1 Texas State Football November 18. Texas State closes out the 2006 football season with a 28-21 win over Southland Conference rival Sam Houston State on the road in Huntsville. A lot has happened since then. Texas State University hired a new coach. An exciting, new offense has been installed. So has a 43 defensive package which will have the Bobcats playing with an aggressiveness fans have come to expect. A passionate, young coaching staff put the Bobcats through their paces during a spring of learning. And the process of building toward the team’s 2007 season opener continued through an off-sea- son weight training and conditioning program. Off the field, the Bobcats continued to give back to their community. And this team has also excelled in the classroom. Four Academic All-Southland Confer- ence players return in 2007. Come late afternoon on Sept. 1, 2007, the same electrifying atmosphere which has come to be expected in Bobcat Stadium will start to build. And fans will be welcomed by a new scoreboard and video display. This publication takes a look at what’s to come. Preview the Bobcat season by delving into player profiles and statistics. Get to know the Texas State coaching staff. Read about what makes Texas State Uni- versity and Bobcat Football so special. And at the same time, relive the history of the program. This year has special meaning as the Bobcats celebrate the 25 th anniversary of back-to-back NCAA Division II national titles. Another Texas State football season is here. Eat ‘Em Up ‘Cats.
Transcript
1Texas State Football
November 18. Texas State closes out the 2006 football season with a 28-21 win over Southland Conference rival Sam Houston State on the road in Huntsville.
A lot has happened since then.
Texas State University hired a new coach. An exciting, new offense has been installed. So has a 43 defensive package which will have the Bobcats playing with an aggressiveness fans have come to expect.
A passionate, young coaching staff put the Bobcats through their paces during a spring of learning. And the process of building toward the team’s 2007 season opener continued through an off-sea-son weight training and conditioning program.
Off the field, the Bobcats continued to give back to their community. And this team has also excelled in the classroom. Four Academic All-Southland Confer-ence players return in 2007.
Come late afternoon on Sept. 1, 2007, the same electrifying atmosphere which has come to be expected in Bobcat Stadium will start to build. And fans will be welcomed by a new scoreboard and video display.
This publication takes a look at what’s to come.
Preview the Bobcat season by delving into player profiles and statistics. Get to know the Texas State coaching staff. Read about what makes Texas State Uni-versity and Bobcat Football so special. And at the same time, relive the history of the program. This year has special meaning as the Bobcats celebrate the 25th anniversary of back-to-back NCAA Division II national titles.
Another Texas State football season is here.
Eat ‘Em Up ‘Cats.
2 Texas State Football
Texas State University-San Marcos is a doctoral-granting university located in the burgeoning Austin-San Antonio cor-ridor, the largest campus in the Texas State University System and the sixth largest in the state. Texas State University’s 27,503 students choose from 111 undergraduate, 84 masters and six Ph.D. graduate degree pro-grams offered by seven colleges (Applied Arts, Business Ad-ministration, Education, Fine Arts and Communication, Health Professions, Liberal Arts and Science), the University College and the Graduate College. With a diverse campus community including over 25 per-cent of the student body from ethnic minorities, Texas State is one of the top 20 producers of Hispanic baccalaureate gradu-ates in the nation.
LOCATION Located on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, where blackland prairies turn into beautiful hills, Texas State enjoys a setting that is unique among Texas universities. The beauty of the crystal-clear San Marcos River and the stately cypress and pecan trees on the campus adds to the charm of its pictur-esque settings. The campus is in San Marcos, a community about halfway between Austin and San Antonio. Its location on the banks of the San Marcos River provides recreational and leisure activi-ties for students throughout the year.
HISTORY Authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1899, Southwest Texas State Normal School opened its doors in 1903.
Over the years the Legislature broadened the institution’s scope and changed its name, in succession, to Normal College, Teachers College, College, University, and in 2003 to Texas State University-San Marcos. Each name reflects the universi-ty’s growth from a small teacher preparation institution to a major, multipurpose university. Texas State’s original mission was to prepare Texas public school teachers, especially those of south central Texas. It became renowned for carrying out this mission, but today it does far more.
COLLEGES The University offers programs in colleges of Applied Arts, Business, Education, Fine Arts and Communication, Health Professions, Liberal Arts, and Science. In 1935, the Board of Regents authorized the formation of The Graduate College. In 1986, the University College was created to assure a broad general education for all students, regardless of major.
CAMPUS As the university’s student population has grown — from 330 in 1903 to 27,503 in the fall of 2006 — the campus, too, has expanded, and today Texas State is the sixth largest public university in the state. Overlooking the campus and serving as a landmark since 1903 is Old Main, a red-gabled Victorian building restored to its original grandeur. In 1979, after adding a number of class-room buildings and residence halls, the university purchased the former San Marcos Baptist Academy adjacent to the origi-nal campus.
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“The noblest search is the search for excellence.”— Lyndon B. Johnson
Thirty-Sixth President of the United States,1963-69Texas State University Class of 1930
Texas State’s alumni include distinguished, accomplished and even famous men and wom-en in every discipline and field of study. Clockwise from above: Julie White received a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her role in The Little Dog Laughed. Emmy-winning producer and director Thomas Carter (director of the 2005 release Coach Carter, starring Samuel L. Jackson). 36th United States President Lyndon B. Johnson; 1996 Olympic Gold Medal Winning High Jumper Charles Austin; multi-year Country Music Entertainer of the Year George Strait; country music artist Tracy Byrd; and Indiana Pacer Jeff Foster who helped lead the Bobcats to the NCAA Tournament during his career.
The Randy Rogers Band (Left) is fronted by Texas State alum Randy Rogers (center). The group, which got its start at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos recently released its first major label CD. Members of the band are (from left to right) Brady Black (fiddle), Jon Richardson (Bass), Rogers (Lead man), Les Lawless (drums) and Geoffrey Hill (Guitar).
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San Marcos offers visitors the excitement and recreation of a natu-ral adventure, but still provides the peace and tranquility to let you sit back, relax and escape from it all. It’s proximity to the headwaters of the San Marcos River played a great part in the development of the city. The unusual river, according to legend, was discovered by a group of Franciscan Monks in 1790 on St. Mark’s Day. They honored the patron saint by naming the river in his honor. The spring-fed San Marcos River continues to be a major focal point of the city. The river provides a green belt through the city with picnic areas, recreation buildings, an olympic-sized pool, playing fields and one of the largest Playscapes in the nation sprinkled throughout the city’s nine parks. The river also offers tubing, rafting and kayaking opportunities as outdoor recreation is a way of life in San Marcos. More than 35,000 residents make up the population of San Marcos with close to 100,000 residing in Hays County.
SAN MARCOS HISTORY The County of Hays — named after Captain Jack Hays, a noted Indian fighter and Texas Ranger — was founded on March 1, 1848. The city and the university have been in partnership from the beginning. The citizens of San Marcos put up the capital to purchase the land that was donated to the State of Texas to create Southwest Texas State Normal School in 1899. San Marcos is 30 miles south of Austin and 45 miles north of San Antonio on Interstate 35. The scenic beauty is an asset that makes San Marcos different. The land to the east of the city is commonly referred to as black-land prairie and is made of rich, fertile soil. To the west is the steeply rolling and limestone-cliffed Hill Country. Summers are very warm (96 degree average) while spring and fall are mild. Winters are usually not severe and are short lived (53 degree average). The average yearly rainfall is 35.6 inches with a growing sea-son of 254 days, and Hays County elevation ranges from 600 to 1,600 feet above sea level.
SHOPPING San Marcos offers the best in shopping opportunities. The historic Courthouse Square area offers a potpourri of shops referred to as the Texas Natural marketplace. With over 230 stores, The Prime Outlets of San Marcos and Tanger Factory Outlet Center combine to form the third most-visited tourist attraction in the state of Texas. Prime Outlets - San Marcos recently ranked as the “Third Best Place to Shop in the World” as seen on ABC’s “The View.” The true shoppers’ haven includes luxury and brand name outlets such as Neiman Marcus Last Call Clarence Center, Off 5th Saks Fifth Avenue, Lacoste, kate spade, Polo/Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Restoration Hardware, Coach, Crate and Barrel Outlet, Tommy Bahama and NIKE. The center features architecture designed after the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy.
SPECIAL EVENTS It seems as though there is always a celebration in San Marcos. Events early in the year include Carnival! in February as well as the Bluebonnet Kite Festival in April. During the month of May is the Historic Home Tour, Viva! Cinco de Mayo and the Texas Natural Weekend. Along with all the recreation activities related to the river, sum-mer events include the San Marcos Performing Arts Association’s free Summer in the Park concert series June through August. One of the annual civic highlights is The Sights and Sounds of Christmas in early December along the city’s River Walk.
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Y In addition to the many amenities San Marcos has to offer, students at Texas State University benefit from having two diverse metropolitan areas at their door step.
SAN ANTONIO Less than an hour’s drive south of San Marcos is San Antonio, the eighth largest city in the United States. The city prides itself on being a crossroads and meeting place of different cultures and welcomes over twenty million visitors each year. One of San Antonio’s signature attractions is the Paseo del Rio which is bet-ter known as the River Walk. Located 20 feet below street level in downtown San Antonio, cobblestone and flagstone paths border both sides of the San Antonio River as it winds through the business district. The pathways lead to sidewalk cafes, specialty boutiques, night clubs and downtown hotels. Also located downtown is The Alamo where 189 defenders held the old mission against some 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days in 1836. The cry “Re-member the Alamo” became the rallying point of the Texan revolution against Mexico. Today, The Alamo is a shrine and museum. Other entertainment venues in San Antonio include Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Sea World San Antonio. The Carver Community Cultural Center in San An-tonio welcomes performing groups from around the world, with an accent on African-American artists. The Carver Jazz Festival is famous for presenting the hottest new stars and masters of American Jazz each year. Also located down-town is Market Square, the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico.
AUSTIN A metropolitan city distinctively different from San Antonio but just as unique awaits students just a half hour’s drive north of San Marcos. Austin stands as the gateway to the Texas Hill Country and the Highland Lakes. Austin serves as the state capitol, giving students interested in careers in government internship opportunities which are an easy commute from San Marcos. The Texas State capitol commands a stately presence in downtown Austin. Actually 14 feet taller than the nation’s capitol, the Texas Statehouse is the larg-est domed statehouse in the country. Within walking distance of the capitol is the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum where Texas’ history comes alive through intriguing artifacts, interac-tive exhibits, multi-media shows and an IMAX Theatre. Live music never stops in the city of a million people as more than 100 ven-ues offer entertainment to match any person’s musical taste on a given evening. The largest concentration of music venues is found downtown in the Warehouse District and along Sixth Street, a six-block stretch of bars and restaurants.
I-35 CORRIDOR While both Austin and San Antonio offer diverse cultural and entertain-ment opportunities, San Marcos and neighboring New Braunfels offer plenty of activities centered around crystal-clear rivers. Tubing is a popular activity on the Comal, Guadalupe and San Marcos Rivers. New Braunfels is also home to Schlit-terbahn, America’s No. 1 waterpark according to the Travel Channel. Located a stone’s throw up river from New Braunfels is the community of Gruene which also offers tubing and other river adventures, dining, shopping and is home of the oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall.
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY Further west of the Texas State University campus is the communities of the Texas Hill Country. Day trips offer students a unique opportunity to explore attractions such as the LBJ Ranch and National Park in Johnson City, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Longhorn Cavern State Park, recreational activities at the Highland Lakes and downtown shopping in communities such as Fredericksburg, Kerrville and Blanco.
From Top: The Alamo is one of the most recognizable icons within the Lone Star State. The Paseo del Rio, better know as the River Walk winds throughout the San Antonio central business district and offers visitors a variety of shopping and dining opportunities. Austin is home of the Texas state capitol, Sixth Street and the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Just south of San Marcos in New Braunfels is Schlitter-bahn, the No. 1 water park in the country.
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Texas State University’s intercollegiate athletic history dates back to the early 1900s when the University was known as Southwest Texas Normal School. Texas State fielded a football team in 1904, while historical photos from that year also include a women’s basketball team known as “The Gypsies.” Today, Texas State offers 16 intercollegiate sports: nine for women and seven for men. Texas State’s women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field and volleyball. The university fields men’s teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, foot-ball and golf as well as indoor and outdoor track and field. Texas State is an NCAA Division I member and competes as a member institution of the Southland Conference. The post-season tournament cham-pions in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, softball, women’s tennis and volleyball all receive automatic bids to the NCAA championships. So does the conference champion in football, which represents the league in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Since 1998, the SLC has awarded a trophy to the overall top athletic pro-gram called the Commissioner’s Cup. Texas State has won a league-best four Cups, including back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005. During the 2006-07 academic year, the Bobcats had 10 All-Southland Conference First-Team selections and a total of 24 student-athletes who were voted all-conference (first, second, or third team). Texas State also had 41 track and field student-athletes earn All-Southland Conference honors. In addition to success on the playing fields and courts, Texas State stu-dent-athletes are also excelling in the classroom. Senior pitcher Justin Fiske became Texas State’s latest Academic All-American in 2007 and the Bobcats had two other student-athletes named the Southland Conference Student-Athlete of the Year for their respective sports – Walter Musgrove (football) and Liudmila Litvinova (Indoor Track and Field). All told, Texas State had 17 Academic All-Southland Conference selections.
Top Left: Walter Musgrove was named the Southland Con-ference Football Student-Athlete of the Year in 2006. In ad-dition to leading the SLC in interceptions, he was also a two-time Academic All-District selection. Left: Lawrencia Brown led the Bobcats in kill average and digs for the Bobcat vol-leyball team last season and returns for her junior season. Clockwise from Bottom Left: Katya Kostetskaya placed sixth at the
NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in the 800 meters. She went on to help lead the Bobcat women to the 2007 Southland Con-ference Outdoor Track and Field Championship title, winning the 800 meters in a meet-record time.
Ragan Blake returns in 2008 after being named the Southland Con-ference Pitcher of the Year in 2007.
Graduated senior point guard Antwoine Blanchard was one of the final Texas State student-athletes to play both in Texas State and Southwest Texas gear during his career. Blanchard red-shirted the 2004-05 season before playing two more seasons. Joyce Ekworomadu averaged 13.9 points and 5.2 rebounds as a ju-nior for the ‘Cats en route to First-Team Academic All-SLC honors.
After an indoor season in which she was named the Southland Conference’s Newcomer of the Year, Abby Ruston went on to be a Southland Conference multi-event champion during the outdoor season and captured second place in the shot put at the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
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TS A pair of NCAA Division II national championships high-lighted Texas State University’s inaugural two seasons in Bob-cat Stadium. The magic associated with playing in the new sta-dium during the early 1980s continues today as the Bobcats returned to the NCAA playoffs in 2005 and broke attendance records again in 2006 in a facility which continues to evolve. This fall, fans will be welcomed by a new video score-board built by Daktronics of Brookings, S.D. The scoreboard will include a Daktronics ProStar Video Display capable of showing live video, instant replays, animation, graphics and other information using full-color LED technology. The scoreboard will encompass approximately 1,800 square feet. The square footage is equal to the footprint of many three-bedroom homes. There have been other recent aesthetic improvements to Bobcat Stadium including new entrance gates as well as ad-ditional signage throughout the complex. Also taking off in recent years is the tailgating which takes place prior to every home game. The Student Association for Student Activities has organized much of the student tailgat-ing on the east side of the stadium and has had musicians such as Roger Creager and Brandon Rhyder perform pregame concerts. The tailgating is centered around Bobcat Alley. The south side tailgating includes “RV Row” and tailgat-ing geared toward alumni and Bobcat fans. The crowning jewel to the stadium is the End Zone Com-plex. The complex includes offices for the coaching staff and all the amenities necessary to be a winning program. The lock-er room features NFL-style individual wooden lockers and is adjacent to one of the biggest equipment rooms in Division I championship football. Position meeting rooms break out into larger meeting areas while a teaching theater serves as an as-sembly room for the entire squad.
The Chuck Nash Strength Room (presented by the Nash Family), along with the complex’s athletic training facility, pro-vides the resources to become stronger and faster as well as keep student-athletes in the best of health. The End Zone Complex also features a student-athlete lounge which includes a big-screen television and individual PC workstations. In addition to the End Zone Complex being dedicated in 2000, Bobcat Stadium became Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Sta-dium in 2002 and honors Texas State’s former football coach and director of athletics. Since 2004, Brad Wright’s first season on the coaching staff at Texas State, the Bobcats are 16-5 (.762) at home. Since 2000, Texas State is a combined 32-12 (.727) at home. In its Silver Anniversary season in Bobcat Stadium back in 2005, Texas State went 9-1, logged four of the stadium’s Top 10 crowds and shattered records for overall attendance (128,751) and per-game average (12,875) while playing an unprec-edented 10 games at what is one of NCAA Division’s premier Football Championship Subdivision facilities. A year later, Texas State had another record performance at the turnstiles. Texas State averaged 12,886 per game in 2006. The average ranked 16th among FCS programs while the team’s 77,314 total attendance for the year ranked 13th nation-ally. Four of the team’s top six all-time attended games have come in the past two years and nine of the top 20 attended games in Bobcat Stadium history have come in the past two years. In 2004, Texas State drew 55,819 for five home games and the 11,164 per-game attendance average ranks sixth all-time since Bobcat Stadium was opened in 1981. The ‘Cats drew three of the Top 20 crowds in stadium history during the ‘04 season led by a crowd of 13,323 for the school’s homecoming game against Stephen F. Austin.
Texas State University art instructor Jill Pankey spent the better part of a spring and summer creating a triptic mural titled Relentless which features Texas State letterman Pete Gibbons’ pursuit of an opposing quarterback during the 1978 season. The mural, which welcomes visitors to the Texas State football offices, consists of three 4’ x 8’ paintings in oil. Pankey donated the work of art to the Texas State athletic department.
In addition to Pankey’s significant donation, the End Zone Complex has become much more than the shell of a building it once was. Larue Miller and Lil Wacker have contributed trophy cases of memorabilia from their hus-bands’ careers as head coach at Texas State. Bill Miller served as head coach from 1964-78 while Jim Wacker was the Bobcats’ head coach from 1979-82. North Carolina Furniture, Planto l Roe Financial Services, Inc., and 3D Welding have all made contributions which have led to giving the complex a unique atmosphere.
In addition to the stainless steel Supercat on the building’s exterior installed in 2004, recent additions to the building include a mural at the front entrance of the building, a football timeline on the second floor and new furniture in the second-floor lobby which offers a panoramic view of the Texas State campus.
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THE BOBCATS Texas State University-San Marcos’ nickname, the Bobcats, was adopted in 1920 when members of the newly formed student newspaper, The University Star, began an editorial campaign to adopt an athletic mascot. The school’s student council joined The Star’s efforts by setting up a committee to decide an official name. With Dr. C. S. Smith, the chair of the Biology Department, heading the committee the search was on. Dr. Smith’s personal choice of Bobcats was accepted by both the name committee and the student body. Dr. Smith supported his choice by pointing out that not only is the bobcat a resi-dent of the Central Texas Hill Country but it is a fighter of great courage, as well. Texas State coach Oscar Strahan was once quoted as saying, “A bobcat will fight you with everything he has; with four claws, teeth, speed and brains.” The new name proved to be an immediate boost for the 1921 football team as the Bobcats went 7-0. Texas State was the only college in the country until the late 20s to possess the name Bobcats for its athletic teams. For years, the student body attempted to keep an official live mascot on campus. However, after several different bobcats, the idea was dropped.
TEXAS STATE COLORS Texas State’s school colors are maroon and gold and are inspired by the native wildflower, the Gaillardia. The flower flourishes in the area. The 1928 Pedagog describes the flower as, “the loveliest that grows in this section of the country. It has delicate petals of a rich maroon which shades into gold near the center and is quite beautiful.” For reproduction purposes, Texas State utilizes Maroon Pantone 504 and Gold Pantone 872.
OLD MAIN The red-roofed, castle-like landmark is Texas State’s first building. Until 1910 it was the only campus structure. Its style is known as Victorian Gothic and was designed by architect E. North-craft. Construction began in 1902 when Texas Governor Joseph Sayers laid the corner-stone. The building’s construction proved to be complicated and expensive because it sat directly over a subterranean cavern that absorbed the load of concrete. The foun-dation finally secured, the building opened in time for classes in the fall of 1903. As other buildings were added to the campus, Old Main served as the administration building for decades. Currently, Old Main houses the School for Fine Arts and Communications, mass communications and student media.
THE HILL The steep hill upon which Old Main sits is known as Chautauqua, named for the late 19th century national social movement. A large tabernacle-like structure seating 1,500 first occupied the pinnacle where Old Main now stands. Chautauqua provided popular education combined with entertainment in the form of lectures, concerts and plays. Before World War I, an unpaved road led to Old Main from the present-day Quad on campus. The area in front of the building was a turnaround for buggies and Model T Fords. The road became treacherously slick on rainy days. A rite of passage for “college boys” in the early days of the automobile was to test their driving skills and cars’ ability to crest the muddy hill.
BATTLE FOR THE PADDLE There are many rivalries in college athletics today prompted by various events in history. The Texas State/Nicholls State series is one such rivalry and is identified as “The Battle for the Paddle.” A rowing oar serves as the traveling trophy with the winning school holding pos-session of the paddle until the next game in the series. The game is played in recognition of the 1998 floods in Central Texas which forced the postponement of the game from October until late November. The oar is painted maroon and gold on one side with Texas State victories listed. The opposite side is painted red and gray with Nicholls State victories listed. Nicholls State has won the last two meetings in the series to currently hold pos-session of the trophy.
1981 NCAA Division II National ChampionshipTexas State 42, North Dakota State 13The 1981 Palm BowlDec. 12, 1981McAllen, Texas9,514
North Dakota State 7 6 0 0 - 13Texas State 0 14 14 14 - 42
1st 11:48 NDSU Mark Nellernore 1 run (Luedtke kick)2nd 14:22 TXST Donnie Williams 6 run (Neunhoffer kick)2nd 13:27 TXST David Vela 35 pass from Mike Miller (Neunhoffer kick)2nd 0:37 NDSU Kevin Peters 2 run (kick failed)3rd 5:32 TXST Vela 64 pass from Miller (Neunhoffer kick)3rd 0:31 TXST Vaughn Deary 44 pass from Miller (Neunhoffer kick)4th 8:30 TXST Williams 2 run (Neunhoffer kick)4th 2:51 TXST Ron Jacoby 2 run (Neunhoffer kick)
1981 PALM BOWL Texas State dominated North Dakota State 42-13 to give the Bobcats their first national football championship and capped one of the school’s finest seasons. Domination was the key all season and the NCAA Division II National Championship game, then known as the Palm Bowl and played in McAllen, was no different. The Bobcats wrapped up a 13-1 season with their victory against North Dakota State. The Bison scored the game’s first touch-down on a 1-yard scoring plunge by Mark Nellernore before the ‘Cats roared back to score two touchdowns in each of the game’s final three quarters. Holding a 14-13 lead at halftime, the Bob-cats broke the game open with a pair of scoring bombs from quarterback Mike Miller, who was named the game’s most valuable player. Miller, a senior All-American quarterback, hooked up with flanker David Vela for a 64-yard scoring strike with 5:32 to play in the third quar-ter. Later he connected with Vaughn Deary for a 44-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds re-maining in the quarter and put Texas State out in front 28-13. Tailback Donnie Williams and reserve quar-terback Ron Jacoby each scored from two yards out in the final period to account for the final score. Texas State rolled up 526 yards in total of-fense (328 rushing and 198 passing). Miller was responsible for 272 yards of total offense. Wil-liams rushed for 153 yards. Defensively, linebacker Cyril Friday had 10 total tackles, including one for lost yards while defensive back Billy Hall had eight tackles and a 27-yard interception return. Texas State won its first 10 games of the season to lock down the Lone Star Conference championship. After a regular-season ending 21-14 loss to Texas A&M-Kingsville, the Bobcats won three playoff games by an average of 35 points on the way to the program’s first national football title.
1982 PALM BOWL Texas State became the first school to win back-to-back NCAA Division II National Champi-onships as the Bobcats bounced back from an early UC Davis field goal to score 27 unanswered points en route to a 34-9 victory. The win ended a perfect season for Texas State as the Bobcats went 14-0. The champion-ship game marked the last for Jim Wacker as the Bobcats’ head coach. Two weeks earlier he accepted an offer to become the head coach at TCU. The Bobcats left little doubt about Wacker’s going away present, scoring 13 second-quarter points to erase an early 3-0 UC Davis lead. Tailback Eric Cobble got the ‘Cats on the board with a 2-yard run early in the quarter. Tex-as State took a 13-3 lead into the locker room at halftime as Dale Posey caught a 4-yard touch-down pass from Ron Jacoby with 37 seconds left in the half. In the second half, Cobble scored on a 3-yard run while Ricky Sanders scored on touch-down runs of one and 13 yards. Sanders finished the game with 104 rush-ing yards and also caught two passes for 44 yards. He was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Texas State finished the game with 394 yards of total offense while the Bobcat defense limited UC Davis to just 199 yards, including 18 yards rushing. Defensive end Mike Bailiff led Texas State with seven total tackles while Adrian Simpson had five stops, broke up a pair of passes and re-covered a fumble. Texas State survived some hard-fought LSC games, including a 38-34 win at East Texas and a 14-13 win at home over Abilene Christian. With the Lone Star Conference sweep, the Bobcats won the league title for the third straight year. Texas State then beat Fort Valley State 27-6 and Jacksonville State 19-14 to advance to the 1982 Palm Bowl.
1981 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 1982 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
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Texas State University’s 2005 squad included 10 players who were named All-Southland Conference First-Team. Among that group (clockwise from bottom left) were wide receiver Markee White, offensive lineman Thomas Keresztury and defensive lineman Travis Upshaw. Jeremy Castillo (below) was the team’s leading tackler in 2005.
In 2005, White led Texas State with 56 receptions for 786 yards. Keresztury was the driving force on the offensive line at left tackle and was named Second-Team All-America. Upshaw, along with defensive tackle Fred Evans, anchored the mid-dle of the Bobcats’ defensive line. Castillo was credited with 95 tackles as a junior.
The Southland Conference is one of the premier leagues in champion-ship football and this fall, multiple teams with extensive returning talent will vie for the league title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs. Look for the league to also have multiple teams com-peting for at-large bids to the championship come November. With the exception of SLC and FCS newcomer Central Arkansas, every Southland Conference school has advanced to the Division I Football Cham-pionship playoffs. The current SLC membership is 26-29 in Division I champi-onship play. In 2005, Texas State experienced the NCAA’s playoffs for the first time in school history. There were plenty of memorable moments to Texas State’s 2005 season as the Bobcats captured their first Southland Conference title and went on to advance to the semifinals of the NCAA Championship playoffs. For 27 seniors, it was a fitting conclusion to careers which saw some play under three different coaches. But no matter whether they were a four-year letterman or just playing their first, second or third season with the Bobcats, all are assured of knowing they left their mark on Texas State football.
ONE DIVISION l As most football fans know, three classifications — Division I-A, I-AA and I-AAA — were used to differentiate the administration of a school’s football program. As of December 15, 2006, those three classifications were declared out of bounds and new designations were kicked off.
The Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) will be used to describe football programs that compete to participate in the postseason bowl system that includes the 32 NCAA-licensed bowls that make up the Bowl Championship Series.
The NCAA Football Championship Subdivison (FCS) now will be used to describe schools that par-ticipate in the NCAA championship postseason structure (one of 88 NCAA national championships that formerly was described as the I-AA football championship).
REASONS FOR THE CHANGEThe I-A, I-AA and I-AAA designations were confusing and as a result, misapplied by college football fans and the media when referring not only to football programs (e.g. I-AA basketball). And because of greater awareness of specific conferences and schools, the I-A label was rarely emphasized by the I-A membership, which only caused greater confusion about the I-AA classification.
This initiative voted into effect by the presidents and chancellors who comprise the NCAA Division I Board of Directors last August, is not intended to confuse or devalue the importance of the BCS format.
WHY THESE TITLES WERE CHOSENThese labels communicate in a positive and clear way about the differences between the Division I football classifications, chiefly the postseason opportunity, while still defining them within the Division I experience.
The name change also clearly defines the student-athlete experience. Rather than being incorrectly referred to by a football classification, they’ll simply be a Division I student-athlete.
THE NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPThe Division I Football Championship provides for a maximum field of 16 teams. Teams will play first-round games on the campuses of competing teams. Eight member conferences have been granted automatic qualification for the 2007 championship. The remaining eight teams will be se-lected at large by the NCAA Division I Football Championship committee.
The top four teams in the 16-team bracket for the championship will be seeded. Team pairings will be determined by geographical proximity with the exception that teams from the same conference may not be paired in the first round.
The conferences which have automatic-qualification privileges are the Atlantic 10 Conference, Big Sky Conference, Gateway Football Conference, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Ohio Valley Con-ference, Patriot League, Southern Conference and Southland Conference.
The FCS title game is slated for Dec. 14 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
PREVIOUS NAME NEW NAME Division I-A Football Bowl Subdivision
I-A (short hand) Bowl Subdivision I-A (acronym for NCAA manual use) FBS
Bowl Championship Series Same
Division I-AA NCAA Football Championship Subdivi-sion
I-AA (short hand) Football Championship Subdivision
I-AA (acronym for NCAA manual use) FCS
NCAA Division I-AA NCAA Division I Football Championship Football Championship
Division I-AA Division I Football Football Committee Championship Committee
Division I (all other sports) Same
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Whether it’s lending a helping hand in fram-ing a home for Habitat for Humanity, speaking to elementary school students during a citizenship rally or just having fun with kids on the football field, the Texas State Bobcats are truly citizens who enjoy giving back to their community. The ‘Cats involvement in San Marcos and Central Texas has been diverse and primarily cen-tered around being involved with youngsters as well as helping their fellow students. Annually, during move-in day at Texas State’s residence halls, the Bobcats take a break from two-a-day drills and are on hand to help students and their families get settled into their rooms by hauling everything from televisions and refrig-erators to clothes and books. The Bobcats have inspired students at nu-merous elementary school citizenship rallies as guest speakers, who always bring an unbridled enthusiasm. And this fall, San Marcos’ elementary school students will again be the guests of the ‘Cats at selected games. Texas State’s free clinics at Bobcat Stadium have also become bigger and better and have given the ‘Cats an opportunity to interact with kids on a one-on-one basis. An education at Texas State University is not just about learning in a classroom. Through vari-ous programs and opportunities, the ‘Cats have learned giving back can be one of the most re-warding experiences in life.
Texas State senior Nick Clark (pictured above and left with students at Bowie Elementary School in San Marcos and below working on a Habitat for Humanity home) was named the Co-Male Student-Athlete of the Year at Texas State University this spring. Clark carries over a 3.7 grade point av-erage in physics at Texas State. He is a candidate for the National Football Foundation’s Draddy Award, recognized as the Academic Heisman Award of college football.
“The highest reward for a person’s work is not what they get for it, but what they become because of it.”
— John Ruskin
(Clockwise from left) Matt Schumann helps students during “Move In Day” on the Texas State campus. A youngster maneuvers the gauntlet of blocking pads set up by offensive linemen Alex Luna, Robert Ramirez and Thomas Bullock. Texas State’s 2007 senior class signs autographs following a Time Warner Junior Bobcat Club Football Clinic. Texas State players were on hand at the HEB grocery store located in view of Bobcat Stadium on Fridays prior to home football games to help sack and carry out tailgating supplies for Game Day. Pictured with a young fan are Jeff Bowen, Andrew Brooks and Eric Grimsley.
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Texas State football Saturdays are more than just about a game. They are an experience. From pregame tailgating until Texas State players gather with the Bobcat Marching Band to sing the school fight song, an electric atmosphere rivets around Bobcat Stadium. Setting the stage are several spirit groups comprised of students who help generate an envi-ronment which makes playing in San Marcos one of the most difficult locales in Division I Championship Football. Texas State’s cheerleading squads have been nationally recognized. In fact, the Texas State All-Girls Cheer Squad has won three national titles while the coed team has also placed at national competitions. Texas State’s mascot, Boko, has also captured a national title. The Bobcat Marching Band has garnered na-tional recognition for performance excellence as well. Earlier this year the band was featured in a marching band performance video session at the national conference of the College Band Directors National Association. Texas State is also home of the World Famous Strutters. In addition to performing at home basket-ball and football games, the group has performed all over the globe, touring earlier this year in Italy and performing in Greece in 2006. Besides the spirit groups on the field, there are the fans in the stands — especially Texas State students — who in recent years have turned the parking lot behind the east side of the stadium into a unique tailgating hub, then bring an energy into the Bobcat Stadium which is unmatched in the Southland Conference.
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CEFACULTY AT TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY Texas State University students receive a quality education through quality instruction. It is the faculty who provide color to the canvas of any university, and with nearly 1,000 instructors, Texas State provides a well-rounded education with expertise from every direction. One of those faculty members is James Edwin Housefield, Texas State University-San Marcos’ Depart-ment of Art and Design faculty member. This May, House-field was named Piper Professor for 2007 by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. Piper Foundation honorees are chosen by com-mittee members who look for well-rounded, outgoing teachers, devoted to their profession and have made a special impact on their students and the community. “To share with others the art and ideas that I love is an honor; to see my students put into practice these ideas is an even greater honor,” Housefield said during a reception honoring his accomplishment. “I am deeply grateful to have earned the support and recognition of my students, colleagues, community, and of the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. “I dream that awards like this may foster a greater place for the arts in all of our lives,” he said. “Pub-lic recognition like this should bring attention to the exceptional teaching and learning that happens across Texas State University’s campus, in the Austin Museum of Art where my educational mission continues, and in our communities where future generations of our students work to assemble a better tomorrow for us all.” In addition to being named a Piper Profes-sor, Housefield also has received numerous accolades, including the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Educator Award, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, favorite professor awards from student organizations, and many other awards for his teaching. Housefield is the seventh consecutive Texas State professor and 16th overall to be named a Piper Profes-sor. Other Texas State Piper Professors have been Emmie Craddock, 1962, history; Robert Galvan, 1968, modern languages; Thomas Brasher, 1970, English; Dan Farlow, 1975, political science; Clarence Schultz, 1976, sociology; Henrietta Avent, 1979, health and physical education; Robert Walts, 1982, English; Beverly Chiodo, 1988, com-puter information systems and administrative sciences; Barbara Hatcher, 1993, curriculum and instruction; Mi-chael John Hennessy, 2001, English; Nancy Fehl Chavkin, 2002, social work; Paul Nathan Cohen, 2003, English; James David Bell, 2004, business; Byron Dale Augustin, 2005, geography; and Christopher Frost, 2006, psychol-ogy.
ATHLETIC ACADEMIC CENTER Located in the heart of campus, the Athletic Academic Center plays an integral role in the academic success of Texas State student-athletes. Structured on the principles outlines in the NCAA CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes Minds for Per-sonal Success)/Life Skills Program, the AAC provides a vast amount of services and resources that aid student-athletes in maintaining excellence both in the classroom and on the playing field. In conjunction with the Texas State Athletic Department, the AAC staff strives to ensure the fulfillment of five components of the program — Academic Excellence, Athletic Excellence, Community Service, Career Develop-ment and Personal Development. The AAC, which is open six days a week, houses a state-of-the-art computer lab, a learning lab, areas for both indi-vidual and group study, and offices for the AAC staff. Plans are also underway for a new Academic Hall of Honor that will showcase Texas State student-athletes’ academic achieve-ments and honors. Now a component of Texas State’s University College under the direction of Dr. Ron Brown, the AAC underwent a complete restructuring in the summer of 2005. The AAC is staffed by four professionals dedicated to the academic success of Texas State student-athletes. Chris Elrod, Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Academic Support and Student Services leads the center with the assis-tance of Associate Director Keithon Kerley and two Student Development Specialists — Laurie Hindson and Meghan An-derson. The AAC staff works as a liaison between the Athletic Department, campus advising centers and undergraduate departments, and administrative units of the university. In coordination with the Assistant Athletic Director for Compli-ance, the AAC staff also makes sure all athletes are maintain-ing satisfactory progress toward their degrees, and monitors academic eligibility. AAC TUTORING CENTER Tutoring is offered in several different ways through the AAC and other campus resources. The AAC offers drop-in tutoring for a set group of classes on each night for those students who do not want the struc-ture of assigned times each week. However, students who would like to meet with the same tutor each week have the option to do so by signing up with the Tutor Coordinator. Student-athletes are also strongly encouraged to seek assistance in the Student Learning Assistance Center located in the Alkek Library as well as in the Office of Disability Ser-vices located in the LBJ Student Center.
ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVES The newly restructured Athletic Academic Center staff have developed several initiatives to enhance student-ath-letes’ experience during their careers at Texas State Univer-sity: Academic seminars, which will be mandatory for all in-coming freshmen, cover academic integrity, preparation for mid-term and final exams, advising rights and responsibili-ties, discovering different learning styles, large lecture class survival and campus resources (i.e. - libraries, learning cen-ters and tutorial services, career services, etc.). A three-tiered tutorial support program is in place which includes Learning Labs, Individual Tutorial Support and Coordination with the Student Learning Assistance Cen-ter which allows for additional campus-level assistance. An alignment and coordination of advising efforts
Randy Moshier, who started at tight end for the 2005 SLC champion Bobcats, was chosen to give the student salutation for the 2006 Spring Commencement exercises at Texas State University. Moshier, who received his bachelor’s degree in political science in 2004, also earned an MBA from the McCoy College of Business Adminis-tration. He is currently attending law school.
(Facing Page) Texas State is not only known for producing quality educators in Texas through its College of Education, but the faculty throughout the Texas State campus are highly accomplished. Christopher J. Frost (Bottom of Facing Page) is one of 16 Texas State professors to be named a Piper Professor by the Minnie Ste-vens Piper Foundation.
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with campus advising units now has a student-ath-lete focus allowing for a dedicated time period for mandatory academic advising and selection of de-gree-applicable courses as well as a more complete understanding of progress towards degree require-ments. The program also has a campus advisor focus in an effort to improve communications allowing for educational efforts regarding basic NCAA rules and regulations impacting campus-level advising, greater understanding and awareness of issues im-pacting student-athletes, and concerns and issues regarding individual student-athletes. Also recently implemented is a Life-Skills Pro-gram which focuses on Personal Development, Career Development and Community Service. The program includes a guest speaker series, career de-velopment series and expands on Texas State athlet-ic’s community service and outreach programs.
STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COUNCIL Texas State student-athletes are represented by a smaller group of their peers through the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. These student-athletes are considered to be the leaders on their respective teams. The group meets monthly to help plan commu-nity service events and special programs as well as serve as a voice for student-athletes to the athletic administration. The group consists of two represen-tatives from each sport.
OAK FARMS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Student-athletes who earn a 3.0 semester GPA in either the fall or the spring semester are rec-ognized at a spring reception for their academic achievements. The reception and awards are spon-sored by Oak Farms Dairy. Student-athletes who earn a perfect 4.0 are awarded a “Cream of the Crop” framed certificate. This past spring, Texas State honored 179 stu-dent-athletes during the Oak Farms Dairy Academic Awards Ceremony, including 35 students as recipi-ents of the “Cream of the Crop” Award.
(From Top) Keithon Kerley, Associate Director of the Athletic Academic Center, visits with students at the AAC. Students at Texas State are exposed to educational opportunities outside the campus including several lecture series. Various lecture series have brought speakers such as Maya Angelou, former President Gerald Ford, Spike Lee former, Secretary of State James Baker, and this past year, Chilean author Isabel Allende (pictured above).
(Below) Students work on class projects in one of the AAC’s computer labs.
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Texas State University Athletic Director Dr. Larry Teis has pointed out on multiple occasions that when it comes to events, the ones he singles out and looks forward to the most are the department’s Oak Farms Dairy Academic Awards Ceremony and the Academic Ring Ceremony held in conjunction with commencement. Each year the Bobcat Club honors student-athletes in a ceremony on the same weekend of the Spring, Summer and Winter Commencements with the presentation of the Academic Ring. The ring symbolizes excel-lence on the playing field as well as in the classroom. The criteria for receiving the ring include 1) Receiving a “T” Letter
from the Texas State Department of Athletics, 2) Completing eligibil-ity with Texas State and 3) Earning an undergraduate degree from Texas State within one year after NCAA eligibility has been completed. During the past academic year, Texas State honored 44 student-ath-letes during breakfast ceremonies in August, December and May. Among the award recipients at the three awards ceremonies were 14 Bobcat football players. Since the inception of the program in May of 1986, a total of 807 student-athletes have received the Bobcat Athletic Foundation Ring, in-cluding 215 members of the Texas State football program.
Michael SlaterJarvis SmithJohn SmithScott SmithTim Speedy
James StewartDerwin Straughter
Brian SurovikScott Swinnea
Brady TalleyTrent Taylor
Ervin ThomasYpres ThomasJohnny TysonGabe Vasquez
Charles VatterottDarrick Vaughn
Justin VogtGerald Wahrmund
Robert WalkerMitchell Ward
Jason WashingtonTywaun WatkinsHarold WatsonDexter Webb
Demetric WellsDarrin WesleyDoug Wheeler
Chad WhiteRay WhiteheadRyan WiegandMatt WielandRyan Wilkes
Dameon WilliamsDavid Williams
Epsilon WilliamsJessie Williams
Michael WilliamsStace WilliamsDonnie Willig
Jeff WilsonScott Wilson
Anthony WoodJoe WootenMatt WrightBill Wyman
Justin YoungBrian Yourman
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ATHLETIC TRAINING Texas State University is home of one of the most comprehensive Athletic Training Education programs in the region. In addition to the university graduating certified athletic trainers and placing them in the work force, the program enhances the athletic department’s athletic training program. Texas State student-athletes receive the best of care through a coeducational athletic health care environment. Among the staff caring for Texas State student-athletes are eight certified athletic trainers and approximately 45 athletic training students. The student training staff is very diverse and includes international and non-traditional students as well as students representing virtually every ethnic back-ground. Affiliate programs with high schools and area professional teams including the Austin Wranglers AFL franchise and the Austin Ice Bats of the Central Hockey League. Texas State’s medical staff also includes three orthopedic surgeons, a Primary Care physician and a podiatrist. Also available to the program are the di-agnostic and surgical facilities of Central Texas Medi-cal Center. The Athletic Training Education Program has been continuously-accredited since 1972, the lon-gest of any university in the state of Texas. The pro-gram has produced more than 250 graduates who are now working as licensed and certified athletic trainers at high schools, colleges and sports medi-cine clinics across the country. Texas State also has alumni working in professional football, baseball and hockey teams. Providing quality health care for Texas State stu-dent-athletes is the primary goal of the sports medi-cine team. The university has three, fully-equipped and staffed athletic training facilities to take care of close to 400 student-athletes.
Earl Kilbride, M.D.Team Orthopedic Surgeon
Jack Ransone, Ph.D.Director of Athletic
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Carla HeffnerAthletic Trainer
Jason KarlikAthletic Trainer
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GSTRENGTH AND CONDITIONING Texas State University student-athletes are evaluated by the strength and conditioning staff to determine each player’s weaknesses and strengths. From the evaluations, the student-athletes are pro-vided a computer-generated, individualized strength and conditioning program. The program is designed to help the student-athlete become the most efficient and injury free possible. The weight lifting portion of the program is based on Olympic lifts (snatch, clean and jerk) as well as power lifts (bench and squat) which enhance the student-athlete’s strength and speed development. Each student-athlete’s progress is monitored and changes are made as needed to provide the proper load at which to train for maximum results. The strength and conditioning program is a year-round activity with in-season, off-season and summer workouts provided for each student-athlete. In-season, first-year play-ers’ training load and intensity are increased to enhance their physical development and prepare them for the future. Along with workouts, student-athletes receive edu-cation on nutrition and its importance to enhance perfor-mance. Thad Livingston begins his fourth season as the Texas State football team’s strength and conditioning coach.
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No NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivi-sion teams, let alone many FBS programs, can equal the amount of national exposure Texas State University’s foot-ball program has received in the past two seasons. Over 14 days in 2005, Texas State made three national television appearances on ESPN2. Locally, the Bobcats’ sold-out FCS semifinal game drew an incredible 6.7 rating share in the Austin market, ranking as the sixth-most watched game on cable television in Central Texas that year. Within just the Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio markets, a combined 127,559 households were tuned into the game. In January of this year, Brad Wright was named the Bobcats’ new coach. A full house attended his introductory press conference which attracted print and broadcast me-dia from throughout the I-35 corridor. And during the spring, Wright was introduced to an entirely different television audience. Wright had a speak-ing role on an episode of the critically-acclaimed NBC series Friday Night Lights. Wright portrayed the head coach of Texas Methodist University which was interested in hiring Dillon Panthers’ head coach Eric Taylor (played by Kyle Chandler). The episode, “Best Laid Plans,” featured scenes taped in Bobcat Stadium as well as the End Zone Complex. In fact, computer-enhanced scenes from inside Bobcat Stadium showed a stadium which had an extra seating level as well as the Austin skyline as a backdrop.
REGIONAL TELEVISION COVERAGE Texas State has become a regular on Fox Sports Net Southwest. The Bobcats appeared on FSN twice during the 2006 season, on the road at McNeese State and again in San Mar-cos against Nicholls State in a showdown of Southland Con-ference co-champions from the previous season. In 2005, Texas State’s games at Texas A&M and Stephen F. Austin were regionally broadcast by FSN.
AGAINST THE FBS In addition to television exposure, the Bobcats have also received the experience of playing schools from such conferences as the Big 10, Big 12, Conference USA, South-eastern and Mountain West Conferences. Texas State has played FBS schools every year since 1999. During that stretch, the Bobcats have played at Okla-homa State, Missouri, Minnesota and Texas A&M. The ‘Cats will travel to Baylor for the second time in four years this fall.
BOBCAT RADIO Texas State games are broadcast on Texas State Uni-versity station KTSW-FM 89.9 with Brant Freeman and Bill Culhane calling the action. Students from KTSW serve as sideline reporters during the year and also team up for the pregame and post-game programs.
(Above) The End Zone Complex makes a dramatic backdrop for a network camera position during a Bobcat football game. (Left) Since his career concluded in 2005, former Texas State running back Morris Brothers has continued to display his rushing skills. Brothers is the stunt double for Gaius Charles’ character, “Smash” Williams, on Friday Night Lights.
(Facing Page, Clockwise from Top Left): Brad Wright takes questions from members of the media during a press conference naming him the Bobcats’ head coach in January. Friday Night Lights star Kyle Chandler and Texas State assistant athletic director Derek Grice take in the view of Bobcat Stadium from the venue’s press box. Members of the lighting crew move equipment into place outside the End Zone Complex. Video equipment is moved into place for a Friday Night Lights scene taped in Texas State coach Brad Wright’s office.
BOBCAT EXPERIENCE OUTLOOK PLAYERS COACHES OPPONENTS LOOKING BACK THE SLC HISTORY TEXAS STATE MEDIA
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BOBCAT EXPERIENCE OUTLOOK PLAYERS COACHES OPPONENTS LOOKING BACK THE SLC HISTORY TEXAS STATE MEDIA
BOBCAT EXPERIENCE Texas State University ....................................................... 2San Marcos, Central Texas & The Hill Country .......... 4Intercollegiate Athletics at Texas State ....................... 6Bobcat Stadium ...................................................................8Texas State Traditions ........................................................ 9National Championships ...............................................10Southland Conference Football ..................................11NCAA’s Football Chamionship Subdivisoin ............12Bobcats in the Community ...........................................14Texas State Spirit ...............................................................16Academic Excellence .......................................................18Athletic Academic Center ..............................................19The Academic Ring ..........................................................21Athletic Training ................................................................22Strength & Conditioning ...............................................23Media Exposure ................................................................24
THE PLAYERS Player Biographies ...........................................................422007 Signee Biographies ...............................................69
THE STAFF Head Coach Brad Wright ...............................................72Assistant Coaches Travis Bush .....................................................................74 Ben Norton ....................................................................74 Casey Horny ..................................................................75 Kyle Tietz ........................................................................75 Mike Barela ....................................................................76 Kevin Brown ..................................................................76 Terrol Dillon ...................................................................77 Charlie Reeve ................................................................77 Greg Walls ......................................................................78Support Staff Thad Livingston ...........................................................78 David Gish ......................................................................79 Josh Thompson ............................................................79 Kent Anderson .............................................................80 Linda Guitierrez ...........................................................80
Texas State Football Media GuideOPPONENTS 2007 Opponent Information Cal Poly Mustangs .......................................................82 Abilene Christian Wildcats .......................................82 Baylor Bears ...................................................................83 South Dakota State Jackrabbits .............................83 McNeese State Cowboys ..........................................84 Central Arkansas Bears ..............................................84 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks ..............................85 Northwestern State Demons ..................................85 Southeastern Louisiana Lions ................................86 Nicholls State Colonels .............................................86 Sam Houston State Bearkats ...................................872007 Media Relations Contacts ...................................872007 Opponent Series Records ...................................88All-Time Series Record ....................................................88Openers & Homecoming Results ................................90
LOOKING BACK AT 2006 2006 Game-by-Game Review ......................................922006 Statistics ....................................................................98
THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE The Southland Conference ........................................ 106Southland Conference Preseason Polls ................. 107Southland Conference Preseason Teams .............. 1082007 Southland Conference Schedule .................. 1082006 Southland Conference Statistics ................... 109
HISTORY Timeline ............................................................................ 112Records .............................................................................. 114Performance Lists .......................................................... 116Year-by-Year Leaders .................................................... 118Bobcat Stars ..................................................................... 121All-American Selections .............................................. 125Post-Season Accolades ................................................ 126Letterman List ................................................................. 128All-Time Results .............................................................. 132Texas State Bobcats in the NFL ................................. 138
UNIVERSITY The Texas State University System .......................... 140Texas State University-San Marcos .......................... 141Dr. Denise M. Trauth, President ................................ 144Dr. Larry Teis, Director of Athletics .......................... 145Dr. Paul Gowens, Faculty Representative .............. 146Athletic Department Staff .......................................... 146Athletic Staff Directory ................................................ 152
MEDIA AND BOBCAT STADIUM Media at Bobcat Stadium ........................................... 154Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Stadium ...................... 155Bobcat Stadium Records ........................................... 156
TEXAS STATE CONTACT INFORMATION (ALL NUMBERS AREA CODE 512)
Athletic Department ................................ 245-2114 Athletic Department Fax ........................ 245-8387Football Office ............................................ 245-2587 Football Fax ................................................... 245-1846Athletic Ticket Office ................................................................................................................................................. 245-2272 Toll Free ...........................................................................................................................................................(877) 798-CATSAthletic Academic Center ........................................................................................................................................ 245-2978Athletic Training .......................................................................................................................................................... 245-2979Bobcat Club ....................................................................................................................................................................245-2114
Media Relations Contact InformationRon Mears (Football) Office: ................. 245-2966 Media Relations Fax .................................. 245-2967 Mobile ........................................................ 738-0697 email: [email protected] Media Relations AddressChris Riley: 245-2988 / email: [email protected] 601 University DriveBrooke Orcutt: 245-4692 / email: [email protected] Strahan Administrative AnnexBobcat Stadium Press Box: 245-7765 San Marcos, TX 78666
Credits: The 2007 Texas State Football Media Guide is a product of the Texas State University Athletic Media Relations Department. Managing Editor: Ron Mears. Contributing Editors: Chris Riley, Brooke Orcutt, Troy Taylor and Bill Culhane. Photography: Don Anders, Texas State University Marketing. Ad-ditional photos courtesy of Marshall Bishop, Chris Cantu-Salazar, Donnie Elmore, Austin Convention and Vistors Bureau, Tony Baker/FrontPage Publicity, Al Rendon/San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, Melissa Miggo/Star Keeper PR, Brandy Reed/RPR Media, Richard Kornberg & Associates and Paramount Pictures. Printing: Multi-Ad, Peoria, Ill. Cover Design: Shawn Graham, Fallout Design, Memphis, Tenn.
Texas State University-San Marcos. A member of the Texas State University System.
’07 Bobcat Schedule BOBCAT FACTSGENERAL INFORMATIONLocation ................................. San Marcos, Texas 78666Founded ....................................................................... 1899Enrollment ......................................... 27,503 (Fall 2006)President ........................................ Dr. Denise M. Trauth Alma Mater ...College of Mount St. Joseph (1971)Faculty Representative ...................Dr. Paul Gowens Alma Mater ............................................Baylor (1965)Director of Athletics ............................ Dr. Larry Teis Alma Mater .................... (Texas Christian, 1988)Nickname ............................................................... BobcatsColors ....................... Maroon & Gold (PMS 504 & 872)Affiliation .....................................NCAA Division I (FCS)Conference ............................... Southland ConferenceStadium ........... Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Stadium Capacity ...............................................................15,218 Surface .......................................................... AstroPlay®
FOOTBALL HISTORYFirst Year of Football ............................................... 1904Overall Record .............................................. 450-366-25Last NCAA Appearance ................. 2005 (NCAA FCS)Last Conference Title ......................2005 (Southland)Joined the Southland Conference ................... 1987
COACHING STAFFHead Coach ................................................... Brad Wright Alma Mater .................................. Texas State (1981) Record at Texas State .......................... First Season Career Record ......................................... First SeasonCoaching Staff Travis Bush (Associate HC/Co-OC/Quarterbacks) Ben Norton (Assistant HC/Co-OC/O-Linemen) Casey Horny (Co-DC/Safeties) Kyle Tietz (Co-DC/D-Linemen) Mike Barela (Football Operations/Tight Ends) Terrol Dillon (Special Teams Coord./Linebackers) Kevin Brown (Wide Receivers) Charlie Reeve (Running Backs) Greg Walls (Cornerbacks)Administative Assistant ................... Linda GutierrezFootball Office Phone ........................ (512) 245-2587
TEAM INFORMATION2006 Overall Record ...................................................5-6 2006 Southland Conference Record .... 3-3 (4th)Lettermen Returning .................................................. 44 Offense ......................................................................... 20 Defense ........................................................................ 20 Specialists ......................................................................4Lettermen Lost ............................................................... 25 Offense ......................................................................... 12 Defense ........................................................................ 13Starters Returning ........................................................ 13 Offense ............................................................................8 Defense ...........................................................................5
DATES TO REMEMBERJuly 24-25 Southland Conference Media Kickoff Houston, TexasAugust 5 Bobcats Report to CampAugust 6 First PracticeAugust 17 Texas State Media DayAugust 22 Classes Begin at Texas StateSept. 1 Cal Poly at Texas State Season Opener
Sept. 1 CAL POLY SAN MARCOS 6:00 p.m. Opening Night, Presented by H.E.B.
Sept. 8 ABILENE CHRISTIAN SAN MARCOS 6:00 p.m. Presented by Frost Bank
Sept. 15 at Baylor Waco, Texas 6:00 p.m.
Sept. 22 at South Dakota State Brookings, S.D. 7:00 p.m.
Oct. 6 McNEESE STATE SAN MARCOS 6:00 p.m. Parent’s Weekend, Presented by Brown Distributing
Oct. 13 at Central Arkansas Conway, Ark. 6:00 p.m. Oct. 20 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN SAN MARCOS 6:00 p.m. Homecoming, Presented by Wells Fargo
Oct. 27 at Northwestern State Natchitoches, La. 2:00 p.m.
Nov. 3 SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA SAN MARCOS 6:00 p.m. Presented by Coca-Cola
Nov. 10 at Nicholls State Thibodaux, La. 2:00 p.m. Nov. 17 SAM HOUSTON STATE SAN MARCOS 6:00 p.m. “T” Association Weekend, Presented by Central Texas Medical Center
