Texas State Participates in 2019 Sun Belt Media Day

By Joshua Orozco
Assistant Sports Director

With the 150th anniversary of college football approaching, the Sun Belt conference kicked off the 2019 season during media day in New Orleans, Louisiana on Monday, July 22. Level of competitiveness throughout the league is expected to be “strong,” according to new Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill. 

The Sun Belt ranks highest amongst group of five conferences in bowl winning percentage at 55% last season. Bobcat head coach Jake Spavital enters as one of four new coaches in the Sun Belt. Spavital embraces the challenge of being a first-time head coach confidently with the support of the Texas State football program.

“You’re only as good as the people that you surround yourself with,” Spavital said, following thanking Texas State President Denise Trauth and director of athletics Larry Teis. “When you have a whole university and community all pulling in the same direction… there’s a lot of good things that are going to happen.”

Coach Spavital believes playing as a collective team can produce a winning culture by eliminating individual agendas and creating their own expectations. 

“There’s low expectations about our team in the outside extrinsic factors,” Spavital said. “But we have high expectations from ourselves and that’s the point we’re trying to develop: a winning culture at Texas State and we’re going to get there.”

Aaron Brewer, one of two student-athletes representing Texas State at media day, remains focused following the best season of his college career. Brewer allowed only one sack throughout the entire 2018 season. The senior offensive lineman found the Bobcat’s fifth seeded placement in the preseason coaches poll as a sign of “disrespect.”

“We’re going to improve this season,” Brewer said. “We’re going to see y’all on the field.”

Senior linebacker Bryan London II led the Sun Belt conference in tackles with 109 last season. London looks to continue leading by example during the new era of Bobcat football.

“I try to be the first person in workouts and the last to leave,” London said. “We earn a position to lead, we want to do it correctly.”

Athlon Sports selected London as a member of the 2019 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference First-Team. London is determined to leave his mark in 2019 and reassures Bobcat fans he’s going all in for his senior year. 

“I just want [Bobcat fans] to remember me as a relentless competitor,” London said. “It doesn’t matter what’s on the scoreboard, I’m just going to go hard.” 

Texas State’s 2019-20 season commences in College Station against the Texas A&M Aggies on August 29. Catch the Bobcats’ first game on KTSW 89.9, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Featured image by Texas State Athletics.