at continuing the homecoming celebration. This year’s show will be held Saturday. Last year’s show had about 900 people in attendance. For those foreign to the concept, texasstepshows.com deﬁnes “stepping” as a historical form of communication and storytelling that is wide-

ly performed by historically African American sororities and fraternities, particularly those in the National PanHellenic Council. Texas State has ﬁve fraternities and four sororities in the council. According to authors such as Elizabeth Fine, Jacqui Malone, and Lisa Yarger, who have all written extensively on the history of stepping, it is described in the same manner. The body is used essentially as a drum. The foundation of the dance starts with clapping and slapping the hands against the body and stomping the feet. Coordinated body movements, singing, chanting, and verbal play among the competing sororities and fraternities complete the dance. Terence Parker, the president of the National PanHellenic council at Texas State, said that stepping incorporates moves from cheerleading, military and drill-team exercises. Their importance lies in the call-

and-response element found in those drills. Parker said, “This is an event that African-American alumni are invited to be a part of in addition to the football game and other Homecoming activities.” Step shows began on college campuses and have widened towards high school group performances. There has also been an inﬂux of step shows in mainstream entertainment, with Broadway shows like Stomp. Stu-

dents and alumni are able to see a traditional step show right on campus. When asked what could be expected from a step show, Parker said, “The audience can expect energy, excitement and to just have a great time.” Ticket information for the show can be obtained by contacting the ofﬁce of Campus Activities and Student Organizations at (512) 2453219 or by e-mailing greek_ affairs@txstate.edu.

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Page 10 - The University Star

Thursday, October 13, 2005

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Licensed Texas State Merchandise Come see us at the game for Texas State apparel and gifts – Show your Bobcat pride! Authentic Texas State imprinted clothing, accessories, decor, and gifts are arriving in the store dailyTexas in hot State new styles. University Bookstore is also decor, the exclusive source for the Texas Authentic imprinted clothing, accessories, and gifts are arriving in the State yearbook, the Pedagog. Hurry to get your 100th Anniversary Commemorative Edition; store daily hot new styles. from every sale at University Bookstore support your university’s supplies areinlimited. Proceeds athletic, academic, and community programs.

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HOMECOMING 2005

Thursday, October 13, 2005

A message from an alumna to current students Homecoming is such a great time for us all at Texas State. For the alumni we welcome back home and for the students who help make it so memorable, it is so important for us to celebrate who we are now as a university, with recognition and respect to the places from where we’ve come. Alumni often delight in seeing students enjoying the same traditions they did in the past. It seems that on one hand, as much as we change, we still stay the same. We still build soapbox cars and race them, hopefully, to be stopped by a line of hay bales. We still gather in groups to tailgate and then join in spirit to cheer on the Bobcats. Come rain or shine, the Strutters still take the ﬁeld when “Giant” plays, and the “most dangerous band in the Southwest” blows us away every time. It is exactly that spirit and pride that we celebrate every year at Homecoming. Not only are people’s futures built here but also life-long friendships. Many alumni met their spouses here. As students, you’ll be amazed at the ties that will form between you and this university — to the campus, the professors, fellow students, and of course, the river. This university endears itself to all of us in so many ways. Many current students think Homecoming and alumni are what the Alumni Association is mainly about. Actually, it’s all about the students. The Alumni Association awards $100,000 in scholarships every year and adds an additional quarter of a million dollars in support to the university. The Alumni Association is mainly supported by our alumni, but what we do with that support directly relates to current students. That is why we are so proud to announce the new Texas State Alumni Association Student Chapter. This is the chapter’s charter year on campus, and they’ve already positioned themselves as a premiere student organization. You’ll hear and see more from this dynamic group in the weeks to come. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this dynamic group by meeting up with them at their

The University Star - Page 11

HOMECOMING SCHEDULE

ﬁrst membership social at 6 p.m. on Oct. 25 in the LBJ Student Center, Room 38.1. There will be great food from Johnny Carino’s and the most anticipated drawing of the year for students. Those who are student chapter members by the end of the evening will go into a drawing to win their very own reserved parking space anywhere on campus. Of course some restrictions apply, for example you can’t have a handicapped or already speciﬁcally reserved spot, but for the most part the location is up to you. I was a student here too and know exactly how wonderful it would have been to have my own spot! I would have put it right in front of Retama Hall — my dorm my freshman year. But really, back then, (not that far back — just the late ’60s) we really did walk everywhere on campus. Of course, the campus didn’t encompass the 450 acres that it does now. That is another wonderful treat at Homecoming. Welcoming home our older graduates, especially our Golden Grads who graduated 50 or more years ago, always enriches everyone who gets to meet with them. Our Golden Grads are always so amazed at the incredible growth and size of campus. Many times when we take them on van tours to show them what campus is like now, we wind up learning more about what is was like back then. I especially enjoy the stories about what Texas State was like so long ago, marveling at how much, and yet how little, we’ve changed as a university. On one hand, we are busting into the national spotlight as a premiere university, and on the other, we have retained our reputation as a close-knit, friendly campus. It truly is a privilege being a Texas State Bobcat, and now is our time to celebrate it. Whether you’ve come back to visit or are a current student, I encourage you to make the most of this week and the many activities planned for Homecoming. I hope to see you at one of the events. Go Bobcats!

Thursday 7 p.m. — Powder Puff Finals at Bobcat Stadium.

Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Homecoming registration and check-in at the Alumni House. 3 p.m. — Homecoming Soapbox Derby at Bobcat Trail. 6:30 p.m. — Philosophy Annual Alumni Banquet at the Crystal River Inn. Contact Beverly at (512) 245-2285 for reservations and additional information.

Saturday 7 to 8:30 a.m. — Registration/ Packet pickup starts at 7 a.m. The race starts at 8:45 a.m. Homecoming 5K Fun Run/Walk at Sewell Park. Contact Campus Recreation at (512) 245-2392 for more information or to register. 8 a.m. — Homecoming Golf Tournament, Texas State Golf Course, a Two-Person Scramble Tournament on one of the top 25 best nine-hole golf courses in Texas. Registration is $45 per person. Call (512) 245-7593, or e-mail EC1009@txstate.edu for more information. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Homecoming registration, and check-in at the Alumni House. 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. — The 1955 Anniversary Grads’ Homecoming Breakfast Brunch will be held at the LBJSC Ballroom. Grads from the 1955 will be honored at 10 a.m. with presentations of 50th Anniversary Medallions. 9:30 a.m. to noon — Homecoming Brunch at the LBJSC. 10:30 to noon — Hour of Dialogue at the LBJSC. Golden Grads from the 1950s will start and lead a journey down memory lane for alumni of all ages. Noon to 3 p.m. — Texas State Hospitality at “Alumni Central,” LBJSC, Room 3-20.1, is the home base for all alumni for meeting friends, getting refreshments and information.

— Dorothy Evans is the director of Alumni Affairs.

5:30 p.m. — Pregame Homecoming festivities and parade, will feature the Distinguished Alumni Award recipients at Bobcat Stadium.

8 p.m. — National Pan-Hellenic Greek Step Show and after-party at Strahan Coliseum. Contact the Campus Activities and Student Organizations for ticket information at (512) 245-3219, or e-mail greek_ affairs@txstate.edu.

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Through February 12, 2006 Testigos de la Historia/Witnesses to History: Modern & Contemporary Documentary Photographers of Mexico, Whittliff Gallery of Southwestern & Mexican Photography, Alkek Library Special Collections. Free admission. For more information, call (512) 245-2313, or visit www.wg.txstate.edu for more information.

Sunday 8 to 10:30 a.m. — Sunday morning worship services available across campus. Contact the Campus Crusade for Christ at (512) 396-4222 for more information.

Student Recreation Center Open House will occur from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and noon to midnight on Sunday. Call Campus Recreation at (512) 245-2392 for more information.

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Celebrating the gift of the Tomás Rivera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award archives to the Southwestern Writers Collection. This exhibit honors the distinguished writers and artists who have received the award.

9 p.m. — Homecoming Wrap Party at the alumni tent in the Endzone Complex after the game. There will be live music featuring Paul Eason, a current Texas State student who has a song in the top 10 on the Texas Music list.

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Through December 10, 2005 Tomás Riviera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award 10th anniversary exhibit — Southwestern Writers Collection, Alkek Library Special Collections are on the seventh ﬂoor. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 pm. Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 pm. Saturday; and 2 to 6 pm. Sunday.

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Through November 4, 2005 “Texas State in Florence” — An exhibit of Texas State student photography and drawing, in The Gaillardia Gallery, located on the second ﬂoor of the LBJSC, across from the Information Desk. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

4:45 p.m. — Homecoming Spirit Rally at Bobcat Stadium, will feature the Strutters, cheerleaders, band and distinguished alumni.

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Oct. 10 to 25 “6th Annual Alumni Invitational Art Exhibition,” Art Gallery I in the Mitte Complex. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 6 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

4 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Pregame fajita dinner at the alumni tent next to Endzone Complex at Bobcat Stadium. Hosted by the Alumni Association and the Parents Association, there will be fajitas with all the trimmings, music and fun for all.

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Oct. 9 to 16 — Pay It Forward. Join other Texas State students as we raise money and give back to the San Marcos community through random acts of kindness. To register your group or to ﬁnd out more info, please call the Student Volunteer Connection at (512) 245-1687.

11:30 a.m. — Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony and Luncheon in the J.C. Kellam Administration Building, Room 1100. Be the ﬁrst to congratulate our 2005 Distinguished Alumni.

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Page 12 - The University Star

Thursday, October 13, 2005

URBAN LEGENDS of San Marcos

By Kyle Carson Entertaiment Writer

Country town. While the hustle and bustle of college life takes up so much of our attention, strange and supernatural occurrences often go overlooked in this quiet college town. San Marcos, like many other cities, has its share of urban legends.

So many of us come to San Marcos on the four-year or extended four-year plan. We eventually earn our degrees and move away from this small Hill

While some date back to when the city was founded, others are much more recent. Next time you leave your favorite bar and begin the walk to your vehicle through the dark and menacing allies, be warned that the drunk guy puking behind the dumpster isn’t the only thing lurking in the shadows.

Old Main

Monty Marion/Star photo The victorian-style Old Main building, the oldest structure on campus, often gives off a spooky aura. Throughout many renovations, it has retained its charm and is, to most, the deﬁning symbol of Texas State.

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Construction of Old Main commenced in April 1902. The architect originally built two identical buildings, one in San Marcos and one for Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. The Sam Houston building burnt to the ground in 1982, leaving behind Texas State’s version as the only building still standing. Before renovations were made to the building, it used to Courtney Addison/Star file photo have a high balcony overlooking The old Pi Kappa Alpha house is a local legend in San Marcos. It is said to be haunted by the theater stage. Legend has it ghosts of patients from when the house was rumored to be a mental institution. that a young female student fell, jumped or was pushed over the balcony where she plummeted However, [around 1976], a man massive, rundown, four-story the war, the building sat relato her death upon the theater was found in the building that building. The windows and tively unused until 1968 when floor. The ghost of the girl can had been living there for a year.” doors are boarded up and a the Pike fraternity purchased be seen walking the halls of Old The strange noises of foot- large “NO TRESPASSING” sign the monstrosity. In 1998, the Main wearing a white dress, still steps and occasional sightings warns curious thrill seekers to fraternity house was mystericlutching her schoolbooks. The of the girl in the white dress stay away. The building’s history ously abandoned and closed off. majority of the rooms where have been reported by students, is somewhat of a mystery itself. Accounts of what really hapthis apparition supposedly teachers and custodians alike. If The house was originally built pened there vary. Some say that haunts are now closed-off and you dare visit Old Main in the in the 1890s as a dormitory for pledges were accidentally killed nearly impossible to enter. early morning hours, be sure to Coronal Institute. In 1923, it was during hazing. Burnt pledge Retired journalism professor keep your composure. The walk transformed into a WWI veter- books can still be seen nailed to Jeff Henderson recounts “We back to your room in wet undies an’s hospital, equipped with an the rafters underneath the front would hear strange noises in is a long one, I assure you. eerie mental ward. Bodies of porch. Inside the decaying buildthe closed off balcony. We heard deceased patients are rumored ing reveals a ghastly scene. The footsteps but could never find The Old Pike House to be buried under the property interior is gutted and littered anyone. The police were called in the basement. Stories of dogs with debris. Holes in the floor a number of times, but they On Belvin Street in the San digging up these old bones have couldn’t find anything either. Marcos Historic District lies a been told since the 1950s. After See LEGENDS, page 13

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and ceiling make for treacherous traps. The Pikes deny that any foul play was involved and emphasize no one died in the house. However, students have reported hearing screams and doors slamming upon entering the old Pike house.

Alkek Library Not all urban legends are ghost stories. This legend is a much more recent phenomena. Is Alkek Library slowly sinking into the ground? In 20 years, the building’s ﬁrst ﬂoor may be completely embedded into the limestone below. How can such a massive and sturdy structure sink in such a way, especially considering the amount of money that was spent constructing the library? Simple. The architect, who allegedly got his blueprints from Texas A&M University, forgot to account for the weight of all the books that the library would hold. In order to compensate, the library may have to remove all the books and put them online instead. Can you imagine a library without books?

The Spanish Mission/ Aquarena Springs Theme Park Before the city of San Marcos was established, Spanish missionaries came to the area to spread their faith to the Native Americans who lived here, and as early as 1749, missionaries established outposts in the Hill Country. Drought, disease, corrupt military soldiers and Native American attacks cost many missionaries their lives. An old Spanish mission sits back in the woods near the closed-down

The University Star - Page 13

Aquarena Theme Park. The inside of its lofty bell tower is entangled in dead vines, while the outside is of the mission is swallowed in ivy. A small eroded gravestone lies just outside the mission walls. Comanche and Tonkawa attacks were said to have been the cause of death for one of the unfortunate missionaries. Local residents claim that on stormy nights, they can hear the bell toll from the bell tower. One might reason that the wind causes the bell to move. This, however, is impossible considering there is no bell in the tower.

La Llorona

Many regions share common urban legends. One reoccurring myth is of a mother dressed in blue who wanders up and down rivers screaming for her children that she drowned to spite her womanizing husband. You guessed it; San Marcos has had such reports. La Llorona, or the weeping woman, can be heard crying and moaning for her murdered children when the river floods. When San Marcos had a major flood in 1970, many sightings of La Llorona were reported. One account claims that two men were following an attractive lady, her face and body hidden in shadows. The faster they tried to catch up to her, the further she got from them. Once they realized she was too far, in a final attempt to meet her, they called out goodbye to the woman. As they did, she stopped walking and slowly turned around. She had the face of a horse and bright, shiny, metallic looking fingernails. She let out an unnatural scream that caused one man to faint. As the other man kneeled down to help his friend the figure vanished. Many of these stories differ in the appearance of the strange

Kyle Carson/Star photo The Pike House on Belvin Avenue was abruptly abandoned in the 1990s after questionable events occurred. woman, but her horrible scream remains constant in each and every story.

The Bobcat Splashless Dive As we all well know, Southwest Texas University was at one time ranked among the top party schools in the nation by Playboy magazine. This legend dates back to the late 1960s and early 1970s when the playboy himself, Hugh Hefner came to

campus to rate the party scene. Of course, no visit to San Marcos would be complete without a trip to the river, so Hefner, accompanied by numerous ‘bunnies’, took the water. To impress his flock of attractive young women, he decided to bravely dive head-first into the river. Inspired by our Bobcat mascot, he attempted a dive that resembled something like a flying squirrel and a pouncing bobcat. When he hit the water, he made absolutely no splash at all upon en-

try. Although many have tried, no one, not even Heffner himself has been able to recreate the splashless dive.

Thompson Island Bridge Near the railroad tracks, in the middle of the San Marcos River sits Thompson Island. The ghost of a confederate soldier who was posted there during the American Civil War haunts the area. He was gruesomely killed defending his post by

Union forces. Right before and during times of war, locals have reported sightings of the soldier dressed in a gray and yellow uniform holding his long tom rifﬂe. With our ongoing war, now would be an excellent time to get a glimpse of the soldier. Special thanks to the Mass Communications Department and Mr. Jeff Henderson for shedding some light on the supernatural, the eerie, and the paranormal in San Marcos.

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Traditions that began more than 100 years ago continue today By Melinda Byrnes Special to The Star Standing in The Quad surrounded by people, trees, buildings and abundant sunshine, the memories all start to come back. Classes, professors and friends are remembered. The alumni are overcome with a sense of pride and accomplishment. It has been 50 years since the “Golden Grads” graduated, and they are coming back for the celebration. This includes all the alumni who graduated in the 1950s. They are coming to continue the Homecoming traditions with other alumni and with current students during this year’s Homecoming activities that began Friday and will continue through Sunday. “They are presented with a medallion (and) have an hour of dialog and storytelling. There is something for everyone,” said Melinda Braun, associated director of Alumni Affairs. Homecoming traditions can be traced back to 1926, and new traditions are added every year. Braun said Homecoming was informal until 1904, when the Association of Formal Students made it an official event. “Homecoming was first mentioned in The Pedagog in 1926,” Braun said. Alumni are also a large part of Homecoming. There is a section about Homecoming in the Hill View magazine, which is specifically for alumni. Here, the alumni are told about homecoming and the events planned. “We always set aside a special time and make a big call for alumni to know they are welcome back,” said Dorothy Evans, director of Alumni Affairs. Although alumni play a large role in the Homecoming tradition, there is one tradition that is highly favored by all students, alumni and faculty — the Homecoming Soapbox Derby. Since it started, the soapbox derby has always been on the Friday before Homecoming. “It is so much fun,” Evans said. “They race on Bobcat Trail, and there are ramps put

e always “W set aside a special time

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— Dorothy Evans alumni relations director

up on the course with some hay surrounding it so no one gets hurt.” Representatives from Greek organizations, student organizations and residence halls compete in the soapbox derby. Another tradition is the Powder Puff game. This gender-bending activity consists of multiple ﬂag football games, where women play football and the men stand on the sidelines as cheerleaders. Originally started just for women in the 1990s, it is now open to everyone. A 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, which is held at Strahan Coliseum, was added to the homecoming schedule. Another annual event is held by the National Pan-Hellenic Association, which involves all of the traditional AfricanAmerican greek organizations. Every year, the organization holds a step show after the football game. “Those competing in the step show come from everywhere, not just Texas,” Braun said. Despite what competitions organizations participate in, they can earn spark points. Spark points are given to those groups who win multiple spirit awards. One competition that may earn spark points is window painting, which can be done around town and at the LBJ Student Center. “There is window painting, soapbox derby and spirit ally for which spark points can be awarded,” Braun said. Students also turn out each year for the talent show, which includes singing, dancing and skits. Individuals or groups may

enter. During the talent show, the Gaillardias, who are all campus student favorites, are announced. Six men and women receive this honor. “The Gaillardias was originally just for women, then around the 1930s to 1940s, it became for men and women,” Evans said. Then comes the Spirit Rally at Bobcat Stadium prior to kickoff of the football game. The spirit rally is the most energetic part of homecoming. “The Strutters, cheerleaders, band, students, alumni and parents gather to celebrate,” Braun said. A parade follows the rally, which has been a longstanding tradition of homecoming. The parade will feature the Distinguished Alumni Award recipients. The most recognizable tradition for Homecoming, however, is the actual football game. The Homecoming king and queen are announced during halftime. “There is a luncheon for them and they are presented with the awards at halftime during the football game.” Evans said. The Distinguished Alumni Award is for six alumni who have received national or international recognition for their work. The ﬁnal event, which is new this year, will be the Homecoming Wrap Party. The party will feature live music, food and a cash bar. Paul Eason, music senior, will provide the live music. Paul Eason’s music is a mix of Texas country and pure country. His music can be loved and appreciated by those in and around Texas. “His music has been No. 10 on the Texas charts,” Evans said. Evans said she believes Homecoming traditions are important because they help to unite the alumni with current students. “I like it all. I get excited about seeing students getting involved, the alumni coming back and people to tell of their love of the university. It is a special place,” Evans said.

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The University Star - Page 15

THERE’S A NEW SIGN AROUND TOWN.

Look for it to find the fast-growing number of stores, restaurants, and service providers on and off campus who accept Bobcat Buck$, including these: Campus Recreation - All campus locations Chartwells - All campus food service locations ID Services - JC Kellam building Mail Services - JC Kellam building PAWS Market - LBJ Student Center Student Health Center - Corner of Sessom & Tomas Rivera University Bookstore - LBJ Student Center Arby’s - 928 Hwy. 80 Cafe On the Square - 126 N. LBJ Dr. Centerpoint Station - 3946 IH 35 S. Colloquium Bookstore - 320 University Dr. Domino’s Pizza - 350 N. Guadalupe St. Gil’s Broiler - 328 N. LBJ Dr. Grins Restaurant - 802 N. LBJ Dr. Hill Country Grill - 100 W. Hopkins Dr. Jack In the Box - 343 N. LBJ Dr. Lone Star Cafe - 3941 IH 35 S. Mamacita’s - 1400 Aquarena Springs Dr. Mochas and Javas - both San Marcos locations Pizza Hut - both San Marcos locations Sac n Pac - All 13 San Marcos locations Smoothie Factory - 330 N. LBJ Dr. Subway - 202A University Dr. Zookas Ultimate Burritos - University Dr.

For a complete updated list of Bobcat Buck$ merchants, and to learn more about the convenient new purchasing feature of your BobcatCard ID, visit

www.aux-srvcs.txstate.edu/idservices Questions? Call us at (512) 245-2297.

Hand Blown Glass Jewelry Detox Tshirts

Patches Leather Goods Stickers Oils

Incense Smoking Accessories Tapestries Cool Gifts

STORE HOURS: MON-SAT 12-8 PM 829 N. LBJ #102 (Chestnut Plaza) • 754-6287

$10 off any purchase of $50 & up with this ad

ID Services is part of Auxiliary Services at Texas State University, a member of the Texas State University System.

HOMECOMING 2005

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Page 16 - The University Star

Thursday, October 13, 2005

PAINTING

BOBCAT PRIDE

Monty Marion/Star photos TOP LEFT: Many of the images, like these from Psi Chi and the American Sign Language club, emphasize campus unity and depict the seasonal change into fall.

�� With Simple Choice Unlimited from CenturyTel, Texas State students can get carefree, unlimited local and long distance calling everyday – and a choice of calling features like Voice Mail, Call Waiting and Caller ID!

ABOVE: Colorful homecoming pictures adorn the windows of the LBJ Student Center. Many different groups representing all parts of campus life participated in the decorating.

You know you want it... see page 4

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justin harbovsky ��

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�� Plans and features not available in all areas. Plan rates available to residential customers only. CenturyTel Long Distance, L.L.C. reserves to right to cancel or discontinue the unlimited long distance plan at anytime without notice. Data and fax calls will be billed at 10 cents a minute. Long distance rates apply to direct dialed U.S. calls including Alaska, U.S. Puerto Rico, Guam and U.S. V.I. To receive long distance plan rates customer must choose CenturyTel Long Distance, L.L.C. as their IntraLATA and InterLATA toll carrier. Customer may purchase long distance plan per the terms of applicable tariffs. Additional cost may apply for operator, international, directory assistance, Calling Card rates and payphone surcharges. Stated rates exclude applicable taxes and fees. Some restrictions apply; ask your CenturyTel representative for details. Plans are subject to change. Long distance services provided by CenturyTel Long Distance, L.L.C. Simple Choice is a trademark of CenturyTel, Inc.

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Join us for our neighborhood tailgate party at the stadium in support of our Bobcats! After the game, come by our neighborhood for the coldest, best priced beer in town! Now featuring APPLEBEE’S ANYWHERE CATERING.