A Time of Reflection and a Time of Hope

Bobcat Athletics

Bobcat Athletics | December 12, 2018

As the fall semester comes to an end, I want to congratulate the 22 student-athletes who are participating in December's commencement ceremonies this Friday and Saturday inside the University Events Center, 17 of whom will receive their "T" rings, graduation cords, and Sun Belt Conference medallions. These student-athletes include football players Malik Alley, Stephan Johnson, Jacob Rowland, Tommy Simmons, James Sherman, Anthony D. Taylor, and Tyler Watts; volleyball players Halee Brewer and Erin Hoppe; basketball players Deris Duncan, Eric Terry, and Zandra Emanuel; softball players Randi Rupp, Sara Rupp and Sierra Steimel; baseball players Teddy Hoffman, Dylan Paul, Braden Pearson, and Mickey Scott; and track and field athletes Ester Oyetunde, Alvin Chikaeze, and Jose Gonzalez,

I also want to commend our 23rd graduate, Donte Mathis, who has returned to Texas State to earn his bachelor's degree following his 13-year career in professional basketball. Donte was named to the Southland Conference All-Decade Team for the 1990s after becoming the only Texas State player to be named the Southland Conference Player of the Year (1999). A three-time All-SLC selection, he started 99 games in his career and ranks third all-time in career scoring (1,622 points) and field goals made (596). He helped the Bobcats win two conference championships and the 1999 SLC Tournament. After leaving Texas State, he went on to play two summers in the USBL and led Dodge City to a championship in his first year and runner-up finish in his second. He moved to the European stage and played 13 seasons, playing one year in Germany, one in Slovenia, and 11 in Italy.

I also want to take a moment to toast another former basketball player, Paul Borreson, who is retiring from Brown Distributing after 37 years of service. Paul played basketball at Texas State from 1977-79 and was inducted into the "T' Association Hall of Honor in 2009. During his time at Brown Distributing, he served as the company's liaison with Texas State Athletics and has played an integral part in our relationship. I want to thank him for all his support through the years and wish him a happy retirement as he begins this new chapter in life.

Speaking of basketball, I am excited for our men's basketball team. Their 9-1 record is the third-best start to a season in school history and the best since 1952-53. Head Coach Danny Kaspar and his team received 53 votes in this week's CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll, and they take a seven-game winning streak into their next game at UT-Rio Grande Valley this Saturday night. After playing at Arkansas on Dec. 22, the team returns home to play Howard Payne on Dec. 29.

We are one of four Sun Belt Conference schools receiving votes in this week's Mid-Major poll. Louisiana and Georgia Southern are No. 16 and No. 18, respectively. Georgia State moved into the poll at No. 23.

Bobcat fans have a chance to watch these ranked Sun Belt teams battle in Strahan Arena this season. We open our Sun Belt Conference schedule against Georgia Southern on January 3 and Georgia State on January 5. We host Louisiana on February 23.

This time of year is a time of reflection and a time of hope. Twenty-two student-athletes will soon walk across the stage and reflect upon their time at Texas State. Another will stride with confidence and pride for achieving a personal goal. And yet, another can be proud of his service to the entire Bobcat family. Our basketball teams and coaches are busy marking their places in the record books so Bobcat fans who are, and Bobcat fans who will be, can share in the excitement and hope for the future.

It is a great day to be a Bobcat!

Larry Teis