It is difficult to believe that we are a month into school and the fall athletic seasons at Texas State University. It doesn’t seem that long ago we were welcoming back veteran student-athletes and introducing ourselves to new faces at our annual student-athlete orientation.

And now, the start of Southland Conference play is just around the corner for many of our programs.

Our volleyball program is coming off one of the most challenging nonconference schedules in the country. The Bobcats played two Top 10 teams during the early schedule – Southern Cal and UCLA – as well as programs such as Baylor and Georgia. Now the team will be setting its sights on a third-straight appearance in the NCAA Championships as the squad opens Southland Conference play on the road.

During the month of October, the team will be at home for seven matches.

After playing just five home matches during the 2005 season, Texas State fans will also receive more opportunities to cheer on the Bobcat soccer team in the coming weeks. After a nonconference home match with Rice on Sept. 22nd, the squad will be back at home for five matches, including four against conference opponents, during the month of October.

Texas State will also play host to the Southland Conference Soccer Tournament the first week in November.

Our cross country teams are coming off strong showings at the Texas A&M Invitational with both teams being represented in the top 10 by individual runners. By the number of Southland Conference teams they outpaced in College Station, it’s evident they have both improved. The Southland Conference Championship is Oct. 27th in Nacogdoches.

The Bobcat football team’s next home game is also its Southland Conference opener as the squad plays host to Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 7.

This year’s team is extremely talented and will have an opportunity to challenge for another conference title this season. With 31 newcomers, this year’s team is experiencing some growing pains but it’s plain to see the future looks bright for Bobcat football.

I am excited for what lies ahead this October for all of our athletic programs. I encourage you to come out and support the Bobcats.