February 12, 2019

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911 @universitystar | universitystar.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2019

Volume 108, Issue 18

Student Government takes on third administration of academic year Samantha Guerrero News Reporter Following former Student Government President Ruben Becerra Jr.'s Feb. 4 resignation, current Vice President Alison Castillo and Senate Pro Tempore Keely Freund will respectively take over as president and vice president.

Becerra's resignation marked the third Student Government president in the last two years to leave office before

Student organizations come together to celebrate black history month

their term ended. Caught in the wake of an academic year that already swallowed two presidents, Castillo and Freund are still transitioning into power. The sworn-in date is awaiting approval from Vice President of Student Affairs Joanne Smith.

"My goal is to clear up any confusion the Senate has had during the election period," Castillo said. "We just want to clear things up among (the Senate) as we prepare for the Castillo-Freund

presidency."

Castillo and Freund, though not yet officially in office, have tentative plans for their term: creating an educational day for sexual health with resources for the student body and providing feminine products in on-campus bathrooms.

Personally, Freund wishes to increase cultural clarity among staff, students and faculty.

"I want to ensure the task force for

the cultural climate here at Texas State is reacting appropriately when issues arise," Freund said. "For example, last semester with the antisemitism pamphlets and flyers throughout campus, I don't think the mass emails sent that said the same things over and over again, were appropriate."

Student Government Senate meetings take place on Mondays at 7 p.m. in the LBJ Teaching Theater.

African-American studies is a long awaited milestone for students

By Brianna Benitez Life & Arts Contributor Black History Month is a time to celebrate and recognize influential black men and women who have helped shape the world through innovation and creativity. At Texas State University, students from all backgrounds commemorate and admire the success of African Americans.

Throughout February, there will be a variety of events taking place on campus to honor Black History Month.

Events begin with the Post Sit-in Town Hall Wednesday, Feb.13, at 5 p.m. in the LBJ Teaching Theater. Mama’s Kitchen Soul Food and Black History Celebration will take place Thursday, Feb.14 at 12 p.m. in the LBJ Ballroom.

In the Performing Arts Center, the Social Justice Film and Speaker Series Panel will happen Feb. 18 at 5 p.m.

Nearing the end of the month, Feb. 24, from 2-4 p.m., The Calaboose Museum will host Claiming Sunday, a story of a Texas slave community.

In addition to these events, several student organizations like the Black Student Alliance, Black Art Association and Black Women United are joining together to celebrate not only black history, but each other's organizations through a series of events called Black Out. Some of the events taking place throughout Black Out include the Women of Color Retreat Friday, Feb. 15, from 3-5 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Lampasas Hall. Redefining Men: Male Retreat will be Friday, Feb. 15, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in LBJ room 3-9.1.

Marshia Paulton, biology senior, is the vice president of the Black Student Alliance, an organization that promotes and showcases black culture.

Paulton said BSA allows students to discuss issues affecting black students on campus and throughout the world.

As a chartered organization, BSA receives funds from the university to host events and activities. In addition to hosting their own events, BSA proudly pays it forward and sponsors events for organizations that cannot afford to do the same.

BSA began introducing black students and black faculty of the week in honor of Black History Month.

Multimedia editor Cam Hubbard reads literature Feb.11 in the Multicultural Lounge and Black Students' Resource Library at Lampasas Hall.

PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON

By Brianna Ramos News Reporter With the African-American studies minor launching fall 2019, students received the addition with sighs of relief and longing.

Many students view the new minor as a step toward a more inclusive university but others are disappointed the university took so long to take action. Black Women United President Kayla Thompson thinks

By Sean Anchondo Sports Reporter The Texas State Bobcats played championship-worthy basketball Saturday night against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the first half. The second half was a different story.

The Bobcats beat the Chanticleers with a final score of 65-57. The team improved to 19-5 total and 8-3 in conference. Head coach Danny Kaspar said the game was more of tale of two halves as the Bobcats dropped pace considerably after the halftime break.

"We looked like a championship team in the first half and we did not look like that the second half," Kaspar said. "We got the win and that's what counts."

SEE PAGE | 2

Junior Jaylen Shead jumps past a Coastal Carolina player Feb. 9 in order to score for the Bobcats.

PHOTO

BY KATE CONNORS

SEE BASKETBALL PAGE 10

LIFE & ARTS

Social media and depression in millennials

SEE AFRICAN-AMERICAN PAGE 2

Bobcat basketball wins big on Danny Kaspar Night

SEE CELEBRATION PAGE 4

NEWS

Texas State is headed in the right direction, but she wishes she could have gotten the chance to minor in African-American studies before her senior year.

"I think it's long overdue, but I'm happy it's happening," Thompson said. "I think it'll have a lasting effect (on black students) because we will finally have people we can relate to in class."

Staying hearthealthy for American Heart Month SEE PAGE | 5

OPINIONS Bisexuality deserves more space at Texas State SEE PAGE | 7

SPORTS Spavital fills staff and inks signees for 2019 campaign SEE PAGE | 12

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

2 | Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Managing Editor: Sawyer Click, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu Associate Managing Editor: Bayley Bogus, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Sandra Sadek, starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Diana Furman, lifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinions Editor: Carissa Liz Castillo, staropinion@txstate.edu

Social media and depression in millennials According to a team of Texas State researchers, there is a correlation between negative social media behaviors and major depressive disorder in millennials.

By Kaitlyn White News Reporter

Sports Editor: Jakob Rodriguez, starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Gloria Rivera, stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Cameron Hubbard, starmultimedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Holly Hearn, starsengagement@txstate.edu

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SOCIAL MEDIA

Editors Editor-in-Chief: Carrington J. Tatum, stareditor@txstate.edu

Sandra Sadek | News Editor

Social media posts are filtered, cropped and carefully selected to make it seem like everything is going great, but that's not always the case.

A new study from Texas State researchers suggests individuals with depression are more likely to fixate on social media posts from people they perceive as being better than themselves.

“Social comparisons, social media addiction, and social interaction: An examination of specific social media behaviors related to major depressive disorder in a millennial population,” is

a research project published Jan. 8 in the Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research that shows a correlation between depression and negative social media behaviors in millennials. It's caught international attention for what the National Institute of Mental Health considers the most common health problem in college students.

The study looks at the ways people with depression may engage with social media differently than those who are not depressed. The team studied 504 millennials active on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat, and concluded the individuals who met the criteria for major depressive disorder are more likely to experience both a higher rate of social media addiction and greater isolation on social media. These individuals are more likely to focus on posts from those they believe to be better than themselves.

Psychological research masters student, Anthony Robinson, is the lead author of the study and hopes it will encourage readers to develop an awareness of how they currently use social media and to determine what changes, if any, should be made to limit the behaviors associated with major depressive disorder.

"This is the first study to look at specific social media behaviors on multiple platforms," Robinson said.

Psychology Professor Natalie Ceballos said the study isn't saying social media causes depression. It's simply pointing out that individuals with depression tend to use social media differently.

"It's important to note that this study looked at correlation, not causation," Ceballos said. "Social media can be both a risk factor and a potential avenue for intervention. Knowing more about how people react to social media is the first

step to improving people's lives."

Associate professor of psychology Krista Howard is one of the study's co-authors and said most social media users purposely present themselves in a positive way by using filters and sharing posts that depict they're doing great.

"The problem is when individuals compare themselves to these perfect posts and then perceive themselves as worse off as these comparisons can exacerbate symptoms of depression," Howard said.

Social media influencers like Virgie Tovar, the activist behind the Lose Hate, Not Weight campaign, work to combat these standards. Tovar said the philosophy behind the movement is to break away from the I'm-not-goodenough mindset and embrace who you are.

Sophia Liberzon, communication disorders sophomore, thinks it’s good that studies like this are being carried out. To her, social media is a fun place to look for creative inspiration and relax, but she knows that's not always the case.

“I feel like social media has become a place for a lot of people where you compare yourself to other people all the time and feel worse about yourself,” Liberzon said.

The study has already gained international attention and the team is now developing an experiment to see if social media can have a physiological effect on the body after being awarded a multidisciplinary internal research grant.

The research focuses on salivary cortisol, immune function and cardiovascular responses in individuals who have been shown anxiety-provoking social media posts, in the effort to determine if social media and the stress it causes can make us ill.

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HISTORY

Golf course repairs reveal vintage gas station Malarie Ohrabka News Reporter Texas State Facilities and the Department of Campus Recreation discovered a 1920s gas station while beginning construction to turn a damaged university golf course into an intramural field.

According to Amy Reid, curator for the Center for Archaeological Studies working on the construction, the project to repair the golf course was proposed by the Department of Campus Recreation when the university was deciding whether or not to restore the damaged golf course. Reid said the plans include two fields, some utilities and a new building.

Known as “Multi-Use Recreation Fields,” the project process began Jan. 15, 2019, according to the project's General Contractor Form. The design development is expected to cost $7.4 million, and the cost of the construction in progress is around $3 million.

Planning, Design & Construction director Michael Petty said he and Facilities removed wooden structures from what used to be the university's clubhouse registration for golf and

discovered a gas station made almost entirely of stone underneath. The gas station has original stonework from a historical fuel station, so Petty presented the project to the Texas Historical Commission.

"When we submitted the project to the Texas Historical Commission, we got their encouragement and blessing to proceed with the construction," Petty said. "The gas station was probably built around 1920, so they are excited to have an icon on campus, and we are excited as well."

The stone gas station is located at the corner of Bert Brown Road and Lost Road where the old golf pro shop was located.

According to a letter from CAS, the stone gas station is "not eligible for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark," but CAS encouraged "reuse of the building."

"The new registration facility will be right next to the old gas station," Petty said. "We think it was a really smart use of repurposing. I’ll proudly say we saved an icon of an era, and we have incorporated that into the grounds."

Petty said Facilities and the Department of Recreation did a site analysis first,

allowing them to be responsive to the surrounding environment as well as meet the needs of students.

Intramurals graduate assistant Karla Galvan said the two proposed fields in the construction project will for open use, meaning students can use them for anything.

“As of now, I know there will be two fields for competitive use such as sports and intramurals,” Galvan said. “There will also be a facility built that will have small conference rooms, registration areas and restrooms.”

According to Petty, Texas State is the only university that owns headwaters, or a stream, of a major river and because of this, Facilities, CAS and the Department of Campus Recreation have been very careful in everything they do on the project. “(Facilities) retained the services for CAS to review, they did some excavations and allowed us to proceed after reviewing what they pulled from the ground,” Petty said. “There will be no environmental impact since it was previously a golf course, and now it will simply be a recreational field that will have the same type of activity as it did in the past.”

FROM FRONT AFRICAN-AMERICAN The minor will require 18 hours including two prerequisite courses, leaving space for four electives in the areas of African-American culture and history. Once the minor is available, students will be able to apply any courses they are currently taking or have taken in the past toward the minor if needed. Courses will range from "African-American experience in Texas" to "Politics, Power, and Identity in Hip Hop Literature." The full list of courses can be viewed online.

Black students throughout the nation have petitioned for African-American programs at their respective universities for decades. These student-led efforts date as far back as 1968 when members of the Afro-American Student Union proposed an interdisciplinary degree program for black studies at Berkeley. At Texas State, students have requested the minor for years. Texas State is among the

last of the largest public universities in Texas to offer the minor.

The idea for an African-American studies minor at Texas was first proposed in 2014 by members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, which petitioned the school to begin a program implementing African-American studies curriculum.

International studies freshman Emily Montes is optimistic about the effects the minor could bring to campus despite the long wait.

"I wish a program like this would have been available for students sooner, but at the same time, I'm glad. You have to start somewhere," Montes said. "I think adding the AAS minor is just what the school needed to fulfill its mission for diversity and inclusiveness. Who knows, maybe this will encourage more people to come to Texas State."

The proposal for the minor came

to fruition after representatives from all nine colleges at Texas State created the African American Studies Minor Committee, lead by Audwin Anderson, director of the Center for Diversity and Gender Studies, in February 2018. Since then, monthly meetings and reports have been held. It wasn't until January 25, 2019, that the proposal was officially accepted by the University Curriculum Committee.

"I think it gives (African-Americans) an opportunity to see their experiences in the curriculum. But I also think it's important for all students at Texas State," Anderson said. "The minor will deal with the African diaspora and the experiences of people from the continent of Africa as well as people from all over the world.

I don't see how you can understand yourself in your country without an understanding of those experiences."

The School of Social Work produces graduates who appreciate and respect the amazing diversity of the human family, who grasp how that diversity is reflected in the families and organizations that people create, who embrace differences as a strength, who value social justice, and who ethically lead the struggle to foster a compassionate, productive, non-discriminatory society.

Offers Undergraduate (BSW) & Graduate (MSW) degree Part-time or full-time option for MSW Best Online Master’s Social Work 2018-2019 ranked by AffordableCollegesOnline.org (ACO) Texas State University ranks as top school for veterans nationwide.

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) INTERNATIONAL AND STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS Ghana with Dr. Pulliam Ethiopia with Dr. Hawkins England with Ms. McGee FACULTY RESEARCH –Child Welfare –Aging –Food Insecurity –School social work –Adventure Therapy –Military –Art & Music engagment –Trauma Program requires practicum. School of Social Work has a field office on campus.

Graduate Academic Advisor: Ms. Lisa Ramos

DEADLINE TO APPLY TO MSW: MARCH 15, 2019 ENCINO HALL BUILDING SUITE 150 PHONE: 512-245-7170 https://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/programs/msw.html

LIFE & ARTS

4 | Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Diana Furman | Life & Arts Editor

The University Star

FOOD CHALLENGES

FINANCES

Eating competitions cook up rewards

CAFE program hosts Financial Awareness Week for second year

By Jenna Carroll Life & Arts Contributor Those seeking honor and glory need not fret, as it may be an easier goal to reach than expected. Cramming your belly full of food at record time can win anyone a place in a hall of fame.

San Marcos is surrounded by eating competitions open to the public.

Money and fame await those brave enough to take part and succeed, even if it involves a vomit bucket.

Chunky’s Burgers & More Chunky’s Burgers & More is an establishment in San Antonio that offers customers the chance to take on a challenge called The 4 Horsemen.

According to the restaurant's website, participants have 25 minutes to eat The 4 Horsemen burger, containing jalapeno, serrano and ghost peppers, in addition to habanero sauce. Participants must be 18 years of age or have a parent/ guardian present to sign the waiver.

The website states a “chuck bucket” is provided, but using it will disqualify participants. If the bucket is missed, a clean-up fee will be added to the amount of the burger. Those who complete the challenge will gain bragging rights and a chance to place their picture on the "Wall of Flame."

More rules and information on the challenge can be found on their website.

Pluckers Wing Bar This eatery has multiple locations, including one in San Marcos.

Restaurant patrons must eat 25 wings with Pluckers Wing Bar’s “Fire in the Hole” sauce. If victorious, they get recognized on the “Wall of Flame."

Jessye Lane Daniels, server trainer at the San Marcos location, said every week people come in to attempt the challenge. She does not think she could do it, but having the option and watching others is amusing.

“I think it’s really fun because people come in just to do it and it's funny thing because everyone’s laughing at their friends because it’s so hot," Daniels said.

Plucker's Assistant General Manager number three at the San Marcos location, Kristen Abram said it’s exciting to see people finish all 25 wings.

“It’s always exciting to see somebody finish (the challenge) and usually it’s a big deal; everybody in the restaurant is kind of involved and cheering them on,” Abram said.

Brianna Mascorro, family and childhood development sophomore, said she learned of this opportunity last semester from a friend and is interested in trying it out to test her spice tolerance. She hopes to achieve the challenge by the end of spring semester.

“I felt like why not give it a try one day,” Mascorro said.

Brooklyn Heights Pizzeria Brooklyn Heights Pizzeria is located in the Austin area, and offers a pizza challenge where one could either participate alone or with a partner.

The rule is the pizza must contain at least two meats or four vegetables.

Participants have one hour to eat the entire 12 pound pizza pizza without leaving the table.

According to the website, winners of the challenge will get $200, whether one or two people compete. However, those who do not successfully complete the challenge must pay the price of the pizza. In addition, the pizzeria requires patrons to call 24 hours in advance to book a time to participate in the challenge. .

By Ryan Torres Life & Arts Contributor The Financial and Career Readiness program is offering one lucky student a scholarship for attending Financial Awareness Week.

Texas State’s Career and Financial Education, CAFE, program provided resources Feb. 4-6 to become career and financially ready during their second Financial Awareness Week.

Academic coaches in the CAFE program informed students about the opportunities available. Scheduling oneon-one appointments with academic coaches is a great way to help students plan future financial and career priorities. . Another way to kickstart future plans is by hosting Financial Awareness Week.

The awareness week involves more than eighty presentations from guest speakers on financial and career advice. Students attended the events to learn about credit, personal finance and budgeting.

Partnered with and sponsored by University Federal Credit Union, the CAFE program provides a $500 scholarship to a randomly selected student who attends Financial Awareness Week. For every event a student goes to, the higher the chance is for their name to be chosen.

The first winner of the scholarship

was Gloria Cubos, health information and management junior, who heard about the Financial Awareness Week from a mass email. She learned it was important to take advantage of the career and financial opportunities given to students on campus.

“As you get older, you realize you have to start depending on yourself," Cubos said. "Being in college is a great way and opportunity to start adulting."

CAFE provides students with information on anything revolving around career readiness and financial knowledge.

Terrance McClain, Student Development Specialist for CAFE, oversees the events during Financial Awareness Week and offers academic coaching opportunities to students.

“My goal (for CAFE) is to have more students schedule one-on-one appointments," McClain said. "We absolutely know students want to learn about (financial and career) information."

According to McClain, there is a designated coach for every college, so students can receive the information they need to better accommodate them in their field of work.

Scheduling near-to-peer sessions can help students feel comfortable talking about stressful subjects like finances and career readiness. Students

get to talk to other graduate-coaches of the same field to start preparing their soft-skills for the workforce.

Nicole Lengley, applied sociology senior, is an intern for CAFE. Lengley assists with social media and marketing management.

“This program has great potential,” Lengley said “Students should take advantage of every resource offered (by CAFE).”

Lengley used the help of an academic coach at CAFE to help assess her future after graduation. She encourages students to do the same if they feel unsure about their career and how to be successful.

The program hosts other events like Career Readiness Institute Symposium, taking place Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students will learn how to prepare themselves for the workforce and take steps to complete a career readiness certificate.

Reservations for the event can be made on the events tab located on the Texas State CAFE page.

The CAFE office is located on the second floor of Commons Dining Hall. Appointments with academic coaches at Career and Financial Education can be scheduled online on the Texas State University website.

Stay up-to-date with CAFE by checking out its social media handles, @TXSTCAFE.

FROM FRONT CELEBRATION On Feb. 5, BSA announced Chino Chukuka as black student of the week and Skyller Walkes as black faculty of the week.

BSA selected Chukuka to be their first black student of the week due to his outstanding participation in the organization.

Walkes was selected due to her active role in the Texas State community. She is currently the interim director for the Office of Disability Services. “(BSA) talked about it multiple times in our meetings how we don’t see many black faculty on this campus,” Paulton said. “Announcing a black faculty member of the week will allow us to show students people on campus that are advocating for us.”

BSA will host its annual Desegregation Celebration Feb. 26 in the Student Recreation Center, where BSA members discuss the history of integration of schools in San Marcos.

BSA’s goal for this year’s Black History Month is to encourage all students to celebrate influential black men and women who have helped make a positive impact on the world.

“It’s really important to recognize different cultures and celebrate them,” Paulton said.

Morgan Brooks, business management senior, is the historian and public relations executive for the Black Art Association.

BAA is a platform for students to unite, celebrate and appreciate African American art.

Brooks said BAA is an opportunity for students to discover art within themselves and be able to show others what art means to them.

BAA aims at recognizing influential black artists in both the past and present. Every Tuesday, the organization features new artists of color on their Twitter page under the #TalentTuesday. To nominate an artist, message BAA on Twitter, @ TXStateBAA. Brooks said it is important to acknowledge the adversity black people have faced in the past and still face in the present. She said it is critical for people to acknowledge racism is still prevanlent and still exists.

“Black people struggled through slavery for 400 years, yet we’re given a month to celebrate our history and its the shortest month of the year,” Brooks said.

She encourages people to be

A portrait of Black Student Alliance's student of the week, Chino Chukuka Feb. 5, 2019.

PHOTO BY CHINO CHUKUKA

knowledgeable of the past because history tends to repeat itself.

“If people aren’t knowledgeable of racism in the past, then they won’t be able to identify racism in the present,” Brooks said.

BAA wants to make it known their organization is not limited to black students and those who identify as artists. The group is for everyone who is interested in celebrating and learning more about black-centered artwork.

Amani Seay, advertising senior, is the historian and marketing executive for Black Women United.

BWU is an organization that works to unite women in order to educate and empower one another.

Seay said although BWU focuses on black women, it is open to all women and students.

BWU has a variety of events lined up

to celebrate Black History Month like a game of Black Jeopardy Thursday, Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m. in Flowers Hall.

Seay said it's important for students to recognize Black History Month because black history is American history.

“There are a lot of inventions and innovations we wouldn’t have without black people and that needs to be celebrated,” Seay said.

Black student organizations at Texas State are unifying in order to honor Black History Month through the Black Out takeover. These events are open to anyone and everyone wanting to celebrate black history.

To stay up-to-date on Black Out events, check out black student organizations via social media and use #TXSTBlackOut to spread the celebration of black history.

The University Star

Diana Furman | Life & Arts Editor

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | 5

ALUMNI

Bobcat football alum creates app for student athletes

By Madison Williams Life & Arts Reporter Texas State alumus and former football player Mike Orakpo is ready to take on the world of sports with his newly announced app, Athlete Connect.

The Houston native was a linebacker for Bobcat Football 2013-14. Orakpo’s older brother and fellow athlete Brian Orakpo will partner with him on this business venture.

Brian Orakpo started his athletic career playing for the University of Texas from 2004-08, before climbing the ladder to play professionally for the NFL. Brian Orakpo played for the Washington Redskins prior to being drafted to the Tennessee Titans, where he finished his career.

Athlete Connect, which has been in the works for months, was announced via Twitter late January. The app will connect athletes to compatible, qualified coaches and trainers in their area, which will initially only be Austin. Athlete Connect is set to have a soft launch in late February, with an official launch in April. With a structure reminiscent of Uber, athletes will be able to pay for and schedule training sessions on the app.

“It was an idea I had in 2015 because I knew this was something unheard of," Mike Orakpo said. "It had never been done before."

Athlete Connect is unique because it will allow athletes to identify areas of specialization they would like to focus on when training. Athletes can schedule sessions to work specifically on throwing, footwork or whatever area they feel needs attention. The app allows

Mike and Biran Orakpo stand in front of Brian Orakpo's Tennessee Titans jersey..

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE ORAKPO them to connect with a coach who Every coach will be background checked specializes in their area of need, creating and reviewed by Athlete Connect. This a more customized, targeted approach. variety of trainers will make specialized The app will be marketed toward training more accessible to some student student athletes in the six to 18-year-old athletes. age range. The fees associated with the “This app will merge the gap and app will be the cost of training sessions. bring players and coaches together,” Mike Orakpo wanted to note that the Brian Orakpo said. app team will be catering to a variety of Initially, the app will only serve the budgets.

Austin area. However, Mike said they Similar to Uber, the coaches on plan to expand across Central Texas as Athlete Connect will function as soon as possible. Eventually, he hopes to independent contractors.

Since take the app to an international level. graduating, Mike Orakpo is still local to Mike Orakpo said he began playing the Austin area. He has stayed present sports at the age of five. He was a very in the local sports and fitness industry raw athlete growing up and while he had and was able to combine a mix of up- great potential, he was underdeveloped. and-coming coaches with seasoned vets.

“What I wanted to do was put other

kids, like me, in a position to develop themselves earlier,” Mike Orakpo said.

He said many kids grow up in singleparent households where they are often not able to get one-on-one attention.

Although coaches tend to try their best, they are outnumbered by players.

Mike Orakpo said it is not plausible for coaches to give each athlete the individual attention they require.

The more developed an athlete is at a younger age, the more attention they are likely to receive from interested schools and teams.

Brian Orakpo said the app will cater to athletes who may already be more developed, but are looking for a competitive advantage over other players.

Hayden Matz, health and wellness senior, is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer at the Student Recreation Center.

Matz has participated in gymnastics, as well as strongman competitions. He said the one-on-one service provided by Athlete Connect is extremely important.

“When you have someone build a program for you, they can come at it from a more objective standpoint," Matz said. "They are more likely to program stuff you wouldn’t necessarily program for yourself."

From college football star to up-andcoming app mogul, Mike Orakpo is ready to connect coaches and athletes.

Athlete Connect will be coming to Austin-area athletes just in time for summer training. The Orakpo brothers have spent their lives on the field and are ready to help aspiring young student athletes do the same.

HEALTH

Staying heart-healthy for American Heart Month

By Ivy Sandoval Life & Arts Reporter Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and a major cause of disability. February is American Heart Month, serving to promote heart health. While some risk aspects are uncontrollable, there are ways of preventing the controllable factors.

Taking care of the body now before issues begin to occur is highly suggested. Here are ways to get on track to prevent and promote heart health.

Control blood pressure High blood pressure is a huge risk factor for heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure can damage your heart and blood vessels. Without testing, it is difficult to know whethevr these conditions exist within the body.

Dr. Alap Jani, cardiologist at Austin Heart Cardiac and Vascular ClinicSan Marcos, said blood pressure is one of the most important levels to pay attention to when getting tested.

“Your blood pressure is one of the main things looked at when determining heart health,” Jani said.

“Making sure your levels are right and getting tests as recommended is one of the easiest ways to prevent any heart issues.”

It is important to get your blood pressure checked at least once a year, if not more, especially if someone does have high blood pressure. Because blood pressure puts someone at high risk for stroke, regular tests are recommended by doctors.

Keep cholesterol

under control High levels of cholesterol can clog the arteries and raise the risk of heart

attack or coronary artery disease, which damages the hearts major blood vessels. Lifestyle changes and medicines can lower cholesterol if required or recommended.

Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood. High levels of triglycerides can raise the risk of coronary artery disease, especially in women. These levels should be checked regularly along with blood pressure tests.

Maintain a healthy weight Being overweight can increase the risk of heart disease. Excess weight can lead to conditions that may increase your chances of heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Tranise Pleasant, San Marcos American Heart Association Heart Walk coordinator, said any amount of weight loss can be beneficial.

“Losing weight can start off slow and at a pace you’re comfortable with,” Pleasant said. “The American Heart Association does walks, and even though walking doesn't take much effort, it can help, and money raised in events goes to research to better lives.”

Weight loss can help decrease triglycerides and blood sugar levels, as well as reduce a risk of diabetes.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, losing even more weight can help lower your blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels.

Eat a heart-healthy diet Changing eating habits can help reduce the risk of heart disease. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help protect your heart and provide energy.

Eating beans, low-fat or fat-free dairy

products, lean meats and fish are great foods to incorporate into a healthy diet.

Managing glucose or blood pressure levels can be accomplished by avoiding unnecessary salt and sugars.

Limit alcohol Drinking is a huge part of college culture. Watching the amount of alcohol one consumes is a vital, proactive way to lower risk of heart disease later in life. Drinking alcohol in moderation is the best option for a healthy heart.

Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and add extra calories, which may cause weight gain. All of these factors may lead to an increase in the risk of heart disease. It is recommended women of all ages and men older than 65 have a limit of one drink per day, and men younger than age 65 up to two drinks a day.

Exercise regularly As a college student, between school and work, it may be hard to find time to work out. However, finding time to fit in exercise is very beneficial.

Amber Ruiz, exercise and sports science junior, said she tries her best to be as healthy and active as possible, given her busy schedule. High blood pressure runs in her family “I try to take care of myself the best I can by working out or eating somewhat healthy food but it’s hard to do both 100 percent, especially when you go to school, work and are part of an organization,” Ruiz said.

Physical activities can help control weight and reduce the chances of developing other conditions that may put a strain on the heart. Simple activities like housekeeping, taking the stairs instead of elevators or walking your dog can make a difference. If just starting out, exercising strenuously isn't needed to achieve benefits, but you can see growth by increasing the

intensity, duration and frequency of your workouts.

Manage stress Life can be stressful, which is inevitable. Learning how to manage that stress is one of the key approaches toward managing a healthy lifestyle.

Stress is linked to heart disease in several ways and has the ability to raise blood pressure. Extreme stress can be a trigger for heart attacks.

There are many unhealthy ways of coping with stress, such as overeating, heavy drinking and smoking. Some ways to help manage your stress include exercise, listening to music or meditating.

Get enough sleep Sleep deprivation is surely an issue in college, not only in terms of ability to retain information, but it is bad for your heart health as well. People who do not get enough sleep have a higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression.

Most adults need at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night, even though this is easier said than done.

Sleep apnea, which causes people to briefly stop breathing many times during sleep, can interfere with your ability to get a good nights rest and can raise the risk of heart disease.

Any small effort can form good habits to having and maintaining a healthy heart. Making changes now can be beneficial to prevent any health issues from arising later in life.

College students are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, so taking action now is the best advantage toward heart health. For more information on American Heart Month, visit the AHA website, www.heart.org.heart health.

For more information on American Heart Month, visit the AHA website.

OPINIONS

6 | Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Carissa Liz Castillo | Opinions Editor

The University Star

SPEECH

Don't give hate speech an audience

By Naomi Wick Opinions Columnist Last week, Texas State experienced its periodic visit from a Brother Jed-style preacher. With his yelling damnation, a crowd of listeners and protesters quickly gathered. Students stopped at the Stallions statue, Texas State's designated symbol of free speech, to see what the commotion was about and quickly found themselves the subject of judgment as the preacher threatened hell to essentially everyone. Visitors like these aren’t new to Texas State, but they continue to return to campus because of the attention and reactions they receive.

Maybe narcissists, maybe not, but unwanted campus guests will quickly leave if the intention of their visit isn’t being met. Giving inflammatory and verbally aggressive people attention and an audience is a guaranteed way to make sure they stick around and return semester after semester. If someone is preaching at the Stallions, no matter what they’re preaching, and passersby ignore them, they’ll leave.

Arguing back won’t do anything; standing with a sign next to someone who’s declaring a message that one disagrees with only fuels their dedication. It shows that the people they’re trying to reach are getting their message. Drawing a crowd will draw the attention of social media, which only magnifies the message that’s trying to be drowned out, which is reasonably the opposite of what protesters want.

Hate shouldn’t be given a platform.

While the Stallions rightfully remain a vital part of Texas State’s campus culture and encourage open free speech, hate shouldn’t be encouraged with attention. Bobcats need to ban together in unison, in not tolerating hate speech on campus, in agreement that the correct way to battle unwanted speakers on campus is through discouraging them altogether from continuing the charade of moral righteousness.

Arguing back won’t force the unwanted guest off campus because the speaker knows they’re being heard.

All they want is to get their message across, whether with good intentions

ILLUSTRATION BY CP HUBBARD

or bad, and showing that a message has been received only encourages them to continue. When faced with pushback, abrasive speakers like last week’s

preacher are only more motivated to continue their work.

- Naomi Wick is a journalism senior

Letters to the editor

The University Star welcomes letters from our readers. Letters must be 500 words or fewer to be considered for publication. Please include your full name, mailing address, major and academic year designation, phone number and e-mail address when submitting a letter. Submissions that do not include this information cannot be published. This information is seen only by the editors and is not used for any commercial purpose. Letters become the property of The Star and may be republished in any format. The letter may be edited for length and clarity. You will be contacted if your letter is a candidate for publication. We will not run letters that are potentially libelous, discriminatory, obscene, threatening or promotional in nature. To make a submission, email stareditor@txst.edu

Float Fest does more harm than good Dear Naomi Wick, I read with interest your opinion entitled “Float Fest Does More Good Than Harm for San Marcos." I found the article fascinating because, while I was the main antagonist of the article, you never made an effort to contact me to ask my side of the story. So, here it is, in case you are interested. This, by the way, is the short version. My long version was too wordy to print, but it is somewhere online.

It is true that Float Fest adversely affects my business. My wife (and best friend) Paula and I own and operate a youth-oriented campground on the banks of the San Marcos River (right in the middle of the float part of the fest). We have owned and/or managed campgrounds on the San Marcos River since 1972.

Our campground is located between San Marcos and Martindale in

Caldwell County. Caldwell County is the county that was not mentioned in the economic benefit segment of the article. Instead of reaping a financial windfall when Float Fest floats around, Caldwell County spends a significant amount of money providing security and safety on the river. One estimate (and this is from a few years back) was that this county spends over $20,000 on safety and police during this event.

You have to understand that you can’t have youth groups trying to camp during Float Fest. I mean, 10,000 people floating down the San Marcos River means it is too full of tubes for anyone to try to navigate a canoe or kayak - and that is what the majority of our campers want to do. Then, of course, there is the behavior. Let’s just say that many inebriated college kids floating down a river with no law enforcement is conducive to some bad language and behavior. The music that

is broadcast from the Float Fest stage at night is also not suitable for youth groups.

So, our camp is closed to our normal clients during Float Fest; but we have lots of folks using our campground that weekend - it’s just that no one is paying to use it. We let the Friends of San Marcos in to pick up trash or count tubes. We let the paid trash cleaners in to collect beer cans. We let the Texas Search and Rescue People set up their RVs. These are the folks who provide a measure of security for the people floating the river. They are also the people who will search for bodies if someone drowns. We let the Martindale Fire Department set up in the campground. We let the Caldwell County Incident Command trailer set up to coordinate all the police, search and rescue volunteers, deputies and DPS personnel. Finally, we let the Texas Search and Rescue volunteers use our

chapel and kitchen as a cafeteria in which to feed all the various volunteers.

Hundreds of paid police and volunteers spend their Float Fest weekend providing at least a little bit of safety and security for the float part of the event, and Paula and I play a big part in that happening and have done it for free.

So, this event is a disaster for our business. But what about the river? Just imagine 10,000 people peeing in the river in the course of a day. Imagine half of them walking down the middle of the river with their tubes because they are too drunk to float on their tube (it happens). This is a real river with a mud, sand and gravel bottom.

Fish have spawning beds on the bottom. Or used to.

Thanks for listening.

- Tom Goynes

Texas State does educate on and address student medical needs Dear University Star, My name is Emma Lytle, and I am the President of the student organization, Healthy Cats, here on campus. I read through the University Star published on January 22, 2019, on Health and Wellness and am writing to address the following two articles.

In Ivy Sandoval’s article, “Bobcats, it’s time we had the talk,” the topic of sexual health on college campuses and its importance are discussed.

Throughout this article, it is made clear how quality campus communication about issues such as pregnancy, STI’s, and sex education can lead to a healthier and happier campus. Yet, it is written in a way that makes it sound as if these resources are not already available.

Another article, “The Student Health Center should provide affordable care”

by Patrick Tchakounte, similarly states that the Student Health Center, and its organizations, are not doing enough

to encourage student involvement and healthy choices on campus. As an officer of Healthy Cats, it is a large portion of my job to discuss college behaviors, including sex, drugs and alcohol, and mental health, at Bobcat Preview, UniversitySeminar Classes and other organizations that may request us.

Our presentations are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to explore and enjoy their sexuality, and other behaviors, in a safe way.

Men Against Violence, or MAV, does similar presentations about consent, sexual assault, and other social issues.

For those who are not incoming students, we table in the quad at least once a month for different events such as World AIDS day, Relationship Violence, and Spring Break safety.

Last year, Healthy Cats and MAV hosted 16 campus outreach events, reaching 7267 students. We provided 289 presentations on a variety of health

topics that reached a total of 16,320 students, and, of those students, 66% reported that they are very likely to adopt a new health behavior and 96% learned at least one new, positive health behavior.

To say that the Student Health Center doesn’t do enough to educate its students on health issues like these, despite everything that our organizations do, is misleading. Our organizations are aware of the need for sexual health education and are designed to meet these needs.

As far as resources at the Student Health Center, and around campus go, I am providing a few that were not mentioned in the two articles. In Ivy’s article, there were only resources listed for the city of San Marcos and San Antonio, not the campus itself; if a student is without transportation, these options may not be a choice for them.

The Student Health Center provides all the care that these clinics offer, such as birth control consultations, pregnancy

testing, over-the-counter emergency contraception at an extraordinary discount, and a walk-in STI clinic that has seen significant increases in testing since it was opened. The center offers opportunities for anonymous testing, discounted care and medications, and does everything in its power to make quality healthcare affordable to students.

To review our information, or to have a look at our resources, you can visit: https://www.healthcenter.txstate. edu/ To request a presentation or read more about them, please visit: https:// www.healthcenter.txstate.edu/ healthycats/request-presentation.html If you have any concerns or following questions about our organizations, feel free to contact me.

- Emma Lytle, Healthy Cats President and the officers of Men Against Violence

The University Star

Carissa Liz Castillo | Opinions Editor Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | 7

SCHOLARSHIP

Name a black studies scholarship after Tafari

By Carrington Tatum Editor-in-Chief University Advancement should seek a scholarship that pays for the black studies minor and name it for Tafari Robertson.

As of now, the projected start of Texas State's black studies minor is Fall of 2019. The minor is the first step in fostering a field of study that is overdue to be not only a major but an academic department at Texas State.

It's worth noting that our university is playing catch up as most, if not all of our peer institutions already have a minor or more dedicated to the field of black studies. The only reason Texas State is behind is due to a conscious choice not to embrace AfricanAmerican studies.

Texas State has about 13,000 students fewer than The University of Texas, but twice as many AfricanAmerican students. UT not only has a major, but an interdisciplinary academic department dedicated to African-American studies which began in the 70s.

The initial concern of Texas State decision-makers was a baseless one—a demand for black studies. However, as with any area of interest for AfricanAmericans, the standards of demand are much more fickle than other academic endeavors. This is not to suggest that all African-Americans are monolithically interested in black studies, but that the probability threshold is well met at Texas State.

Not to mention that San Marcos was a freedman's town where the population was 90 percent black until

ILLUSTRATION BY JOSHUA IMAGBE

the Ku Klux Klan made the town inhabitable. Embracing environmental research is a no-brainer when you have a river flowing through your campus.

San Marcos' history gives Texas State more authority and opportunity to research and educate around black studies in the same regard.

Although no student is obligated to prove the academic merit of their interests to a proactive university, Tafari Robertson made it his mission to see black studies manifested.

The Pan-African Action Committee works as a social club, community service organization as well as an activist organization. The accomplishments of founding members

include the removal of a Jefferson Davis statue from campus and the creation of a multicultural lounge complete with a black students' resource library.

However, none of these agendas are in the mission statement of PAAC. Before PAAC would be the conscience of Student Government during 2018s LBJ sit-in, Robertson founded PAAC on the premise of bringing AfricanAmerican studies to Texas State.

Tafari graduated in the Spring of 2018, and with his mission nigh complete it becomes apparent that his labor was one of which he will never be able to enjoy the fruits. That indicates the selfless nature of his work and establishes the merit for a scholarship

named for him.

Furthermore, a lack of acknowledgment spreads to other areas than academics like the retention of black faculty and campus climate.

Texas State underprioritizing AfricanAmerican studies is to underprioritize African-American Bobcats. Any ethnic group can benefit from black studies, but for black students, the courses say that your university is just as interested in your development as anyone else.

And that means your unique needs as well—'you're a priority too'.

That is why the scholarship should be named for Tafari. Not only because he did the work, but because he represents black students before him and some that will come after him who felt like a guest at Texas State as opposed to a valid resident.

Tafari is one of my most respected colleagues and I know that he would never claim black studies as a sole accomplishment. Several people made the black studies minor possible and their contributions are not trivial.

However, Tafari's spirit as a student motivated the cause from start to finish.

Finding an endowment for the scholarship and a donor willing to forego their own name may be difficult, but I think doing so is not a steep price for the services rendered by Robertson.

It's time we commemorated his work in history by creating a scholarship and naming it for Tafari Robertson.

- Carrington Tatum is a journalism junior

SEXUALITY

Bisexuality deserves more space at Texas State

By Bayley Bogus Associate Managing Editor Bisexuality is often not recognized or validated to the standards of various other sexualities. In college and media, the B in LGBTQIA+ may be forgotten or lumped into other categories. People fall into believing fallacies like bisexuals have the best of both worlds, they’re more likely to cheat and their sexual identity is a phase. In terms of bisexual women, the chance they get asked to take part in a threesome or experience sexual harassment is soberingly high.

Women who declare bisexuality, especially in college, are prone to hearing they might just be “lesbians until graduation” or a “two-beer queer.”

Regardless of popular belief, prejudiced comments and questions fly from the mouths of both heterosexual people and individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community. In college predominantly, this can make it difficult for bisexuals to find an accepting community and may result in having fewer places to turn for support.

Compared to the 70 percent of gay men and 67 percent of lesbians that have told their parents about their sexualities, only 40 percent of bisexuals have come out in this way.

Additionally, 80 percent of bisexuals claim the community they live in lacks acceptance and understanding of what bisexuality entails.

The struggle and misunderstanding that so often follows this sexuality is the fact that people, regardless of how they identify, remain familiar with and are inclined to think in terms of binaries. Common binaries people may designate as opposites include gay, straight, feminine or masculine, even though some individuals don’t wish to be placed in these boxes. However, since a large portion of the world has been bred to believe in the “two and only two” system for centuries, bisexual people grapple with their identities and it may take longer to grasp an understanding of their character.

A common misconception around bisexuality is thinking it’s a limbo phase or that people who come out as

ILLUSTRATION BY JADEN EDISON

bisexual are experimenting or curious.

This may be the case with some people, but not the majority. While the number of TV shows and movies featuring members of the LGBTQIA+ community is increasing, it may be harder to find characters portraying the truth of bisexuality, which further limits knowledge of the sexual orientation.

People who identify as bisexual may not feel entirely comfortable with or feel like they fit into the lesbian, gay, transgender or other communities because, in most settings, it can feel like a gray area. While “gay” can be used as an umbrella term, bisexual people need space to grow and understand who they are and know what it means to exist as bisexual.

Around campus, there are several organizations that cater to LGBTQIA+ students needs, like Transcend, Bobcat PRIDE and Queer Cats. However, while these groups serve as welcoming and safe spaces for all, bisexuality is rarely outright recognized and tends to blend in with other further understood sexualities. There should be programs or clubs that put a heavier focus on the B in LGBTQIA+.

It is important for all people that fall within the spectrum to be recognized, accepted and at least attempted to be understood. There should be a certain emphasis on bisexuality somewhere, anywhere, on campus, as students that identify this way grow. However, even when looking up statistics, it is difficult to find numbers associated

solely with the sexuality; the percentage of homosexual and/or transgender students are provided, with bisexuality grouped in.

Each letter of the LGBTQIA+ community denotes a human being and as such, each person deserves recognition and acceptance in their own right. Bisexual individuals should no longer be considered the “invisible minority,” especially given the fact they account for about half of the LGBTQIA+ community. Students are more susceptible to curiosity and questioning their identity in college; it is only fair to open the door to bisexuality wider and allow students to thoroughly explore what it entails.

- Bayley Bogus is a journalism senior

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SPORTS

10 | Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Jakob Rodriguez | Sports Editor

The University Star

ATHLETICS

Coastal Carolina overwhelms Texas State at home Despite holding a 39-30 lead at halftime, Texas State's women's basketball was unable to capture the win , falling 77-70 to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.

Women's basketball continues its slide down in conference standings with the fifth straight loss.

Coastal Carolina outscored Texas State 47-27 in the second half, but the Bobcats mad a late game charge and trailed 73-70 with 28 seconds left in the game. The Chanticleers have been on a hot streak as of late, winning four of the last five games.

The Bobcats had three players reach double figures as Toshua Levitt, Brooke Hall, and Da’Nasia Hood produced 20, 15, and 13 points each. Hall and Levitt would also combine for five out of the eight 3-pointers made by the Bobcats.

Texas State looks to end their fivegame losing streak at home Feb. 14 against Arkansas State Red Wolves.

Freshamn f orward Da'Nasia Hood PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE ATHLETICS

Spavital fills staff and inks signees for 2019 campaign

By Sean Anchondo Sports Reporter As soon as Jake Spavital, one of the youngest head coaches in the Football Bowl Subdivision, took over one of the youngest rosters in the nation, a new headline surfaced almost daily about his new coaching staff.

Spavital was hired as the 20th head coach of the Bobcats after inking a fiveyear deal with Texas State with a base salary of $800,000 a year.

However, over the winter break, students and fans alike would nearly be sent to the emergency rooms across Texas with heart palpitations as former Texas Tech University Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury was announced to take over for the Arizona Cardinals. Spavital's name was then thrown in the hat as his prospective offensive coordinator for the National Football League team.

Despite the speculation, however, Spavital addressed these rumors on his Twitter with a tweet featuring the lone hashtag “#EatEmUp.” Hitting the recruiting trail almost as soon as he started, Spavital started to assemble his coaching staff in Avengers Nick Furry-type fashion. The new head coach made a few early splashes in his hirings that helped ignite interest in some recruits in familiar territory as Spavital used to recruit this area as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

A quarterback savant, Spavital has developed quarterbacks like Johnny Manziel, Davis Webb, and Will Grier.

Spavital again made headlines with the hiring of the mastermind behind many of the spread offense schemes used in college football today, Bob Stitt.

West Virginia dominated Clemson with the ‘fly sweep action’ in the Orange Bowl in 2012. After the game, then-Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen would reveal he got the idea from “my good friend Bob Stitt at Colorado School of Mines.”

Bob Stitt was then the head coach at Colorado School of Mines. Stitt also served as an offensive analyst for Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State. A position that shares the responsibility of coming up with game plans and advising coaches.

Stitt said he plans to use many of his schemes to create a fast-paced offense at Texas State and use the recruits from the signing class to create space.

"We want to be an up-tempo offense and attack the defense where they are weak," Stitt said. "We got a couple guys (slot receivers) in this recruiting class that we can run some fly motion and do some things and get the ball in space to them that normal receivers maybe cant do."

Following the announcement of Stitt’s hiring, there was a buzz about quarterback Gresch Jensen from Montana University transferring to Texas State. Jensen opted to transfer from Montana after Bob Stitt was let go at the University of Montana. Jensen announced he was transferring from Fullerton Community College to Texas State Dec. 11 via his Twitter account.

Gresch posted historic freshman numbers at Montana. In seven games, Gresch threw for 2,531 and 20 touchdowns. He averaged 332 per game while completing 60 percent of his passes.

On the other side of the ball, Jake’s brother Zac Spavital will be taking over as defensive coordinator. Prior, Zac Spavital was the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator for Texas Tech.

Jake Spavital said he has given his brother full power of the defense in an effort to lure his brother to the coaching staff. With an experienced group returning on defense, Zac Spavital was intrigued with the opportunity to coach an already talented defense.

Zac’s M.O. has been his emphasis on creating turnovers. The Bobcats ranked 15th in the country last year in fumbles

recovered but struggled in causing interceptions.

While at Texas Tech, Zac Spavital helped transform the Red Raiders defense into one of the highest ranked turnover defenses in the country. The defense ranked 6th in turnovers, 4th in fumble recoveries, and 8th in defensive touchdowns. The biggest thing, Zac Spavital said, was learning how to win.

"You have to learn to win. The best teams I have been on, The win is on both sides of the ball," Zac Spavital said. "At the end of the day when you walk off the field and lost the game and you are that guy that looks at the stats and think you played well and think that statistically, your team played well, that is a problem with the culture."

The defense is returning most of its starters from last year, including star linebacker Bryan London. The transition from coach Woods to coach Zac Spavital should be seamless.

"This is the best foundation I have inherited. Tons of snaps have been played. We have a good group of guys up front and at linebacker," Zac Spavital said.

As spring looms, Jake Spavital has filled in the rest of his coaching staff: Archie McDaniel as co-defensive coordinator, Ron Antoine will remain as the wide receivers coach, Clay McGuire as the offensive line coach, Morris Berger as the tight ends coach, Nick Whitworth as the running backs coach, Brett Dewhurst as the defensive backs coach, Tevin Mims as the linebackers coach, and Tremaine Jackson as the defensive line coach.

Spavital and his staff signed 10 players during the early signing period and added four more Feb. 6 on national signing day. Currently, the Bobcats have 83 players on scholarship out of the allotted 85. Evaluations from Spavital and his coaching staff for the remaining scholarship spots will come after the Spring game April 13. to round out the depth chart.

Bob Stitt, the offensive coordinator, talks about his hopes for the team in the Feb. 6 press conference.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

Defensive coordinator Zac Spavital answers questions about the incoming defensive players.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

Tennis loses second straight match Bobcat Women's Tennis (22) had an indoor home matchup against the Northwestern State Lady Demons (3-1) this Sunday.

The Bobcats took control early with back-to-back wins by Ana Perez and Rishona Israel-Lewis, both beating the two top-seeded players on Northwestern's team in straight sets to give the Bobcats a 2-0 lead.

But it turned gray for the Bobcats as Northwestern came back to win the next three games. It looked like there was a shot for the Bobcats to tie the game when Andrea Fuchs won the first set of her match. However, Northwestern's Judit Castillo denied the win by claiming the next two sets and give Northwestern State the win by 4-2.

This is the Bobcats third straight loss, and their second straight loss at home, putting them at 2-3 for the year and the Lady Demons at 4-1.

The Bobcats are looking to bounce back when play their double header against Mcneese State & Stephen F. Austin next weekend at home.

Ana Perez tennis senior PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE ATHLETICS

Head coach Jake Spavital talks Feb. 6 about each of the newly signed players at a wpress conference.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

FROM FRONT BASKETBALL On Danny Kaspar Night at Strahan Arena, the crowd of 4,583 adorned fake mustaches and blazers to emulate coach Kaspar's iconic look. While the jury is still out on if the fake mustaches helped the game play, the team gave Kaspar his 93rd win head coach. The win marks him as the third most winning coach in the program's history.

Leading the charge for Saturday and many other games was star shooting guard junior Nijal Pearson and versatile forward Alex Peacock. On Saturday, Pearson led the team in scoring with 17 points while Peacock added 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds.

Sharpshooting guard senior Tre'Larenz Nottingham added a few three-pointers to help jumpstart the offense throughout the night.

Nottingham said he felt confident taking the shots when the team needed him the most.

"I felt confident. Like I said in other interviews, 'shooters shoot,'" Nottingham said. "I just have to see one basket go in. I've been shooting my whole life, I'm going to continue to shoot and keep playing hard."

The Bobcats took a stranglehold of the game early on, starting the game with a 21-8 run, eventually taking a 3823 lead into halftime.

With halftime adjustments, the

Junior guard Nijal Pearson prepares to shoot a free throw.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

Chanticleers pulle within seven points of the Bobcats after starting the first half with an 8-0 run. Using the full court press, Coastal Carolina forced Texas State into costly mistakes including 19 turnovers. The game came as close as three points late in the second half.

Senior forward Alex Peacock said forced turnovers off the presses helped the Chanticleers stay in the game.

"We came out flat (in the second half ) and we had a couple turnovers off of their press and silly turnover stuff

that kind of let them back in the game," Peacock said.

With the victory, Texas State remains tied with the UTA Mavericks for first place in the Sun Belt. Next up, the Bobcats will travel to take on Arkansas State Feb. 14 and will follow with a matchup at Little Rock University.

The team will return to Strahan Arena to play its last two home games of the season to face ULM Feb. 21 and Louisiana on Feb. 23.