January 29, 2004 by UTRGV Student Media

NBA Schedule Thursday, Jan. 29

30-17 8:30 30-12 San Antonio Spurs vs. Jan. 31 at Utah, 7:30 Feb. 2 at Utah, 8

Saturday, Jan. 31 at 29-16 noon 26-21 Dallas Mavericks vs. Feb. 3 Golden State, 7:30 Feb. 4 at New Orleans, 7

Saturday, Jan. 31 at 26-18 2:30 23-20 Houston Rockets vs. Feb. 1 at Phoenix, 8 Feb. 4 at Milwaukee, 7:30

SUPER BOWL XXXVIII Sunday, Feb. 1 at 16-2

5:25

14-5

Road to the Super Bowl: New England: Jan. 10 def. Titans 17-14 Jan. 18 def. Colts 24-14 Carolina: Jan. 3 def. Cowboys 29-10 Jan. 10 def. Rams 29-23 Jan. 18 def. Eagles 14-3

Killer Bees Friday, Jan. 30 at Killer Bees vs. Wichita, 7:30 Jan. 31 at Tulsa, 7:35 Feb. 4 at Austin, 7:30 All games p.m.

■ Hoops . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ■ Sports Clipboard . . . . . 13

Gravel making her mark at Norwich By AMY MEDELLIN The Pan American

■ Baseball . . . . . . . . . . . 15

The old saying goes: Those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach. However, there are exceptions to the rule, and Alex Gravel is without a doubt one of those exceptions. Gravel, former guard for the University of Texas-Pan American Lady Broncs basketball team, has not only set an array of outstanding records during her college career, but is now making a few as assistant women’s coach at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt. After five years of doing, one of the finest athletes in school history is teaching how to do. And she can draw on an interesting personal journey as teaching material. LOOKING BACK Gravel had an all-star resume as a high school player in Canada, and that success at the school and club level would lead to even higher peaks soon enough. When she was offered a full scholarship by the UTPA coaching staff, she took it without much hesitation. “I came to UTPA because the coaches at the time offered me a full scholarship and it had always been my dream to play basketball in the United States,” said Gravel. “I came for a visit and I liked the place and the weather; it was my chance to pursue my dream and I took it.” Gravel made the most of her four years at UTPA. During her first season, 1998-99, she

was fourth in scoring with 8.4 points per game and ranked third among the Lady Broncs with 42 three-point field goals. Coach Tracy Anderson, who was one of the teaching influences on the Canadian during her career, said that Gravel’s attitude was almost as imposing as her skills. “Alex is one of the most competitive players I’ve been around and she always wanted to win desperately,” said Anderson, current associate head coach for the Lady Broncs. “She would fight tooth and nails to beat her opponent.” From 1999-2000, Gravel finished the season ranked 11th among all NCAA Division I players in three-point field goals per game, averaging 2.8 as a sophomore. She was named second team All-Independent and honored as National Independent Player of the Week. During her season high she made nine three-point field goals against Southwest Texas State, which was the second highest total in the nation in a single game all season. She also scored in double figures in 20 of 28 games. By the end of the season Gravel was ranked 30th in the nation in threepoint field goals per game, with an average of 2.4 a game. Gravel was named second team AllIndependent during the 2000-2001 season, for the second in a row and ranked second in scoring with an average of 13.1 points per game. She led her team in three-point field goals with 65 for the season and

January 29, 2004

An Inside Look:

See Page 8 for details

News ............................................2 ■ A & E............................................7 ■ Sports ........................................16 ■

New fish discovered See Page 5 for details

WINTER TEXANS ROCK!! ! Musical jam sessions energize area visitors is welcome to join. It’s for whomever wants to come play,” stressed Brunotte. “It works out better that way. We get the public in here,” Brunotte said. “Before we’d just get the park people. It’s standing-room only, and the They’d eat their ice cream and they’d go adrenaline rush is on as 30 musicians home, most of them. Now, we have take center stage at Winter Green outside people coming in. They like the Estates. Jam sessions are held every music.” Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Estates, located Not all of the musicians are from the at 500 N. Bryan Road in Mission. Winter Winter Texans from Green Minnesota, Michigan, Estates Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and community. Okla., including British Mary Columbia, Canada and as I retired at 62 and Orendorff, far away as Liverpool, 70, of I played it [bass England make up this DeWitt, cacophonous assembly of fiddle] before then. I Iowa, lives talented would-be just love it. I’m not at Pleasant entertainers. Valley Wally Brunotte, 72, of St. Nashville, but I have Ranch, Paul Park, Minn. and a a lot of fun. located six Winter Green Estate miles west resident, is the instigator - Mary Orendorff, of Mission. and organizer of this Winter Texan from Iowa “We evening’s session. For him, moved to it’s a labor of love. Texas 10 years ago but we’re originally “We started this jam here, it was the from Iowa. We’re very fortunate, our first of November,” said Brunotte. “I family lives within seven hours of us, so bought all the equipment for the park we’re very lucky,” said Orendorff. “It’s and stuff. It’s a happy time for very pretty in Iowa but I don’t like to everybody.” “It started out by invitation only but it drive in that pretty [snow]. We love it didn’t work out that way. Now, everyone in Texas.” By DIANA CORPUS GARZA The Pan American

“

Photo courtesy of the Norwich University Athletic Department

Broncs thrash IPFW, end losing streak The University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketball team shot 80 percent from the line and Andrius Sakalys scored a team-high 17 points to lead the Broncs to an 81-60 victory over the Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne Mastodons Wednesday night at the Field House. “We needed a win big time after losing some games,” Sakalys said. “It serves as a confidence booster for our last games of the season.” The 6-foot-6 senior forward also had a good night at the line by going 7-of-9. The 21-point victory served to put an end to the Broncs’ four-game losing streak before1,678 fans. “We had a great crowd tonight,” said UTPA head coach Bob Hoffman. “They were really into the game and really helped our guys.” Overall, the Broncs went 20-of-25 (80 percent) from the free-throw line, which turned out to be the difference in the game. Junior guard Sergio Sánchez went 7-of-7 from the line and finished out the game with 13 points, while Sakalys went 7-of-9. “It was a great team victory,” said UTPA head Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American coach Bob Hoffman. “We were fortunate we hit some shots tonight. We shot the ball like I knew Center Andrius Sakalys (right) shoots over an oppowe could and it just avalanched from there. Our nent in a game against UMKC Jan. 19.

“Does sex still sell?”

H E A D L I N E S

T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n

Former UTPA women’s basketball standout Alex Gravel (blue See GRAVEL page 14 blouse) is now the assistant women’s coach at Norwich.

By ED CHRNKO The Pan American

THURSDAY

REAL OPINIONS

defense was a lot better also.” IPFW center David Simon led the game in scoring with 27 points. Simon provided 45 percent of the Mastodons total offensive output. Four UTPA players scored in double digits in the victory. Despite the lopsided final score at halftime the game was totally different after the intermission. The Broncs took a slim 36-33 lead into the locker room at the halfway point of the game, but in the second half UTPA pulled away and never looked back. As the game wore on in the second half, the physical aspect heated up. “Both teams were fighting for their lives,” Hoffman said. “Both teams have had a lot of close losses and so, you just try to find a way to get it done.” The Broncs outscored the Mastodons 45-27 down the stretch to seal the victory and improve to 6-13 on the season, while IPFW fell to 3-16. The Broncs hope to take the momentum gained in Wednesday’s game into their Feb. 2 matchup against Alcorn State at the Field House. “It’s going to be another tough game,” Hoffman said. “They’re very athletic and they do a lot of good things. They’re in the Southwest Athletic Conference and we’ve had trouble with some of those guys earlier this year. So, we’re going to have to be ready for that game.”

“

S PORTS

PAGE 16

“I retired at 62 and I played it [bass fiddle] before then. I just love it,” said Orendorff. “I’m not Nashville, but I have a lot of fun.” Orendorff has been playing bass fiddle for 20 years and also plays guitar. Others also play multiple instruments. “I play accordion, banjo, mandolin, guitar, keyboard,” said Brunotte. “I play four polka jams a week. I play accordion and the banjo at those. Then I play in the Erv’s Variety Band also. We play all around Mission and McAllen. It’s fun and we hope the people enjoy it.” Chris Trisler, 92, of Barnesdall, Okla., who resides at Country Breeze in Mission, plays violin at three or four other jam sessions. His three daughters, who visit yearly, have a hard time keeping up with him. “He’s been playing the banjo since he was nine and learned to play the fiddle when he was 12,” said Evie Smith, 69, his youngest daughter. “We flew in last Thursday to visit father and have been following him around. He’s played in four jam sessions just this week. We’re very proud of him.” Diana Corpus Garza/The Pan American There are over 45 such events in any FIDDLING ABOUT— Chris Trisler of Oklahoma given week in Hidalgo County alone. Music ranges from hillbilly country to plays recently at a music session in Mission. polka. The area’s Winter Texans also enjoy dances and other social See WINTER TEXANS page 11 gatherings. And for anyone who doesn’t

Local judge race marred by FBI raid By JULIAN CAVAZOS The Pan American

Daniel Aguilar/The Pan American

STAR SEARCH— Video karaoke at the Student Union drew a big crowd Tuesday, as students got a chance to make videos.

Some of them feel it was politically motivated, while others have suggested corruption and bribes are at issue. Either way, confusion about the investigation of Judge Ed Aparicio continues to swirl. No one knows anything for sure. The suspicion all began on Friday, Jan. 16, when FBI agents raided Aparicio’s Weslaco home at 2 a.m. in search of evidence. His wife and five sons were home as it occurred. “They were woken up and 2 a.m. and ransacked and couldn’t get up for anything, with an FBI watching them the whole time. They couldn’t leave,” said a campaign supporter of Aparicio, who wished to remain anonymous. Aparicio, running for re-election

newspaper reports indicated that as 92nd District Court judge, claims to be offended by the behavior of the agents were searching for any evidence of bribes, whether financial FBI agents when at his home, especially because it came in front of or business-related. The documents taken were placed in boxes, each one his family. But the situation would marked with the word get worse for the ‘Evidence.’ judge. The FBI also walked His office at the off with rather unorthodox Hidalgo County things from the office, Courthouse was such as expensive also raided that paintings of various sizes, same day by the a statue, and family same FBI members, pictures. All things at around 7 a.m. on gathered that day were Friday, half an hour placed in a truck and sent before the to the U.S Attorney’s Courthouse Office in Houston for regularly opens for further examination. business. The FBI Ed Aparicio Since the raids, fished his office public opinion has been for almost seven mixed about the striking news event. hours, searching through trash cans and the office. Later See APARICIO page 11

PAGE 2

January 29

2004

OPINION

Sports

January 29, 2004

letters

■

editorials

■

cartoons

UTPA baseball leads off Saturday By MATT HALL The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American baseball team has reloaded and added some depth to the pitching to get ready for the 2004 season. There are 14 new faces for the Broncs and 15 returnees this season. UTPA had a weak bullpen last year, but that is not the case in 2004 as head coach Willie Gawlik has brought in 10 new pitchers to help the returning ones from last year. Gawlik believes that this year’s team is going to be a competitive one and hopes that the community will make its presence felt at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium, where the Broncs play their home games. “I want the community to come out and support us. We have our opener this weekend followed by the Al Ogletree Classic,” Gawlik said. “The city of Edinburg and the university are putting on a 10K run and there will be a huge fireworks show to enjoy.” Gawlik experienced the community’s support over the weekend when the Broncs hosted the inaugural baseball scholarship golf tournament at the Monte Cristo Golf Course and Country Club Jan. 24 in Edinburg. The tournament was held in conjunction with alumni weekend and was held solely to raise money for baseball scholarships. “We had 83 players participate from alumni and local businesses, we had 27 corporate sponsors, and several other businesses donate door prizes,” Gawlik said. “It was a great event and thanks to everyone for their support.” The Broncs kick off their season at home Saturday, Jan. 31 against Texas State-San Marcos. The green and orange return some key players Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American from last year, including freshman All-American The Broncs prepare for the 2004 season opener Louie Alamia, Tony Ortiz, Marco Garza, Matt Eichel, during a practice at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. and Matt Sisk.

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 53rd Year – No. 16

Interim Editor Arianna Vazquez gareyjup@aol.com

News Editor Belinda Reyes mstxbellezalatina2003@ yahoo.com

A & E Editor Omaira Galarza omairang@yahoo.com

Sports Editor Ed Chrnko echrnko@yahoo.com

Graphics Editor Daniel Aguilar kerygma_@hotmail.com

Layout Designer Dagoberto Perez Ginmarie Mabry Reporters Brian Carr Vanessa Castillo Julian Cavazos Diana Corpus Garza Edwina Garza Dulce Gonzalez Matt Hall Christina Harris

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 university.

Letters policy The Pan American gladly accepts letters from students, staff and faculty regarding newspaper content or current issues. The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. Please limit submission length to 300 words. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters, or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Letters are printed at the discretion of the editor and must include the writer’s name, class/title and phone number.

Aaron Lozano Vanessa Lucio Clarissa Martinez Amy Medellin Photographer Franco Caballero Copy Editor Joe Anna Moreno Student Pub. Secretary Jo Anne Murphy Adviser Dr. Greg Selber

Readers with disabilities may request an alternative format of this publication at The Pan American business office. For special assistance to attend any event listed in this publication, contact the coordinator of the event at least one week prior to the advertised date.

NEWS

■ STCC. . . . . . . . . 3 ■ Atkins Diet. . . . . . . . 4 ■ A Fish Story. . . . . . . 5

Movie clown, activist, appears for campus event By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American With the coverage of the presidential election, the new ventures to Mars filling headlines, and the Super Bowl occupying the minds of the public, a man managed to touch UTPA students Tuesday with his simple message of life filled with joy. Speaking to a crowded audience in the Student Union Theatre, and colleges all over the country, Patch Adams presented “Having Fun Working for Peace, Justice and Care: A Medley of Interest and Adventures.” Brought to UTPA by the Student Leadership Program and The Office of Student Life and Transition, Adams was shown via satellite by the Society of Success and Leadership. Sylvia Guerrero, a senior marketing major, and a third-year member of the Student Leadership Society, took the initiative to bring The Society of Success and Leadership to UTPA. “This is a project I had to do for SLP, and I thought the Society would be great for the school,” Guerrero said. “It’s really expensive to see presentations of people who are well-known, and sometimes

students don’t have a lot of funds. Now students do not have to pay, and get benefits of listening to people like Patch Adams.” In 1971, Adams created a hospital pilot named, The Gesundheit, which addressed problems with the health care system. The hospital saw 15,000 patients through 12 years of existence with only 20 adults on staff. To add to that craziness, the hospital Gesundheit was actually only a sixbedroom house. They never charged money, didn't accept third-party reimbursement, none of the doctors had malpractice insurance, and initial interviews were three-to-four hours long, all in a theatrical setting. The patients’ care consisted of laughter, joy and creativity as integral parts of the healing process. Adams is both a medical doctor and a clown, but often plays the role of social activist. He has devoted 30 years of his life to trying to change the U.S. health care system, which he describes as expensive and elitist. “I chose to be a doctor because I saw how patients weren’t receiving much care,” Adams said. “I want to know a lot about a person. Besides treating them

with medicine, I want them to experience arts and crafts and poetry. You can serve humanity through medicine.” Doctors and patients of Gesundheit related to each other on the basis of mutual trust, and patients received plenty of time from their doctors. Allopathic doctors and practitioners of alternative medicine were also welcomed to help patients. In his address, Adams spoke about having joy in life, and not the type of joy that comes with rewards. “Instead of being happy when you receive an award, or get that job, be happy that you are living,” he said. “Realize that you are born and celebrate that privilege.” Adams also poked at the mass media, and their obsession with upsetting stories. “The mass media loves depressing stories,” he said. “That’s the news, that’s where the focus goes. There’s just a love for misery and television conveys that.” Adams said that two major themes of literature in the 20th century were alienation and meaningless. Due to society’s focus on money and power, Adams questioned if there was any

See ADAMS page 12

Alamia set a team record for consecutive games hitting safely and led the team in batting in 2003. He believes this year could be a great one for the Broncs and he puts the team above individual achievements on the field. “I want to go out every day and play as hard as I can for my teammates and everything else will fall into place, I just want to win,” Alamia said. “I just want to play for my team day in and day out.” Pan Am has its first six games at home and the Broncs are hoping this will give them some momentum before they go on their first road trip to Beaumont to take on the Lamar Cardinals. One of the strengths to this year’s team is going to be depth at pitcher. Last year coach Gawlik was looking for bodies, but this year he has plenty of options. “We have more to choose from and better quality than we did last year, but we have to play to see where they are at,” Gawlik said. “Team defense, speed, and depth at every position are also big strengths this year.” Experience is going to play a huge factor for the Broncs this season because of all the young bucks they have. But Justin Bogy does not think it is going to matter. “The young guys are looking good, but it will take a few games to get them ready,” Bogy said. “They are doing really good though and are going to help us win.” Alamia believes playing in the summer is a realistic goal for this year’s team. “We want to be playing in Omaha in June,” Alamia said of the College World Series. “Play every game like it is a conference game since we aren’t in a conference and we want to win every game. If we do this, then hopefully we will be playing in June.” The Broncs played in the CWS back in 1971 and Gawlik was part of that team.

Women’s tennis team hold tryouts By MATTHEW A. CEBALLOS The Pan American Due to a depleted roster the UTPA Women’s Tennis team recently held open tryouts in an effort to fill out the roster. To date, four players have joined the Lady Broncs via tryouts. Head Tennis Coach Eduardo Provencio would still like to fill two spots on the roster. According to Provencio holding open tryouts like this is an infrequent occurrence and usually it’s only one or two players that make the team, so adding four players is considered a rarity. Those interested in trying out may contact Provencio at 381-2223 to make arrangements and must be cleared to tryout by the UTPA training staff. The women’s tennis team currently has a roster of 9 players. When evaluating talent, Provencio looks for good student-athletes who take their schoolwork seriously. “If they’re strong students we know they can stomach the burden of the amount of time that we’re going to ask of them,” Provencio said. Provencio feels that there is good local talent in the valley but not enough facilities, such as Country Clubs, for players to improve their games. Provencio has been impressed with the local high school coaches he has met with. “The high school coaches have done a fantastic job in the area,” he said. Provencio is hoping that the recent walkFile Photo ons will remain with the team. The women’s tennis team added four new players “I’d like to keep all the local kids on the to the 2004 roster through open tryouts recently. team. It creates a nice niche for us,” he said.

Senior Alana Breen is glad that the open tryouts took place. It’s Breen’s last season and she was worried there wouldn’t be enough players to have a full team. In the time she’s been with the team this is the first time they’ve ever had open tryouts of this sort. Breen has played under three coaches at UTPA, but feels the current coaching staff stresses conditioning more than past coaches. “In the past we really haven’t had a coach that specializes in conditioning, so the conditioning and doing a lot more core workouts has added a lot (to help the team),” Breen said. Breen has enjoyed her time with the team but says its difficult being a student-athlete, as well as meeting the team’s expectations and her own. “Hopefully we’ll have a good season this year with the new coaches,” Breen said. Freshmen Vanessa Hedinger of Switzerland is an eager newcomer and is looking forward to her first tennis season here at UTPA. Hedinger is not so much concerning herself with winning matches as she is improving her technique on the court. “(My goals are) playing a good season. That doesn’t mean just to win matches but to show what we learned and work on what we practiced.” The Lady Broncs will open the season against Texas-El Paso in San Antonio on Friday Feb. 6. They will then hit the road to play against Sam Houston State, Northwestern State, and Stephen F. Austin. The Broncs will be playing Eastern Kentucky, Dayton, and Xavier on Fri. Feb. 6 in Richmond, Kentucky. On Sat. Feb. 14 they will play Saint Louis in San Antonio.

Page 15

2004 UTPA Broncs Baseball Schedule Date

Opponent

Score

Nov. 1

Green & White

Jan. 31

Texas State-San Marcos

Feb. 1

Texas State-San Marcos

Noon

Feb. 3

Texas Kingsville

Feb. 6

Lamar VS. Kansas

Feb. 6

Sam Houston State

GREEN, 2-1

Feb. 7

Kansas

Feb. 7

Lamar VS. Sam Houston

Feb. 8

Sam Houston VS. Kansa

11 a.m.

Feb. 8

Lamar

Feb. 13

Lamar

Feb. 14

Lamar (2)

Feb. 15

Lamar

Feb. 17

Texas A&M-Kingsville

Feb. 20

Sam Houston State

Feb. 21

Sam Houston State

Feb. 22

Sam Houston State

Feb. 27

Washington State

Feb. 28

Washington State

Feb. 29

Washington State

Noon

March 6

Arkansas

March 9

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2)

March 12

Texas-San Antonio

March 13

Texas-San Antonio

March 14

Texas-San Antonio

March 16

Texas-Arlington

March 17

Texas-Arlington

March 19

Oral Roberts

March 20

Oral Roberts

March 21

Oral Roberts

March 23

Texas-San Antonio

March 24

Texas-San Antonio

March 26

Dallas Babtist (2)

March 27

Dallas Babtist

March 30

Texas

6:30

Apr. 6

Texas State-San Marcos

6:30

Apr. 7

Texas State-San Marcos

Apr. 9

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi(2)

Apr. 13

Texas-San Antonio

Apr. 14

Texas-San Antonio

Apr. 16

Arizona

Apr. 17

Arizona

Apr. 18

Arizona

Apr. 23

Dallas Baptist (2)

Apr. 24

Dallas Baptist

May 7

Southeastern Louisiana

May 8

Southeastern Louisiana

May 9

Southeastern Louisiana

May 11

Arkansas

7:05

May 12

Arkansas

7:05

May 14

Oklahoma

7:05

May 15

Oklahoma

7:05

May 16

Oklahoma

HOME GAMES IN BOLD. All games p.m. unless noted.

Sports

January 29, 2004

Lady Broncs topple Incarnate Word By BRIAN CARR The Pan American Head Coach DeAnn Craft knew that someone on her team had to step up their performance in order for the Lady Broncs to snap their five-game losing streak. What Craft didn’t know was that two of her players would rise to the call. Junior Molly Schamel and Senior Amanda Carlow both had career-high performances Tuesday night to help topple the Incarnate Word Academy Crusaders 63-46 at the Field House. Schamel set a single-game school record with nine blocked shots, while tallying 11 points and as many boards for a double-double. Carlow put up a staggering 26 points to lead all shooters in the game, while making seven of seven from the free-throw line. For the Lady Broncs, who have struggled offensively since leading scorer Ashley Roberts was declared academically ineligible three contests ago, strong performances were a necessity. For Craft the win was a must. “It’s huge,” Craft said. “It reestablishes how we feel about our home court. It puts us back in line for our ultimate goal.” The ultimate goal, according to Craft, is to see whether or not her team can tie or beat the school’s season record of 11 wins. With the win against IWA the Lady Broncs (8-12) bested last season’s win total of seven, Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American and moved within three of the all-time school record. But for the Lady Broncs, who have Stacey Gooden lifts a shot up between two struggled on the road going 2-7, taking the Incarnate Word defenders in UTPA’s 63-46 victory momentum of Tuesday night’s win into

Saturday’s contest against Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne might be a challenge. Schamel, who does not define herself as a “shot-blocker” despite picking up the single-game record, thinks that Tuesday’s win will be a catalyst for success. “I think we just needed that one win to get going,” Schamel said. “ [Against IWA] we all pulled away and played together. We did some amazing things that I think will carry over. It gives everybody more confidence.” One of those “amazing things” was Carlow’s blistering offensive output. Carlow, who has been starting at the point in Roberts’ stead, realizes her new role as the go-to player. And she is confident with the position. “There’s pressure there, but it’s not like ‘Oh my God, Ashley’s not here,’” Carlow said. “It’s not constantly in my mind. I just try to play.” The Lady Broncs opened strong, leading the Crusaders 21-11 midway through the first half. But the Crusaders, led by junior guard Amy Mueller, went on an 11-4 run to cut the Lady Broncs lead to 25-22 going into the intermission. The Lady Broncs allowed the Crusaders to carry their momentum into the second half, and IWA tied the game nine minutes in, before UTPA went on a 16-7 run to solidify the lead for good. The Crusaders were unable to gain the lead after that. According to Craft, the Lady Broncs were hindered by IWA’s impressive zone defense, but they found a way to get around it. “Against the zone you’ve got to get shots,” Craft said. “But once we hit our shots, we forced them into man-to-man and we just kind of had our way with them.”

Page 14

Lady Broncs next game: at

UTPA Lady Broncs

IPFW Lady Mastodons

When: Saturday, Jan. 31 Where: Fort Wayne, IN Time: Noon Records: IPFW (7-12); UTPA (8-12) All-time series: Series tied 1-1. Next home game: Tues., Feb. 3, Northern Colorado, 7 p.m.

January 29, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 3

Friendly competition matches areas schools By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American

This month President George W. Bush noted that the future is more open than ever to students attending community colleges around the country, and he promised to expend more money to help them reach success. In McAllen, the South Texas Community College (STCC) is stepping up to the challenge. STCC supplies students with a different form of higher education than students have had in the past with four-year universities. Offering more than 80 degrees and certificate programs on six different campuses, the college has acted as a compliment to the University of Texas-Pan American and the University of Texas-Brownsville/Texas Southmost for 10 years. It has grown at a rate matching the two four-year schools and now has over 12,000 students. A recent Edinburg Daily Review article noted that STCC is considering offering several new degrees based on the acceptance of a new degree pilot program. In offering a highly touted degree in operation management, the college fills a need not addressed by the universities in the Valley. It also avoids duplication of degrees that area educators are set against as well. But there have also been recent

STCC is not trying to compete with STCC grows, there is nothing being taken rumors that in the long run, STCC might UTPA, but rather trying to become the away from UTPA. When STCC was first seek to extend its reach into areas already strongest it can be. Also, the schools approved by the state, UTPA was there to covered by UTPA or UTB. The Texas signed a matriculation agreement last help develop it at the time. A&M system has been interested in year, streamlining equivalencies making it “We (UTPA) had so many students that expanding its operations in the Valley for easier for transfers from STCC to gain weren’t prepared for the rigors of a some time. But as it stands, there is a acceptance at UTPA. university,” Langabeer said. “The niche for each institution. It has been a busy year for the UTPA Vice community college. It lauded the President of UTPA Degrees STCC Programs decision by the City of McAllen to put Business Affairs, up almost $5 million in local money to James Langabeer, said that there is 56 Bachelor’s including Certificate (6 months - 1 year) recreate a 23,000-square-foot Texas A&M medical education facility. currently no need BA, BFA, BS, BBA The center will be located at 701 for hostile attitudes Associate of Applied Sciences East Vermont Ave., and will be used for between STCC and 42 Master’s including (2 years) a wide range of medical and public UTPA. With the MA, MS, MeD, MPA -25 degrees health education, health-related growth of both training, plus public health and clinical campuses, 2 doctoral: PhD, EdD -35 certifications research. The new building was made Langabeer sees Associate of Arts (2 years) possible by a unique funding structure students gaining 1 cooperative professional whereby the City of McAllen had the access to higher degree with six colleges -11 fields of study building constructed to the education. specification of the Texas A&M “On the surface, our (UTPA) Source: UTPA Source: STCC Program of study University System, and then sold the facility to the system on completion of relationship with construction. relationship between UTPA and STCC is STCC is very productive,” Langabeer At the same time, the UT System is much like how A&M and UT are said. “I’m pretty sure there are people on building the $20 million UT Regional competitive,” Langabeer said. “It’s not campus that will take one side against Academic Health Center Biomedical disruptive to either schools but another, but I don’t. If STCC can produce Research Division in Edinburg, and has competitive when it comes to school new programs at their campus that UTPA donated money to division projects in pride.” cannot provide students, I see it as: more According to Juan Mejia, STCC interim Harlingen and Brownsville. power to them.” vice president for Instructional Services, Langabeer’s philosophy is that even if See STCC page 11

Tuesday night at the Field House.

Border agents deal with immigration twists

Gravel

By VANESSA L. LUCIO The Pan American

continued from page 16

scored a career-high 30 points in victory against Loyola University, in Chicago. COMPLICATIONS But here the story gets stickier, as a rash of injuries almost kept the UTPA star from finishing a promising college career. During her senior year, Gravel broke her foot and was forced to sit out the 20012002 season. But because of her competitive spirit she was able to come back the next year and play one more season for the Lady Broncs. “She [Gravel] always gave it her all on every play, often playing hurt,” said Anderson of Gravel, who recalls the frustration and then subsequent satisfaction of overcoming the obstacle. “When I broke my foot before what was going to be my senior year,” said Gravel, “I thought it was going to be the end of my career. But I was fortunate enough to come back for another year and have my best season at UTPA, both on and off the court.” In her last season, 2002-03, Gravel was named first team All-Independent. She also broke the UTPA all-time scoring record during a 19-point game in February 2003 against Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. At the end of the season, Gravel had averaged 42.3 percent from the field and an amazing 42.6 percent from three-point range. She finished second on the team in steals with 38 and third in assists. More importantly she had enshrined her name in school annals as one of the best players to ever don the orange and green. Gravel now

holds the UTPA Lady Broncs career records for scoring with 1227 points, three-point field goals made with 258, three-point field goal attempts with 705, and free throw percentage, .827 percent. “We were very fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach her in her senior season,” said DeAnn Craft, current women’s coach. “Alex had tremendous team skills, she could make the right type of pass to any type of player, and Alex also could lead a fast break because of her overall court vision.” In that last comeback season there were many record-setting nights, but Gravel has one that stands out above most of the rest. The last game of the season, against Centenary, is one of her greatest accomplishments. “The moment I will remember the best is my last game as a senior when me and my team went out as winners against Centenary,” said Gravel. “I will never forget the feeling I had in the locker room after the game, it was very sad because my career was over but I felt grateful for everything that had happened in those five years.” ALL-AROUND GAME Gravel’s success was evident off the basketball court as well. She earned Dean's List 2nd honors, made the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, and was a member of the Bronc Pride 3.0 Club. Besides basketball, Gravel’s other passion is writing. Although she wrote only for herself at first, encouragement from her

professors helped her share her talent as a reporter for the Pan American student newspaper as her hoops career ran down. “I’ve been writing for along for myself but wouldn’t show anyone, then I took a class with Greg Selber and he made me believe in myself and I started to be more confident in my writing,” said Gravel. “I miss journalism a lot and it is definitely something I would like to pursue in the future.” Gravel still dreams of working on the radio or television. She loves to be in front of the cameras and microphone and hopes to make people laugh someday. However this dream is put on hold as Gravel makes a brand new name for herself in the game she loves so much. Now she is the coach, not the player. “I decided to coach because I love the game of basketball and going to Norwich was a great opportunity for me to find out if coaching was what I wanted to do with my life,” Gravel said. TEACHING PULPIT As an assistant for the Norwich Cadets, she is also in charge of scouting, recruiting, and skill development for the guards, working under Head Coach Steve Lanpher. “Her enthusiasm, vibrant personality, and impressive college career will make her a great addition to our staff and to the University,” said Lanpher during an interview for the Norwich University homepage. “She has an outstanding background as a player, and comes highly recommended by Coach Anderson at

UTPA.” The Cadets’ record is currently 13-3 and 3-1 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference, GNAC, where they are in fourth place after their loss Jan. 24, to first place Emmanuel. Gravel predicts her team will accomplish a lot more than they already have this season. “I see this team as very successful this year and in the future,” Gravel said. “The girls have worked extremely hard and they are a great bunch of young ladies. Coach Lanpher and I hope to get this team to the NCAA Tournament in the spring and win our conference.” Gravel passes on to her players what she learned at UTPA, and from her coaches. She wants them to know what it takes to be a champion both on and off of the court, and that one has to work for what they want in life. Her former coaches, both Anderson and Craft, believe that her performance as a player and her experience is a good indication of her coaching abilities. “Alex had a good head for the game and was a student of the game,” said Anderson. “I knew she would apply that when she became a coach, because she didn’t just play the game she studied the game and that is a good stepping stone to becoming a good coach.” Craft agrees saying that of Gravel that “she is doing a super job for Coach Lanpher and is adapting quickly from player to coach. Alex is a great communicator and studies the game and will broaden her ability as she gains experience in coaching.”

Since Sept. 11 the nation has been on a high state of alert as designated by the Department of Homeland Security. The nation watches closely with avid attention the people who come into the country. So when President Bush spoke on Jan. 7 about the United States needing an immigration system, “that serves the American economy and reflects the American dream,” many Americans took note. Bush's proposal to grant temporary legal status to millions of illegal immigrants has brought many opinions on immigration reform to the surface. To have an opinion, one must first know the facts. The key points of the Bush Immigration proposal are as follows: * Workers in the United States illegally join a temporary labor program * Those now-illegal immigrants then can apply for permanent residence but get no preferential consideration * Employers hiring these workers must show they cannot find U.S. laborers to fill their jobs * These undocumented workers get guaranteed wage and employment rights * These workers receive a temporary

duties to basically prevent and detour three-year visa, renewable once. illegal aliens within the U.S., while at the They are expected to return to same time dealing with narcotic roundtheir countries of birth once their up.” visas expire. Flores said that the obvious change is * Congress is urged to increase current there is not an immigration naturalization annual limit of 140,000 "Green program in effect, and the Customs Cards." Border Collection has teamed up with the * The Department of Homeland immigration inspection bridges. Security is to administer the “Another aspect that has stayed the program same since Sept. 11, According to CNN.com has been forward the Border Patrol union has deployment of a vast sent a letter to its members, majority of agents urging them to speak out within a given area,” about the proposal. said Flores. John Frecker, a vice Along with these president of the National obvious management Border Patrol Council and departmental wrote, “regardless of how changes there have you feel about President been technological Bush, I think most of us modifications as well. would agree that his According to Flores, proposal is a slap in the face there is now equipment to anyone who has ever tried that detects radiation to enforce the immigration and biological laws of the U.S.” Eduardo Flores contaminants. There This immigration are also more sky proposal has conjured up boxes at fixed locations where agents can future speculation about what this will see three miles into the dark, plus new mean for the Border Patrol Agents who motion sensors. cover the Valley and the surrounding One other aspect of the Border Patrol areas near Mexico. duties that have changed since Sept 11 When asked what aspects of the job regards policy tweaking. have changed since Sept. 11, Eduardo According to Flores, the Border Patrol Flores, public affairs superior officer for has gone from an ‘Apprehend and Return’ the Border Patrol and Customs Border policy to a ‘Detour and Apprehend’ Protection stated, “We have the same

policy. Since September 1997, Operation Rio Grande has been in play and the result has been a steady decrease of illegal aliens trying to enter the country. The operation also involves recruiting more Border Patrol agents across the Rio Grande. In the mid-1990s there were 500-700 agents covering those regions, but as of 2003 those numbers have tripled. Flores supervises agents in various parts of the Valley, starting at Falcon Dam through Fort Brown Station at the mouth of the Rio Grande River. His area includes parts of north Victoria, as well as both checkpoints leading into highways 281 and 77. When asked what has changed since Bush’s immigration reform proposal, Flores stated, “I have direct instructions from my boss in Washington not to discuss our opinions to any media about the proposal. Besides, it is too early to comment on any proposed legislation concerning immigration reform”. In announcing the proposal, Bush administration officials spoke of an important issue in accepting foreigners into the program. The key is whether they already had a job in the United States or the promise of one if they are living outside the United States. One can’t help but remember the past shifts in immigration policy which have triggered rushes of people into the

See BORDER PATROL page 11

January 29, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

Page 4

Diet craze discussed by UTPA professors By EDWINA P. GARZA The Pan American

Dr. Robert Atkins may have died last year, but his low-carbohydrate diet is alive and well, causing Anheuser-Busch, Subway, Pizza Hut, and Sara Lee to do their best in order to become friendly with the Atkins Diet. But is a low-carb diet truly safe? One of Atkins’ books, “The New Diet Revolution,” listed beef and butter among things a dieter could eat liberally. A lowcarb diet consists of 20 percent carbs, while the normal intake of sugars and starches should be 40 to 50 percent. For two weeks, a dieter on the Atkins Diet is not allowed to eat fruit, bread, pasta, grains, starchy vegetables, or dairy products that do not include cheese, cream, or butter. Proponents of this diet say fewer carbs means the body burns its stored fat, and that is when weight loss can begin. “If a low-carb diet means cutting down on refined sugar and corn syrup, I like it,” said Dr. Bahram Faraji of the UTPA dietetics program. Still, some professors in the dietetics program agree that while cutting down on carbs is effective, it’s not the healthiest way to lose weight. Dr. Alexander Edionwe said the low-carb diet isn’t

healthy because “you need carbohydrates to produce glucose, which is a source of energy.” Dr. Esperanza Briones, coordinator of the program, said, “It is not a healthy way to lose weight, but they have shown in studies that following the Atkins Diet for several weeks, individuals lost weight faster than those on a traditional weight loss diet. However, at the end of the year, weight loss was similar in both the traditional and Atkins Diet.” The popularity of the Atkins does not necessarily mean it has no flaws. “People try different ways of eating and it becomes what we call a fad,” said Edionwe. “Yes, you can take the Atkins Diet and lose weight, but that’s not the issue.” Edionwe said that it is difficult to gain muscle with low-carb diets, again, because of the lack of glucose being produced. Many consider the Atkins Diet the most popular of low-carb plans. Others such as the Zone, South Beach Diet, Protein Power, and Scarsdale Diet, are merely trends trying to achieve the same sort of weight loss the Atkins produces, according to Briones. “There are so many different low-carb diets since [the] Atkins Diet showed loss of weight in those who followed the diet,”

three grams of carbs compared with the said Briones. 52 in the original Whopper. With about 60 percent of the U.S. Other fast food restaurants have population overweight, “food companies followed suit. Subway has now announced tend to gain by advertising low new wraps carbohydrate that contain 55 foods since fewer carbs there were than the credible original studies sandwich. already 40-50 % Carbohydrates Carl’s Jr. published of has introduced weight loss 20% Protein the Low-Carb on the Atkins Fat Six-Dollar Diet,” Briones 30% said. (based on calorie intake of the individual) Burger, which is wrapped in Increased lettuce. TGI awareness on Friday’s restaurants have Atkins-approved preventive care has caused the babyboomer generation to look at their lives as menus that include buffalo wings, cheeseburgers (again, sans buns), and a they age and realize that they want to be spinach dip. healthy, said Edionwe of the recent media But Faraji said, “[a] burger wrapped in infatuation with low-carb diets. lettuce won’t do it!” Both Anheuser-Busch and Rolling Rock FOOD WARS? have created low-carb brews. Michelob Hamburgers, the traditional meal of Ultra, which started selling in October, millions, always contained buns, meat, sold three times as much beer last year. lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. It seems Coors Brewing Co. is also starting its own almost too simple to mess with, but low-carb beer this year. they’ve done it. Burger King recently “Corporations are in it for the bucks,” announced its new Whopper; no longer a Faraji noted. traditional burger with buns, the meat is Pizza, just as simple as a burger or even now placed in a bowl and eaten with a knife and fork. The “burger” now has See DIET CRAZE page 12

Ty p i c a l American Diet:

Sports

January 29, 2004

2003-2004 Sports Schedules

SPORTS CLIPBOARD Bianco awarded

UTPA Men’s Basketball Date

Opponent/Time

Scores

Nov. 4

Monterrey Tech

W112-46

Nov. 8

Houston Quest

W 111-59

Nov. 22

Southern Methodist

L 59-69

Nov. 25

Texas A&M-Int’l

W 90-50

Nov. 29

Texas-Arlington

L 75-81

Dec. 1

SWA of God

W 90-60

Dec. 4

Missouri-Kansas City

L 80-104

Dec. 6

Texas-San Antonio

W 86-83

Dec. 12

Mississippi Valley St.

L 67-85

Dec. 14

Sam Houston State

L 66-92

Dec. 17

North Texas

L 81-87

Dec. 20

Rice

L 58-69

Dec. 22

Oklahoma State

L 61-96

Dec. 29

Oklahoma

L 57-72

Dec. 31

McMurry

W 90-58

Jan. 6

Baylor

W 55-54

Jan. 8

North Texas

L 53-71

Jan. 14

Wright State

L 60-82

Jan. 19

Missouri-K.C.

L 69-77

Jan. 21

Texas-Arlington

L 54-73

Jan. 28

IPFW

W 81-60

Feb. 2

Alcorn State

7:30

Feb. 4

Lamar

7:30

Feb. 7

IPFW

Noon

Feb. 11

Arkansas State