You scuff the leaves and the magic evaporates. It happens when you brush aside the fallen foliage with careless steps. The golden hue and whisper of autumn disappear, leaving behind a mere reminder of what was once enchanting. Leaves, once vibrant and full of life, lose their charm when disturbed. They are no longer a soft carpet beneath your feet or a waltz of color in the air. Instead, they lay crushed and forgotten, their beauty reduced to remnants of what used to be.
Utsa mascot
UTSA Fight Song
Go, Roadrunners, Go!
On to vict’ry with all your might.
Fight, Roadrunners, Fight!
For the Blue and the Orange and the White.
We fight for U-T-S-A
Alma Mater proud and strong.
Win, Roadrunners, Win!
And unite in our battle song.
(Repeat for second verse)
Click here to listen!
UTSA Alma Mater
From our hills of oak and cedar
To the Alamo
Voices raised will echo
As, in song, our praises flow
Hail Alma Mater!
Through the years our loyalty will grow
The University of Texas
San Antonio
Click here to listen!
The Roadrunner Hand Sign – Birds Up!
- Open your hand with your palm facing out (away from you)
- Curl your first three fingers toward the center of your palm, leaving your thumb and little finger upright.
- Your thumb is the roadrunner's head and your pinky represents the tail.
- Pro tip—it’s always “palms out” because other schools do it sideways or facing inward
Other Traditions
Homecoming began in 1985 to bring students and alumni together to celebrate their connections to UTSA. Best Fest, the selection of Mr. and Ms. UTSA, and, of course the Homecoming football game are highlights of a full week of activities.
The Fountain of Luck: It is said that touching the fountain under the Sombrilla while the water is running will bring good luck on your final exams. It is only good to touch it during finals and not any other time because then it will give you bad luck. A campaign and lead gift from alumni Nancy '93, '95, and Andrew Ozuna '91 recently helped repair the fountain to ensure the water would continue to run.
Roadrunner Statue: The iron version of Rowdy the Roadrunner mascot arrived on campus in September 2013, thanks to the generosity of many supporters. As part of the initial Bring Rowdy Home campaign (now closed), donors are forever linked to the statue by having their names listed online. Below, the artist RG Box celebrates Rowdy's installation.
Being a Roadrunner
Being a Roadrunner means becoming an actively engaged member of our academic community. UTSA is home to many student-initiated and inspired traditions. These campus traditions unite our community and showcase our spirit and pride in UTSA.
- Learn more about campus terminology with our Beak Speak guide.
- Learn more about some of the signature events that shape our campus life identity.
Instead, they lay crushed and forgotten, their beauty reduced to remnants of what used to be. In the same way, the magic we encounter in life can vanish with a single misstep. It is fragile, fleeting, and easily destroyed.
Roadrunner Creed
The University of Texas at San Antonio is a community of scholars where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration, and innovation are fostered.
As a Roadrunner, I will:
- Uphold the highest standards of academic and personal integrity by practicing and expecting fair and ethical conduct;
- Respect and accept individual differences, recognizing the inherent dignity of each person;
- Contribute to campus life and the larger community through my active engagement; and
- Support the fearless exploration of dreams and ideas in the advancement of ingenuity, creativity, and discovery.
Guided by these principles now and forever, I am a Roadrunner!
- Learn more about the history of the Roadrunner Creed
Just as a careless action can mar a delicate leaf, our actions and choices can shatter the enchantment of a moment, a relationship, or a dream. Think of the times when a seemingly insignificant action or decision caused a chain reaction, leading to the loss of something special. A thoughtless word spoken in anger, a missed opportunity, or a moment of complacency can scuff the leaves of magic, leaving us with a sense of regret and longing. But just as leaves regenerate with each passing season, magic can be rediscovered. It requires mindfulness, intention, and a deep appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us. We must tread lightly, careful not to disturb the delicate enchantment that weaves itself into our lives. And when we do scuff the leaves, as we inevitably will, we must learn from our missteps and strive to do better. The magic of life lies in the small moments, the hidden wonders, and the connections we form. It is up to us to cherish them, to nurture them, and to be mindful of their fragility. For when we scuff the leaves, the magic may evaporate, but it is never truly lost. It waits patiently for us to rediscover it, to embrace it, and to appreciate it once more..
Reviews for "Unmasking the Silent Process of Magic Evaporation in Leaves"
- Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I found "You scuff the leaves and the magic evaporates" to be a disjointed and confusing read. The author tried to incorporate multiple storylines and characters, but it ended up feeling jumbled and overwhelming. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. Overall, I was disappointed and did not connect with the book.
- Mike - 1 out of 5 stars - "You scuff the leaves and the magic evaporates" was a complete mess. The narrative lacked focus and the characters were underdeveloped. I couldn't form any emotional connection with them, which made it hard for me to care about their journey. Furthermore, the writing style was overly wordy and pretentious, making it hard to follow along. I was left feeling unsatisfied and regretful of investing my time in this book.
- Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for "You scuff the leaves and the magic evaporates" based on the intriguing title and beautiful cover art, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing style was overly descriptive to the point of becoming tedious, and I found myself skimming through paragraphs just to get to the next plot point. The plot itself lacked direction and left me confused and uninterested. While I appreciate the author's attempt to create a unique and whimsical story, it simply didn't resonate with me.