Month: December 2020

Men’s basketball stuns NCAA D1 Texas State with late-game heroics

OLLU Saints men’s basketball stunned NCAA D1 Texas State University (TXST) 61-58 to improve to 1-1 this season. OLLU previously upset Texas State back in 2010 in a thrilling 127-126 overtime victory. This is Head Coach Chris Dial’s first victory over an NCAA D1 program as he enters his third season.

Dial commented on the game, “I’m really proud of the players and how they represented themselves and OLLU. We played hard as a team and showed a lot of composure. We were down by nine points with nine minutes left and never gave up. We played our best defensive game this season. In the middle of a pandemic, it’s not about the scoreboard, it’s about safety and mental health. We had one of our best practices this week and it was nice to see that effort come to fruition. Texas State has a great staff and we felt fortunate to produce a winning outcome.”

History
This is the second matchup against Texas State and the Saints lead the series 1-0 after a 127-126 win in 2010.

Basics
Both teams struggled in the first few minutes after missing multiple shots. Texas State jumped out to a six-point lead four minutes into the first half. The Saints quickly responded and eventually led by one point after a three-point shot from Ruben Monzon (JR/San Diego, Calif.). Texas State led by as many as 10 points down the stretch in the first frame. OLLU scored nine unanswered points in the last two and a half minutes to take a 31-30 lead heading into halftime. Xavier Woodington (JR/Honolulu, Hawaii) and Monzon helped lead the comeback toward the end of the half. Lennox Jones Jr. (SR/Richmond, Texas) hit a jump shot with 19 seconds remaining to give the Saints the lead going into the break.

Texas State flipped the switch in the second half and took an aggressive 11-point lead with just over nine minutes left. After a layup from Jones Jr. and three-point shots from Estefan Trevino (JR/San Antonio, Texas) and Darin Minniefield (SR/Houston, Texas), the Saints cut the Bobcats’ lead to one point. Ethan White (SR/San Antonio, Texas) buried a jump shot to give the Saints a 57-55 lead with 1:48 remaining. Minniefield hit a three-point shot to increase the Saints’ lead to 59-56 after a successful free-throw from the Bobcats.

The Saints played solid defense in the last 30 seconds after the Bobcats grabbed multiple offensive rebounds but failed to score. The Bobcats were forced to foul with seven seconds left on the clock. White blocked out the pressure of the moment and hit both free throws and the Saints led 61-58. Caleb Asberry missed the game-tying three-point shot with three seconds remaining and the Saints pulled off an exhilarating 61-58 victory.

Offensive/defensive standouts
Monzon led the Saints with 18 points, followed by Jones Jr. with 12 and White with seven. Monzon earned a double-double with a team-high 11 rebounds. Monzon, Jones Jr. and Minniefield led the Saints with two assists each.

Mason Harrell led the Bobcats with 18 points. Alonzo Sule and Isiah Small grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds apiece. Harrell also led the Bobcats with five assists.

Inside the box
OLLU combined for 24-of-56 shooting for 42.9 percent, 6-of-15 from three-point range for 40 percent and 7-of-15 from the free-throw line for 46.7 percent.

The Saints grabbed 34 rebounds while the Bobcats collected 50. OLLU forced 19 turnovers and committed 14.

Up next
The Saints travel to Corpus Christi, Texas, for an exhibition against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.

OLLU’s Chris Dial debuts ‘United We Hoop’ podcast

OLLU men’s basketball head coach and founder of The Basketball Embassy Chris Dial recently launched his podcast “United We Hoop.”  

Chris Dial, head coach of Saints men's basketball
Chris Dial

The podcast features a diverse group of guests who all have a connection to basketball. The first episode included Dial and Dr. Emir Turam of the Turkish Basketball Federation and was released on Dec. 7.

“’United We Hoop’ podcast is a collection of conversations among like-minded basketball enthusiasts who see power in a game capable of developing community and empowering humanity,” Dial said. “I hope to bring over a decade of international experiences together to help create an appropriate narrative behind The Basketball Embassy. People from all walks of life should find relevance in the exchanges presented in the first season.”

Future episodes will include San Antonio Spurs Sports and Entertainment CEO R.C. Buford, former WNBA player Chinny Nwabgo, USA Basketball’s Coach Don Showalter and more. The guests incorporate their personal stories and perspectives with Dial that pertain to the current state of basketball.

The Basketball Embassy unites people from different backgrounds and is a nonprofit organization. They currently run three programs and a variety of services that aim to provide basketball players and coaches across nations and cultures with a platform for success. Youth Ambassadors is a program that aims to reach disadvantaged youth with life lessons while on the basketball court. The Basketball Embassy also features a workshop series that supplements existing basketball education year-round.

The flagship event, called Assembly, unites international and domestic athletes and coaches while helping them reach their greatest potential on the court and in life. The leadership team at The Basketball Embassy includes coaches from North America, Europe, Central and South America and Asia.

Dial enters his third year as head coach for the Saints and leads a team that features 13 seniors. OLLU will open the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) schedule against the University of the Southwest on Jan. 4.

SENIOR CAPTAIN BAYE POLANSKY READY FOR ABBREVIATED 2021 SOCCER SEASON

As the spring semester approaches, Our Lady of the Lake University’s (OLLU) women’s soccer captain Baye Polansky (SR/Helotes, Texas) is preparing for a season unlike any other. Soccer, normally a fall sport, will begin five months later than usual, with fewer games and the possibility of no fans due to COVID-19. Despite the challenges, Polansky wants to have her most successful season ever and win another Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) title. 

“My goal record was seven goals and six assists set in my sophomore year,” said Polansky, an all-conference senior midfielder. “I want to beat both those records by however much I can.” 

It will be challenging to accomplish her goals because the Saints will only play 12 regular-season games than the usual 16-17 in previous years. They play their season opener later on Jan. 30 as opposed to on Sept. 2 last season. The later start means the Saints will be playing in colder weather. And plans are for no spectators to be allowed to attend games due to the pandemic. 

“Even playing a shorter season with no fans in the stands, it won’t be an issue for Baye because it is her final season as senior captain, and she is a fierce competitor,” said Head Coach Arthur Salazar.

Polansky has had to make some adjustments. She must wear a facemask during practice and while seated on the bench during games. As a captain, she must be a team leader. And, she must learn new tactical plays and lineups. “This season, I’m really focusing on a different aspect of my game,” said Polansky. “I feel like this year, I’m focused on having confidence in that position and really making a difference.” 

Polansky works hard to accomplish her goals, and in the process, she pushes her teammates to strive for theirs. After practice, she gathers her teammates and offers them feedback and encouragement. Her interaction with them is always positive and upbeat.  

A former forward, Polansky was switched to midfielder last season. Her confidence has grown, and the later start of the season gives her more time to prepare for her final season. Apart from practice, Polansky jogs twice daily around Elmendorf Lake, which is about three miles. She works with her teammates on shooting and doing one-on-one drills. She also studies hard and has received multiple scholar-athlete awards throughout her time at OLLU.

“From last year to this year, Baye has definitely grown into her role as a captain more confidently,” said Liliana Briseno (JR/San Antonio, Texas), a junior central midfielder. 

Polansky is determined to not only break her personal scoring record but also to win another conference championship. The team won the regular-season conference title last year, and they also captured the conference tournament due to forfeiture from the winning team.  

“We want another conference title and go as far as we can in the national tournament,” she said. 

Despite the shorter season, Polansky hopes to make the most of it. 

“I’m making sure I am enjoying the time that I have and working hard because of all the uncertainties from COVID-19,” she said. “I’m excited to play and ready to compete.”  

In The News

Here are media reports from the past week that brought attention to OLLU:

On Dec. 3, a story in the San Antonio Express-News about the life and death of OLLU master’s student Thanalakshmi Subramaniam, also known as S.T. Shimi:

https://www.expressnews.com/entertainment/music-stage/article/San-Antonio-theater-artist-S-T-Shimi-known-for-15774438.php

On Dec. 3, a story on KSAT-12 about the tragic death of OLLU master’s student Thanalakshmi Subramaniam:

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/12/04/shimi-was-my-role-model-community-mourns-beloved-performance-artist-lgbtq-social-justice-champion/

On Dec. 1, a story in the Victoria Advocate about alumna Linda Cejka (MBA ʼ03) and a pumpkin art contest hosted by the Hallet Oak Gallery, which she directs:   

https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/local/hallet-oak-gallery-announces-pumpkin-art-contest-winners/article_3e2aef64-3346-11eb-b54d-7f37e60246a2.html

Bookstore to extend hours for rental returns of fall books

The OLLU Bookstore will offer extended hours for book rental returns for the fall semester. Books can be returned during the following dates/times:
 

Dec. 12 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dec. 14 and 15 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

All undergraduate students will receive an email from the Bookstore with a link to a return label. Students who are unable to return their books in person can use the label to return books by mail.

All books must be returned no later than Dec. 15.

For additional information, please call 210-431-3932 or use the contact link at www.ollushop.com.

Marketing students shine as interns with City of San Antonio

Marketing students Robert “Rolo” Lopez and Quiana Natividad are playing key internship roles with the City of San Antonio.

Lopez is promoting the city’s Train for SA Jobs Program with fliers and social media posts. He recently helped with the virtual annual awards ceremony. 

Natividad is interning with the local tech company IRYS. She helped with the creation and marketing of an app to get people real time wait times for lines to vote.

Her success has led to other opportunities. Natividad is now working on name, branding and marketing with the city’s Chief Innovation Officer, Brian Dillard.

Graduate student seeks volunteers for holiday snack pack giveaway

As part of her graduate program internship, OLLU-Houston student Celestria Brascom is seeking volunteers to raise $3,000 to create holiday snack packs for hungry children in OST/South Union, a low-income community in Houston.

As an intern with the Neighborhood Recovery Community Development Corporation (NRCDC), Brascom is helping the nonprofit supply 500 snack packs filled with holiday treats to each of the eight schools in the NRCDC zone. 

A $6 donation can send one child home with 14 items. To donate, click here. Donations are being accepted through Dec. 14. For more information, contact Jennifer Anderson at janderson@nrcdc.org.

Holiday-Snack-Fundraiser-and-Giveaway-2Download

Political science students debate current issues in prestigious conference

In November, OLLU Political Science majors and minors competed via Zoom in the Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States (ESMOAS) Summit of the Americas program, a simulation of the Organization of American States and hosted by St. Mary’s University. 

In this competition, students researched and served as delegates for one of the member nations from the Americas, and proposed and debated international policy with students from universities in the Southwest and México.

Students Rogelio Pacheco (Head Delegate), Fatima Martinez, Amira Landeros, and Jacquelyn Joaquin served as delegates for Venezuela. Students Kayla Bolden (Head Delegate) and Jessica Pruneda served as delegates for Jamaica. Line-item proposals by Jessica Pruneda, Jacquelyn Joaquin, and Rogelio Pacheco were adopted into the General Assembly’s Joint Declaration.