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Recognition for Texas State's Division of Dance

Kendall Clark December 1, 2021

Texas State’s Department of Dance degree is now ranked number one in the state and number 18 nationwide. According to College Factual, a resource for higher education data, the Texas State Division of Dance is ranked highest in the Southwest Region -- with top evaluations for value and non-traditional students.

"It's wonderful to be recognized for the work we've been doing for a long time," said LeAnn Smith, director of the Dance Division. "This program has been recognized off and on for a couple of decades now."

Texas State has an established program and a community of dancers. The university last year awarded 49 bachelor’s degrees in dance.

"The professors are super caring," said Kaylee Woest, a dance major at Texas State. "I've been a dancer since I was five, but I have never been around such a supportive community in the dance world. It can be super competitive."

The dance program is a division of Texas State's Theater Department.

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Coach Kaspar’s Contract Extended

By: Mallorie Sanders April 26, 2019

Texas State University has extended the contract of head men's basketball coach, Danny Kaspar, through the 2020-2023 season.

Kaspar says he's very grateful for the opportunity to continue being part of the Texas State basketball team.

“I knew that if I could generate some success for the program and get an extension that I would probably end my coaching career here,” said Kaspar. “This is something I worked for and received and am very happy about.”

Coach Kaspar has been the head coach of the basketball team since 2013, after leaving Stephen F. Austin. His teams at Texas State have had 98 victories under his leadership so far. 

In addition to leading the team's success on the court, Kaspar has received many awards for his coaching. They include being named the Hoops HD.com 2019 Sunbelt Conference Coach of the Year as well as being a finalist for the 2019 Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year and 2019 Skip Prosser Man of the Year. 

The 2018-2019 basketball season was the best one yet, with the Bobcats' 24-10 record. The team was able to make it to the semifinals for the Sunbelt Conference Tournament.

Kaspar said he hopes the basketball program continues to improve. 

“Obviously, we want a conference title, and we want to go to the NCAA tournament. All players and coaches are unified in that goal,” said Kaspar. “When we get that, we know we feel like we really reached the promised land.” 

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Consent Pizza Party

By: ReGine Murray April 25, 2019

Men Against Violence is a peer educational group that tries to break the traditional norms of what is supposed to be masculinity and ways that men are taught to behave. It challenges men to redefine male and female relationships, and create meaningful friendships with other men. They also address other topics, such as, L-B-G-T-Q relationships, consent and hate crimes.   “We talk about things like domestic violence, date rape, and marital rape. We talk about being political activism this semester as well,” said Social Media Officer Courtney Kennerson.

Men Against Violence held a series of events this week to bring awareness to issues related to sexual assault. Monday's event was the 'Consent Pizza Party', which provided free pizza to students in exchange for them sitting down and having an open dialogue about what consent is and how to properly have that discussion with one's partner.   “We really try to create a metaphor of what does it mean to create your pizza together,” said Health Promotions Specialist Kelsey Banton.

The series of events will continue this week, tonight you can participate by going to the screening of "Audrie and Daisy" in the Alkek Teaching Theater from 6-8 and going to the SLUTS Dance at Sewell Park tomorrow night from 6:30 to 8:30. 

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Texas State Quidditch

By: Hannah Shaw April 23, 2019

Texas State is home to many diverse and unique clubs. Quidditch, of course, caters to fans of Harry Potter. At Texas State, it's a club sport and campus organization.Varsity Captain Bradly Himes says when he first joined the org he didn’t know what to expect. Himes wasn’t sure if it would be a super competitive sport or if it was a fun side hobby. 

Texas State Quidditch plays in a highly competitive league that allows men and women to engage in a full-contact sport. However, there's also a less physical version called house games, for members to play once a month. “Some of the players don’t have the opportunity to travel with the team and what not, so it’s a great opportunity to try it out and maybe they’ll fall in love like I did,” said Austin Villejo, a player for the Ravenclaw team.

Members of the organization say that Quidditch is welcoming to all students, even if they haven't seen the movies or read the books. Player Hope Eaton said, “It’s one big family. I’ve always felt included like a part of a big family with people I can turn to no matter what.”

With nearly 200 dues paying members, Texas State Quidditch is the largest non-Greek organization on campus.

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Hot Ticket in Town

By Isaac Hart April 12, 2019

Fans are looking forward to seeing The Avengers: Endgame. That is, if they can get a ticket. Opening night at The Spot was sold out within an hour of going on sale and seating for Friday's showing is likewise almost full.

The demand for pre-sale tickets at Alamo Drafthouse even resulted in their website crashing. With that, it's no surprise that ticket site Fandango reports that Endgame has set the record for the most pre-sale  tickets purchased within 24 hours. 

“The thing about Endgame that has me most excited is that there’s so much mystery surrounding it,” raves Spot employee Dallin Vetuski.

The bottom line is that fans are as exited as possible.

Starting with the success of Marvel Studio's Iron Man in 2008, the comic book and superhero genre has managed to evolve into a culture all its own. Avengers: Infinity War had audiences watch Thanos use his Infinity Gauntlet  to snap half of our favorite Marvel Comics heroes out of existence.The popularity of comic book shows and movies has also had quite an impact on the comic book sales industry. 

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Animal Shelter Strives to be No Kill

By : ReGine Murray April 11, 2019

The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is working on plan to become a no-kill shelter.

The shelter that houses dogs and cats is hoping it can save 90 percent of the animals it takes in. If successful, the Pawsitive Outcomes Implementation Plan would qualify it as a 'No Kill' shelter.

Officials say the average live outcome at the shelter has improved 30 percent in two years. “The plan is to bring the shelter to a 90 percent live outcome rate,” said Derryan Krupinsky, the city’s assistant director of neighborhood enhancement.

About 20 local organizations are involved in developing ideas for the no kill plan, which will be presented to the City Council.

“One of the things were trying to change is the perception that we aren’t animal control” said Steven Heath with animal protection.

It is hoped that volunteer work and community input will make the plan a reality.

“Stay tuned, we’ve got a lot of big announcements coming in the following weeks,” said the shelter’s program coordinator Brandon Weigand.

The final draft of the plan will be presented to the City Council on June 28. 

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Student Government VS. Turning Point USA

By Darrell Green April 11, 2019

The Student Government at Texas State has passed a bill that would prohibit Turning Point USA, which is a conservative-leaning student organization. Student leaders say the group has created a hostile environment that includes the harassment of students and professors who don’t agree with Turning Point's views. However, the president of the group says the ban infringes on their free speech rights. 

“We are intended to be a home for a lot of conservative students who feel like they don't have a voice, that they don't get to see speakers who support their beliefs,” said Turning Point USA President Stormi Rodriguez. “We welcome them, they are more than welcome to have discussion with us. We bring in guest speakers that way they can finally hear their opinions shared on a college campus.”

Turning Point USA says it identifies, organizes, and empowers free-market activists. Rodriguez says the Texas State student government is also supposed to be a voice for them, but it hasn’t been.

“ My members, my officers and myself are also their constituents,” Rodriguez said. “They are also supposed to be representing us, our best interests and listening to our voices. I think it’s a shame that they are not doing that.”

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Natural Leaders Summit

By: Mallorie Sanders March 29, 2019

The Texas State Meadows Center invites young adults to participate in a Natural Leaders Summit this weekend. The Natural Leaders Summit is for people who are interested in learning more about conservation and how to lead others in the cause. Registration is underway for adults, ages 18 to 29.   

Meadows Center research coordinator, Ryan Spencer, has helped plan the event for the past three years.

“We’re going to have four major sessions that focus on community organizing, setting personal goals, leadership IQ and changing their communities for the better,” Spencer said.

Mentors will be holding panels at the two-day event to discuss ways to connect the community with nature. Activities this weekend will include kayaking Spring Lake and learning important survival skills. Organizers of the Meadows Center event say participants will be provided with meals and a t-shirt. 

“It’s an informational kind of training...to give information about nature and how to preserve it and to give basic skills such as how to start a fire for survival,” said Psalm Baradi, manager at the Meadows Center

You can register and find more information on their website at naturalleaders.meadowswater.org.