By Jerry Briggs
Special for The JB Replay
UTSA issued a statement critical of Roadrunners baseball coach Pat Hallmark on Wednesday night, nearly 24 hours after a post-game, altercation between Hallmark and coaches of the Texas State Bobcats.
UTSA athletic director Lisa Campos: ‘It is clear that Coach Hallmark’s conduct last night was unacceptable. I have addressed his words and actions with him and I am confident that he understands and acknowledges that it cannot happen again.’ – File photo by Joe Alexander
Athletic director Lisa Campos, in the statement, called Hallmark’s actions “unacceptable.” Hallmark apologized to UTSA, its fans and the Texas State baseball program.
The university’s statement came on the eve of an important regular-season ending, three-game series involving the Roadrunners and the UAB Blazers.
The series opens Thursday night and runs through Saturday at Roadrunner Field.
If UTSA can win one game out of the three, it would clinch at least a tie for the regular-season title in the American Conference.
After UTSA defeated Texas State 19-4 Tuesday night on the run rule, coaches for both teams gathered at home plate to discuss whether a Roadrunners pitcher had thrown at one of the Bobcats’ hitters.
During the exchange, tempers flared, and video showed Hallmark shoving a Texas State coach.
After the game, the UTSA coach said one of Texas State’s assistants “put his hands on me, so I put my hands back on him.”
Videos that appeared on social media captured a heated exchange between Hallmark and the Texas State coaches.
A video shot by Rylan Renteria, sports editor of The Paisano, the student newspaper at UTSA, showed coaches shouting at each other as Texas State players angrily hurled insults at Hallmark.
The incident led to communication during the day on Wednesday between administrators at UTSA and Texas State.
In a statement released just before 8 p.m. Wednesday, Campos, the UTSA vice president and director of athletics, criticized Hallmark’s conduct.
“After reviewing last night’s incident with Pat Hallmark, Texas State Athletics Director Don Coryell, American Conference officials and others, it is clear that Coach Hallmark’s conduct last night was unacceptable,” Campos said.
Added Campos, “I have addressed his words and actions with him and I am confident that he understands and acknowledges that it cannot happen again. We consider the matter closed.”
Hallmark, in the statement, expressed contrition for his role in the incident.
“I want to apologize to UTSA and our incredible fans for any embarrassment I may have caused for my conduct after last night’s game,” Hallmark said.
Added the coach, “I also want to apologize to the Texas State baseball program, its coaches, student-athletes and fans.
“Regardless of my motivation or provocation, I did not represent the sportsmanship and character that we demand of our student-athletes and that UTSA expects and deserves. I will do better.”
It remains to be seen how the controversy will affect the Roadrunners, who lead the American Conference by two games over the East Carolina Pirates and by three over the Blazers and the Rice Owls.
All have three games to play.
The title would be UTSA’s second straight after Hallmark’s 2025 team won the American, advanced to the NCAA tournament and defeated the Texas Longhorns in the Austin Regional.
Some hailed the baseball team’s success last year as the greatest team achievement in school history.
Records
UAB 29-23, 13-11
UTSA 35-17, 16-8
Coming up
UAB at UTSA, Thursday, 6 p.m.
UAB at UTSA, Friday, 6 p.m.
UAB at UTSA, Saturday, 11 a.m.