NEWS
LIFE & ARTS
SPORTS
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TXST TO ADD TWO NEW DORMS
NEW ENTREPRENEUR PLATFORM COMES TO TXST
BOBCATS LOOK TO DEFEAT SUN DEVILS
TUESDAY
September 9, 2025 VOLUME 115 ISSUE 5
FOOTBALL
UNIVERSITY
Officials close the book on Alkek rumors By Ryan Claycamp News Editor
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MEG BOLES | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR & JEN NGUYEN | DESIGN EDITOR
Texas State junior wide receiver Beau Sparks (11) runs towards the end zone, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at the Alamodome. The Bobcats beat the Roadrunner 43-36.
TXST beats UTSA for second time By Max Martinez Sports Reporter
Unlike last season’s blowout win over UTSA, 2025’s contest against the Roadrunners was much more competitive. Ultimately, the Texas State was again able to come out on top 43-36, Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome. “I think [UTSA] is a hell of a team,” Texas State head coach GJ
Kinne said. “It was back and forth that whole second half; it felt like a high school shootout game.” This game was closely contested all the way to the end, as neither team was able to maintain a lead for very long. After the 14-minute mark in the third quarter, both teams were on fire, combining for 280 yards of total offense and three touchdowns, each which resulted in a lead change. After each team went back and
forth, sophomore kicker Tyler Robles hit a 38-yard field goal to give the Bobcats a 29-28 lead late in the third quarter. The Bobcats’ defense was able to get the stop after UTSA went for it on fourth down, leading to a 6-yard touchdown run for freshman quarterback Brad Jackson, giving Texas State an eight-point lead to start the fourth quarter.
SEE RECAP PAGE 7
EVENT
After rumors of closure to two floors of the Alkek Library, Texas State officials confirmed the sixth floor will be remodeled. The remodel will include transporting certain materials to the Archives and Research Center (ARC), and turning the floor into the “Student Success Commons.” This will be done by moving Student Learning Assistance (SLAC), Academic Engagement, Supplemental Instruction, Bobcat Bounce Back, Success Coaching, Veteran Academic Success and more to the sixth floor. The remodeling is currently planned to finish by fall 2026, with major work being done over the 2025-26 winter break. “But as we increase in students we want to make sure that we have not only space, but the right space to be able to continue to add some of that tutoring and supplemental instruction and success coaching,” Vice President for Student Success Cynthia Hernandez said. According to the University Document, SLAC has been located in the same space on the fourth floor since 1990. In that time visits grew from 4,250 in 1990 to 26,193 in the 2024-25 school year, a 616% increase.
SEE ALKEK PAGE 3
SMTX Pride holds tribute at drag show By Marcus Bracken Life and Arts Contributor
Among the rainbow-colored decor and clothing that covered Industry, a family who recently lost a loved one received cheers and comfort from drag queens and festival attendees who joined them to remember him. On Sept. 6, SMTX Pride held this year’s drag show in honor of Omar Anthony Leos II, educator and director, who died of complications from cancer surgery on March 13. Leos had a passion for education and theater. He brought shows like “Real Women Have Curves,” “Admissions” and “Hairspray” to life for many theaters in San Antonio and was very involved in the city’s local theater groups and art councils. Monica Becerra, Leos’ cousin, said she had a close ISABELLE CANTU | ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR relationship with him, and he had a passion for directing from a young age.
SMTX PRIDE
The pride parade’s Grand Marshal Jinx the Minx speaks before the drag show in honor of Omar Anthony Leos, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Industry.
SEE TRIBUTE PAGE 6
UNIVERSITY
Record-breaking enrollment creates scheduling challenges By Cara Cervenka News Contributor
Texas State University set another enrollment record this fall with preliminary data showing more than 44,700 students, straining class schedules. The growth includes a freshman class of nearly 9,400 and more than 5,000 graduate students, pushing some undergraduates into 8 a.m. or evening classes and leaving fewer open seats across majors. Administrators say
they are actively responding to the complaints and adjusting schedules as necessary. In a press release from Aug. 29, 2025, President Kelly Damphousse said the growth is a great opportunity for Texas State. “TXST was founded to bring education and opportunity to Texans, and this year we are delivering on that promise like never before. Our growth is intentional,” Damphousse said To help manage the influx, the
university introduced New Bobcat Enrollment (NBE) this fall. The process, piloted in 2023, pre-enrolls incoming freshmen in their firstsemester classes before New Student Orientation. The goal is to reduce chaos during orientation and ensure students are placed in required Advising beyond the first semester, known as full advising, still takes place later and allows students to discuss academic goals, career plans and potential major changes in more
depth. Freshmen receive preplanned schedules (NBE) before New Student Orientation, but they are allowed to make changes after orientation courses.
SEE GROWTH PAGE 3