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UTSA Athletics is making the news lately. As we move toward starting a football team and playing our first intercollegiate football game in 2011, there is a great deal of excitement on campus and in San Antonio. And yet, some people ask why we are doing such a crazy thing.
When I first came to UTSA, my family thought it was funny for me to be working with Athletics – to be honest, they still do – because I’m the non-athlete in my family. If it involved hitting, catching, or throwing a ball it wasn’t for me and the idea of ‘heading’ a ball in soccer is just nuts as far as I’m concerned! However, as I reminded them when they quit laughing, I don’t have to ‘do’ Athletics, I just have to ‘get’ it and I do. In fact, Athletics as part of the division of Student Affairs was a positive not a negative when I considered this position.
I believe Athletics belongs in Student Affairs because the basic purposes of a department of Intercollegiate Athletics match the basic purposes of all the other departments in our division. Every department has different tasks and different points of focus but we’re all doing the same work – supporting the learning and growth of all UTSA students. Sports aren’t the only way to learn about teamwork. Resident Assistants, Orientation Leaders, members of student organizations all learn about teamwork. Leadership is an important part of a student athlete’s experience, but it is also part of student organizations, the Student Government Association and being a supervisor at the University Center or in Campus Recreation. Time management, setting priorities and making sure you do well in class while being engaged in student life or working part-time, those are tasks for every student. For spectators, athletes provide entertainment, but so do the students involved in the Campus Activities Board or the University Center Program Council.
When you look at it like this, it makes sense for me to be working with Athletics because I don’t need to run, or jump, or hit, or throw, or catch (or, in my case, duck when a ball is thrown at my head). I love cheering for our UTSA students on the court, field, or track and as they debate, dance, or sing. Athletics gets more press than some other activities, but it is just one of the many ways UTSA creates opportunities for students to learn and to engage in our campus community.
I hope to see you at one of our many Homecoming events, athletic and otherwise,
-Gage Paine
February 18th-20th marks the return of UTSA’s longest tradition - - Homecoming and Family Weekend!. While campus life at UTSA is already packed with student activities, Homecoming offers something for the entire community, including alumni and parents. Events are scheduled to begin on Thursday, February18th and will lead up to the Homecoming basketball game between the Roadrunners and Sam Houston St. Bearkats on Saturday, February 20th.
Events include:
Homecoming Golf cart Parade
Rowdy Rampage Fireworks Spectacular
4 person Golf Scramble at Cedar Creek (registration required)
Roadrunner Remembrance
Homecoming Luncheon (registration required)
Family Photography Shoot
… and much more!
Please visit the official Homecoming website at: www.utsa.edu/homecoming
UTSA Athletics announced the signing of 27 student athletes who have turned in their National Letters of Intent to play football, beginning in the fall 2011. All 27 players earned all-district accolades. Twelve were selected to all-area teams during their careers, and six earned academic all-state honors.
Coach Larry Coker and his staff have been recruiting the entire state of Texas heavily, and they are pleased with the results.
“We’re really excited about the quality of this class,” Coker said. “This is a very talented and well-rounded group that has bought into the vision of UTSA Football. They want to be the ones to help start this program and we’re excited to have them on board.”
Continue reading UTSA Football announces inaugural signing class on Wednesday…
Lace up your athletic shoes… its time for the Diploma Dash on February 27th! The 5K City Championship Race and Fitness Walk is held on the Main campus with proceeds benefiting the UTSA Alumni Scholarship Fund, UTSA track student-athletes, and alumni programs and services. Alumni, students, parents, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the race. Can’t make it on race day? --new for this year is the “sleep in” option! Visit http://alumni.utsa.edu/dipdash for more information.
UTSA will host the U.S. Census 2010 national interactive touring van in its only San Antonio stop from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19 at the UC Paseo on the Main Campus.
The kick-off ceremony for "U-Count @ UTSA" will be hosted by Mr. and Ms. UTSA, Akshay Thusu and Megan Graham, with remarks by U.S. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, UTSA President Ricardo Romo, U.S. Census regional director Gabe Sanchez and UTSA
Student Government Association President Matt DeLeon.
Please visit http://www.utsa.edu/today/2010/02/censusevent.html for more information.
Story courtesy of UTSA Today
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The newest addition to the University Center, added some spice to the place! Chili’s Too officially opened it doors February 14th, in phase 1 of the UC. The sit down restaurant is the first of its kind at UTSA. It will feature dishes made famous by the eatery, including Big Mouth Burgers, hand-battered Chicken Crispers, and fresh tostada chips with house-made salsa. A Grand Opening is set for later this spring. Want to know the exact date? Follow this link for more information.
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