February 5, 2004 by UTRGV Student Media

NBA Schedule Thursday, Feb. 5 at 32-18 9:00 23-24 San Antonio Spurs vs. Feb. 6 at Sacramento, 9:30 Feb. 9 at Houston, 8:30 Feb. 18 at Toronto, 6

Friday, Feb. 6 at 27-21 7:30 14-36 Houston Rockets vs. Feb. 7 at Atlanta, 6 Feb.9 San Antonio, 8:30 Feb. 11 L.A. Lakers, 8

Saturday, Feb. 7 at 31-18 7:30 33-17 Dallas Mavericks vs. Feb. 9 at Atlanta, 6:30 Feb. 10 New York, 7:30

OGLETREE CLASSIC Friday, Feb. 6

Friday, Feb. 6 Lamar vs. Kansas, 1 vs. Sam Houston State, 5 Saturday, Feb. 7 vs. Kansas, 5 Lamar vs. Sam Houston State, 9 Sunday, Feb. 8 Sam Houston State vs. Kansas, Noon vs. Lamar, 3

Killer Bees Friday, Feb. 6 at Killer Bees vs. Corpus Christi Rayz, 7:05 Feb. 7, at Austin, 7:30 Feb. 8 Corpus Christi, 6:05 All games p.m.

S PORTS

■ Baseball. . . . . . . . . . . . 15 ■ Hoops . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ■ Sports Clipboard . . . . . 13

Tempers flare in Broncs’ 90-78 win By BRIAN CARR The Pan American The Broncs extended their winning streak to three and strengthened their record to 10-13, when they defeated the Lamar Cardinals 90-78 at the Field House Wednesday night. Junior guard Sergio Sanchez had another huge evening leading all scorers with 26 points, while shooting perfectly from the line, and tallying 12 points from field goals. And senior center Allen Holcomb picked up a doubledouble on the evening posting 15 points and 10 boards. The game was not entirely one-sided, however, and the Lamar Cardinals, lead by junior Gil Goodich who put up 21 points in the contest, looked to run away with it in the beginning of the second half, scoring eight unanswered points, and taking advantage of a seemingly weary home team. The Broncs, who helplessly watched a 14 point half-time lead cut to a single basket differential as the Lamar Cardinal shooters warmed up, needed something to happen to swing the momentum back in their favor. In the end it took an elbow to get the Broncs’ offense going. With the Cards within two points of a tie senior Terrel Petteway was hit in the face by a Ryan Lange elbow as the 6-11 junior went for an offensive rebound. “There were some words exchanged,” Lange said. “I turned and accidentally caught him in the face with my elbow and he didn’t like it.” The very emotional Petteway, who leads the Cardinals with 15.4 points per game, became enraged and could not regain composure. After

a series of verbal altercations with teammates and officials, he was ejected from the game. “I guess it was a good thing,” Lange said. “He’s one of their best players, and it was good he was out of the game.” Point guard Sergio Sanchez made good on both free-throw attempts, strengthening the Broncs lead, and igniting a 10-2 run. The home game hijinx, however, did not end with the technical call. Moments after Petteway’s ejection, junior Eric Montalvo lost his footing while trying to defend a Cardinal fast break. Montalvo projected into Lamar head coach Billy Tubbs, sending him to the floor, and inciting a verbal altercation that security stepped in to disperse. “I gambled, I thought I could get [the ball]. I thought I could steal it,” Montalvo said. “My momentum just took me straight to the coach. It was just one of those things I couldn’t control.” The collision raised the high-energy game to a state of pure physical play, and the two teams combined for a jaw-dropping 56 personal fouls. Despite the high level of physical play head coach Bob Hoffman was pleased with how his team handled the situation. “It was just an unfortunate situation,” Hoffman said. “Sometimes things can get heated in the course of the game. But I thought that our guys did a good job of handling themselves like we talked about and finished the game with style.” But Hoffman was also pleased with the Broncs’ skill level and he stressed the

February 5, 2004

Writing seminars

An Inside Look: News ............................................2 ■ A & E............................................7 ■ Sports ........................................16

See Page 6 for details

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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

GARCIA COMING ATTRACTION ? RESIGNS Women’s Studies program developing

Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American

Lamar’s Jason Grant (left) tips off against UTPA’s Allen Holcomb See BRONCS page 14 in the Broncs’ 90-78 victory over Lamar at the Field House.

¿Que onda? Where’s soccer at UTPA? at the same time: The University of TexasPan American. In less than a month, two big-time soccer, or fútbol, events have taken place within driving distance of the Valley. The 2004 high school season also kicked off a few weeks ago. However, despite South Texas’ predominant Latino culture and population along with the area’s proximity to one of the largest and most Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American fanatical soccer nations in the world, The Edinburg North Lady Cougars and the Mission Lady Eagles in a girls soccer México, the Valley’s match played in January at Edinburg. youth players find they By ED CHRNKO have no where to go after high school. The Pan American In late December, the Mexican Apertura 2003 championship was decided in Monterrey, Nuevo León, México at the Universitario Stadium, a mere Soccer is around everywhere you look in the three-hour drive from the Valley. Pachuca lost the Valley, except in one of the few places where second-leg of the final 1-0, but hung on to defeat aspiring young area players could turn to in order to pursue a career in the sport and get an education the Tigres on aggregate score (3-2) to win their

THURSDAY

HEADLINES

third title in four years. Last month, the Prelibertadores tournament, which was recently renamed the InterLiga, was played out in California and Texas (Dallas and Houston) between the top eight Mexican clubs of the past year. The Interliga was held from Jan. 4 to Jan. 14 and is the Mexican qualifying tournament to South America’s Copa Libertadores tournament. Locally, the Valley high school soccer season kicked off Jan. 6 and the McAllen Youth Soccer Association just got their season underway Jan. 24. Regardless of all the soccer action going on in and around the area, the Valley’s soccer players have nowhere to go after high school. One of the reasons is because UTPA, one of the largest universities in the Valley, does not have a soccer program. At one time the university did have a soccer program, however, it disappeared in the late 1990s. The UTPA athletic department cites Title IX and funding issues as primary reasons for not fielding either a men’s or women’s soccer team. Out of the seven athletic programs at the university, each gender has involvement in six of the seven programs. The only programs that support only one gender are volleyball for women and baseball for men. UTPA is not in danger of violating Title IX, yet the issue is continuously brought up whenever the

See SOCCER page 15

In a bombshell announcement made Wednesday via mass e-mail, Dr. Homer Garcia resigned his position as dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, ostensibly to take a position as president at a college in Washington state. Garcia, who had weathered several controversial in-house storms in recent years, sent an email message late Wednesday, the text of which follows: “I am hereby resigning my positions as Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and as a tenured professor of sociology. I have informed the provost this evening of my resignation and will work with him to work out the details of my resignation and to identify the date when [sic] can be relieved of my day-to-day duties as Dean which I hope takes place as soon as possible. I will assume the presidency of an out-of-state college later this spring.” Garcia was involved in an ongoing struggle with former psychology/anthropology chair Etzel Cardena, and also dealt with the sexual harassment case of Dr. Mark Dantzker, a criminal justice professor who returned this semester after a leave of absence. As of January 2004, he was one of two finalists for the presidential position at Henry Cogswell College, along with Frederick Snow, vice president and dean of online graduate programs at Norwich University in Vermont. There has been no official announcement yet by the college about the position. Garcia was dean of the College for three years, and before him there was Dr. Daniel Death, criminal justice professor who served as interim dean for two years, replacing Jim Lamar who served three years. According to Jerry Polinard, chair of the political science department, the faculty and staff want Dearth back as interim because of the job he did for the college. James Aldridge, psychology and anthropology professor was not happy with the date of the resignation. He said that it is unusual for someone to resign in the middle of the semester, and that finding a replacement will take some time.

By CLARISSA MARTINEZ The Pan American

psychology and women,” Davinroy Zavala explained that women in general explained. “Women’s studies is an earn much less than men do and Hispanic academic discipline, so it teaches in women earn the least when compared to With a new women's studies minor being principle and also lets students learn about Whites and African Americans, earning created at UTPA, new opportunities for things they maybe hadn’t discovered yet. only 59 cents to the dollar. classes, and mindsets, are also on the way. It’s an activist discipline that involves the “Studying women who have Dr. Ellise Davinroy of the English community.” demonstrated courage and perseverance department With the location of the and have contributed greatly will only has university close to the U.S.inspire, encourage, and motivate other experience Mexican border, Davinroy sees it women to reach for the stars,” Zavala said. with as the perfect place for students Davinroy said that instead of the drones women’s to learn about border studies and of repetitious lecturing students sometimes Nearly sixty percent of studies and recognize the effect ethnicity and encounter, the women’s studies courses has shown a gender have on social situations. could offer a diverse education to their the university’s considerable Dr. Glenilia Zavala thinks a general education studies. Students in the population is female and amount of women's studies program would past are said to have taken a women’s I don’t understand why interest in be a wonderful addition to the studies course out of curiosity, passion, or bringing university and would bring even simply to argue against a professors we don’t have a women’s one here. information and education to insights. Davinroy hinted that the different studies program. She is part students who could be affected views are what bring vigor to the courses. of a group from taking courses that “It’s so much fun,” she said. “It can be - Dr. Ellise Davinroy, of faculty deliberate on gender. eye-opening for several people because English Department professor members “Throughout history women they change the way they look at people’s put together have played an important role in lives. Women’s studies is important, not to craft the proposal needed to make the shaping our country,” Zavala said. “They only to women, but to everyone.” program a reality. have not, however, been Even though such a thing has been recognized for their attempted in the past, various committees contributions as much never got past the proposals. Now, with as they should be or support of the administration and the treated equally in the excitement shown by the newest labor force.” committee, preparations to begin a new Critics of a women’s minor could occur as early as Fall 2005. studies major or minor “With the population of the university have suggested that growing quite rapidly, new students are while the subject is coming in that can make programs like this worthy, it is not successful,” Davinroy said. “Nearly sixty encompassing enough percent of the university’s population is to comprise its own female, and I don’t understand why we discipline. They have don’t have a women’s study program.” also complained that the On other campuses such as UT Austin subject is overtly and UTSA have them. politicized, with the The UTPA program is still in proposal majority of instructors stage. A faculty survey has been pushing their own distributed, and a student survey should agendas rather than a also be under way, to demonstrate what neutral learning interest there is in courses. Survey data experience. may also provide recommendations on how “I don’t think there to define courses, what type of classes will be any backlash there should be, or even how many fields from the university that of study the minor could cover. would be any different Davinroy explained that the women’s from other places,” studies minor would be part of a series of Davinroy said. “I cross-listed courses. These courses in actually find men women’s studies could take the place of a supportive of strong general education class. Daniel Aguilar/The Pan American women in a male“With having the classes cross-listed, a dominated society, and ROAD RAGE— The Dodge Arena in Hidalgo hosted a student who needs to take a physiology interested in the Monster Truck show last weekend, where eight trucks enterclass for their general education, could dynamics of the tained the Valley audience. have a choice in taking a class that applies courses.”

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February 5

2004

OPINION

Sports

February 5, 2004

letters

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editorials

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cartoons

Ninth-inning rally sweeps Javelinas in DH By ERICK TREVIÑO The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American baseball team had their bats ringing early in a two-game sweep of Texas A&MKingsville in a Tuesday night twin bill at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium. The Broncs won their first game of the season 6-3 and their second game 3-2. The Broncs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in game one. The Javelina’s answered with a couple of runs of their own bringing to cut the score to 3-2 at the top of the third inning. The UTPA offense began to click in the bottom half of the frame. First baseman Ryan Grimet sparked a three-run rally that increased the home team’s lead to 6-2. Pan Am’s defense clamped down on the Javelina’s to allow only one more run which came at the top of the seventh inning. Third basemen Thomas Melvin scored with the bases loaded and second basemen Justin Bills was hit by a pitch. Broncs third basemen junior Ricky Broyles was brought in during the ninth inning for the save. “I was trying to keep them off balance,” Broyles said. “I only wanted ground balls and pop ups to save the win.” UTPA freshman reliever César Peña notched his first collegiate win after hurlPhoto by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American ing 3.1 innings of two-hit ball. TAMUK starter Casey Owens took the The Broncs swung away against Texas A&Mloss, giving up six runs on five hits in just 2.1 innings of work. Kingsville Tuesday and swept a doubleheader In the second game, outfielder Louie from the Javelinas, 6-3 and 3-2, at the Edinburg Alamia gave the Broncs an early two-run Baseball Stadium.

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican 53rd Year – No. 17

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

The PA N 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 Photographers 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.

Soccer

Dear Editor: This e-mail is in regards to the cartoon that appeared in the UTPA student newspaper on January 29th. I think it was inappropiate and derogative. I think Mr. Saavedra’s point of view can only be the result of utter ignorance and intolerance. Filadelfo Martinez UTPA Library

NEWS

■ Early Voting . . . . . . 3 ■ Citrus Crop . . . . . . . . 4 ■ Hughes. . . . . . . . . . . 11

Constables have versatile, unrecognized profession By JULIAN CAVAZOS The Pan American In Disney’s Toy Story, “Woody” was a deputy sheriff. What many people don’t know is that real-life deputies are appointed by what we call a constable. Perhaps many have heard of the term “constable,” but can’t pinpoint what they actually do. Most would guess they are some type of officer. That they are, and each plays an important role in the safety of the community. Constables are similar to police officers, with many of the same powers. However, the difference lies in their having the additional responsibility of enforcing civil law. Andres “Andy” Rios, one of Hidalgo County’s five constables, defines his position. “We deal with all cases that come through the judicial system, such as issuing warrants, and handling civil disputes,” said Rios. “We also give out citations, make arrests, patrol, take

actions when a crime is being committed.” Basically, they are peace officers here to maintain order, and help citizens through public service. Constables conduct investigations, collect debts, file criminal charges, write tickets, assist with traffic control, accidents and fires. If a child is missing, constables assist in the search for finding them. Constables are also those who escort at funerals, and escort school buses transporting football teams to and from games. And sometimes they create projects of their own. Rios also commented on a project that he’s been able to generate since he’s been constable of Edinburg. “I started a ‘Don’t litter’ program. We see all these sofas, mattresses thrown along the side of the road when we’re out on patrol,” Rios said. “If we can find out who threw it out there, we’ll try to get ahold of them and make them pay a fine. If we drive around and see you have a

bunch of junk thrown on the outside of your home, you will have a certain amount of days to clean it up.” The office of constable dates back all the way to 871 A.D., when England’s King Alfred I established it. At the time, the constable was seen as the highest judge in the Military Offenses, and was named to be superior arbitrator during tournaments and martial activities. In America, the first appointment of a constable occurred in Plymouth in 1632. Constables at this time assisted the justice of peace, the leading official, in judiciary and legislative events. The role of the constable was to enforce the civil and criminal issues. Here in Texas, Stephen F. Austin established the first constables at the time when Texas was still owned by Mexico, the period from 1821-1836. Austin proposed these appointments to the Mexican Government and got them approved, and soon constables began to

See CONSTABLES page 12

Page 15

lead in the first inning. The Javelina’s scored a run at the top of the third inning to cut UTPA’s lead to one run, 2-1. In the same inning, TAMUK’s Mike Aguirre scored the next run after a groundball was hit to first base. Following the run, Bronc catcher Matt Eichel tagged out designated hitter Spike Fogle as he slid past home plate without actually touching the plate. Eichel dove for the plate, applying the tag, preventing the Javelina’s from taking the lead. With the score tied 2-2, TAMUK made another run at taking the lead, but fell short when Tommy Sorden took the mound. With the bases loaded he ended the inning by striking out Kingsville’s Thomas Melvin. The Broncs mustered up some offense with Broyles and Alamia. With Broyles on second and behind in the count, Alamia hit a shot toward third and beat the throw to first advancing Broyles to third in the process. On the subsequent play, Alamia attempted to steal second, but was caught in a rundown, however, the distraction allowed Broyles to steal home and the victory for the Broncs. Sorden registered the win to even his record at 1-1 after pitching two outs in the ninth. Javelina reliever Jeff Peters suffered the loss. The Broncs evened their record at 2-2 with the double-header sweep. Pan Am will host the UTPA Ogletree Classic tournament this weekend. The action begins Friday at 5 p.m. against Sam Houston State.

UTPA Baseball 2004 Stats HITTING AB Juan Sáenz 9 T.J.Gilmer 13 Louie Alamia 14 Aaron Flowers 9 Ryan Grimet 10

H 4 5 5 3 3

PITCHING APP W - L Sam English 1 0-0 Juan Sáenz 1 0-0 Ricky Broyles 1 0-0 Phillip Rodríguez 1 0-0 Nick Gregory 1 0-0

HR 0 0 0 0 0

AVG .444 .385 .357 .333 .300

IP 3.0 2.2 1.0 1.0 4.0

ERA 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.25

Broncs 3, Javelinas 2 Feb. 3 at Edinburg Baseball Stadium - Game Two TAMUK 001 001 000 - 2 8 0 (0-2) UTPA 200 000 001 - 3 7 1 (2-2) Pitchers: TAMUK - G. Murdy; J. Peters (5); J. Obregón (9). UTPA - R. Foster; J. Sáenz (6); J. Gibson (9); T. Sorden (9). Win - T. Sorden (1-1) Loss - J. Peters (0-1) Time: 3:02 Attendance: 330 Broncs 6, Javelinas 3 Feb. 3 at Edinburg Baseball Stadium - Game One TAMUK 002 000 100 - 3 6 1 (0-1) UTPA 123 000 00X - 6 8 3 (1-2) Pitchers: TAMUK - C. Owens; R. Kuhn (3); B. Hevner (8). UTPA - S. English; C. Peña (4); A. Guerra (7); R. Broyles (9). Win - C. Peña (1-0) Save - R. Broyles (1) Loss - C. Owens (0-1) Time: 3:07 Bobcats 6, Broncs 2 Feb. 1 at Edinburg Baseball Stadium TEXAS S-SM 012 000 210 - 6 9 3 (2-0) UTPA 000 010 010 - 2 7 1 (0-2) Pitchers: TEXAS ST-SM – T. Robbins; C. Jean (6); G. Wisneski (8). UTPA – A. Guerra; J. López (3); J. Gibson (7); R. Foster (9). Win - T. Robbins (1-0) Loss - A.Guerra (0-1) Time: 2:41 Attendance: 315

continued from page 16

solution to the regulation in rather simple terms. “The best solution for Title IX would be to have two teams,” Martínez said. “It would be a great idea because at the high school level, the women have the same level and maybe better than the men. So, it would be easy to find players to play on the team. Unfortuneatly, if they (UTPA) say File Photo that they don’t have the funds for The 1993 UTPA soccer team. The Broncs belonged to the Sun Belt Conference. Back row (from left): Student Athletic a soccer team, Trainer Freddy Gonzázlez, Albert Flores, Héctor López, Eric Jarvis, Arnoldo Cárdenas, Shane Hurley, Enrique Cárdenas, then much less for Alector Cárdenas, Tony Cárdenas, Jonathon McCurley. Front row: Mark Serrata, Mario Ribera, José Sánchez, Jesús two.” Tavarez, José Pacheco, Juan Carlos Vásquez, Ricardo Ochoa, José Luis Almanza. In the early Martínez, president of the Real Sociedad athletic department is asked about the 1970s, a student organization was the main possibility of fielding a soccer team, whether Football Club, the only soccer-related drive for UTPA to field a soccer team. The organization on campus. it be men’s, women’s or both. men’s team went on to have varying degrees “If they (UTPA) find funding to build new of success and was one of the most It is understandable that UTPA’s past buildings on campus every semester, how NCAA violations have prompted a paranoia successful athletic programs at the can it be that they don’t have enough to of sorts when dealing with this issue, but the university. support a soccer team,” Martínez questioned. university’s athletic director William Weidner alluded to a similar process in “In addition, we all ready have a field to Weidner has overseen the overhaul of the order for the university to obtain a soccer play on. Maybe Title IX is the final verdict school’s policies and made sure that it program during an interview with The Pan because many people involved in UTPA adheres to the rules and regulations, and American last year. athletics give me the same answer as to why stays in compliance. However, it generates the question as to there isn’t a men’s soccer team.” One of the proponents of the university why soccer, in particular, would have to Despite Title IX, Martínez sees the obtaining a soccer program is Jesse resort to this type of process, while the other

sports at the university have never had to undergo this suggested means of selfpromotion in order to become an athletic program. Recently, Weidner said that the process of fielding a soccer team is more complicated than it seems and that it would be an “institutional decision”. The athletic director also added that at the moment the athletic department is concentrating on maintaining the existing athletic programs “properly funded”. At the moment, the only time you a see a soccer ball roll on campus competitively is during intramurals, but that appears to be changing. “We have to prove that the student body truly likes soccer and the only way to do that is with soccer-related activities,” Martínez said. “Unfortunately, this semester, for some reason there isn’t a soccer tournament on the intramurals calendar and those tournaments are the biggest publicity we have for soccer at UTPA.” Despite the setback, Martínez believes that a soccer team at UTPA would be a benefit not only to the athletic program, but to the community in general. “The Valley has a competitive baseball team (Edinburg Roadrunners) and with the arrival of the new hockey team (Killer Bees), the sports community is paying attention to these events,” Martínez said. “But like any good Latino, and Mexican, there has to be soccer in your life, one way or the other, whether you are playing it or watching it on TV. I think that with the lack of a semiprofessional soccer team, a couple of college teams would be a good attraction for the Latino community in the Valley.”

Sports

February 5, 2004

Page 14

Lady Bears outlast UTPA in overtime By AMY MEDELLÍN The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American Lady Broncs were hoping to go into their Feb. 9 game against Texas A&M-Prairie View with a three-game wining streak, but they fell short of their goal after falling in overtime Tuesday night to the University of Northern Colorado in a disappointing 57-56 loss. Senior guard Amanda Carlow, who had been on fire in the previous two games, had two chances to win the game, at the end of the second half and as the clock ran out in overtime. On both occasions she watched hopelessly as both of her shots bounced off the back of the rim. The Lady Broncs, who fell to 9-13, came out strong by opening the game with a 13-1 run against the Lady Bears with big plays by Carlow and junior guard Dawnne Cheadle, but UTPA was unable to hold on to their 12-point lead. Meanwhile, Northern Colorado, which improved to 13-8, took advantage of open outside shots by Melanie Drangmiester. The freshman guard, who was the game’s leading scorer with 14 points, sunk four 3-pointers and helped the Lady Bears pull within five points of the Lady Broncs, 28-23, at intermission. “Eventually, when your offense doesn't click, it affects your defense, and that's what happened Photo by Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American tonight. Our offense needs to help our defense, and that didn't happen tonight,” said Lady Junior guard Dawnne Cheadle dribbles past Broncs Head Coach DeAnn Craft. Prairie View guard Jena Fosdick in Tuesday The Lady Bears dominated the second half, night’s overtime loss at the Field House. with Amber Elliot, senior guard, hitting two 3-

Broncs

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improvement he has seen in their past three outings.He credited offensive proficiency and strengthened defense as the cornerstone of their successes. “Earlier in the season when we were losing we weren’t making any runs. People were just making runs on us,” Hoffman said. “And when you make shots it’s a lot easier to get excited about playing defense, and so we’ve been making a lot more stops.” The Broncs will look to extend their streak to four when they travel to compete against IndianaPurdue-Fort-Wayne Saturday. The Broncs defeated the Mastadons in the field house two weeks ago 81-60, and if they are capable of a repeat performance they will surpass the number of wins they had last season.

Next Game:

UTPA Broncs at IndianaPurdue-Fort Wayne Mastodons When: Saturday, Feb. 7 Time: Noon Where: War Memorial Coliseum Records: UTPA (10-13); IPFW (3-17) Last meeting: Jan. 28, Broncs won 81-60 at the Field House. All-time series: UTPA leads 2-0.

pointers and making key free-throw shots to close hold onto a 49-46 lead. However, junior guard Arrita Oler, who contributed 13 points toward the UTPA cause, tied the game with a lay up at the end of regulation, 49-49, to send the game into overtime. Despite three visits to the free-throw line by junior center Molly Schamel, freshman forward Azzie Knox, and Kristi Dudley, including the Lady Bears’ shot clock violation with 7.4 seconds remaining, the Lady Broncs were unable to pull off a third win in a row. “It’s the same old nemesis we have had all year long; not getting our shots in,” Craft said. “You aren’t going to win many games when you shoot 25 percent.” Lady Bears head coach Ron Vlasin also admitted to shoddy play as his team racked up 18 fouls during their first-ever matchup against UTPA. “It is expected that the teams in Division I will be better, but the girls are tired and have been on the road so long and just plain played sloppy tonight,” Vlasin said. This is the Lady Bears’ third win in Division I and so far have a very young team with four starting freshman on their roster The Lady Broncs are just four games away from beating their record of games won set at 12 in the 1984-85 season. With just six games left Craft feels that her team can reach their goal by cleaning up their game. “Tonight’s loss kind of sets us back from our goal, but it does not make it any less obtainable or reachable, we just have make our shots and keep playing defense like we have been,” Craft said. “After this loss the girls are coming out hungry and we’ll see if they can put the shots in on the road.”

UTPA Men’s Basketball Leaders SCORING Sergio Sánchez Chris Fagan Ray Castillo Allen Holcomb Andrius Sakalys

GP 21 20 21 20 21

3-POINTERS Ray Castillo Chris Fagan Sergio Sánchez Eric Montalvo Zach Weir

3FG-FGA 53-121 19-52 45-125 17-54 11-36

FREE THROWS Sergio Sánchez Andrius Sakalys Chris Fagan Derrick East Eric Montalvo

FT-FTA 59-69 39-51 56-74 21-28 26-35

PTS 254 209 195 179 159 PCT .438 .365 .360 .315 .306 PCT .855 .765 .757 .750 .743

Lady Broncs next game: vs. UTPA Lady Broncs at Prairie View Lady Panthers When: Monday Feb. 9 Time: 7 p.m. Where: Nick’s Gym Records: UTPA (9-13); PVAMU (313) Last meeting: Jan. 31, Broncs won 64-52 at the Field House. All-time series: UTPA leads 2-0.

Tuesday’s Box Score Northern Colorado at UTPA N. Colorado UTPA

1 2 23 26 28 21

OT 8 7

F 57 56

UTPA BRONCS VS. OPPONENTS (season averages) PPG 12.1 10.5 9.3 9.0 7.6

CATEGORY

UTPA

OPP.

Scoring

71.2

74.0

FG Pct.

.391

.450

.331

.379

FT Pct.

.686

.657

Rebounds

39.3

38.6

Assists

13.1

14.4

Turnovers

16.5

17.7

Steals

7.8

7.6

3-PT Pct.

February 5, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

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Edinburg citizens to vote on $64 million school district bond By EDWINA P. GARZA The Pan American As the Valley grows at a rapid rate with new businesses and subdivisions popping up weekly, local schools are starting to feel the growth in terms of enrollment. Edinburg CISD has addressed this by calling for a bond election Feb. 7. The two propositions being voted upon include school construction, expansion, and renovation projects costing $64 million. “The school district is growing at a rapid pace, between 1,200 and 1,300 students a year,” said Gilbert Tagle, ECISD public information officer. “The city of Edinburg has had tremendous growth, and so has the school.” Tagle said the school district is having a problem with having so many students come into the district. Covering about 945 square miles, ECISD has built various schools yet still has been unable to completely address their student growth. The population of the city reached over 48,000 in the 2000 U.S. Census, up from approximately 29,000 in 1990. “The growth is coming at such a fast rate, it’s getting hard to keep up with,” he said. The two propositions were not combined into one because the school board and the citizens bond committee felt they should be taken to the voters separately, since one deals strictly with student growth. “If voters don’t feel that a performing arts center is something they’d like to see funded through public monies, then at least they can vote for proposition one, since it does address student growth and building new schools,” he said. “Those are really important.” The performing arts center was proposed by the school board to benefit the 14,000 students involved in fine arts programs throughout the district. Right now, students involved in everything from choir to guitar groups rent

outside facilities for their PROPOSITION 1 performances. Tagle said many voters may Three new elementary schools $22,500,000 ask why monies need to go to expand the Transportation $2,000,000 Annex Building or add lights to Harwell MS renovations the bus parking lot, and the Edinburg High School conversion answer is to provide the best $1,882,179 environment for the students. North Junior HS Science Bldg. Convertion “That goes back to the $1,500,000 philosophy that everyone plays an important role in the New Middle School $15,000,000 education of a child,” he said. Currently, ECISD has about Four bus stalls to transortation spot $750,000 1,300 students that depend on the school for transportation. Transportation Annex expansion $500,000 Tagle said the district is the second largest school bus Resurface and add lights to bus parking lot $300,000 transportation system in the nation. With these statistics in District parking lots improvements $1,000,000 mind, he said it is vital that the transportation system be Industrial Arts Building renovations $3,317,821 properly maintained. Added stalls in the plan will cost $750, TOTAL $50 million 000, and will maintain buses, police vehicles, and other grounds vehicles used by the PROPOSITION 2 district. Performing Arts Center “Each stall is one garage, and $12,691,800 with four it gets very crowded,” Architectural and Engineering fees he said. “Adding four more $1,308,200 would help accommodate the TOTAL $14 million work.” The resurfacing and light out there.” project, costing $500,000, will in the end help lessen the “The parking lot itself is in a deteriorated condition to cost of maintenance for buses and other vehicles, said where it all helps to See SCHOOL BOND page 12 Tagle. “It’s dark at night, and they don’t have any lights

Mission’s Treviño Re-appointed to State Council himself. It was then that he decided to apply for the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities. “I started dedicating myself to see what I could do to help my son,” he said. “It was during my research that I found out A feeling of devastation overcame the father when he about the ‘Partners in Policy Making’ a workshop offered by discovered that his two-year-old son had been diagnosed with the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities.” autism. But after the initial shock wore off, he swung into He says that he went to the workshop with ulterior action that has not ceased to this day. motives, but it was during the workshop that he realized he “My son was growing up like any other child,” said Valley wouldn’t help just his son. native Raul Trevino Jr. “It was when he was about two and a “I went to ‘Partners in Policy Making,’ and it was then half when I started noticing he would do weird things like when I realized I had to help other people with disabilities,” jump up and down during an entire movie.” said Trevino. “I learned a lot on how to be an advocate for Trevino suspected something was happening to his son; at my child, but most important, I learned about how to be an first he suspected the boy might be deaf. A visit to the advocate for everyone.” pediatrician erased that possibility, and at that point, the After he attended this workshop, Trevino applied for the father started wondering about autism. As a former council. psychology major, Trevino remembered “I applied and didn’t hear anything for reading about this disability. about a year,” he said. “After about a year I “I pulled out my old college books and got a call from the appointments office remember feeling devastated to even think telling me I had an interview and about two this could be what was happening to my months later I was notified I had been son,” he said. appointed.” Trevino expressed how he felt when he Trevino is the support services supervisor saw his wife directly after the child’s for the Texas Department of Protective & diagnosis. Regulatory Services. He is also a member of “As I walked in to the doctor’s office, I the Autism Society of American, and Parents saw my wife was crying. I realized there had for the Medical Assistance Support of the already been a diagnosis,” said Trevino. Handicapped. Trevino received a bachelor’s “The psychologist later confirmed my son degree from Texas A&I University at Laredo, had autism. now Texas A&M International University. Autism is a complex developmental Raul Treviño Jr. But joining the council may have been his disability that typically appears during the best achievement to date, first three years of life. It is the result of a He says that due to his son’s disability he wanted to do neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain. something for people with such problems, and for their Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the families. areas of social communication, social interactions, and “They are people just like you and me,” he said. “Because leisure or play activities. they have a disability, it gives you the impression something is broken down, but that is not the case.” FIGHTING BACK The council is designed to help organizations to get started Due to his son’s disability, Trevino wanted to find a way to toward helping people with disabilities and their families. It become more efficient in helping not only his son, but also helps these groups get funded and learn how to advocate for By ANGELA CANALES The Pan American

those in need. In November 2003, Gov. Perry announced the reappointment of seven individuals to the council. Among the seven was Trevino. The council is a 30-member board dedicated to ensuring that all Texans with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to be independent, productive and valued members of their communities. Public Information Specialist Laura Walker, explained that the members are staggered in duration and tenure. “The governor has to appoint someone to the position every six years,” said Walker. “However, sometimes he needs to appoint in-between terms.” Trevino is a member who was named in such a manner. He was appointed to the council on April 24, 2001 and then reappointed in November 2003. “This is my first full term,” said Trevino. “What drove me to want to be part of the council is that I have a son that has a disability.” Trevino will serve on the council until his term expires on Feb. 1 2009 and he plans to seek re-appointment then. ONGOING SITUATION For now, though, he is part of the daily trench battle to confront autism. According to the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, there are nearly 350,000 individuals with developmental disabilities in Texas. The term 'developmental disability' means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments. It is manifested before the individual attains age 22 and is likely to continue indefinitely. This results in substantial functional limitations in three or more or the following areas of major life activity: self-care, receptive and expressive language learning, mobility, selfdirection, capacity for independent living, and economic selfsufficiency. Luckily, Trevino’s son, now 13, continues to live like any other 13-year-old boy. “We try to ensure that he leads the life of a 13-year-old,” said Trevino. “He has done a lot of progress. He is doing well in school and he does a lot.”

February 5, 2004

THE PAN AMERICAN

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Grapefruit fortunes improve after rainfall By VANESSA L. LUCIO The Pan American

The great rainfall of 2003 has left many farmers with high hopes, sweet citrus dreams and ripe visions of colorful crops from a South Texas agricultural tradition dating back over 100 years. The Valley is famous for 1015 onions, cotton, and other produce. It has been one of the leading citrus producers for decades. Last year's rainfall was over 10 inches more than the average in recent years, and alleviated to an extent the drought that the area had suffered since the early 1990s. No one knows grapefruit better than the farmers who grow them. However, one local research center makes it a priority to make sure grapefruit season blooms without any complications. The Texas-A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Weslaco has been up and running since 1923 and has managed to maintain a strong communication with local farmers in regard to their crops. There are 12 centers in Texas providing research for growers of the same citrus field. The research center in Weslaco however, has 30 scientists and over 100 support staff members to back them up. The main function of the center is to conduct scientific research on any problem that growers in the Valley are having with their crops, whether it is insects, diseases, water shortage, or even marketing fruit to potential buyers. The research side involves an elite group of scientists that are dedicated to coming up with solutions with these problems. According to Rod Santa Ana, communication specialist and expert in grapefruit season at the Texas-A&M AREC, the research side is only one function the center is involved in. “The extension side takes that information from the scientist and delivers it to the growers, but since 1923 the research center has taken on a lot of new and different challenges and tasks,” stated Santa Ana. One of the many facets the center has facilitated within the university has been educating students. There are graduate and undergraduate students participating

in research at the center through in the market to buy. essential to all life,” stated Santa Ana. internships and laboratory studies. The Valley does not have a huge citrus Increased labor costs have also International students also attend the crop but the majority of it contains the contributed to the decline in farms in the center to receive their master’s degree famous local grapefruit. Valley as well as the lack of money that and PhDs in various fields. The grapefruit that is grown in the the farmer can now be allowed to borrow The extension side of the facility also Valley can compete against any other from the bank to support the crops. Farm deals with helping low-income subsidies have not families live better lives. helped much. For example, the personnel With the decline of branch sets up these families with farmers in the Valley due the Master Volunteer program at to numerous factors, it is the center, by teaching five people fair to ask, Is citrus what how to better manage their money. it used to be? The idea is that those five people According to Santa teach five or six more people. Ana that answer is Santa Ana stated that providing simple: no. Citrus is not these volunteer opportunities and what it used to be. teaching these skills, the The crop has changed extension center gives this drastically over the years information to people who need it in two ways: and the end result is a constant 1) The number of stream of knowledge passed on acres that used to be throughout the Valley with the planted in citrus used to best of intentions. be a very high number; it One of the most recent is now down to about programs, called Abriendo Puertas 40,000. (Opening Doors) is teaching The reason the acreage parents about college. has decreased is not only These low-income parents, who due to the factors that might have never known of caused the number of college or about the process farmers to decrease, but involved when trying to get into a Vanessa Lucio/The Pan American also to the major freezes secondary institution, will the Valley has FIELDWORK— Guadalupe Calvo Jr. works on citrus land at the Texas certainly know about college and experienced. A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Weslaco. Calvo, a then some, after completing this The last freeze was in Farm Foreman I, has seen the grapefruit crop improve after the Valley’s program or others like it. 1989, and before that Some of the applicant volunteers drought was lessend by a good rain year in 2003. 1983. When a freeze who are offered these opportunities occurs, a lot of growers come from colonias in neighboring decide not to re-plant Mexico and arrive in the States with grapefruit in the world; it’s considered because the freeze kills the trees. That is fresh excitement and hope for a new life premium in quality when it sells to the when some growers have decided to sell involving a college education. shipper and consumer. It is by far better the property, resulting in a decrease in than most, in vibrant color and delectable acreage. BACK TO THE FIELDS sweetness. 2) As the freezes occur, growers reWhen asked to describe how the One would think that if the grapefruit plant with new, dark red varieties of grapefruit season was looking for farmers is so good, why aren’t there more grapefruit that the research center has in the Valley, Santa Ana stated, growers in the Valley? developed. So, dark red grapefruit has “Wonderful, awesome crop of grapefruit A marked decline in farms has been supplanted the traditional orange and this season. The lots of rain the Valley attributed to low market prices and pink fruit. received helped the crops tremendously. urbanization. As they get older, a lot of For example, the deep red variety, We have superior quality this season, it’s farmers sell their property and Ruby grapefruit, was developed in the no wonder it is shipped all over the subdivisions or malls are built. Valley but is actually grown mostly in world.” The serious drought in the Valley was Africa. According to Santa Ana the only aspect yet another factor that drove a lot of of the grapefruit season that could stand growers out of business. RAIN COMPLICATIONS The weather in general has had a to see some improvement for all “The crops can deal with the hot tremendous impact on the grapefruit and concerned, is the low price that the climates and fierce winds but cannot growers receive from businesses that are handle the lack of water: water is See GRAPEFRUIT page 12

UTPA fraternity invites politician to campus By VANESSA CASTILLO The Pan American Distributing fliers with directions to a party has always been one way fraternities connect with other students. But the men of Tau Kappa Epsilon believe that promoting the importance of state political awareness is an important way to connect with them as well. Along these lines, State Representative candidate Veronica Gonzales will visit UTPA for an informal “meet and greet” session Feb 10. Gonzales will be at the Student Union on Tuesday, Feb.10 from noon to 1 p.m. She is running in District 41 and is one of two candidates running against incumbent Roberto Gutierrez. The statewide elections are March 9. Tau Kappa Epsilon, whose members are known as “Tekes,” made all necessary arrangements and she will be answering

questions on a one-to-one basis. TKE president Paco Vielma said his fraternity is trying to get students to meet people who can possibly have the power to change education guidelines in Texas. “I think it is extremely important for students to meet candidates who can effect what their college experience will be like,” said Vielma. “If they are elected, they can determine the education policies for Texas.” State representatives help implement policies on issues such as public school curriculum and required state tests, and also help determine policies guiding state universities. In UTPA’s case, this could include acceptance standards and financial aid qualifications. TKE is not a political science association and members say that by no means are they trying to lobby. They say they’re trying to fight negative stereotypes fraternities are stuck with everyday. By sponsoring this event, they hope that students will have a

different view of what fraternities can do for a university. “People usually associate us only with social events, but that’s not all we do,” Vielma said. “We are here to provide a service for students and influence student life in a positive way.” The TKEs believe bringing Veronica Gonzales to campus is a good idea because it will give students a chance to know what the candidates are like and what they will try to achieve if elected. “We have no political views as a group. We are not bringing her here in an effort to sway students’ votes one way or the other,” said Vielma. “We want to give people an opportunity they would not normally have – to ask questions.” According to the results of the last state elections, less than half of registered constituents cast their votes. The numbers are even more woeful for the 18-34 age group.

Organizing a “meet and greet” may motivate students to vote, or perhaps help them make a decision as to who deserves to be elected, said Vielma. Vielma, along with other members of the fraternity, spoke to Jerry Price, the dean of students, as well as his assistant, to figure out the appropriate steps they needed to follow in order to have a political figure on campus. He said the dean was surprised but delighted to hear that a fraternity was coordinating the event. “There are certain things that you can and can not do when you bring a political figure onto university grounds, so we had to work through the red tape and figure out what was possible. They [the deans] were very supportive,” Vielma added. The TKEs are planning to bring other politicians to UTPA as well. They are negotiating dates for future engagements with the other state representative candidates as well as candidates running for judge.

Sports

February 5, 2004

2003-2004 Sports Schedules

SPORTS CLIPBOARD Tennis team travels to Kentucky

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

Page 13

The UTPA tennis team will travel to Richmond, Ky. where they will take on Eastern Kentucky Friday, and Dayton and Xavier Saturday. It will be the season opener for the women’s team. The men’s team opened up the 2004 season by defeating Trinity and losing to Texas A&M Jan. 19 at College Station.

Golf team add match

10K Run this weekend The 22nd Annual All-America City 10K Run/Walk will take place Saturday in Edinburg. Over 4,000 spectators and 500 volunteers are expected to participate in the event, while 5,000 participants are expected to compete. The event is the premier road race in the Río Grande Valley and South Texas which began in 1983. UTPA last participated in the tournament three years ago. The Broncs finished third overall.

RGV Dorados af2 2004 Schedule

The Broncs added the Hal Sutton Intercollegiate tournament to their 2004 schedule recently. The tournament will be hosted by Centenary College Apr. 5-6. UTPA last participated in the tournament three years ago. The Broncs finished third overall.

WEEK

DATE

OPPONENT

TIME

Apr. 3

LAREDO

7:30

Apr. 9/10

at Oklahoma City

TBA

Apr. 17

BYE

---

Apr. 24

OKLAHOMA CITY

7:30

May 1

at Laredo

7:30

WICHITA

7:30

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

W 74-52

May 8

Feb. 4

Lamar

W 90-78

May 14/15 at Central Valley

TBA

Feb. 7

IPFW

Noon

May 22

LAREDO