February 15,2022

TUESDAY

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 VOLUME 111 ISSUE 19

www.UniversityStar.com

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

Texas State alumnus takes control of his own narrative in upcoming memoir

Opinion: HBO’s

Texas State Cheer reflects on awardwinning season

Baseball looks to get back to its winning ways

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“Euphoria” is not for every audience

LOCAL ART

EDITORIAL

Main Point: We need to protect student journalism

By Editorial Board

"Homestead with Signs, Symbols, and Numbers," by Bill Hutson, 1979-90, on display at Texas State Galleries.

PHOTO BY CASSIE BUTTERFIELD

City-wide exhibit celebrates artwork of San Marcos native Bill Hutson

By Brynn Sumers Life and Arts Contributor Born in 1936, Bill Hutson grew up in a time when the community he lived in was racially segregated. Originally from San Marcos' Dunbar neighborhood, Hutson would later become one of the most innovative and dynamic artists of his generation.

His breakthrough in the art world began after the San Marcos Record published his cartoon in January 1952. At the time, Hutson was only 15 years old.

In an effort to celebrate the artistic contributions of Hutson, galleries across town have collaborated to put on “The Art of Bill Hutson,” a city-wide exhibit in which over 60 of his pieces are being showcased throughout the Calaboose African American History Museum, the San Marcos Art League, the Texas State Galleries, the Price Center and the Walkers' Gallery.

One of Hutson's pieces, "Homestead with

signs, symbols and numbers," currently resides at the Texas State Galleries. The piece details the story of the house he grew up in on Centre Street in the Dunbar neighborhood. This is the first time the painting has been showcased in San Marcos, as it is normally on display at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where Hutson worked as an associate art professor for two decades.

Hutson's house on Centre Street was originally owned by his grandmother and was then passed down to his parents who raised their children there.

"Of course, it was property we owned," Hutson said. "It was a house we owned. And that is sort of an American dream realized, but it was more or less a dream and a nightmare at the same time for us because San Marcos was a very segregated town at that time."

The piece not only tells the story about Hutson's multi-generational household but also the experiences of growing up in the San

SEE LOCAL ART PAGE 5

On Feb. 11, Texas A&M University’s student newspaper The Battalion reported its university’s president, M. Katherine Banks, demanded the 129-year-old publication to cease printing weekly editions of the paper immediately or it would be stripped of university resources.

Banks’ reasoning was to shift the publication to a digital-based outlet under the direction of a new Department of Journalism.

The decision was made purely by university administration and had no input from students working at The Battalion or the publication’s faculty advisor.

As student journalists ourselves, we were devastated to learn The Battalion had been threatened to end production of its historic printed newspaper with only a day’s notice. With other student newsrooms ceasing operations across the country, such as The Ranger at San Antonio College, it’s now more important than ever to protect student newsrooms and fight against university censorship.

While a student newsroom consists of students attending a certain university, the reach of student newspapers goes way beyond the university community it stems from.

Like other professional news organizations across the state, student-led newsrooms are essential in sharing accurate and up-to-date information on policies, events and developments impacting its surrounding community. As newsrooms across the country shrink, local politics are also being covered by an increasing number of student journalists.

Additionally, student newsrooms are essential in providing students with the skill sets necessary for pursuing a career in media. Most students involved in student media are often overworked and underpaid. However, as student journalists, we value the experience we get from reporting and producing print products.

There is value in print in that it teaches us the foundations of journalism. Writing for print also involves learning how to write concisely and on a deadline, two important skills that any journalist or writer should know.

While it may be true that we as a society have changed

how we receive our news, student media is often our only introduction to working in the field of journalism. Without a print paper, we are robbed of experiencing what lies ahead.

Most importantly, independent student newsrooms are essential in holding institutions of higher education accountable for their actions as well as amplifying the concerns of the student body.

The lack of accountability to not even have a representative of The Battalion in the room as Texas A&M University leadership made the decision to suspend print, underscores a deeper problem in suppressing the voice of students. “I believe in the freedom of the press,” Banks said. Is it truly a free press with university officials making decisions for the newsroom?

Without proper representation, decisions like this one will continue to get made for student media outlets and control will continue to shift away.

With Banks' future plans of The Battalion being under a new Department of Journalism, it allows the school to control and censor the content put out by students. This not only limits freedom of the press but defaces student journalism.

Banks has been the president of Texas A&M for less than a year and is already making such an absurd demand. Although the paper also began publishing its content online in 1997, The Battalion is a 129-year-old print newspaper and its presence on campus is vital to Texas A&M University.

As of now, The Battalion will continue to print weekly issues until May. As Texas State prepares to name a new university president at the end of the spring semester, The University Star's editorial board is concerned about what could happen next for our newsroom as we too have faced threats of university censorship in the past.

Independent student journalism is critical in holding university administration accountable and bringing awareness to the triumphs and tribulations of our communities. The University Star stands with The Battalion and any other student newsrooms fighting for editorial independence.

Student journalism matters, and it must always be protected.

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2 | Tuesday, February 15, 2022 Arthur Fairchild News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

The University Star

NEWS CRIME

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

Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Brianna Benitez stareditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Arthur Fairchild starnews@txstate.edu Asstistant New Editor: Madelyn Weirich starasstnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Sarah Hernandez starlifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinion Editor: Dillon Strine staropinion@txstate.edu Design Editor: Viviana Faz stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Natalie Ryan starmultimedia@txstate.edu Asstistant Multimedia Editor: Vanessa Buentello starasstmmedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Meadow Chase starengagement@txstate.edu Podcast Editor: Carly Koon starpodcast@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. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 3,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels HeraldZeitung.

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National rise of catalytic converter theft reaches San Marcos

By Arthur Fairchild News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

Editor's note: The University Star contacted the San Marcos Police Department for comment but did not receive a response before publication.

A relatively new crime that is soaring in popularity is the theft of catalytic converters, a mechanical piece underneath a car that works to filter toxic air pollutants so they are less harmful when they exit the exhaust.

The mysterious black market for catalytic converters has little to do with the converter itself but the precious metals that lie within. Rhodium, platinum and palladium are rare metals and when extracted from the converter can be worth upward of $800.

The thief that steals the catalytic converters likely doesn’t have the knowledge or the skill set to remove the precious metals from the converter, so they are usually sold and taken apart at a different time. When a converter is stolen the car is often lifted with a jack and sawed-off by someone who crawls underneath; the entire process is done in minutes.

If a catalytic converter is stolen it can cost anywhere from $300-2,000 for a replacement depending on the vehicle.

Additionally, Auto Zone, a retailer of aftermarket automotive parts, claims installation fees can be an additional $70-130.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the theft of catalytic converters has increased by 325% since 2019. Local vehicle maintenance shops have witnessed a growing number of people coming to them and reporting a stolen catalytic converter. Colten Perez, a mechanic at Franks Automotive Inc. in San Marcos, has seen the effects of this theft and wants to see more legal action to prevent the crime.

“It’s happening a lot around the university. I think in the last three months I’ve heard about it probably 14 times,” Perez said. “The state needs to pass some kind of legislate where, unless you have a license from an automotive repair facility or dealer, nobody should be able to take [catalytic converters] and sell them. Until they do that people are going to keep stealing.”

In September 2021, the state of Texas issued a law that prevents recycling entities from purchasing a catalytic converter unless the seller provides the make, model and vehicle identification number (VIN).

Additionally, the seller must provide documentation that indicates ownership interest of the vehicle.

Recycling entities must also maintain a written record of all catalytic converter purchases for two years.

According to Perez, the people typically looking to steal converters often work in pairs where one person keeps watch for witnesses while the other person cuts the converter. Perez said he is concerned witnesses are not reporting the theft to the police due to not wanting to get involved.

“If you see someone in a parking lot just kind of walking around and you see somebody else in the distance not too far away, the person that's not too far away is the spotter looking to make sure that nobody's coming. That's when people should pick up the phone [call 911] and say hey, you know, something's weird here,” Perez said.

IT’S HAPPENING A LOT AROUND THE UNIVERSITY. I THINK IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS I’VE HEARD ABOUT IT PROBABLY 14 TIMES - COLTEN PEREZ, MECHANIC AT FRANKS AUTOMOTIVE INC. Since January 2019, 301 catalytic converters have been stolen in San Marcos, according to the San Marcos Police Department. Due to the number of catalytic converter thefts in the city, the police department issued a Facebook statement recommending residents to be mindful on where they park their cars.

San Marcos resident Karma Mitchell has had her catalytic converter stolen from her car twice, first in November, 2021 when it was parked outside of her apartment and then when it was parked in front of a hotel in the city at the end of January of this year.

Mitchell is concerned the police department is not handling the thefts of catalytic converter seriously enough as each time her convertor was stolen there was never a full investigation conducted.

Instead, SMPD sent Mitchell an online

link to file her own police report.

“When the first one was stolen, instead of sending somebody to take a report, they texted me a link for me to go online and file my own report and they never assigned an investigator to the case," Mitchell said. “[SMPD] told me, ‘because you did not witness it happen and do not know who did it, there is nothing for us to investigate.'"

When she spoke to SMPD, Mitchell requested for officers to patrol the area of her apartment complex more often.

According to Mitchell, she is not the only person she knows who has had their converter stolen and asked for more patrolling. Despite her requests for additional patrolling, she said she has yet to see it.

“I'm extremely frustrated because nobody stepped up patrolling in spite of the fact that many people requested it. There was no additional presence in the neighborhood," Mitchell said. “It's 100% going to happen a third time.

It's going to happen a third time and a fourth time and a fifth time. It's not going to stop until city PD shows that they can, you know, catch and charge the people [responsible].”

During the week of Feb. 4, Chief of Police Stan Standridge issued an administrative directive to the department to update its response to catalytic converter thefts. Officers are now required to take a report in the field and canvass the area for video sources. Additionally, to ensure an officer is dispatched, the department has suspended online reporting of catalytic converter thefts.

The administrative directive also claims police officers will begin regular patrolling of parking lots, apartment complexes and other locations where thefts have historically occurred.

If a catalytic convertor is reported stollen, police will also share suspect information and tips to prevent offenses with the public.

A challenge for San Marcos Police Department and other police forces nationwide is finding the buyers of these converters. However, the department’s Criminal Investigations Division plans to contact catalytic converter recyclers and distributors across the city to review their recent sales.

The police department also plans to partner with local businesses to host catalytic converter etching/ID events.

At these events, VIN numbers are to be etched into converters so if they are ever stollen they can be returned to the owner. The first event is scheduled for March 5. The police department states it will release event details soon.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 | 3

The University Star

MULTIMEDIA

Natalie Ryan Multimedia Editor: starmultimedia@txstate.edu

Texas State studio art senior Mikayla McDonough (right) packages a purchased item at the

Texas State photography senior Kathryn Fletcher picks up a blind date with a book, Monday,

Valentine's Day Sale by the Ceramic Arts Student Association, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, at the

Feb. 14, 2022, at Alkek One. Alkek One hosted a Valentine's Day Party with button making,

Joann-Cole Mitte Building. CASA is a student group of artists interested in ceramics.

PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

VR games, card making and more.

PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

Rick Emery plays guitar, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at Sewell Park.

PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

Texas State English sophomore Megan Sewell and English freshman Cooper Haack read books together in a hammock, Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at Sewell Park. Sewell and Haack met through mutual friends and have been a couple for over a year and a half.

PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

Texas State photography senior Kathryn Fletcher makes a Valentine's button, Monday, Feb. 14,

Texas State electronic media junior Daniel Escobar does solo hacky sack, Friday, Feb. 11, 2022,

2022, at Alkek One. Alkek One hosted a Valentine's Day Party with button making, VR games,

at Sewell Park. Hacky sack, also known as footbag, is a game that involves juggling a bean bag

card making and more.

PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

and keeping it off the ground for as long as possible using mainly feet, but any body part besides

Texas State political science senior Noah West trains his kitten Sergei to walk on a leash, Friday,

Texas State nutrition and foods junior Jackson Avery climbs across a bridge, Thursday, Feb. 10,

Feb. 11, 2022, at Sewell Park. West found Sergei alone on a ranch in his hometown months

2022, at Sewell Park.

PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

ago and has kept him ever since. Sergei is West’s first cat and because Sergei has spent most days indoors at West’s apartment, West is trying to socialize him more.

PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

the hands and arms is acceptable. It can be done individually or with a group.

PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

4 | Tuesday, February 15, 2022 Sarah Hernandez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

The University Star

LIFE AND ARTS

MEMOIR

Texas State alumnus takes control of his own narrative in upcoming memoir

By Marisa Nunez Life and Arts Contributor Trigger warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault, tragedy and mental illness.

While in quarantine throughout the pandemic, Zachary Perkins found himself with ample time to think of his past and relive his experiences. As a form of self-expression, Perkins, a Texas State alumnus, picked up journaling to document his thoughts and ideas.

Along the way, he realized that sharing the words he wrote could potentially help others. This realization pushed him to self-publish his debut memoir that details his experiences from his early childhood to where he is today.

Writing is nothing new to Perkins. Since he was younger, writing was a medium with which he could express, create and entertain himself. He loved writing so much that whenever he got in trouble, his mother would take away all his pencils, papers and markers rather than his video games because she knew how much he liked writing.

"I've written everything since I was a kid. I've written TV shows, treatments for movies, songs, like whatever it [was], I was going to write it," Perkins said.

While the thought of writing his own book was always part of the plan, he never knew how soon he could make it happen. When Perkins initially began writing his memoir, “How Much Time Do You Have?,” he had no intentions of sharing his thoughts with the rest of the world. However, at the start of quarantine, Perkins found himself with a lot of time on his hands, causing him to dig up past memories, traumas and experiences.

“I was sexually assaulted, and I wrote it [down], and it was the first time I had acknowledged it to anyone," he said. "It was only for myself but [it] felt good to get that out ... I just felt that it was the only way that I was going to make peace with it. The only way that I was going to be able to release it was if I just said, 'this is what was going on in my life.' And I guess in a roundabout way, I wanted the decisions and my mental state during that time to make sense to the people who I was around."

Writing became almost therapeutic to Perkins, and he decided that publishing a memoir would not only be a great help to him, but also to others who may have gone through similar experiences. His goal shifted when he realized he could help people by sharing his story.

In April 2020, he began journaling and ultimately committed to writing every day with the intention of sharing his story with the public.

"I just want people to understand the importance of accepting their [stories] and their [journeys] so that they can get to their next journey in life ... I think that it's really important that we share our stories that are so universal," Perkins said. "I feel like [people] suffer in silence so often [but they] don't have to because [people] have so many of the same shared experiences."

“How Much Time Do You Have?” is broken down into different eras of Perkins' life. The seven chapters of the book contain stories from different moments of time, such as when he was in kindergarten, middle school and high school. Other chapters are more indepth, detailing specific life moments and the truths that come with them.

Throughout the book, Perkins opens up about his sexuality, his time on academic probation, being sexually assaulted and his feelings surrounding an incident involving his best friend. Each chapter is named after Perkins' favorite songs and albums. He thought adding this personal touch would help readers find out more about him while also giving the text a light-hearted feel.

The title "How Much Time Do You Have?" is a nod to a counseling session that he was advised to do at Texas State after having severe anxiety attacks during classes. During the session, his response to questions about his mental health was, "how much time do you have?" Perkins said the title was a way for him to add his own humor and personality to his book while also posing the question to his readers who are taking time to read his story.

Through his memoir, Perkins wants to give people guidance on how to navigate certain experiences, a form of guidance he did not have. After he was sexually assaulted, he said he didn't know who to go to or what to do next. Perkins wants the book to be a resource to people who went through or are going through the same things he did.

A section of the book touches on an experience that he had with his childhood best friend, Joslyn Goodloe, when their friend was charged with the murder of her two-year-old son four years ago. The event changed Perkins and Goodloe's lives and still affects them both today.

"Through time, it's gotten easier I'd say, but it's definitely something that weighs on me continuously," Goodloe said. "It's, you know, an everyday battle and struggle. I think about it more all the time. It definitely kind of switched my perspective on people in general,

Zachary Perkins poses for a photo during a photoshoot for his debut memoir, "How Much Time Do You Have?," Dec. 11, 2021. PHOTO COURTESY OF JAY YBARRA

you know, because you can think you know someone, you can speak to somebody a certain way, but you never know what's going on behind closed doors."

Goodloe and Perkins have been friends since they were 11 years old. Considering all of what they had been through together, Perkins was grateful for Goodloe's friendship during that time. Perkins didn't think many people understood his feelings throughout that experience and said if it weren't for Goodloe, he would not have overcome what he has today.

As for Goodloe, she has been happy to support Perkins throughout his book-writing process and has enjoyed seeing the dedication he has for his endeavor.

"I 100% encourage it. I back it fully; he has my complete support. I think it's necessary for the story to be shared, especially just in the way that like, things are kind of covered up or tried to be silenced," Goodloe said.

HE HAS LIKE A GRAVITATIONAL PULL I GUESS YOU COULD SAY, YOU KNOW, HE'S VERY ILLUMINATING. WHENEVER HE COMES INTO A ROOM [IT] KIND OF CAPTURES PEOPLE. HIS STORY BEING TOLD IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE AREN'T PRIVY TO AND I THINK EVERYBODY'S REALLY GOING TO LOVE IT." -JOSLYN GOODLOE, ZACHARY PERKINS' CHILDHOOD BEST FRIEND During the times Perkins questioned his writing choices or felt the stress of the process, Goodloe encouraged him to keep going. She believes a lot of people will be interested in reading about his experiences.

"He has like a gravitational pull I guess you could say, you know, he's very illuminating. Whenever he comes into a room [it] kind of captures people," Goodloe said. "His story being told is something that a lot of people aren't privy to and I think everybody's really going to love it."

When it came to writing out the details of his personal trauma, Perkins said it was a difficult process and he often had to take two-to-three-month long breaks between chapters due to how emotionally exhausting it was to revisit his past. Despite the difficulties that came with writing his memoir, he is relieved now that it's complete, as he finally feels in control of his own narrative.

Aside from the deeper topics covered in his memoir, Perkins also writes about funny memories from his childhood and adds his own voice to the story to keep

it true to himself. He said writing the book has made him appreciate special moments in his life that he might have overlooked before.

Currently, Perkins is in the final editing stages before the book is released. He said the writing process has been long and hard, and it took several trials and errors to ultimately get to the point he is at now. Throughout the writing and editing process, he leaned on one of his former professors at Texas State after graduating in August 2021 with a degree in public relations and minors in communication studies and pop culture.

Cassandra La Clair, a senior lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies, was glad to help Perkins when he first reached out to her. La Clair had Perkins in several classes throughout his years at Texas State, and before Perkins began writing his book, La Clair was finishing up her own.

“He saw me kind of going through the process, and was so encouraging and supportive of me, being he was in my classes … and then that's where, you know, he reached out to me when he was going through the process. And so, it felt really cool to be able to give him any insight that I learned along the way,” La Clair said.

La Clair helped Perkins edit some excerpts from his book and gave advice on how he could publish his book and stay true to himself in his writing. While helping him, La Clair got to know more about her former student than she ever knew before.

“When I read what I read there were things that I just had no idea," she said. "And it helped me kind of weave this picture of him as a more complex person than even I had understood. That's why sharing stories and experiences can be so beautiful, because we have a tendency to just see people for what we want to see, rather than really understanding what's kind of brought them to be the person that's standing in front of us."

To accompany his memoir, Perkins created a docuseries called "Exactly-Zach" to promote his book and give people more insight into his story. When writing his book became a priority, he put his YouTube channel on pause. He thought creating a series on his channel was a great way to promote and connect with people about his book, while also keeping his channel active.

La Clair and Goodloe make appearances in the docuseries, which is set to have three episodes. La Clair joins Perkins in a discussion of the book's writing process, while Goodloe joins him in an in-depth conversation about their feelings on their shared experience. Two of the episodes have already been released on YouTube.

Currently, Perkins lives in Austin where he is working on developing his own screenplay and hopes to have the pilot finished by the end of the year. In the future, Perkins looks to move to Los Angeles to continue pursuing his goals in writing, producing, teaching as well as becoming an artists and repertoire (A&R) representative for a music label and possibly making music of his own.

"How Much Time Do You Have?" is set to release on April 12. Perkins hopes by sharing his story he can be a guiding light to those who feel lost and help them take control of their narratives just as he did.

"I think that you can only move forward in life if you're willing to give yourself grace," Perkins said. "I'm very aware of the things that have happened to me, and I acknowledge them, and I accept them, but they don't have to be me ... I don't have to be stuck in those moments anymore, and I think that was something that I really have only recently realized, like, toward the tail end of writing."

To keep up with Perkins and for updates on "How Much Time Do You Have?," follow his Instagram @ howmuchtimebook and Twitter @exzachtchange. To watch Perkins' docu-series, "Exactly-Zach," visit his YouTube channel, The Chronicles of Zachary.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 | 5

The University Star

LIFE AND ARTS

Sarah Hernandez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT LOCAL ART Marcos community. The painting features images such as a teepee, a generic symbol used to represent Native Americans; a skeletal rendition of a shotgun house, representing the shotgun house Hutson was born and raised in; and a circle with a horizontal and vertical line, representing the cycle of life.

"One of the things that he writes about when he addresses that piece is the fact that this idea of homesteading in the cultural imagination within the United States is all about roots and making a place for yourself and pulling yourself up by your bootstraps," Margo Handwerker, gallery director for Texas State Galleries, said. "But on the contrary, it's actually also a very violent story and ideology about western expansion."

Handwerker hopes the communitywide exhibit brings a greater awareness of art, culture and history to San Marcos as well as attention to Hutson's work as a whole. One of the goals in creating these exhibitions was to encourage visitors to travel to different institutions across the city of San Marcos in order to experience the project in its entirety.

"One of the reasons why we thought collaborating with other organizations is its capacity building," Handwerker said. "We can do more if we all come together in terms of resources, but it also creates this really great opportunity for people who wouldn't otherwise come to campus or people on campus who wouldn't otherwise go into town."

A variety of Hutson's pieces are inspired by his experiences of living in different places around the world.

In 1963, he moved to New York after taking art classes in San Francisco. He spent the next four decades traveling to different countries to explore their art scenes and meet other artists. In 1973, he received a National Endowment for the Arts grant to visit Africa.

"It was a very [important] time of empowerment for Black art in New York," said Linda Kelsey-Jones, curator and director of the Walkers' Gallery at the San Marcos Public Library and curator at the Calaboose African American History Museum. "So, he traveled. The places he mostly went in this country were New York, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania. But he also traveled to Europe. He went to Paris and got to know the artists there. And all along he kept trying to find his own style and experimenting with different styles."

Hutson's collection at The Price Center features a six-piece installment of 3D images inspired by his time living in Nigeria and meeting the Oba (King) in the mid-1970s. The Calaboose exhibit features a piece titled "The Opening" which is inspired by his time on Gorée Island and is his representation of the African American dual experience "A lot of his work is very abstract," Handwerker said. "Most of its content is mostly related to African American history, but also a lot of his travels that he did in Africa. This feeling of like displacement or cultural belonging on the part of a lot of African Americans over many generations is hard to confront and describe [but] this work in its abstraction has the capacity to render these amorphous feelings in a way that can speak to all audiences."

The San Marcos Art Center features a painting titled "Variations on a Marigold (With Scorpius) for Estee Mayim Altman" by Hutson in 2019, inspired by the daughter of one of Hutson's former students. The painting, a flower with numerous stars arranged as the Scorpius Cosmos, is the only artwork of Hutson's on loan from the artist's own studio and the only one being sold as part of the event.

The goal of the city-wide exhibition is to highlight Hutson along with his artwork that carries historical references and the symbolism of his personal experiences. For Hutson, having his artwork showcased around his hometown is an honor and he is grateful to share his passion with others.

"If I hadn't painted, I would die," Hutson said. "I don't know anything else to do that gives me as much satisfaction, contentment and will to carry on as granted. And so, I want the people who consume [the paintings] to enjoy it, taste it and appreciate it."

For more information about the citywide exhibition of The Art of Bill Hutson, visit https://www.visitsanmarcos.com/ billhutson/.

"Triptych with Symbols" by Bill Hutson, 1989, on display at Texas State Galleries.

PHOTO BY CASSIE BUTTERFIELD

"Portrait of Bill Hutson Next to a Window"

by A. J. Meek is currently on view at the Calaboose African American History Museum.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LINDA KELSEYJONES

"Oba II (The Oba's Room)" by Bill Hutson, 1995–1996, at on display at the Price Center.

PHOTO BY CASSIE BUTTERFIELD

IF I HADN'T PAINTED, I WOULD DIE. I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ELSE TO DO THAT GIVES ME AS MUCH SATISFACTION, CONTENTMENT AND WILL TO CARRY ON AS GRANTED. AND SO, I WANT THE PEOPLE WHO CONSUME [THE PAINTINGS] TO ENJOY IT, TASTE IT AND APPRECIATE IT." -MARGO HANDWERKER, DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS STATE GALLERIES

Legal Notice

Notice of Application for a Sand and Gravel Permit The City of San Marcos has applied to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) for a General Permit pursuant to Texas Parks and Wildlife Code chapter 86 to remove or disturb less than 1,000 cubic yards of sedimentary material within the San Marcos River in Hays County. The purpose is flood abatement in the Blanco Gardens neighborhood. The location is approximately 0.94 river miles downstream from Interstate Highway 35 and approximately 10.07 straight-line miles upstream from State Highway 130. Notice is being published and mailed pursuant to Title 31 Texas Administrative Code section 69.105(b).

Within 30 days of the receipt of an administratively complete application, TPWD will publish notice of a public comment hearing regarding the application in the Texas Register at least 20 days prior to the date of the public comment hearing. The hearing is not a contested case hearing under the Texas Administrative Procedure Act. Oral and written public comment will be accepted at the hearing.

Written comments may also be submitted directly to TPWD and must be received no later than 30 days after the date of newspaper publication of this notice or the Texas Register notice publication, whichever is later. Submit written comments, questions, or requests to review the application to: Tom Heger, TPWD, by mail: 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744; fax 512-389-4405; or e-mail tom.heger@tpwd.texas.gov.

6 | Tuesday, February 15, 2022 Dillon Strine Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

The University Star

OPINIONS

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

TELEVISION

HBO’s “Euphoria” is not for every audience

By Dillon Strine Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

In 2019 “Euphoria” premiered to solid viewership as the show was advertised as a raw coming-of-age teen drama. The show has since gained the attention of millions as it really picked up steam while most were at home during the pandemic.

The show's second season premiered on Jan. 9 and the subsequent episodes have garnered record viewership for the platform. The premiere alone drew 13.1 million viewers across both HBO and its streaming service, HBO Max. Being that the show is on HBO and its streaming service, it is allowed more creative flexibility. It is just another part of a wave of HBO series and streaming service shows that include nudity, drugs and graphic language.

The way that we censor television programs has been ever evolving, as network television shows have been given some leeway to use some swear words and vulgarity sparingly in recent years.

Being that "Euphoria" has been so popularized it has allowed students like Mackenzie Acree, an English/ political science senior, to step out of their comfort zone.

“I think it is probably the most graphic TV show I’ve ever watched. Even 'Shameless' wasn’t this graphic, but I kind of like it. I like that they don’t pull punches, like it’s harsh but in a way that makes sense,” Acree said.

Acree also appreciates the way the show handles its subject matter while also acknowledging that the show, at times, may promote bad decision making.

With this many eyeballs on the show, the star of the show, Zendaya, has had to remind viewers of its vulgarity. In Instagram posts before both season premieres, she reminded her fans that the show is for mature audiences, along with emphasizing that this is especially true for the show's second season.

This is due to the traumatic nature of many events that could come off as triggers to those dealing with such heavy subject matter, that includes sex, drugs and alcohol, within their own lives. Events that can be triggered by either seeing or hearing, which is all you do when watching TV. Both, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.)

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and the Parents Television and Media Council (TPC) have actively spoken out about the content of the show. The organizations believe "Euphoria" may glamorize the use of drugs and have advocated for the show to not be on television because of its portrayal of teen nudity.

In response, Zendaya, who is also an executive producer on "Euphoria," explained in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that, "Our show is in no way a moral tale to teach people how to live their life or what they should be doing."

Instead, she states the show is just trying to help individuals feel a little bit less alone in their experience and pain.

A lot of television is left up to viewers themselves to interpret. So, if the wrong person views such content and this is their first experience with it, a show must be careful not to glorify it. That is a huge responsibility and burden on a showrunner, even if they have dealt with this stuff, as the show's creator, Sam Levinson, has admitted to having done so, and he admits the show mirrors aspects of his life as a teen.

Bryce Wiley, an education junior, credits Levinson for "Euphoria" showing such real experiences.

“Addiction is really hard for someone to go through and so you’re not going to be able to do it on a PG13 level. I think you can try, but it’s not going to be as authentic as I feel like it is right now. And even though it’s hard to watch, it’s like 10 times harder to see someone in real life go through it,” Wiley said.

As the show makes its way into the culture of youth, there needs to be an understanding of right and wrong, as it has often blurred the lines and tested how we view growing up in America.

The shows cinematography and overall aesthetic have become synonymous with the culture surrounding the show, but that is not an excuse to be irresponsible when it comes to telling the reality of the circumstances within its own story.

It is a visually pleasing show, shot entirely on Kodak Ekatachrome film. The costumes, while likely no actual high schooler is wearing $1,515 gladiator sandals, is also something to watch out for in each episode. The characters all have relatable flaws and insecurities as well.

"Euphoria" is a pleasant change from the average teen drama, it is less “Friday Night Lights,” and more “Degrassi.” These shows do have similar ways in which they were not shy in their storytelling as well. But to some, that is when the show goes bad.

The overall popularity of "Euphoria" can also have an opposite effect according to Wiley.

“I think when everything becomes too popular, it can be a negative thing," he said. "I feel like with this season, you can kind of see the effects of that popularity."

At the end of the day, it is entertainment and the artists' jobs are trying to keep viewers' attention, which is becoming harder because of new generations' lack of social skills and as youth becomes stuck to their cell phones. This may force storytellers to push the envelope, which can be fine, when properly warned or censored.

I view myself as a huge fan of "Euphoria" and will continue to watch it because it is an excellent show that often raises good questions about the society we live in. But I believe that it truly may not be for everyone, and it is okay to shy away from viewing it.

- Dillon Strine is a journalism junior The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication.

Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

SOCIAL MEDIA

We should be honest about using photo filters

By Mckenna Bailey Opinion Contributor

Thanks to technological advances, we live in a world where a plethora of ways exist to alter and edit an image.

Whether it's adding a filter preset on a photo or smoothening our skin with an Instagram Story effect, there's a variety of options available to enhance our appearance online.

Over 1.2 million social media filters exist, and even more continue to be created. While the use of filters seems to be a worldwide phenomenon, actually admitting to using them seems to be a taboo subject.

We need to establish better dialogue and openness when it comes to using filters on social media. In doing so, we can create a safe space for individuals to share disclaimers in their post when using a filter. This form of transparency opens the door to take down unrealistic perceptions and unachievable desires of how people look.

Whether people add filters to their images or not, there should be no shame in doing so. One of the reasons why people opt for filters is to adjust the distortion that can come from using a camera.

Rodolfo Gonzalez, a photojournalism professor, who has over 30 years of photography experience, said objects, hands and facial features can look larger as they come closer to a wide-angle lens.

“Depending on the millimeter size of the lens, it can distort how objects appear in images. If you have a wideangle lens, for example, and it’s very close to a subject, that subject can become distorted in a way that’s angular or protrusive,” Gonzalez said.

The iPhone camera warps the face and creates distortion from distance between the camera and the subject, often making people's noses appear larger in selfies. For people who experience facial dysmorphia or live with insecurities, this kind of alteration can be a nightmare and they might end up using a filter.

Insecurities can play a large role in one's reasoning behind using a filter. We should not shame others who use filters because of their lack of confidence in how they look. However, we need to be honest when we use them in order to

stop the growing phenomenon of people feeling less than when not meeting high and unachievable standards found on social media.

Filters aren’t new and they are not an idea that evolved in the 21st century. Back in the 1950s, Hollywood production studios would slather Vaseline on camera lenses to achieve a dreamy aesthetic and create a soft filterlike effect of smooth skin which was known as a "glamour shoot."

Today, the average iPhone camera is embedded with around 10 filters.

Depending on which model version, there are around 10 options for different types of filters such as vivid, mono and noir. Additionally, Canon offers a range of colored camera lens attachments or filters for each type of lens. These lenses have a variety of uses from fixing light and chromatic aberrations to de-hazing and UV filters.

According to Gonzalez, technology has been advancing faster than most photographers can keep up with. First, the transition was from film to digital, then digital improved with sensors, additional pixels and better software.

“Now, the technology is evolving into the computer programs using photoshop and Lightroom. All these filters that can create mood, color, tone and change textures in complexions of people’s faces using AI programs,” Gonzalez said.

AI programs within the editing software are used by many people, photographer or not, and is advancing constantly. People can change the appearance of their age, their facial expressions or the color of their hair.

Using such programs without adding a disclaimer that a filter was used can be harmful. When people alter their appearance to make themselves, older, younger or even a different gender, it can be considered catfishing, especially on dating apps and websites. It may sound scary, but being honest about these kinds of changes opens the door for the use of filters to be seen as perfectly alright.

With an enormous library of editing apps, it’s no wonder that 71% of people alter their photos with filters before posting online or that 90% of women

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edit their photos with a filter before posting. So many use filters to some degree, so why not just help spread positivity and less toxicity into society by helping to be honest about it.

Overall, honesty is the best policy when using filters or altering images for social media. We all can feel selfconscious when we see people who look “perfect” to us. Especially if someone is promoting a makeup or skin product that promises to make your skin better.

Simply adding a disclaimer that a filter was used in the post's caption or through a hashtag can easily pave the way to a more transparent and healthy social media experience.

Shreya Vijay, a psychology freshman, doesn’t take many photos or use filters, but believes more openness from companies, brands and celebrities in filter uses will lead to less toxicity for people who do use filters.

“We need more diversity, if they keep catering to one standard, it’s going to grow more insecurities in people,” Vijay said.

Although there should be no shame in using a filter to smooth up skin texture, it's also completely fine to embrace

imperfections on the skin. Whether that be from freckles, beauty marks, birth marks or skin conditions like vitiligo all skin is beautiful, with or without a filter.

This subject is not black or white. I’m not either pro filter or pro no filter, but there’s this grey area that meets in the middle of those ideas where the person using the filter gets to decide how they want to be seen. Sometimes I will use a beauty cam to distort my face back to its normal self, but this can also be a creative choice like adding grain or blurriness to give it a more vintage look.

Everyone wants to look good and put their best self on display. Just know that most images and videos do have a skin or beauty filter to some degree, and we must realize that it’s okay and acceptable.

- McKenna Bailey is a digital media innovation senior The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication. Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

8 | Tuesday, February 15, 2022

The University Star

SPORTS

CHEER

Texas State cheerleaders get ready to rush the field with the football team before a game against ULM, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Bobcat Stadium.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State Cheer reflects on award-winning season

By Sophia Somoza Sports Contributor Emotions were at an all-time high for junior backstop Maryssa Mears as she waited to take the mat alongside her stunt group at the Universal Cheer Association (UCA) College National Championship in Orlando.

While nerves were present, she felt confident in her skills and was more than ready to showcase the work and dedication her team put in this past season.

“I felt more excited than nervous to finally take the mat,” Mears said. “This is because our coaches assured us that preparation doesn’t lead to doubtful thinking, instead it made us more confident as a team.”

In January, Texas State's Spirit Program headed to the Walt Disney World Resort where it competed against other cheer programs from across the nation at UCA College National Championship, one of the most prestigious cheer competitions. Hundreds of universities across the country compete each year to demonstrate their talents in a variety of categories.

Texas State Head Spirit Program Coordinator Jocelyn Stephens said the cheer team had been preparing for the competition since last August where the group started practicing its routines. While the cheer team practiced for its own competition season, they continued to cheer on Texas State football and volleyball at every home game.

“The fall is our heavier kept time commitment because of the sports we cheer, the preparation of nationals and just you know getting in that time to practice and to work out,” Stephens said.

Last year in April 2021, the cheer program competed in the All-Girl Division 1A category taking third and placing sixth in the 1A Coed Game Day competition.

This year, the Bobcats competed in team routine and the group stunt competition.

Texas State has competed in the team routine since the 1990s. For the 2021-22 season, Texas State placed 10th with a score of 81.5. As for the group stunt competition, Texas State took third this year.

“They executed their routine and I think it was the best it had ever looked, and they were rewarded for that which was even better,” Stephens said.

The group stunt competition consists of skills, transitions, exists and entries that are all put together for a one-minute routine. There are four positions needed for this routine to come together which are a backspot, side base, main base and a top girl. There are a set of judges for the girls on the ground and a set of judges for the top girl. Each judge watches all the key movements and the flow of the routine.

This year, the four cheerleaders that participated in this category were Mears, junior side base Alex Davidson, senior top girl Brittainy Carrell and junior main base Maddy Hollen.

“Placing third in the UCA College Partner Stunt Nationals felt amazing knowing our hard work paid off and that we were bringing a title back to our university,” Carrell said.

Before even stepping foot in Orlando, Texas State Cheer had to submit a highlight video back in November showcasing its campus/community involvement and overall cheer skills in order to

Texas State cheerleaders during halftime of the women's basketball game against UTEP, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, at Strahan Arena.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO Texas State cheerleaders warm up the crowd before the beginning of the football game against Baylor, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Bobcat Stadium.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

compete at UCA. A percentage of the team's score at UCA comes from the highlights detailed in the video submission.

“For a competition like UCA, the preparation begins with our attitudes on day one of training," Mears said.

"The team came together with the infinite amount of talent and gave everything we had toward each other to reach our one goal."

While the competition season is behind them, the Bobcats aren't finished yet. The team will continue cheering on the men's and women’s basketball teams at their home games and will travel with the men’s basketball team for its tournament in Pensacola, Florida.

Throughout the spring semester, the team will continue to practice twice a week and use this time as preparation for next year as they explore new techniques and practice different routines.

“I’m most excited to come back stronger next season and build off of last year with even harder skills,” Hollen said. “I’m also looking forward to being a senior next year and being able to help set an example for the younger girls and be a good leader for them so we can be successful and build a team that will always be remembered.”

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 | 9

The University Star

SPORTS SCHOOL SPIRIT

Bobcat Crew brings energy, support to Texas State Athletics

By Xavier Zamarron Sports Contributor

Without fans, sports just aren’t the same. The aura of sports really isn’t complete without spectators fanatically cheering on the incredible feats seen before them. Sometimes, it seems great fans can even change the very outcome of a game.

That seemed to be the case on Jan. 29 as the Texas State men’s basketball team defeated the University of Texas at Arlington in front of a black-out crowd that boasted a season-high attendance of 3,587 fans.

After the win, senior guard Shelby Adams expressed how much he appreciated the fans that came out and how their energy helped the team defeat the Mavericks.

“It was lit. There was a lot of energy in the building,” Adams said. “At halftime, we came to an understanding that it was gonna be a dog fight, and we talked about how we had a lot of support here in the gym, so like I said we just fed off it, picked our intensity up, played a little harder, and it worked out for us.”

Part of that 3,587 was Bobcat Crew President Leslie Munguia Olalde, a business management freshman.

Olalde and the Bobcat Crew are a fairly new student organization that offers members perks like reserved premium seating, special tailgates and even a little behind-the-scenes access. The purpose of the crew is to entice more fans to come to games so that Texas State athletes always have the support of roaring crowds.

Adams' post-game comments reflect exactly the kind of effect Olalde wants the fans to have on Texas State’s home games. She believes fans play an important role in helping lift teams up.

Olade said it's her duty to let her fellow Bobcats know that someone has their back.

Texas State Bobcat Crew dances while being on the jumbotron at a men's basketball game against Coastal Carolina, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, at Strahan Arena. Bobcat Crew members wore tie-dye as the "theme of the game."

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

“We want everyone to be up 24/7, being loud, cheering, just mainly being active,” Olalde said. “I know the guys appreciate it a lot because having a loud crowd makes them want to play even harder and when you don’t have a crowd it just has a little less meaning.”

Olalde seeks to build a fan culture at Texas State. Texas State Athletics' history has been a bit underwhelming which has led to a lack of school spirit, empty seats and quiet arenas. These are things Olalde wants to improve.

“A lot of people say that we don’t have good teams, but I think we do have good teams. People just don’t take the time to go out and support, because that’s all the football, volleyball, basketball players need,” Olalde said. “They need support, and they need to see that we have school spirit.”

Associate Athletics Director of Marketing Justin Mulloy echoes Olalde's sentiment and believes there is room for improvement when it comes to student

turnout at university sporting events.

"When I arrived here just over three months ago a main focus of mine was to get more in touch with students, have better communication, and help create something they could call their own," Mulloy said.

To achieve that goal, Mulloy began by sending university-wide emails calling for students with high energy to lead the student section at home games. Olalde was one of the students who answered the call, Natalie Franco, an internal relations freshman, was another. Franco is the Bobcat Crew’s secretary and joined in hopes of finding a group she could be a part of at Texas State.

“I’m a very extroverted person and I figured leading a student section would be a really great way for me to meet more people,” Franco said. “It’s kind of nice to be able to go up to people and be like, ‘Hey! I’m part of the Bobcat Crew, would you like to join?’”

Franco is a big sports fan, the type of

fan who always brings the energy. She said people even take pictures of her theatrics during the games, but she isn’t embarrassed and said that other students who want to show their emotion don’t have to be either.

“My motto is, ‘if nobody else is doing it I am,’” Franco said. “If there’s nobody else that you see who’s being crazy at the game, there will at least be me, so you’re not alone. That’s the goal, to get more people involved and make them unafraid to have fun.”

Having fun is what the Bobcat Crew is all about. There are no major requirements to join the club other than coming to games when possible.

"We'd love to have every student to join the Bobcat Crew, it's not something that's exclusive or a big commitment, there's no caveats," Mulloy said. "So, we encourage all students at Texas State to join, bring their friends, and just have fun" Ultimately, the Bobcat Crew wants to improve the community around Texas State sports. The group feels that going to games, tailgates and events is a way for students to come together and celebrate something they all have in common, being a Bobcat.

“Hopefully more people will come out and maybe we’ll become a huge student section that everybody sees on YouTube or TikTok, like one of the biggest in Texas,” Olalde said. “I want to build something like that. I know it’ll take time, but I want to get there.”

Students interested in joining Bobcat Crew can apply online at https:// txstatebobcats.com/sports/2012/4/27/ GEN_0427123633.aspx.

For more information on Bobcat Crew, visit its Twitter @txst_bobcatcrew or on Instagram and TikTok @txstbobcatcrew.

SOFTBALL

Texas State softball looks to build on teamwork for 2022 season

By Jazmyn Stevens Sports Contributor

Texas State softball kicked off its 2022 season on Feb. 11 with a 10-2 victory against New Mexico State. With the new season off to a promising start, the Bobcats gear up to continue their successes from last year where they finished 39-14 overall, 17-6 Sun Belt Conference.

Junior infielder Sara Vanderford and sophomore right-handed pitcher Jessica Mullins, look to carry themselves as team leaders after a monumental last season. Both Vanderford and Mullins were selected for the 15-member 2022 Sun Belt Conference Preseason AllConference Team.

Vanderford has been named the Sun Belt Player of the week three times, earned a spot on the 2021 Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament Team and was named the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year. After the loss of six senior players last season, Vanderford is committed to enhancing her skills this year. “[I want to work] on a lot of things I did not do well on last year, instead of working on the things I did do good in, and just not doing too much,” Vanderford said. “I feel like my leadership it is still developing after losing our core class. During the fall it was a lot of learning, and asking ‘Who am I going to take with me? Who is going to be able to help me out?'"

Also looking to continue her impact from last season is sophomore outfielder Piper Randolph, who appeared in 45 games and started in 36 of them her freshman year. Randolph is one of two Bobcats credited with double-digit stolen bases (16) last season, making her 16 stolen bases the second-most swipes

Texas State junior infielder Sara Vanderford (26) listens to questions from sports reporters about the upcoming season during the softball media day preview, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2022, at Bobcat Ballpark.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State sophomore outfielder Piper Randolph (11) answers a question from sports reporters about the upcoming season during the softball media day preview, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2022, at Bobcat Ballpark.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

by a Texas State softball student-athlete in 2021.

“We are definitely going for the rings this year baby, sticking to our plans, and being there for each other on and off the field,” Randolph said.

“Visualizing yourself on that base is a plan, visualizing your goals as a team like making it to regionals again and making it past regionals this year. We just have that goal and plan, and we are sticking to it.”

The team's successes would not be possible without the guidance of Head Coach Ricci Woodward who has been involved in the softball program for 21 years. Throughout her career at Texas State, Woodward led the team to a 724-443-1 record, 12 conference championships and nine Division I Softball NCAA Regional appearances.

She's also received five Coach of the Year awards.

This year, Woodward said it's been difficult preparing the team as it's a completely different group from last season. Additionally, finding out who is going to be playing where and how to gel the team together has been challenging.

However, the team continues to have high aspirations for this season.

“In the past, we were limited on consistency and those were set early, but this season it has been a battle since day one,” Woodard said. “We want the College World Series, that has been the dream for 22 years here for me. I think last year we had a great chance to do that but just fell short in the end … I don’t think this team has any reason to not make it their goal also.”

Texas State softball looks to play its first home game of the season against the University of Oregon. The first pitch of the game will be at 4 p.m. on Feb. 17 at Bobcat Softball Stadium.

10 | Tuesday, February 15, 2022

The University Star

SPORTS

BASEBALL

Texas State baseball catchers warm up during baseball practice, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at Bobcat Ballpark.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Baseball looks to get back to its winning ways

By Dillon Strine Sports Contributor Last spring, Texas State baseball suffered its first losing season since 2017 and its second within the previous decade. With the new season starting on Friday, the team looks to redeem itself this year and bounce back to its winning ways.

In a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bobcats faced uncertainty with health protocols and game cancelations along with several injuries to key players last year. As the upcoming season approaches, Head Coach Steven Trout has a renewed outlook on the team's future.

“I'm really excited about our team, coming off a bad year last year. We’ve done a lot of work within our staff, and with our program, to try not to let that happen again,” Trout said.

This season the Bobcats will compete in a tough non-conference schedule where they will face two preseason top 25 teams in early March. The Bobcats will take on the 15th ranked Arizona Wildcats and the Texas Longhorns, the number one team in the country.

The team will also play a neutral game at Globe Life Field, in Arlington, Texas for the second year in a row, this time against Wichita State.

The ‘Cats tough schedule won’t stop after nonconference play either, as they will look to compete in the Sun Belt Conference. This season, Texas State was selected to rank seventh in the preseason coaches’ poll.

None of the Bobcats were awarded Sun Belt preseason honors.

The good news for Texas State starts on the left side of the infield, with senior third baseman Justin Thompson who leads the team in batting average with .283 and RBIs with 37. Additionally, the 'Cats have the support of team veterans such as senior shortstop Dalton Shuffield, who admits last season was the worst of his career statistically. Despite the downfalls of last season, Shuffield managed to obtain the team's secondbest batting average with .278, second-most doubles with 11 and also led the team in steals with 10.

Texas State baseball was not only prone to failure on the field as it also struggled in the classroom last season. This year, Shuffield said, the team hopes to continue to improve in both facets.

“We didn’t do too well, on the field and really off.

Our GPA as a team wasn’t too good in the class. I think it was either 2.5 or something like that and going from that to this year, we had our best GPA for a semester, and I think that kind of goes on to the baseball field as well," Shuffield said.

Another key statistical leader returning is junior infielder/outfielder Jose Gonzalez, who led the team last year in on-base plus slugging (OPS) with .880, doubles with 14, triples with three and had the highest home runs among returning players with seven.

As for the mix of older and younger guys on the roster, senior outfielder John Wuthrich is dedicated to making the most out of this season and said the team's overall success is what matters most this year rather than individual egos.

“For me, it’s realizing that I'm going to work a 9-5 or a real-life job after this in a couple of months so, not being satisfied with just being mediocre, rejecting that, making sure we’re striving to be the best that we can be, to win games,” Wuthrich said. "We’ve got the main prize as the championship on our minds, own selfgratification in awards and stats aren't really taking the forefront for this team.”

While the team's strong suits are in other areas, the team's question mark seems to be pitching, as the Bobcats need to improve on their Sun Belt Conferences' 9th best, 5.55 earned run average (ERA) from last year. However, Texas State must do so without last season's most consistent starter, righthanded pitcher Zachary Leigh, who was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 16th round (484th overall

Texas State sophomore pitcher Otto Wofford (27) practices his pitching during baseball practice, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at Bobcat Ballpark.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State Baseball Head Coach Steven Trout reflects on the team and his goals for the upcoming season during the media day preview, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at Bobcat Ballpark.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

pick) in the 2021 MLB draft.

A replacement ace could be junior right-handed pitcher Zeke Wood, who started 14 games last season, posting a 4.45 ERA. Trout also mentioned junior right-hander Triston Dixon and sophomore righthander Tony Robie, who was throwing 94-96 mph in the team's first practice, could be great assets.

Sophomore right-hander Cameron Bush also showed flashes last season as a starter and could find his way into a renewed Texas State starting rotation.

In the bullpen, the ‘Cats will be able to send it to senior right-hander Tristan Stivors who led the team in saves last season. Another bright spot from last season was sophomore right-hander Otto Wofford, who carried the team in bullpen appearances with 22 and had just 1.33 walks and hits per inning pitched (WHIP).

The team will also welcome a new class of freshmen and transfers, including freshman catcher Chris Bernal, who is the third-best catching prospect in the state and may see time behind the plate along with junior starting catcher/outfielder Peyton Lewis. Trout said the team's addition of 18 players will all have an opportunity to prove themselves on the field.

“Practices are great, fall games are great, alumni

games are great, scrimmages are great. When those lights come on and those stands get filled and there's another color in the other team, not the maroon and gold over there, it’s a different ballgame,” Trout said.

Freshman infielder Daylan Pena could also see opportunities at the plate and on the field this season.

"That guy can really hit, he’s going to be a guy to really get his chances early,” Trout said, adding that Pena has been leading the team in hitting during the offseason and is a super competitive baseball guy.

Another arm out of the pen is Texas Tech transfer, sophomore right-handed pitcher Levi Wells, who held opponents to a .231 batting average in 17 relief appearances for the Red Raiders.

As far as starting transfer pitchers are concerned, sophomore right-hander Peyton Zabel, could sneak his way into the top of the Bobcats' starting rotation.

Zabel went 8-2 in 12 starts for Iowa Western Community College with an impressive 1.78 ERA and 77 strikeouts to just 20 walks.

To begin the season, the Bobcats will face off against the Utah Valley Wolverines for the first time in program history in a four-game home series. The first pitch of the 2022 season will be at 6 p.m. on Feb.18 at Bobcat Ballpark.