June 4, 2019

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2019

Volume 109, Issue 01

SUMMER IN SMTX Sam Bischoff (left) and Armando Reyes (right) hold a conversation while eating cheeseburgers and fries May 27 at P. Terry's Burger Stand.

PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON

Roses are left sitting in front of the memorial wall after the Memorial Day ceremony May 27 at the Hays County Veterans Memorial.

PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON

Fernando Plieto sits in his suicide-door chevy vehicle listening to music May 24 on Guadalupe Street.

PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON

EVENTS

Five local events to attend this summer

By Laura Figi Life & Arts Editor Pressure to live out the idyllic, social media-fueled summer all over the internet can be overwhelming, especially if time or budget to travel are limited.

However, San Marcos is full of hidden gems and events all summer.

June 7— Beyond Existence Music Festival Beyond Existence is an electronic music festival put together on a smaller, intimate scale. It features several acts from all over the U.S., including Leet, an audio manipulator hailing from Tennessee and Ghost Data, an electronic composer from New York.

The festival will be hosted at Southern Compound Studios from noon to midnight June 7 and tickets start at $30.

The festival invites attendees to “get lost in sights and sounds” and reminds “THERE WILL BE A LOT OF BASS AND LAZERS.” June 8— New Braunfels Farmers

Market The New Braunfels Farmers Market is a weekly event happening every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is one of the closest places to acquire local produce, products and pastries. There is an extensive list of vendors and room for various goods every week. This week, Monte Good is set to perform, and it will take place on

at $10 but increase in price the closer the event becomes.

June 27-30— Luling Watermelon Thump A Luling tradition since 1954, the Watermelon Thump is a country-style fair featuring live music, carnival rides, a farmer’s market, car show, lots of watermelon and a pageant crowning “The Thump Queen.” It occurs yearly throughout the last full weekend in June, in downtown Luling. There is a mix of free and paid events, but something appeasing for everyone.

June 30— San Marcos Metaphysical and ILLUSTRATION BY JADEN EDISON Holistic Fair 186 S Castell Ave. The San Marcos June 20— Emo Nite at the Marc Metaphysical and Holistic Fair is a free Emo Nite is a long-standing nightlife event full of vendors and healers. There tradition in San Marcos where attendees will be tarot card readings, mediums, come together and relive their angst- reiki, life coaching, jewelry and crystals. filled, emo days through music. Starting It is a monthly event taking place on the at 8 p.m. and lasting until 2:30 a.m., last Sunday of every month,11 a.m. to 5 people dress up, dance and scream their p.m., and will be at the Holiday Inn on favorite throwback songs. Tickets start Bintu drive.

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

Editors Editor-in-Chief: Jakob Rodriguez, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor: Bayley Bogus, starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Sonia Garcia, starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Laura Figi, starlifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinions Editor: Jordan Drake, staropinion@txstate.edu Sports Editor: Claire Partain, starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Molly Gonzales, stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Jaden Edison, starmultimedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Bella Lopes, starsengagement@txstate.edu

Advertising Staff Account Executives: Jasen Rodriguez starad2@txstate.edu Ashley Romo starad3@txstate.edu

Full-Time Staff Director: Laura Krantz, laurakrantz@txstate.edu

2 | Tuesday,June 4, 2019

The University Star

Sonia Garcia | News Editor

UNIVERSITY

Texas State switches from TRACS to Canvas

By Naomi Wick News Reporter Texas State announced the replacement of TRACS, the current learning management system, with Canvas May 22. After beta-testing for nearly a year, the new system will fully decommission TRACS by the beginning of 2023.

Canvas is used by over 1,250 universities and colleges, as well as K-12 institutions throughout the country and operates in more than 30 languages.

Texas State administration hopes this change will facilitate the advancing world of online education, this according to Gene Bourgeois, provost and vice president of academic affairs and Ken Pierce, vice president for information technology.

“Bringing Canvas to Texas State will assist in our goal to create a robust digital learning environment that empowers faculty and students to reach their highest potential,” Bourgeois said.

The decision took over two years as administration vetted various systems through the Learning Management System Advisory Committee, which unanimously recommended Canvas as Texas State’s new LMS. Fall 2020 will be the final semester students and faculty will utilize TRACS for courses, with professors voluntarily switching to Canvas the following spring.

A timeline is available online, showing the gradual transition. In August, the VPIT will recommend Canvas as the new LMS candidate to the Texas State University System Board of Regents.

It will be expected the TSUS Board of Regents will approve the change.

Texas State Division of Information Technology's Kevin Huffaker, who lead the search for a new LMS, explained how Canvas was a better fit for Texas State than the other considered programs.

DOIT assessed Canvas through public opinions and surveys, as well as a two-yearlong pilot with six professors.

A security evaluation and accessibility were among the considerations.

"Ultimately, the process allowed us to learn first-hand which (system) offered the best combination of features and capabilities that met the specific needs of our Bobcats," Huffaker said.

While Sakai, the system TRACS operates through, was free and Canvas' price is available on a case-bycase quote, there are notable differences in the programs.

Canvas supports tools like Google Docs and allows users to cut and paste texts and links, unlike TRACS. Sakai utilizes Drop Box and ePortfolio, two primary features many upperlevel courses rely on.

Though the switch to Canvas seems promising, many students are apprehensive.

Transfer student Lauren Crosby, biology senior, has experience with both programs, preferring TRACS. “I used Canvas for my old university but I think TRACS is easier to work,” Crosby said.

While some students are not eager for the move, plenty are excited for Canvas.

Darrion Montemayor, animal science junior, is looking forward to using Canvas instead of TRACS. “Texas State is switching to ILLUSTRATION BY JADEN EDISON Canvas, and I’m so happy,” Montemayor said on Twitter. this fall, open to the public and will be Faculty will receive training on Canvas implemented in the fall.

Student Publications Coordinator: Mayra Mejia, mm1894@txstate.edu

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About Us History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and once a month in the summer semesters.

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Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

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RESEARCH

COMMUNITY

Facial recognition technology allows autistic children to communicate

H-E-B remodels to better serve the community

By Julie Gonzales News Reporter Members of the Texas State research and innovation group High-Performance Engineering have developed a mobile app benefiting children with autism spectrum disorder.

Damian Valles, HiPE research group director, Maria Resendiz, associate professor of communication disorders and Inzamam Haque, in the electrical engineering masters program, developed and innovated engineering solutions for STEM, Health Care and other research fields as the mission for HiPE. The idea for the project arose when the two departments, engineering and communication disorders, wanted to collaborate on a project, and the importance of autism was relevant.

According to the Autism Speaks foundation, in 2018, 1 in 59 children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by the CDC. This means 1 in 37 boys and 1 in 151 girls are affected by autism.

"If they can recognize and identify facial expressions, then we can decide what to do next," said Resendiz. "The first step is to help with visuals and the next is to work on voice."

Children with autism spectrum disorder will not have to see a speechlanguage pathologist in person with this application according to Resendiz. The mobility of the app has allowed users quick and easy

access to speech-language therapy using telepractice. In fact, in a reallife situation, it allows children to practice receiving and participating in speech-language therapy in real time.

"It has been a really fun and great learning experience; it is great to have collaborators excited and students ready to apply what they have learned," Resendiz said.

Inzamam Haque, active member of HiPE, joined the project because he wanted to do something in mission learning. Mission learning is an approach that allows students to find an association between themselves, their communities and a global community that is purposeful.

Since the project began, the team of three has completed literature research and studied different articles for several months, leading to Inzamam creating an algorithm. The group collected 2,800 images that would contribute to the application's algorithm.

"I would like to see the children be helped so then the future group can create games for them to use and they can see if they are learning from this or not," Inzamam said.

The facial recognition app is a prototype that has yet to go through clinical trials. It detects facial expressions, from left to right or up and down, and is compatible with working with different lighting conditions.

The app is sensitive to the idea children with autism may not always SEE RESEARCH PAGE 3

By Chase Rogers News Reporter The H-E-B at 641 East Hopkins St. is undergoing a wall-to-wall remodeling project to expand on its selection and departments and is poised to better serve the San Marcos community and Texas State students by August 2019.

While remaining open for customers, improvements are ongoing in several sections of the store, including the beer and wine department, the in-store restaurant, the sushi bar, the ready-meal section and the front-end self-checkout.

The remodel appears in three phases, starting with a focus on the check-out experience for customers. Phase two consists of improving center store and product selection, and phase three seeks to expand the store’s Meal Simple and sushi section while giving the Flaming Bird, the in-store restaurant, a Texas State-themed facelift.

Phase one has been completed and is expected to have a resounding impact on customers. Additional self-checkout stands have been installed, with a total of 10 registers, to aid in wait times at checkout. Additionally, these registers have been placed closer to the center exit of the store.

Bruce Schneider, 46-year H-E-B partner and 17-year top store leader for the San Marcos location, categorizes this change as a means to help customers get in-and-out of the store in a manner they prefer.

“We’ve found some customers really like to get in and out by themselves to avoid waiting in line,” Schneider said.

SEE COMMUNITY PAGE 3

The University Star

Sonia Garcia | News Editor

Tuesday, June 4, 2019 | 3

CONSTRUCTION

Kerbey Lane Café offers a variety of foods ranging from breakfast tacos, salads, burgers and more.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KERBEY LANE CAFÉ

Kerbey Lane Café expected to open spring 2020

By Mia Estrada News Reporter Construction will begin fall 2019 on the Saltgrass Steakhouse site, as Kerbey Lane Café is set to replace it and open for spring 2020.

Kerbey Lane Café signed a 10year lease, two five year renewals with Texas State, and got approval from the Texas State University System Board of Regents May 23.

Saltgrass customers can still enjoy the steakhouse as it relocates down I-35 in replacement of where Logan’s once stood. The current lease for Saltgrass ends December 31.

Kerbey Lane is an Austin-based restaurant that has remained 100% family owned since its opening in 1980.

Not only is the café known for its familyoriented environment, but the fact it

continues to serve scratch-made and affordable food.

Since the beginning in 1980, Kerbey Lane started in a small house and has since grown to eight different locations spread throughout the Austin community.

Known for its open-book company, Kerbey Lane offers financial and business literacy along with a profit-sharing plan for all of its employees. Anyone working for the café is paid above minimum wage and can qualify for health insurance and paid time off.

John Root, director of auxiliary services at Texas State, said the installation of Kerbey Lane Café is an improvement to the community, particularly the students.

"The price points are much more friendly to the student population and the entire San Marcos community,”

Root said.

As a proud partner with local nonprofits in Austin, Kerbey Lane serves as a philanthropic asset to the community. Additionally, another admirable characteristic about the café is its policy regarding composting and recycling, which will help ensure a clean river.

Root said having a new restaurant in the area with a popular following will be a huge success in the community. “(Kerbey Lane) is something a little different than what everybody is used to and will be refreshing and good for everyone," Root said.

Mason Ayer, Kerbey Lane CEO, stated in a Texas State press release that he looks forward to their partnership with not only Texas State but the entire San Marcos community for years to come.

"San Marcos is a community we have

FROM PAGE 2 COMMUNITY “The fastest way out for customers is self-checkout.”

Phase two is currently underway, focusing on the center store and overall product selection. Particular categories of popular items, such as sparkling waters, salty snacks and alcohol sections will be given more shelf space within the store, subsequently adding to the variety and quantity of product the store offers.

Sarah Longoria, 19-year H-E-B partner who serves as the location’s center store leader, explained the wide scope of the remodel in terms of expansions in popular sections. “(We are) expanding in our frozen meals, snacks, ice cream, beer and wine Water, charcoal lighters, coolers, alcoholic beverages and a barbecue pit, moved – a lot of really cool things are coming from individual aisles to the front of the store due to remodeling, sit on sale May to beer and wine,” Longoria said. “It’ll 27 in H-E-B at 641 E Hopkins St. be really cool when it is all done and PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON it’s going to be awesome to see our customers get excited about it.”

Significant additions of phase two especially attractive to time-constrained locating products for customers while will be dedicated to the beer and wine Texas State students. the remodel is ongoing. department, where an additional aisle Gerald Madden, 26-year H-E-B “As a store leadership team and partners will be added to house an extensive partner and the store’s perishable leader, within the store, we are working really assortment of beverages never before said the expansion will be great for the hard to make sure our customers are seen at the location. New beer and already substantial selection. having a pleasant shopping experience wine releases and event details can be “(The remodel) is going to increase – even during (the remodel),” Longoria found on the San Marcos beer and wine our Meal Simple variety three-fold,” said. “It’ll be over before we all know it, department’s Instagram page.

Madden said. “Some stores, like the and it’ll be awesome when it’s done.”

Phase three will begin in July, with H-E-B in Kyle, have already had this According to Schneider, the remodel planned improvements to Flaming done and it’s been awesome for them. serves as an opportunity for H-E-B to Bird, the sushi bar and the Meal Simple Now we will be able to offer it to our better serve the San Marcos community, section. The Meal Simple and sushi areas customers.” and he is excited for the surprise he will be moved within close proximity The upcoming revamp has worked hopes customers feel when they peruse to Flaming Bird – creating a one-stop to excite Texas State students like Avery the finished product in August. section for most of H-E-B’s grab-and-go Hall, accounting senior, who expressed “I am most excited about bringing options. her love for H-E-B’s Meal Simple line. in new items and concepts for our The Flaming Bird will get a Texas “I have seen the (various) other customers so they can find everything State-inspired cosmetic makeover, stores have, and I can’t wait for them they are looking for – and everything including the signature maroon and to be offered at my H-E-B,” Hall said. they didn’t know they were looking for,” gold colors, Bobcat logo and more. The “Meal Simples help me every day to eat Schneider said. “That surprise – the modifications are meant to resemble a healthier and save time.”

‘Wow, we can get this here now,' that’s Texas A&M themed in-store restaurant Given certain sections and products what we hope for.” at a recently built H-E-B in College will be relocated to different parts of the The remodel is set to be completed by Station, Texas. store, H-E-B partners wearing bright- the third week of August 2019, when Meal Simple has been a top-selling orange “Ask Me” shirts have been Texas State students return for the fall product line for H-E-B and has proven stationed throughout the floor to aid in semester.

been wanting to serve for many years and because we wanted to do it right, we’ve taken our time finding just the right location, and this is it," Ayer stated.

Alyssa Hager, psychology sophomore, said she considers the café a sentimental spot from her high school years.

"I absolutely love Kerbey's," Hager said. "I used to go there all the time with friends to get some good breakfast and I would stay for hours doing homework.

The staff is always so nice and it's a very welcoming environment."

The community expressed excitement via social media as the awaited announcement was made.

Students, faculty and residents of San Marcos will be able to get a bite to eat at Kerbey's come spring 2020.

FROM PAGE 2 RESEARCH aim at a screen. Children can be at various angles or in a different light setting and the app will still allow for the translation.

The app was made so children with autism are able to open it easily. As the child looks through the camera and watches the screen, the background indicates the results of communication and shows the proper emoticon.

The app focuses on human interaction; children with autism love to play with mobile devices and this will help with bettering communication.

Valles would like to see the project gain more funding for research. In the future, this would allow the team to work on a voice feature so the child can detect certain voice and facial contexts such as sarcasm when communicating.

"We can improve the model much better with a microphone because a child with Autism can not identify sarcasm," Valles said.

Once the app is finished, it will be free and opened sourced so others may work to improve the model. The application is available to everyone. This allows the team to gain more audience for the application and get free feedback.

"The impact provides a clever solution to families who need assistance to improve communication," Valles said. "It showcases how engineering solutions can work."

LIFE & ARTS

4 | Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Laura Figi | Life & Arts Editor

The University Star

SERVICE

Professor leads USFS organizational culture

By Kyle Chitwood Life & Arts Contributor Associate professor Rebekah Fox’s work with the United States Forest Service is setting precedent in shifting its organizational culture.

A professor in the communication department at Texas State since 2009, Fox has been contributing to USFS since her time as a graduate student.

In 2015, she became a member of the USFS Rapid Lessons Sharing Team in its beginning years as a resource for the Forest Service.

In RLS, Fox said that “a learning expert and a dirty firefighter” team up so that no additional firefighters need to be pulled off duty to file reports. Her most notable reports consist of a water tender rollover, where the driver rolled off the side of a mountain, and a civilian hiker extraction after a family’s camping trip was overrun by wildfire.

While Fox enjoys her work with USFS, she has an admiration for its shift in organizational culture. Her role in RLS is to develop in-depth incident reports for fire teams in emergency situations to determine what lessons can be learned from the unintended outcomes.

Fox said many organizations fail to recognize what may have set someone up for a certain failure, choosing to blame the person instead. With USFS, a greater emphasis is placed on learning how the organization can learn from an incident rather than assigning fault.

“It’s easier in an organization to find somebody that did something wrong and fire them, but that doesn’t do anything to change what set them up for failure,” Fox said.

According to Fox, USFS' efforts to move from a culture of blame to a more equitable society begins with learning from unintended outcomes and creating an environment where people are comfortable speaking up if something goes wrong.

Risk management and mitigation specialist Dale Snyder said after a fatality on his team, the organization began its “blame, shame and humiliation process,” even though not a single individual was at fault. So, Fox’s contributions and the

Fox (right) is shown here with a team member surveying a zone map of the area in which they were working.

PHOTO COURTESY OF REBEKAH FOX

shift in organizational culture not only helped his team manage present risks, but prevent future happenings. “(Fox’s work) is extremely helpful for not just the risk management, but for communication,” Snyder said. “We went from blame, shame, humiliate, to learning from incidents.”

Another firefighter Fox has worked with, supervisory fire engine operator Estella Coffey, said the previous culture of assigning blame was draining to her team members.

“Her fresh eyes looking at things can bring perspectives we either thought about and passed on or haven’t considered,” said Coffey. “I think this shift is the absolute right way to go about it."

While Fox makes many contributions to USFS, her work in the field serves as a first-hand example of what she teaches in the classroom.

Lee Stark, communication studies junior and student of Fox's, said her real-world experience helps establish her integrity as a professor.

“I think Fox’s forestry experience gives her a lot more credit than a lot of other teachers have because she’s still doing it while she teaches,” Stark said. “When you’re out there doing it, it helps sharpen your edge.”

In addition to her background with USFS, Fox is a volunteer member of the Capital Area Fire Adapted Coalition, which is a group of citizens in Travis County interested in emergency

management.

Additionally, she has worked with the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office to create an internship for students studying communication who are also interested in safety management.

While she plans to continue her work with USFS, Fox’s next steps are in the direction of articulating the concept of learning from unintended outcomes and developing it as a community practice.

For more information on RLS reports, visit the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center at wildfirelessons.net, where firefighters share various lessons from around the world.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

I left my heart in Texas

By Pernille Rudolfsen Life & Arts Contributor "The first letter in your name rhymes with our Texan sweet tea, so I'm going to call you Sweet P." These are the words my 3-year-old host sister said upon first meeting me at the Austin airport, never to leave my mind.

I had fearlessly embarked on my journey as an exchange student, and her enthusiasm instantly comforted me. The curiosity and wanderlust I was left with from growing up traveling with my family around Europe was the sole reason I chose to become an exchange student at the age of sixteen, and how I ended up coming back to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public relations at Texas State.

Not only have I had the opportunity to leave my heart in many new places and truly experience almost everything the state of Texas has to offer, but it has made me realize how important technological communication is in our diverse world.

As an exchange student, I had the chance to move to a completely new place for a year, which just happened to be Brenham, Texas.

I attended Brenham High School and played for the Cubette varsity soccer team. I watched Friday night football games and dated a football player. I tasted ranch

dressing and ate Texas barbecue for the first time.

The host family I stayed with, whom I did not know before, is now like a second family to me.

I did not know what was more bewildering, leaving my life in Norway behind for a year, or building a brand new life I would potentially have to leave forever.

However, the most unique thing about my experience was the city of Brenham and its people. I made lifetime friends there, and with a population of sixteen thousand, I felt some kind of closeness to everyone. From the bottom of my heart, I am truly a small-town girl.

In a big city like Oslo, Norway, where I grew up, the space and population is far too crowded to enjoy the countryside pleasures like those in Texas. I am a believer in home being where the heart is, and I am thankful every day for being fortunate enough to have two places I can call home.

Stretching my boundaries and getting outside my comfort zone turned in to the best decision I have ever made.

As I furthered my journey back to the U.S. for a bachelor’s degree, I developed a passion for expressing myself creatively through my public relations major and sought out opportunities to develop my marketing skills.

Texas State has opened doors

to several opportunities for me, including an internship. Because of the cultured lifestyle I have been privileged to live, I believe I contribute greatly to the diverse community in San Marcos. I want to share my unique experiences with others and believe I do so best at Texas State.

Above all, I hope to encourage others to be daring and take a chance, because just like my exchange year in Texas showed me, taking chances can end up changing your life in ways you never even fathomed. It has, with no doubt, shaped me to be the person I am today.

After undergraduate school, my goal is to become a PR or marketing coordinator for businesses in the Austin area, as to grow and further develop my marketing and communication skills. Working closely with the wonderful professors at Texas State these past three years has not only given me hands-on PR insight, but the reassurance of my career goals for the future.

I believe being bilingual will be a positive trait to have in our diverse society, and home being where the heart is. Stretching my boundaries and getting outside my comfort zone turned into the best decision I have ever made, and I desire nothing more than to further my career in the U.S. I left my heart in Texas.

Exchange student Pernille Rudolfsen throwing the signature Texas State hand signals.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PERNILLE RUDOLFSEN

The University Star

Laura Figi | Life & Arts Editor

Tuesday, June 4, 2019 | 5

MUSIC

Texas State student strikes a chord in the music industry

By Brianna Benitez Life & Arts Reporter A blend of hip-hop beats, expressive lyrics and a hunger to thrive has helped one student flourish in the music industry.

Naomi Sutton, marketing senior, is a powerhouse vocalist better known as singer-songwriter Nayome. Sutton released her first EP, “Recovered," in August 2018. The EP features four songs: “Fair Warning," “Tonight!" “Ride” and “Moment."

Each song on the EP embodies a different vibe and sound. Sutton said the songs on “Recovered” are inspired by different experiences in her life. She chose the EP title because it was written during a challenging time for her.

When it comes to writing music, Sutton said she finds inspiration by tapping in to what is currently going on in her life.

“I like to think creatively about any aspect of my life I’m going through at the time and try to convey it in a way people can relate to,” Sutton said.

Although Sutton has been singing from a young age, she said it was not until her junior year of college she decided to pursue music wholeheartedly.

“Music is my passion in life; it’s what makes me happy,” Sutton said. “I decided to stop letting fear get in the way and just go for it.”

In addition to “Recovered," Sutton has released two singles titled “See You” and “What You Need."

Although Sutton writes the majority of her lyrics, she tends to turn to friends for inspiration when she experiences writers block.

Vonte Smith is a friend of Sutton and an aspiring rapper. Sutton said she looks to Smith for advice when writing songs featuring more of a rap vibe.

Smith said Sutton’s music is relatable and features great beats. He admires the

Cover art for Sutton's EP, Recovered.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NAOMI SUTTON

topics discussed in her lyrics and how she conveys her message in an enthusiastic way. “(Sutton) talks about having fun in a way that is different from other artists,” Smith said. “She expresses a more real and positive vibe.”

When it comes to music, Sutton said one of her primary goals is to ensure her listeners feel similarly and can relate in some way to her and the music she creates.

In January 2019, she performed for KVRX 91.7 Music Library and was an official artist for the 2019 SXSW Music Festival.

This past April, Sutton performed at the FYGU music and tech festival at Texas State. Sutton said performing at FYGU motivated her to perform at more festivals and live, large events.

In the future, Sutton said she hopes she is able to perform at popular music festivals such as Coachella and Rolling Loud.

Sutton said managing both music and school has been difficult. However, with her graduation date set for August 2019, she is excited to further expand her music career and pursue it fully.

Sutton performing at SXSW 2019.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NAOMI SUTTON

By the end of the summer, Sutton said she plans on releasing an additional EP. After the release of her second EP, she will begin working on her first album.

She said these upcoming projects will embody a summer vibe and will feature beats making listeners want to dance.

Aaron Culbreath, marketing junior, has known Sutton before she started her music pursuit. Culbreath said music has constantly played a role in his and Sutton's friendship. He said they often talk about other artists and have attended several concerts together.

“I’ve seen her grow since the beginning,” Culbreath said. “Even

though she has only been doing music for like a year, it’s impressive to see how far she has come.”

Culbreath said he admires Sutton for the energy she gives off and the vibe she possesses in her music.

“It’s very much R&B meets pop,” Culbreath said. “Her music brings everybody together.”

To stay up-to-date on Sutton and her music, follower her on Twitter @Nayomesings and Instagram @ nayomesings. Check out "Recovered" and Sutton's singles on all streaming platforms.

A sign outside of Treff's Tavern congratulates Texas State's class of 2019 May 29 on Chestnut Street.

PHOTO

BY JADEN EDISON Texas State Class of 1993 Health Administration graduate Alan James watches his son Alexander James tie down floats on top of their vehicle May 27 on Hopkins Street.

PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON

Zoe, a German shepherd, stares off into open space May 27 inside of a dog park on Charles Austin Drive.

PHOTO BY JADEN EDISON

OPINIONS

6 | Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Jordan Drake | Opinions Editor

The University Star

SUBLEASING

Students need to consider subleasing over the summer

By Laura Nunez Opinions Columnist Summer plans vary for every student.

The three-month period of freedom from academic responsibility is usually replaced by work, travel or complete relaxation. For convenience purposes, the students who plan on leaving town for the break should not be afraid to consider subletting their apartment to save some money.

Some college students decide to leave town for the summer to visit their family, study abroad or travel. Instead of continuing to pay for a place that will remain dark and empty while gone, they should consider the possibility of subletting their space.

Subleasing an apartment is proven to have many benefits, making it worth the extra work. One of the main benefits eliminates the load of paying for an unoccupied space.

According to market trends, the average rent for an apartment of any given size in San Marcos is $1,429. The price of rent varies for location, layout and size. Rent is just one of the many expenses that creates an unhealthy dent in college students' bank accounts every month.

In subletting an apartment or room for the summer, someone else will be paying 70-80 percent of the rent while the original renter is away, which is more than ideal.

In addition to extra rent money, subleasing an apartment could genuinely help a person in need of a place to stay.

Understandably, the idea of letting a stranger live unsupervised in a personal and private space may seem scary, but ultimately the rewards can balance out the risks and serve as an opportunity to help someone temporarily displaced.

For example, freshman students on campus must move out of the dorms 24 hours after their last final exam. Unless

ILLUSTRATION BY JADEN EDISON

these students plan on going back home immediately, they may have no where to live and will have to sublease an apartment or find other accommodations.

The process for subleasing an apartment is tedious and requires genuine time and attention. Depending on whether there are other roommates to consider in the decision, the first thing needing to be

SIT-IN

Administration should stand firm on decisions regarding protestors

By Jordan Drake Opinions Editor Anyone paying attention to Texas State news may have noticed heightened protest activity coming from liberal groups on campus. They have screamed on The Quad and outside the police station, sat-in at LBJ and relentlessly cried on Twitter.

Outcries stem from a protest that occurred May 1, 2019, between liberal and conservative students.

Funny enough, left-wing groups were protesting a far-right organization that never showed up on campus and instead, turned their ire toward students wearing MAGA hats.

During the protest, with heightened police presence to keep the peace, a student ripped a MAGA hat off another student. The police, wary of activity, sprung into action and arrested the student in question, as well as those that interfered.

Following the four arrests, liberal students cried foul. However, it is clear these liberal groups were looking for a fight. All someone has to do is log on Twitter and see said groups putting out tips for dealing with fascists to know they were looking for violence.

If someone steals another's property, no matter the justification, it is still a crime. When a protester shoves a cop who is detaining them, it is a crime. The outcome of the heated protest was not surprising but anticipated by these semiprofessional protest groups.

Using the momentum from the arrests, students staged a second sit-in at the LBJ Student Center nearly a year after the first. They presented demands, which were ridiculous; violent students did not want to deal with the consequences and demanded no more police involvement.

Students then demanded sensitivity training, which is something protesters probably need more than police officers.

The last two demands are seemingly just the protesters trying to make get what they want while they have a platform.

Worker's rights and an additional general education requirement for cultural diversity have nothing to do with the incident. This should reinforce the fact the protesters caused a scene to get noticed and make demands.

However, the administration

threatened punitive action, which ended the sit-in. This should be how all administrations handle leftist bullies who stop at nothing to shut down free speech and pass their agenda.

Sadly, this is not the end of it. Liberal groups have managed to hijack student government and demanded a whole slate of legislation. First, they called for abolishing the University Police Department. Not only is this laughably stupid and leaves no protection on campus, but students do not come close to having that kind of power.

Liberal students demanded immunity for the arrested protesters, who were apparently willing to do the crime but not suffer any consequences. Additionally, student protesters demanded an apology as well as an increase in general education courses for diversity and faculty of color.

It is time for Texas State to stop being held hostage by students. It is one thing to agree to take on diversity initiatives to help and improve the school. It is completely different when an administration is being forced into action by groups who are using protest as a platform.

The current administration needs to hold students accountable and stop remaining fearful of students because they identify as people of color. That does not hand them carte blanche.

Stop negotiating and do what is needed to ensure all students can safely attend the university, not just the ones who make the most noise. It is ridiculous how a student can steal another's property, assault police officers and then demand no punishment.

If the student government is going to continuously be used as a place to attack political enemies and create problems, it might be time for the organization to cease to exist. It is supposed to act as a representation of the student body and yet, all it has become is an embarrassment to the university.

The administration should stay strong in its decisions regarding the protests and not constantly give in to demands. While some changes and amendments may be necessary, students need more accountability to be shown that, just because they are on one side of the political aisle, they are not free of consequences.

done is advertise the property. Chances are, finding the ideal subtenant will be the longest part of the process.

Social media is a great source for sharing sublease information to local students or residents. Twitter and Facebook currently have public accounts for sharing available apartment subleases to the San Marcos area and Texas State

students.

Additionally, creating fliers to post around town is a fast and convenient way to get all the specifics of the subleased apartment into someone’s hands. Otherwise, there are various ways to list an apartment online to a broader audience.

Trusting a stranger to respect an environment not their own can be a difficult concept, but it should not be the main reason preventing someone from subleasing. Asking friends and close connections if they know of anyone looking for a temporary place to stay should be a priority so the chances of the subtenant being a complete stranger are minimized.

Although there are benefits to college students subleasing rooms for the summer, many risks and concerns may be involved. There is the possibility of the subtenant damaging property, stealing or breaking terms of the agreement. The temporary renter could miss payment deadlines or not pay at all.

There are many possible dangers in subleasing, but can be prevented by conducting a thorough interview with the subtenant and regularly checking in during their stay.

Subleasing an apartment is not comparable to letting a friend borrow a prized possession. It is a serious decision and should be approached with knowledge, permission and precaution.

College students struggle the most with financially stability, so this alternative to paying the rent for an unused apartment is worth considering.

Subleasing an apartment for the summer is not guaranteed to run smoothly and the process can be time consuming. However, students who may need the extra help with rent money should feel encouraged to take on the risk.

The University Star

Jordan Drake | Opinions Editor

Tuesday, June 4, 2019 | 7

ABORTION

Repercussions of new Alabama Abortion Law for women

By Haley Schmidt Opinions Columnist Imagine this, you are a 21-yearold woman going through college in Alabama, working full time to pay for your education and living expenses.

Maybe you're a first-generation college student, maybe you come from a less privileged family who cannot provide for you.

Yet for whatever reason, you have no clue what career you want to pursue much less who you want to be in the world. You go out on a Saturday night and only plan on hanging out with some friends at a local bar, but plans go awry, and you find yourself leaving with someone later in the night. Whomever it is being a boyfriend, stranger, or new fling, you go on and fail to notice a missed period.

You don’t think much about it and having to focus on the week's tests, maintaining your social life, and your job a missed period slips your mind. Maybe you write it off as stress from the hours you work and spend studying for the 12 credit hours minimum you must take to receive financial aid as many struggling students do.

But a couple of weeks later, you make a trip to the doctor and discover you are six weeks pregnant. The doctors inform you that you must carry the baby to term because in Alabama if you were to have an abortion you could possibly receive up to 99 years in prison.

Maybe this scenario sounds unrealistic because you are under the impression that you haven't ever known anyone who has struggled with the realities of abortion, and if you honestly believe this then you would be immensely wrong.

Often in the world abortions are a taboo topic and it has been shown that in polls taken of women on scholars.org “By a margin of 79 percent to 52 percent, more say they have heard about another person having a miscarriage than about a person who has had an abortion”.

The reason behind this being the public perception of abortion vs the personal perception of it.

While many women today would no doubt have an abortion, it would remain hidden from the public eye and be wildly denied in front of their friends and family. In one article on thetab.com, an Ashley Walther wrote on the topic saying that many times it’s the “social implications” that keep people from being honest about receiving abortions.

She writes about a girl that had an abortion and kept it a secret from both

ILLUSTRATION BY JADEN EDISON

her family and significant other fearing that “it would define (her) social life if it ever got out”. This is common today and in many cases, girls will leave school at an early age, begin being homeschooled, move to a new town, and go to various lengths to hide an abortion after finding out about an unwanted pregnancy. This secrecy and shame surrounding abortion create a negative outlook on the positive aspects of being given the right to obtain a legal abortion and is beginning to cause dramatic problems in our society.

According to the article titled What it’s really like to have an abortion in college

by Ashley Walther, about 44 percent of all women who have abortions are between the age of 15-24. Furthermore, 79 percent of all college students are aged between 18-25 making us not only the most affected but the most at risk group when it comes to potentially losing the

right to decide what happens with our own bodies. This statistic is alarming because of the recent legislation passed in Alabama. Effective May 15, abortions are illegal to obtain in Alabama with NO exceptions to victims of rape or a woman carrying a child that is the product of ancestral relations.

Many states have begun to pass similar legislation putting a restriction on abortion such as Louisiana, Arkansas, and Utah. States have even tried to ban abortion after six weeks, something ridiculous considering you can only know at four weeks in most cases at the earliest. This has become very controversial due to extenuating circumstances such as rape, but in my opinion, what people need to focus on is the quality of life these babies are being forced to have if abortion is outlawed in all of the US.

Often college students aren’t given proper resources for balancing motherhood, education, and work leading to students being forced to drop out and search for a way to support themselves and a baby.

It can not only be hard for a mother of an infant to find a job due to the dedication it requires to be a mother but to find one that can make them financially stable if they had not finished college and don’t yet have proper qualifications for a better paying one.

Approximately 40 percent of college students are forced to work through college to be able to pay for just classes and books having to work at least 30 hours a week to be able to stay afloat.

Many people are so wrapped up in banning abortion because they feel it is morally wrong that they fail to see the immense oversight involved with this type of legislation.

Which of course is the difference between a woman who wants children vs those who do not. It’s common sense that someone who does not want a child will not be a good parental figure in the life of that child and creates situations ripe for neglect, abuse, and abandonment. It is already difficult for a woman to get a job with a child, much less a college student who was forced to drop out because of an unwanted pregnancy.

It is imperative that we start fighting back to regain the rights that states such as New York feel are “fundamental”, given to us in the 1973 trial Roe V Wade.

We are at risk of losing this right of privacy of our own bodies because we are too scared to speak up on the negative effects of not having it due to our fear being judged and not accepted.

If this is to become widespread, we could go back to the time when girls were giving them self's abortions with chemicals and coat hangers, dying from unsafe medical practices in unreliable doctors' offices, paying every dime they had to find an unqualified doctor to do the procedure.

Still, today in parts of the world where abortion is illegal about 10 percent of all maternal deaths are due to botched abortion procedures.

This right was given to us to prevent all the deaths of those women, ensure children are being properly cared for in a healthy household, and ensure an unplanned pregnancy doesn’t jeopardize the future success and stability of every student.

Letters to the editor The University Star welcomes letters from our readers. Letters must be 300 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

In response to "Chick-Fil-A on campus does not promote inclusivity" Dear Editor, To exclude a corporation or group for not sharing the same ideas and beliefs as your "inclusive group" is so obviously ridiculous, I am embarrassed to have to point it out.

Let us say that one is on a conservative campus and the powers that be decide to ban Starbucks because they do not share the same values as the majority of people on campus. Would it not be the same?

The inclusion of Starbucks, for example, is a bad thing? Or Chick-Fil-A?

Turning Point? Can you not just decide whether you want to engage or not without banning them simply because you do not agree with them? You would think they were in the same league as the Ku Klux Klan.

It appears as though "inclusive" means including those who only agree with you.

If you want to have a debate, an honest debate with those you disagree with, it shows a lot more conviction of your beliefs than to ban those you disagree with. Do you not see the hypocrisy?

The very title of "Having Chick-Fil-A

on campus does not promote inclusivity" as you exclude them says it all. You know their employees treat their customers equally without regard to sexuality, race, age or anything else. It is you who is discriminating.

There are three things that really sadden me about this. One is the university sends a message to the outside world that they are really not for inclusion at all and that they banish those they disagree with. Again, it is not like either ChickFil-A or Turning Point USA are in league with the likes of the KKK.

Two, I do not really blame the young students as much as those that taught them to feel this way. Three, I am not even sure you can really understand what I am trying to say. My hopes are your eyes are opened; Chick-Fil-A and Turning Point USA are not your enemies.

Sincerely, Bill Martin Dallas Tx

SPORTS

8 | Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Claire Partain | Sports Editor

The University Star

BASKETBALL

Plug and play: Men's basketball looks to fill gaps in the starting lineup

By Sean Anchondo Sports Reporter The lights turned off one last time at Strahan Arena for the 2018-2019 version of Texas State men’s basketball team following the team's 87-81 loss to Florida International University in the Colleges Insider Tournament this March.

Cutting short a once-promising season with NCAA Tournament implications, the season ended in the jaws of the Panthers' speedy offense. The unexpectedly quick end to the season left the Bobcats with more questions than answers as they head into the offseason, especially after losing senior forward Alex Peacock, senior guard Tre’Larenz Nottingham.

Peacock was the swiss army knife of the team, using his versatility to fill in key gaps for the Bobcats. The forward led the team in rebounds, but could also make three-pointers when the shot was open.

This year, Peacock averaged around eight points a game with 50 percent from the field as well as five rebounds a game.

Head coach of the Bobcats Danny Kaspar said Peacock's presence on the court may be hard to replace in the next recruiting class.

“He’s a good player...when he plays he is tough," coach Danny Kaspar said. "We have to replace him. That's a concern of mine."

Nottingham was the assassin for Texas State, leading the team in threepoint shots made. As a player who kept streaks like no other, once he got hot, Nottingham scored in bunches. In his senior year, Nottingham averaged 8.2 points per game. In his last game, with Nijal Pearson out with injury, he scored a season-high 27 points.

Kaspar said he watched the guard develop from solely a scorer to a player they had to rely on for the majority of the postseason this year.

“Tre’s development from this year to last year is amazing,” Pearson said.

“When he came in, he was just a scorer.

He was a good teammate, don’t get me wrong, but he wanted to score the ball.

But he’s translating into just playing hard. He doesn’t care if he’s got eight points or 25, he’s going to dive on the ground, hustle, take charges, rebound.

He wants to win every single game. I love playing with Tre.” Jaylen Shead was the unsung hero of the team in his role as a true point guard.

Leading the team in assists, he was able to

Jaylen Shead weaves between defenders into the paint Feb. 9 against Coastal Carolina.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

facilitate and help the star players around him shine. With a high basketball I.Q. and lockdown defense, Shead might have been the most important tool for this team. This past year, Shead averaged 7.9 points per game, shot 44 percent from the field, and averaged a little under 5 assists a game.

“Playing with these guys, they give me a lot of shots," said Nottingham. "Jaylen, his IQ, he finds me a lot.”

Unfortunately, the team may have to function without the three pivotal cogs in their offense. Peacock and Nottingham were seniors who graduated in May and Shead entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal, so unless Shead does not like what he sees, he will most likely not be part of next year's team.

Peacock, Nottingham and Shead accounted for 42 percent of the points for the year. Shead had 33 percent of the team's assists and 11 percent of the steals. Peacock accounted for 12 percent of the rebounds for the year. Losing these players puts a massive hole in production that needs to be filled.

Despite a rough ending to the season, the Bobcats finished with a successful record of 24-10. Originally picked to finish eighth in the Sun Belt, Texas State rose above expectations to end their season in second place. A big factor towards their success was the solid players that surrounded star junior shooting guard Nijal Pearson. Pearson himself attributed the success he had in the season to his teammates.

“Those are some unselfish guys,” Pearson said. “Those guys do a lot of little things that (are) unseen in the stat book. If you know basketball and really sit there and watch the game, you watch how big of an impact they have.”

Every year, college basketball teams have the task of replacing players due to graduation, transfers, and/or the NBA draft. Although replacing the nucleus of your team is no easy task, some young players had the opportunity to gain experience this year, including Akiem Daschner and Mason Harrell.

Akiem Daschner filled in for Alex Peacock during senior Night due to an illness and showed out as a first-time starter, grabbing six points and seven rebounds that night. With another year of experience, he may be able to fill Peacock's shoes at forward.

Former 2018 Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year Mason Harrell had a stellar freshman year. By scoring double figures three times in the last six games and maintaining a 41 percent FG percentage during that time, Harrell looks to be a solid replacement for Nottingham.

With possible contenders for the former two slots, the biggest question now lies in who can replace Jaylen Shead.

Marlin Davis and Shelby Adams, two players already on the roster, could bring experience to the position. Davis will be returning from an injury suffered back in January of 2018 for his senior year.

Adams, who had a limited role coming off the bench, will have the offseason to acclimate.

A strength for next year could come from the frontcourt. Players like Eric Terry, Alonzo Sule, and Quentin Scott will bring back athleticism under the rim.

With another year under their belt, the most experienced position on the court will be the forward and center position.

Terry and Sule can help dominate the boards and contribute to the second chance points, which will be important with a new starting five next year.

Texas State will have a new dynamic next year as key players like Peacock, Nottingham and Shead leave, but it is possible that needed replacements are already on the team. As long as Kaspar brings in solid play makers behind leader Nijal Pearson, then the Bobcats should be able to rebound and build on one of their most successful seasons to date.

TRACK

Big season, bigger finish for Bobcat track and field

By Claire Partain Sports Editor Texas State was the last 2018-19 Bobcat athletic program to wrap up their season this year as 11 athletes traveled to Sacramento, California to compete in the NCAA West Prelims May 23-25.

Although no athletes qualified for the national meet up I-35 in Austin, several came close. In her last race as a Bobcat, track and field veteran Tramesha Hardy finished 14th in her signature 200-meter dash, clocking in at 23.16 seconds in the quarterfinals. The sprinter also competed in the 100-meter dash, crossing the finish with a 27th place time of 11.71 seconds out of 48 overall runners.

On the men’s side, senior powerhouse T’Mond Johnson just missed a spot at nationals with a 17th place, 18.47 meter hurl in the men’s shot put. Senior Kyle Denomme placed 24th in the 800-meter run, coming in fifth in his heat despite beating five national qualifiers.

The teams had strong performances overall throughout their long-lasting season. After a third-place performance in the Sun Belt Indoor Championship meet, the men’s team steadily gained momentum before making history as the first men’s Sun Belt Outdoor champions in program history on May 10-12.

The women’s side was consistently hot, with the team winning the indoor championship for the third consecutive year before taking runner-up at the outdoor meet.

At the outdoor championship, eight athletes were crowned individual champions, while 21 Bobcats were named for all-conference honors. Before the championship, the teams had racked up a total of 48 top ten Sun Belt slots, trailing only Arkansas State and South Alabama in rankings.

Many athletes crossed the finish line for the last time this May, including strongholds Hardy and Johnson. Both seniors were team leaders throughout their time as Bobcats. Hardy was crowned Sun Belt Conference Champion 13 times in her career, named Sun Belt Most Outstanding Track Performer six times, and took a three-peat title as Sun Belt Top Scoring Performer at the indoor championship early this season.

Johnson made huge improvements from his freshman year to win conference six times in his time as a Bobcat and was rewarded for his efforts as the Sun Belt Conference Most Outstanding Field performer this season.

Other seniors include Kylah Smith, who had her final 100-meter hurdle race at the Prelims, finishing 38th with

a time of 13.74. Smith was also the Sun Belt champion in both the 60-meter and 100-meter hurdles in the 2018 season.

Senior Dawnshae Evans, who was given the 2019 Heart of A Champion Endowment alongside fellow senior Denomme in May, also proved a vital part of Texas State track. The sprinter was a part of two Sun Belt gold medals in the women’s 4x400 meter relay, including the record-breaking team at the 2018 LSU Alumni Gold meet.

As these Bobcats retire their spikes, blocks and uniforms, many up-andcoming underclassmen are making a name for themselves. Distance standout and junior Leslie Romero broke not only the 3,000-meter steeplechase record -twice- but also the 3,000- and 5,000-meter run, winning first in the indoor season in both events with times of 9:40.57 and 17:06.00, respectively.

Junior Ben Collerton also made waves in the heptathlon and decathlon, breaking his own school record in the decathlon with a total of 7,218 points.

At one point, Collerton was ranked in the top ten in the Sn Belt for five separate outdoor events.

Texas State also has a promising future in the long jump event: three athletes qualified for regionals in the event, including sophomore Ronnie

Briscoe, junior Naomi Ferdinand and freshman Live Hilton, who placed 22nd, 27th and 39th at the preliminary meet, respectively.

Sophomore triple jumper Noah Herring, freshman sprinter Sadi Giles, sophomore sprinter Jaylen Allen and sophomore thrower Brandon Busby were the other qualifiers for the Prelims, each with exciting potential ahead of them as Bobcat athletes.

Head coach Jody Stewart was also rewarded for the season’s success. Stewart has produced six Sun Belt Conference champion teams in his four years at Texas State and has been named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year all six times, including the 2019 season.

While the season has ended for Bobcat track and field, the hope for the future hasn’t. Even as a self-proclaimed younger team, Texas State established themselves as a top Sun Belt and regional competitor in this historic season, leaving many fans excited for what’s to come for the program.

Texas State track and field takes a muchneeded hiatus before starting up again next December. Follow @Txstatetrack on Twitter or visit txstatebobcats.com for more information on the season’s accomplishments and upcoming events.

The University Star

Claire Partain | Sports Editor

Tuesday, June 4, 2019 | 9

BASEBALL

Historic season cut short for Bobcat baseball

By Andrew Zimmel Sports Reporter Another Texas State team’s season was cut shorter than many fans wanted after the NCAA announced the 64 team bracket for the NCAA Tournament on Monday. Central Florida, Houston, Missouri and Texas State Baseball all were on the outside looking in after Texas Christian University took the final spot in the tournament.

The season got away from the Bobcats in the Sun Belt Championship tournament with back-to-back losses against the tenth seed University of Louisiana Monroe and fifth seed Coastal Carolina University. Against the Warhawks, the Bobcats were never able to recover after junior pitcher Nicholas Fraze gave up six runs in the second inning.

The Bobcats went scoreless, with junior Jaxon Williams and senior Jaylen Hubbard combining for 1-8 from the plate for an 8-0 loss. The Coastal Carolina match up saw a lot of repeat behavior. This time, senior pitcher Connor Reich gave up seven runs in four and 1/3 innings, including four in the second. The bats warmed up a little for this game with the Bobcats cutting the lead to one run in the top of the fifth before ultimately falling 13-4.

Fans were more disappointed in the way the team lost rather than the losses themselves for the final two games of the season. Preceding the tournament, the Bobcats had scored 48 runs in their last six games.

Despite a quick elimination in the tournament, a disappointing end should not overshadow a historic season performance.

The Bobcats had a record-breaking season, winning 30+ games for the fourth time in five years to take most wins since 2011. This season also marked the first

time the Bobcats had been crowned the Sun Belt regular season champions since joining the league in 2011. Head coach Ty Harrington was rewarded for the season's success by winning his third Coach of the Year honor.

The team also made its mark as a significant Texas baseball team this season, shocking fans by defeating both powerhouses Texas A&M and the University of Texas. Texas State ended their trailblazing season with a 20-10 conference record and a 36-20 finish overall.

Bobcat bats were hot all season. For the first time in over five years, Texas State had four hitters who hit over .300 with sophomore Dalton Shuffield, senior Jaylen Hubbard, junior Will Hollis and junior 1st Team All-Sun Belt honoree Jaxon Williams all batting well over the mark.

Hubbard also led the team in home runs, hitting eight on the season and walking away with second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. Senior Ryan Newman was also able to knock pitches out of the park, overcoming his hitting woes to put down six runs this season.

The Texas State pitching staff once again had on-and-off performances, with the staff (4.84) ranking below the NCAA average for team ERA. Both Reich and junior Fraze earned honors as starters for the Bobcats. Reich was named to the Sun Belt Conference first team and was the first Bobcat Pitcher of the Year since Houston Astro minor leaguer Travis Ballew in 2012, while Fraze was given second-team honors.

The University Star Standout Player of the Year was senior Skyler Valentine, whose heroics against the University of Texas in April gave Texas State only its fourth win all-time against the Longhorns.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Bobcats

Redshirt freshman Matthew Charles between games April 5.

PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

were able to score four runs capped off

by Valentines single to left field that scored John Wuthrich. Valentine batted .259 on the season with six home runs and 41 RBIs, trailing only Will Hollis in that category in seven fewer at-bats.

Even though fans may be disappointed in yet another quick season finish for Texas State teams, Bobcat baseball

exceeded expectations by clinching the regular season championship and setting a standard for seasons to come. As the program builds on this success, Bobcat baseball could become a force to be reckoned with in the SBC and even the NCAA Championship tournament.

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