Space for Proposed Science addition scheduled for 2017
Pages 4-5
February 14, 2013
Volume 69, No. 18
Weekly Events Things to do through Feb. 24 Page 6
Homecoming ‘13 Photo album of UTPA parade Online
Traveling Profs Faculty receives traveling funds
Online
Sports Updates Luke Jackson to be honored Online Basketball, golf and tennis scores
Online
Forever Alone Francisco Rodriguez/The Pan American
Reporter George Terrazas speaks to students about celebrating Anti-Valentine’s Day Online
panamericanonline.com
Digital Attraction
UTPA students share their experiences with online dating By Lea Victoria Juarez The Pan American
Nursing major Sarah Christensen’s death brought her and boyfriend Luis Escalante together. Had he not resurrected her, they might have never met. Four years ago, while attempting to complete quests as a character for the Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game
Fiesta, Christensen found she was out of her element. “It was my first MMO and I sucked really, really bad,” the 22-year-old recalled with a laugh. “I died so I needed someone to come resurrect me. So he came by, resurrected me and then he left.” An MMO allows people from all over the world to play the same game and
interact with each other in real time. While Christensen was gaming from Morgan Hill, Calif., Escalante was in Hidalgo. Over the next couple of days, the two met up within the game and began to talk to each other via typed chat. “From there, basically there’s only been a span of about three days that we didn’t talk in the begin-
ning because he was busy,” the sophomore said. “But other than that, for four years now, not even a single day has gone by that we haven’t talked.” After about two years of communicating through phone, video chat and
spending a total of three weeks together in person, Christensen moved to the Valley the summer of 2010 to be with Escalante. Since then she has been a resident of Hidalgo, living with 23-year-old Escalante, and his mother.
continued on Page 6
2
opinion
February 14, 2013
COMIC
Our dearest readers, Happy Valentine’s Day! Some people go for flowers, or chocolate, or giant teddy bears, but not us. We made this for you. Because ...well this is a bit embarrassing... we love you. Like, kind of a lot. Yeah. A lot. But who could blame us? Look at you! You’re beautiful, charming, funny and super interesting. It makes us so happy when you mention us to your friends or watch the videos we make for you every day. We just wish we could be a little closer to you. We wish you would notice us. We watch you all day and spend our nights thinking of how to make you happy. We just want to be there for you, all the time, whenever you need us. But I mean it s’ not like we’re obsessed or anything. I mean, that would be creepy, right? Anyways, today, this Day of Love, we just wanted to let you know we adore you and we l’ l always treat you right. Someday, we just hope you notice us. But if not, we l''' l still be here - the old standby.
Love, The Pan American Staff
SASS offered to help pass class
Strategies for Academic Success Sessions to fill gaps in student progress By May Ortega The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American is offering its students some SASS to assist them in their classes. Tips on note-taking, time management and other components of college work are part of the Strategies for Academic Success Sessions that have been going on since January. Ten topics that concentrate on improving student learning in class are being taught Thursdays and Fridays in 20 noncredit sessions until April. The sessions are open to all students, free of charge. Each session covers a topic meant to give tips and strategies to make passing classes simpler and less stressful. The first was held Jan. 24 and the last will be April 19 in the Health Science and Human Services West Building, Room 1.404. The sessions are sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Studies, along with the Learning Assistance Center, the Writing Center, the University Academic Advising Center and the Center for Online Learning, Teaching and Technology. Kristin Croyle, vice provost for undergraduate education, came up with the idea. She said that the sessions were created because many students struggle with the underlying structure of learning, and she gave an example.
amount of students on academic probation of all classifications, especially freshmen. Out of the 3,102 freshmen enrolled in fall 2012 for the first time at UTPA, 544 are on probation. “A lot of times when freshmen are coming in, they don’t get a good start at the beginning of the semester,” she offered. “And they find out maybe a month into it that their methods aren’t working and they become overwhelmed.” Croyle believes that the sessions are useful to students How to Study to Pass Your Midterm Exams FEB 21-22 because they offer information not normally received in class. MAR 7-8 Choosing a Major “These are topics that some MAR 21-22 Note Taking Inside And Outside the Classroom of the faculty doesn’t cover because it’s not their thing. TeachMAR 28-29 Time Management ing students how to read a textbook is not something you APR 4-5 What do ‘A’ Students do? teach in class,” said. Francisco Rodriguez / The Croyle Pan American She also felt that students Got an Essay Assignment? Here’s Help! APR 11-12 deserve solutions for their problems and that these tutorials can Acing Your Finals APR 18-19 give them just that because of the professionals involved, such college material is not the same management seems to be a as UNIV 1301 instructors and thing students may have been common problem for students the strategies they teach. “It’s kind of like trying to of every classification and can used to in the past. fix your own car,” Croyle ex“It’s different reading aca- take a toll on one’s studies. “I think that there’s a mis- plained. “If you don’t know demic material from pleasure reading,” she said. “What the conception that college means much about it, you can just try college faculty expects students more freedom, so students for- and try and you probably won’t to get out of reading is different get that the responsibility is on make much progress. But if from what they were expected them to map out how they’re you have someone who is an going to study,” she said. “It’s expert looking over your shoulto get out of it in high school.” Along with a reading ses- not about waiting to study until der, that would help you reach your goal much more easily.” sion, there is one for note- the day before.” Hagerty also believes that taking, help with essay assignments, acing finals, and more the sessions can help lower the “You’ve got this big textbook to read and you’re a strong reader when you read novels,” she said. “But when you try to read an academic textbook, it’s a whole different type of reading.” There is a session tailored for reading college-level work, for students who have problems that Croyle mentioned. Marilyn Hagerty, director for the University’s Academic Advising Center, agrees that
topics that Croyle says students need assistance with. There will be sessions that cover time management March 28 and 29, which Croyle thinks could really come in handy. “Maybe a student is very good at managing the responsibilities in their lives but they may not recognize all the time commitment that college classes take,” she suggested. “So their time management just falls apart.” Hagerty added that time
AMAZOn4467
I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. I’ve been thinking about you all day baby xoxo <3
Wizzarrd 007
ME too, let’s beat this level quickly so we can meet up for our date tomorrow :)
HP 3093/3974 HP 2539/5873
I just remembered I left the stove on, Uh.. gotta go, bye!
I can’t believe how beautiful you are in person.
Francicso Rodriguez /The Pan American
Correction:
In Vol. 69, No. 17’s story “The Thrill of the Seasons,” The Pan American reported that Dr. Who travels via Tardis, a “portal potty.” T.A.R.D.I.S, or Time and Relative Dimension in Space, is the correct acronym and is a public police call box. Also, the correct name of the show is Doctor Who. The Pan American dedicates itself to reporting facts and the staff apologizes for the mistake in last week’s article.
#UTPA Tweet at and follow us @ThePanAmerican
Everyday the time gets closer and closer until I’m college bound. Couldn’t be more excited either. #UTPA - @chrismckeehan13 One of the few perks of the McAllen teaching center is the parking & #utpa is quickly overcrowding it. - @IMJuanted #UTPA had their first homecoming parade nd I have to admit I actually liked it :D #kuddos - @MichelleDee_
Letters to the
Editor The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. We cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all letters to:
thepanamerican @gmail.com
Vol. 69, No. 18
The Pan American
thepanamerican@gmail.com 1201 West University, ARHU 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 665-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122
Editors-in-Chief:
Karen Antonacci Daniella Diaz
News Editor:
Charles Vale
Sports Editor:
Norma Gonzalez
Arts & Life Editor:
Lea Victoria Juarez
Photography Editor: Adrian Castillo
Design Editor:
Karen Villarreal
Multimedia Editor:
Elizabeth Espinosa
Social Media Editor: Ismael Melendez
Adviser:
Dr. Greg Selber
Administrative Associate:
Anita Reyes
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Elva Ramirez
Webmaster:
Jose Villarreal
The Pan American is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or university.
Next Delivery:
Feb. 21 at noon
February 14, 2013
THE PAN AMERICAN
Page 3
Page 4
THE PAN AMERICAN
February 14, 2013
THE PAN AMERICAN
February 14, 2013
The Pan American asked students what they thought about plans to spend $98 million on the addition to the Science Building.
Chemistry
Math
Story by Karen Perez After it received the OK Jan. 23 by the University of Texas System board of regents, a new science building could be in the works for UTPA to help accommodate the growing number of science students. If funding is approved by the Texas Legislature at the end of May, the new facility would be completed by December 2016 and available for students January 2017. The $98 million project would be funded by tuition revenue bonds, funds generated through state-issued bonds with future tuition as security. The 162,600-square-foot annex would support science,
5 Health Sciences
technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines, including biology, chemistry, health sciences and environmental studies. John Trant, dean for the College of Science and Mathematics, said the proposal for a new facility resulted from an increase in science majors. “The number of majors in my college are growing faster than the University,” Trant said. “The UT System considers a building fully occupied when it’s 80 percent full. Our current science building is filled 110 percent of its capacity.”
research labs last month, UTPA President Robert Nelsen called for an addition to the new Science Building that would add three auditorium classes to seat a combined 450 students, plus the following: 30 research labs, 19 instructional labs, five specialized labs (imag-
Environmental Studies
ing, instrumentation, tissue culture, herbarium and radioisotope), two biosafety level-3 labs, six environmental chambers and a vivarium (an animal care facility). Office space for additional faculty will be included as well. UTPA’s current $26 million building, 156,700 square feet in shape of the letter ‘U,’ was completed in 1997. With the $98 million funding proposal, the existing edifice would receive an addition, or annex, that would turn it into a rectangular facility. The Department of Physics and Geology would also be moved into the annex, while the planetari-
specialized labs
WHAT’S IN STORE In a presentation given at the board of regents’ meeting
Biology
Design by Karen Villarreal
um is expected to be enhanced or replaced. With a new facility, Trant said students will have access to new specialized bachelor’s programs such as biochemistry, as well as more Ph.Ds. Along with The University of Texas at Brownsville merger, Trant said the new science building will be an important step to helping place the University as an emerging research institute. “In my opinion the best learning experience is experiential,” Trant said. “Our best opportunity to provide that experiential learning is through undergraduate research.” According to the UT System website, emerging re-
30
search universities are eligible for the National Research University Fund established by the 81st Texas Legislature in 2009. The funding program financially assists emerging research universities who spend at least $45 million in research. As of now, the Texas
The UT System considers a building fully occupied when it’s 80 percent full. Our current science building is filled 110 percent of its capacity. - John Trant
Dean, College of Science and Math
Higher Education Coordinating Board has designated seven institutions in the state as emerging research universities. The three that are the most recognized are University of Texas Austin, Texas A&M and Rice University as Tier One, or high-performing, nationally competitive research institutes. District 40 State Rep. Terry Canales said the UTPA science building would be an asset to the University’s pro-
19
nationally in the field of science,” Canales said. The new building would contribute to the UTPA administration’s goal of enrolling 30,000 students by fall 2021. With a new science facility to compliment a medical school in the Valley, the number of students interested in a health career will double, according to Trant. “There is no question in my mind that the programs, degree plans and research will
instructional labs
posed merger with UTB and the creation of a new medical school in the Valley, also up for consideration this Legislative session. Because the new building proposal and merger between UTPA and UTB are two different projects, a science facility can still occur with or without the unification, Canales explained. He also said a new structure will be a benefit to students and the Valley. “In general, the new facility will have cutting-edge technology to empower UTPA students with the resources needed to compete
Auditorium to seat
be bringing more students from the region and across the state to study here,” he said. WORD ON CAMPUS Martha Salazar, a senior biology major, hopes the new annex will address classroom capacity issues in the current building. “In my cell biology lecture we had about 50 students, some would end up sitting on the floor due to the lack of chairs and space until they moved us to another room,” Salazar said. The 22-year-old Brownsville native expressed enthusiasm regarding the bachelor’s program for biochemistry that could result from the construction.
450
“There’s not much you can do with a biology major besides teach or work for
“I used to work with Dr. Banik along with 20 other students in a large lab, but at the same time it was too small for all of us,” the 20-year-old from Sharyland said. Bimal Banik is a chemistry professor at UTPA. Guerrero, who came to UTPA with the hopes of majoring in biochemistry, said he’s glad the University is pushing more specialized science programs. “The idea of adding biochemistry as a major has been around for quite a while,” he explained. “This is actually really exciting news. A larger science building will bring a larger science community.” Mayra Olivarez, a pre-den-
environmental chambers wildlife research,” Salazar explained. “Biochemistry is more industrial, it’s a great complement to pharmaceutics, dentistry, pre-med and research. I’m actually reading about that right now.” Although the completion of a new science annex along with its new programs might come in late for Salazar, she said more research labs may convince future students to stay closer to campus. “Professors are really selective when it comes to choosing students’ assistance in research,” Salazar said. “But with more research labs available, students won’t have to leave to other universities to gain the experience they need.” Adrian Guerrero, a junior chemistry major currently working on cancer biology research at the Edinburg Regional Academic Health Center, believes in the importance of adding more research labs on campus.
6
tal biology major, said a new science home will be a great addition to the possible medical school. The Hidalgo native also hopes more lab courses will open as a result. “This semester I didn’t get the chemistry lab on the day I wanted, it got canceled,” the 18-year-old freshman explained. “It would be great if more labs are available at times that are the most convenient for students.” Junior biology major Esthela Jimenez said although the new science building may not affect her by graduation, it will be a good prospect for students. “I think it’s going to be great for the Valley. It will bring a lot of opportunities and recognition in the fields of science,” the 18-year-old McAllen native said. “Creating a larger facility will encourage more people to study here.”
Occupancy date: January 2017
I think it’s good. The science majors are growing, and they need more equipment to accommodate for the number of students. I know they run out of equipment so that students can’t do their experiments.
Samantha Champion, 21, senior, biology “They should put more money in different programs, like special fields. We are a real generalist university for some fields.”
John Garcia, 23, senior, biology
“There are still other things they should be pushing on. They’ve been talking a lot about the lighting around school. They still haven’t fixed that. As of right now, especially parking, as you can see there isn’t enough parking for everyone.”
Ramon Bermejo, 21, senior, engineering “Well why just the science building? I’m pretty sure there are other colleges that need more funding to. For example, the physics building is really small. The LAC is small. It’s not fair.”
Octavio Ocampo, 18, freshman, engineering
120,44 ft
2
Cost: $98 million Completion date: December 2016
Page 5
Page 4
THE PAN AMERICAN
February 14, 2013
THE PAN AMERICAN
February 14, 2013
The Pan American asked students what they thought about plans to spend $98 million on the addition to the Science Building.
Chemistry
Math
Story by Karen Perez After it received the OK Jan. 23 by the University of Texas System board of regents, a new science building could be in the works for UTPA to help accommodate the growing number of science students. If funding is approved by the Texas Legislature at the end of May, the new facility would be completed by December 2016 and available for students January 2017. The $98 million project would be funded by tuition revenue bonds, funds generated through state-issued bonds with future tuition as security. The 162,600-square-foot annex would support science,
5 Health Sciences
technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines, including biology, chemistry, health sciences and environmental studies. John Trant, dean for the College of Science and Mathematics, said the proposal for a new facility resulted from an increase in science majors. “The number of majors in my college are growing faster than the University,” Trant said. “The UT System considers a building fully occupied when it’s 80 percent full. Our current science building is filled 110 percent of its capacity.”
research labs last month, UTPA President Robert Nelsen called for an addition to the new Science Building that would add three auditorium classes to seat a combined 450 students, plus the following: 30 research labs, 19 instructional labs, five specialized labs (imag-
Environmental Studies
ing, instrumentation, tissue culture, herbarium and radioisotope), two biosafety level-3 labs, six environmental chambers and a vivarium (an animal care facility). Office space for additional faculty will be included as well. UTPA’s current $26 million building, 156,700 square feet in shape of the letter ‘U,’ was completed in 1997. With the $98 million funding proposal, the existing edifice would receive an addition, or annex, that would turn it into a rectangular facility. The Department of Physics and Geology would also be moved into the annex, while the planetari-
specialized labs
WHAT’S IN STORE In a presentation given at the board of regents’ meeting
Biology
Design by Karen Villarreal
um is expected to be enhanced or replaced. With a new facility, Trant said students will have access to new specialized bachelor’s programs such as biochemistry, as well as more Ph.Ds. Along with The University of Texas at Brownsville merger, Trant said the new science building will be an important step to helping place the University as an emerging research institute. “In my opinion the best learning experience is experiential,” Trant said. “Our best opportunity to provide that experiential learning is through undergraduate research.” According to the UT System website, emerging re-
30
search universities are eligible for the National Research University Fund established by the 81st Texas Legislature in 2009. The funding program financially assists emerging research universities who spend at least $45 million in research. As of now, the Texas
The UT System considers a building fully occupied when it’s 80 percent full. Our current science building is filled 110 percent of its capacity. - John Trant
Dean, College of Science and Math
Higher Education Coordinating Board has designated seven institutions in the state as emerging research universities. The three that are the most recognized are University of Texas Austin, Texas A&M and Rice University as Tier One, or high-performing, nationally competitive research institutes. District 40 State Rep. Terry Canales said the UTPA science building would be an asset to the University’s pro-
19
nationally in the field of science,” Canales said. The new building would contribute to the UTPA administration’s goal of enrolling 30,000 students by fall 2021. With a new science facility to compliment a medical school in the Valley, the number of students interested in a health career will double, according to Trant. “There is no question in my mind that the programs, degree plans and research will
instructional labs
posed merger with UTB and the creation of a new medical school in the Valley, also up for consideration this Legislative session. Because the new building proposal and merger between UTPA and UTB are two different projects, a science facility can still occur with or without the unification, Canales explained. He also said a new structure will be a benefit to students and the Valley. “In general, the new facility will have cutting-edge technology to empower UTPA students with the resources needed to compete
Auditorium to seat
be bringing more students from the region and across the state to study here,” he said. WORD ON CAMPUS Martha Salazar, a senior biology major, hopes the new annex will address classroom capacity issues in the current building. “In my cell biology lecture we had about 50 students, some would end up sitting on the floor due to the lack of chairs and space until they moved us to another room,” Salazar said. The 22-year-old Brownsville native expressed enthusiasm regarding the bachelor’s program for biochemistry that could result from the construction.
450
“There’s not much you can do with a biology major besides teach or work for
“I used to work with Dr. Banik along with 20 other students in a large lab, but at the same time it was too small for all of us,” the 20-year-old from Sharyland said. Bimal Banik is a chemistry professor at UTPA. Guerrero, who came to UTPA with the hopes of majoring in biochemistry, said he’s glad the University is pushing more specialized science programs. “The idea of adding biochemistry as a major has been around for quite a while,” he explained. “This is actually really exciting news. A larger science building will bring a larger science community.” Mayra Olivarez, a pre-den-
environmental chambers wildlife research,” Salazar explained. “Biochemistry is more industrial, it’s a great complement to pharmaceutics, dentistry, pre-med and research. I’m actually reading about that right now.” Although the completion of a new science annex along with its new programs might come in late for Salazar, she said more research labs may convince future students to stay closer to campus. “Professors are really selective when it comes to choosing students’ assistance in research,” Salazar said. “But with more research labs available, students won’t have to leave to other universities to gain the experience they need.” Adrian Guerrero, a junior chemistry major currently working on cancer biology research at the Edinburg Regional Academic Health Center, believes in the importance of adding more research labs on campus.
6
tal biology major, said a new science home will be a great addition to the possible medical school. The Hidalgo native also hopes more lab courses will open as a result. “This semester I didn’t get the chemistry lab on the day I wanted, it got canceled,” the 18-year-old freshman explained. “It would be great if more labs are available at times that are the most convenient for students.” Junior biology major Esthela Jimenez said although the new science building may not affect her by graduation, it will be a good prospect for students. “I think it’s going to be great for the Valley. It will bring a lot of opportunities and recognition in the fields of science,” the 18-year-old McAllen native said. “Creating a larger facility will encourage more people to study here.”
Occupancy date: January 2017
I think it’s good. The science majors are growing, and they need more equipment to accommodate for the number of students. I know they run out of equipment so that students can’t do their experiments.
Samantha Champion, 21, senior, biology “They should put more money in different programs, like special fields. We are a real generalist university for some fields.”
John Garcia, 23, senior, biology
“There are still other things they should be pushing on. They’ve been talking a lot about the lighting around school. They still haven’t fixed that. As of right now, especially parking, as you can see there isn’t enough parking for everyone.”
Ramon Bermejo, 21, senior, engineering “Well why just the science building? I’m pretty sure there are other colleges that need more funding to. For example, the physics building is really small. The LAC is small. It’s not fair.”
Octavio Ocampo, 18, freshman, engineering
120,44 ft
2
Cost: $98 million Completion date: December 2016
Page 5
arts & life
February 14, 2013
Calendar of Events
6
Feb. 14
Valentine’s Day Dinner Roosevelt’s at 7 7 p.m.
Reservation Required
Feb. 14
Valentine’s Day Dance Cypress Lounge 9:30 p.m.
Feb. 15
Valentine’s Dance for Immigration Reform San Juan LUPE office 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Feb. 15
Morrissey Concert Postponed Date TBA
Feb. 17
Awesome at IMAS: Engineers Week 2013 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Feb. 20 Feb. 21-24 Feb. 22
Craft the next Blue Moon Roosevelt’s at 7 7:30 p.m.
Fiesta Edinburg
Edinburg Municipal Park
“Past the Checkpoint” opera Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance
Love Continued from Page 1 “I can’t imagine anything without him. My entire future is planned with him,” Christensen said of her junior biology major boyfriend. “We’ve gone through a lot of stuff together. Living with him has made us closer.” NEW TERRITORY With this generation’s popularity of social media and online gaming, human interaction has extended throughout different mediums. Online dating is a means of meeting people when the girl next door has been whisked away or the eligible bachelors at the club have lost their luster. More than twice as many couples that married in 2009 met through online dating services than at a club or social event, according to a 2010 article in The Washington Post. “It’s something different and a whole new experience,” said Alamo native and senior Randy Garcia, who had a two-year relationship with a girl he met online. “I wanted to see what the fuss was about and gain the knowledge of something that I thought I would never do...curiosity got the best of me.” The 25-year-old used websites such as Myspace, Plenty of Fish and Facebook. Although a relationship blossomed from his online endeavors, he knows cau-
tion must be taken. “There are always downfalls to things like that,” Garcia said. “Sometimes you have to be aware about people who are catfish and that’s creepy.” The term “catfish,” a person who creates a false online identity, was
In meeting face to face, you had to have a social connection first,” said the senior art education major who signed up with site OKcupid. “(With) online dating, these people are presented to you without context. You’re meeting a total stranger with no social connection and that’s not a good way to meet someone.”
If you don’t know what someone looks like then I think you get to know them a little better because you’re not wrapped up in the looks of someone. You actually get to know their personality. coined in - Karen Rice 2010 when BiolOhio native, 29 a documentaogy and ry by the same theater name came out. It performance major followed a relationKaren Rice has a vastly ship between a man and different opinion than Valdez. a woman who met online, Rice is a 29-year-old but after investigation the man Springfield, Ohio, native found the woman had fabricat- who found a relationship ed her identity. through the MMORPG While Garcia’s relationship World of Warcraft in 2008. ended, he admits he would give Like Christensen, Rice began online dating another shot, un- a relationship by chance with like 20-year-old McAllen native someone out of state through Doris Valdez, who flatly said the gaming world. never again. After about four months “I met a few people, but it’s of flirtation, Rice and her now not the same as real-life dating.
former boyfriend made their relationship official and were together for two years. Though the couple could only initially interact through technological outlets, Rice believes it was an experience that person-to-person interaction couldn’t grant. “I think it’s better to not meet someone face to face at first because then you’re going off of somebody’s personality and not what they look like,” she said. “If you don’t know what someone looks like then I think you get to know them a little better because you’re not wrapped up in the looks of someone. You actually get to know their personality.” As far as what it’s like when finally meeting up with the person who has been primarily composed of pixels on a screen, Christensen went through her own battles with Escalante. No longer able to hide reactions, facial expressions and mannerisms, she was taken aback after first moving in with Escalante and his mother, but found a better outcome. “You have to kind of get to know them all over again because the way you are online is a little more selective,” she said. “It’s like your perfect vision of that person is not there, but the reward is that you get to actually know the person that you’re with for who they truly are.”
February 14, 2013 January 31, 2013
7
Going out with a bang Baseball team hopes to finish final GWC season on top
Photos and Story By Norma Gonzalez The Pan American It will be an uphill battle to the final showdown with Utah Valley University for the Bronc baseball team. And they are determined to get there and conquer. Not only are the Broncs out for revenge against UVU, but they will have to endure the first month of play on the road and face tougher competition, including three NCAA top-ranked schools. “It’s going to be real hard,” said senior catcher Christian Torres. “Obviously we want to play on our home field. That’s where we practice, that’s where we’ve been since August, that’s where we’re comfortable, but it’s going to be a big test for us.” After playing away for so long and battling some tough competition, the Broncs will get their shot at a comeback - closing the season with a home series against the UVU Wolverines before heading to New Jersey for the Great West Conference. “They get to play our game at our park which doesn’t fit for some teams,” said Shane Klemcke, a team
leader. “But I think we’re a little deeper in the bullpen this year and we’ve got more depth everywhere. So I think this is a good year we can upset UVU.” Last season, UVU took home the conference ring and went undefeated in the GWC last season (28-0). The Broncs have lost every game against UVU. TOUGH SCHEDULE This year’s schedule includes No. 13 Texas Christian University, No. 24 Texas A&M University and No. 26 University of Texas, as ranked by the NCAA Jan. 28. The season begins Feb. 15 and the first home series begin March 15 against Lamar University. Last year the Broncs lost a close game to UT, but were able to split the two-game series against No. 8 A&M Aggies. “I want to stick it
- Shane Klemcke Infielder
to Texas because I have a buddy that plays for that team,” said Shane Ammon, a transfer from Grayson County College. “I can’t wait for it. I heard A&M gets pretty bad with the crowd.” The Broncs dropped the first game, but pulled a big upset last year when they beat A&M 5-2 the following day. The Aggies went on to finish their season 43-18 (.705), the Longhorns went 30-22 (.577) and the TCU Horned Frogs were 40-22 (.645), while the Broncs recorded a 30-22 (.577) season. Besides these top dogs, the team will be playing stronger teams overall. “We’re definitely playing a better schedule,” infielder Klemcke said. “The teams we played in the preseason last year right before conference weren’t...as strong.” Torres believes the Broncs have a great mentality on the field and will do what’s necessary to win against these schools - take hits, run harder and take extra bases. “Just being blue-collar people, we’re not like UT, we’re not like A&M,” said Torres, a Miami native. “We’re not schools that are going to win because it says Texas A&M Aggies on our jerseys.” RIVALRY Last season, after having their best start in years and starting conference play 8-0, the Broncs headed over to Utah Val-
ley, who also had the same record at that time. It was going to be a test to see who the big dogs of the GWC would be. As fate would have it, the Wolverines beat the Broncs, sweeping the series. This year it is one of the team’s most anticipated match-ups and the guys hope they can turn the tables on their rival. “We were both 8-0 going into that series and they put it to us,” said Torres, also a team leader chosen by Coach Mantrana. “That’s probably one of the worst feelings I’ve had. They just put it to us and I want to return the favor now when they come to our place.” Besides finishing with a winning record, the Broncs placed second in conference, but this year that won’t be good enough for them, according to Torres. As the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics prepares to move over to the Western Athletic Conference July 1, the Broncs want to end this conference on a high note – as GWC champions. “We’re going to go out with a bang,” Klemcke said excitedly. “I think everybody wants to win, especially going into the WAC next year. It’ll be awesome for the program to get that under their belt going into the WAC.” Making the transition with the Broncs to the WAC is, once again, UVU. The Broncs will close the regular season with a home
series against that school May 16-18. “Obviously UT’s cool and A&M’s cool, but at the end of the day, those games mean nothing to us,” Torres said about the difference between non-conference and conference games. “You know they’re big-time programs so, when we beat them, it’s going to be a big thing for the school because we are beating a very big opponent, but if we lose to them or if we win it’s not going to make a difference when it comes to conference.” Torres is prepared to go out fighting and expects the same from his teammates. They are ready for the anticipated matchup and believe this is the year they can trample over the Wolverines, even if it proves to be a difficult task. “We may be down 10-1, but we’re going to keep pushing and pushing ourselves,” said Torres about the mentality the coaches have been instilling in the players. “We either tie the game or we lose, but we’re not going to lose by laying down.” Because both UTPA and UVU will be making the transition into the WAC next school year, Torres hopes the rivalry will only get better in the years to come. “I want our guys to see how bad we want to beat them,” Torres said. “And then when we leave they want to beat them and the team after that sees that and then we become a rivalry.”
We may be down 10-1, but we’re going to keep pushing and pushing ourselves. We either tie the game or we lose, but we’re not going to lose by laying down. - Christian Torres Catcher
Season Starts Feb. 15 first home game mar. 15
February 14, 2013
THE PAN AMERICAN
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