NEWS
SAN MARCOS CITY MIDTERM BALLOT PAGE 3
OPINION
SPORTS
GUTTING OF SEC. 2 AFFECTS MINORITY STUDENTS
VOLLEYBALL EMBARKS ON NEW ERA
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TUESDAY
August 25, 2026 VOLUME 115 ISSUE 34
CATS’ MAKE HISTORY... TWICE SPORTS
TXST Soccer defeats No. 6 Baylor, Texas A&M By Juan Pereira Casanoba Sports Reporter
For most of Texas State Soccer’s 27-year history, they’ve always seemed to be the side chasing the tempo but not setting it against the top teams. That wasn’t the case this past week as the Bobcats secured two program-defining wins against Texas A&M and No. 6 Baylor. Their 3-2 victory against the Aggies at the Bobcat Soccer Complex was their first win against SEC opposition, and
their 3-1 win against the Bears on the road at Betty Lou Mays Field in Waco, Texas, marked the first time the program had ever beaten a ranked opponent. “We lose a lot of recruits to schools just like A&M, TCU, Texas and all the power four schools,” Steve Holeman, Texas State head coach, said after the win against A&M. “I think this is one of those games that coaches around the country see the result and go ‘Wow, Texas State, they must be decent, huh?’”
SEE SOCCER PAGE 6 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
JEN NGUYEN & LIBBY ALLEN | DESIGN EDITOR & STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
TXST junior midfielder Helen Alormenu (10) directs teammates, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Bobcat Soccer Complex.
CITY
UNIVERSITY
TSUS approves the creation of two new colleges By Arabella DiChristina News Editor
MUSIC
Lights out: ‘Concerts in the Dark’ comes to San Marcos RAE KNIGHT | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
Pianist Dave Madden sang an original song titled “Jacob’s Well” on Sat., Aug. 22, 2026, in the Price Center.
By Rae Knight Life and Arts Reporter
Overhead lights shut off, leaving a single strand of lights and lamp twinkling for a unique concert experience on Saturday, Aug. 22, as acoustic renditions of the Beatles and Beethoven echoed through the Price Center. Concerts in the Dark, a performance series by musicians Will Taylor, guitarist and violinist; Tony Rogers, cellist; and Dave Madden, pianist, is a continuous, diverse compilation of music with the
goal of having a real, unplugged connection with the audience. The three artists performed in almost complete darkness. Before beginning the performance, Taylor encouraged everyone to close their eyes and think of their first time hearing those artists, as Rogers wandered the room playing the cello. After the exercise, the lights went out, engulfing the Price Center in darkness.
SEE CONCERT PAGE 7
The Texas State University System (TSUS) has approved the reorganization of the College of Science and Engineering (CoSE) into two new colleges: the College of Science and the Ingram College of Engineering. TSUS approved the reorganization during its Aug. 6 meeting, due to the college’s recent growth. Its planned to be reorganized in Fall 2027, but before the change can be implemented it needs final approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. As of Fall 2025, CoSE was the largest college at Texas State, with 9,760 students enrolled, a 9.3% increase from 2024, according to a 2025 enrollment press release. Jesus Jimenez, director and professor of the Ingram School of Engineering, said this reorganization was similar to watching your baby grow until they graduate from college.
SEE EDUCATION PAGE 3
COUNTY
TXST, County tightens game security By Sidney Orman News Contributor
Texas State and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) have partnered to increase security personnel and procedures for this year’s upcoming football season. As Texas State settles into the Pac-12 from the Sun Belt Conference, the university will be funding an estimated 60-to 80 law
enforcement personnel from HCSO for each home game this upcoming season “The Pac-12 has global brand recognition, so it really does change the landscape for us in terms of security, especially at football,” University Police Department Chief Matthew Carmichael said. “It is going to bring in a lot more people into Hays County and Central Texas. So, from a security perspective,
we have to now elevate our care as well.” The first season in the Pac-12 is expected to bring increased attendance to the UFCU Stadium, which has a seating capacity of around 30,000 according to Texas State Facilities. Larger crowds mean more changes in game day operations and security procedures.
SEE SECURITY PAGE 2
AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
UFCU stadium, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, San Marcos. UFCU stadium holds 28,388 people