April 10, 2008 by UTRGV Student Media

Thursday April 10, 2008

59th Year No. 26

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER

PAN AMERICAN DAYS

INTERNATIONAL

Castro’s daughter on Cuba Author Fernandez says country’s future is ‘hopeful’

By LUPE FLORES The Pan American

By SANDRA GONZALEZ

Castro and her mother, Natalia Revuelta Clews, had an affair while he was still married to his first wife. They even exchanged letters while he was imprisoned before taking over the nation in 1959. However, his secret was not secret for long. During one round of letter exchanges, the guard accidentally – though Fernandez suspects it was inten-

Next week will mark The University of Texas-Pan American’s 8th annual Pan American Days, a week featuring a variety of art exhibitions, special presentations, films and panel discussions conducted by professors and students around campus to help promote a better understanding of the Americas. Although the events only last throughout the school week, it takes six to nine months of brainstorming to line up speakers and presentations. Marilu Salazar, director of the Office of International Programs, said that a planning committee aims organized of students, faculty and staff helps decide on potential speakers and events. “After several brainstorming meetings, the group decides and votes on the theme, topics and speakers,” she said. “The names of the major speakers are submitted to the Offices of the Provost and the President. From there, we proceed to the formal invitation of the speakers.” According to Salazar, the committee is created on a voluntary basis every year. The OIP sends out mass e-mails to faculty and staff, and from there, students and other interested participants.

See FERNANDEZ page 11

See FESTIVITY page 11

The Pan American

THIS WEEK

Fidel Castro is a figure, not a man, to many Cubans. He is the cause of revolution, but also restrictions and isolation that have plagued the country since 1959. But to Alina Revuelta Fernandez, he’s not only a man, he’s “Dad.” It was as Cuba made its first wary steps into the deep waters of the Revolution in the late 1950s and early ‘60s that Fernandez – then a small child – had the most contact with Castro. It was a time she remembers in great detail, spotted with strange occurrences. Fernandez, 53, spoke about her father during this confusing time, and the future of her native country at the Student Union Theater Wednesday night. In her speech, sponsored by the University Program Board, Fernandez noted that since Fidel Castro has stepped down now, many things have started to change. Long-time restrictions on laptops and other electronics were erased by Fidel Castro’s brother Raul Castro, who assumed power in February, and this is a step in the right direction, she said. But it’s not a perfect world yet. “I think that the changes are interesting, because it’s the first time people have

Festivity set to begin next week

Ben Briones/The Pan American MEMOIR - Alina Revuelta Fernandez, estranged daughter of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, spoke on her native countryʼs perils and possibilities Wednesday night at the Student Union Theater.

certain freedoms for the last 50 years,” said Fernandez, a Miami resident. “The prohibitions were absurd and cruel.” Still unfair is the fact that residents must pay for their new freedoms in American dollars while their wages are given in pesos. “There are deeper problems and I don’t know how they are going to be solved,” she said. “But anything that is

going to give chance to the minority is hopeful.” The Cuba she sees developing now is a stark contrast to the one she saw as a child. As Fernandez read from the first chapter of her book, Castro’s Daughter: An Exile’s Memoir of Cuba, the crowd of about 120 sat listening attentively to the candid stories of that world the now estranged daughter had to tell.

UT SYSTEM

NEWS Eat healthy without breaking the bank See Page 3

A&E Student film project to feature Hollywood stars See Page 8 & 9

SPORTS Track team looks ahead to five remaining meets See Page 16

Chancellor to exit position, interim appointed Yudof accepts job with California University system By SANDRA GONZALEZ The Pan American University of Texas System Chancellor Mark Yudof is on his last weeks in the position after being appointed president of The University of

California recently. The University of California Board of Regents unanimously voted Yudof as UC’s 19th president March 27. He will replace Robert C. Dynes, who announced his intention to depart last summer after nearly five years at his post. The day before hearing the news, UTPA President Blandina Cardenas said she was sitting right next to Yudof at a meeting of the Chancelor’s Council, held at UTPA. “While we were getting ready to go into the reception we heard there was a

big story developing but we didn’t ask for any details,” she said. “The next day we found out this was it.” No official date has been set for his full departure, but Dynes said when announcing his exit last year that he intended to step down by June 2008. Cardenas lamented Yudof’s leavetaking, saying his exit would be the loss of a great friend to UTPA. “I was proud of him but not happy for us,” she said. “I think he had really gained a strong appreciation for what we are trying to do here at UTPA, and that’s

a relationship that takes time to build.” As chancellor, Yudof oversaw the System’s nine academic and six medical institutions. At UC he will manage 10 campuses, five medical centers and three national labs, in the country’s largest university group. Even with so much ground to cover, Cardenas said Yudof did a fine job of building relationships with each institution. “It’s not easy for a chancellor to get to know all the universities but he had

See YUDOF page 11

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O PINION

April 10, 2008

THE PAN AMERICAN

JAYARE SAYS

Savethesedates

iLove Macintosh t has become the question of the ages: what are you? While many computer users have Windows PC, The University of Texas-Pan American seems to be leaning more toward the ever-so-eye-catching Mac. Although there are still a lot of PCs around campus, a number of Mac labs have opened and it’s become more widely used by the daily person, not just graphic designers and techies. I came from a PC family, Mac was not something we used in our home or anywhere else. That was until I came to UTPA. Now I’m a Mac freak; I hate PC. It was not until UTPA that I realize how much more worth it Mac actually was. Now I have to enter my apartment and see this huge, tentacle-wired PC

breathing. The amount of wires behind the tower is insane, it’s almost like the poor thing is on life support and it’s only a year old. My PC has actually been a great computer, but there are just some things about it that I don’t like. The interface is just too simplistic and not interactive enough, it’s prone to more viruses and you know when it’s processing something because the fan goes at an insane “vrrrrrrrrrrrrr” speed. I can just imagine if my computer could process thoughts, it’s almost as though I’m cheating on it with Mac. I can just hear it saying something like “You don’t love me anymore!” It’s just that I’m a journalist and am always using computers around campus. I live and breathe Mac; that is until I arrive home at 10 p.m.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

FROM THE EDITOR

The Texas Intercollegiate Press Association conference was held April 3-5. Bronc Radio was allowed to attend this event with The Pan American and The Panorama. It was an event like no other. A total of around 25 UTPA students competed against Texas Titans like UTAustin, North Texas, A&M and others. It’s great to see three great departments in our school come together and take on the challenge. Bronc TV and Radio wants to thank The Pan American for allowing us to go. I personally made some great friends and even got to travel to “wonderland” with Greg, Ramiro and Roxy. May this lead to many more joint adventures with Bronc TV/Radio, The Pan American and The Panorama.

The Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Conference is a fickle place. One year you suck; the other you suck less. I’m happy to report that this year we sucked a lot less. Staffs from The Pan American, Bronc TV/Radio and Panorama magazine traveled to College Station, Texas April 3 to April 5 to compete, and all three entities and their members took away a number of awards in both the on-site and mail-in competitions. Congratulations to the winners.

BY: J.R. ORTEGA

Freddy Vela Bronc Radio station manager

APRIL 10, 2008 THE

PANAMERICAN 1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 www.utpa.edu/dept/panamerican

The irony of this whole article is that I’m typing it on a PC. Ouch. So why is Macs so much better? In a nutshell: unique design, little wiring, compactness, and so much more userfriendly. Unfortunately, it’s a “$1,500 or more user-friendly,” but it’s more than worth it. Come next month there should be a new laptop sitting on my bed and I’m more than sure it’s going to be a Mac. I’ve put off buying a laptop simply to get a MacBook Pro or something. Kind of silly I know, but the lifespan of a Mac is longer, or so it seems. Of course Macs have their downside, they do sometimes freeze (as do all computers) and the online world caters more toward PC since it is more affordable and universal. Also I really despise the one-button mouse, but that’s easily

-Sandra Gonzalez Editor in chief Newspaper - The Pan American

*1st place - Best in show - The Pan American* 1st place - Single subject presentation - Juan Torres 2nd place - Special edition/section - The Pan American staff 3rd place - Headline writing - Sandra Gonzalez 3rd place - Spanish writing - Sara Jeske HM - Information graphic - Roy Bazan HM - Page one design - Roy Bazan HM - Sports action photo - Onydia Garza HM - On-site sports action photo - Onydia Garza General Magazine - Panorama 2007 2nd place - Essay/column - Salvador Grajeda 3rd place - Overall design - Trey Serna

April

solvable; just get a PC mouse. As of yet, I have found no problems with Mac or none that I have run into at least. An observation I made that I don’t think many people realize is that they use iPods, and who creates iPods? For all I know the world is just as Mac-psychotic as I am, they too just can’t afford it. I suggest the world make the switch or plan to make the switch. Let's make this an iWorld.

Do you feel my reasons

for loving mac aren’t really worth anything? E-mail me from your more than likely PC at ortega.e.jr@gmail.com.

HM - Feature story - Ana Ley HM - Overall excellence - Trey Serna HM - Illustration - Jennifer Terrazas Literary Magazine - Panorama 2007 1st place - Overall excellence - Trey Serna 1st place - Story package - Trey Serna/Brenda Hernandez 2nd place - Feature photo - Wendy Gilbert 2nd place - Essay - Ana Ley 2nd place - Feature story - Javier Cavazos 3rd place - Photo essay - Bruno Minkley/Nora Hernandez HM - Cover design - Trey Serna/Daniel Flores/Chris Ramirez Yearbook - Panorama 2007 2nd place - Student life copy - Brenda Rodriguez 3rd place - Academics copy - Trey Serna 3rd place - Sports copy - Nayelly Barrios HM - Cover design - Trey Serna/Daniel Flores/Chris Ramirez HM - Organizations copy - Brenda Rodriguez Television - Bronc TV/Radio 1st place - On-site TV advertising - Alfredo Vela 2nd place - Spot commercial, PSA, promo - Sal Gutierrez/Brenda Hernandez/Santa Hernandez 3rd place - Documentary - Cyn Vaquera HM – Documentary - Javeria Farooqi 3rd place – Spot radio news - Alfredo Vela 3rd place – Spot commercial, PSA, Promo – Alex Del Barrio

Editor-in-Chief Sandra Gonzalez................................................. sandra_panamerican@yahoo.com

Assistant News Editors Abigail Muniz..............abby.muniz@yahoo.com J.R. Ortega.....................ortega.e.jr@gmail.com

A&E Editor Jeanette Perez.........fae_myst@yahoo.com

Designers Rick Gamez Juan Torres

Sports Co-Editors Greg Garza...............the_nataku@yahoo.com Ramiro Paez...................ramiropaez@aol.com Photography Editor Roxy Solis..................roxysolis34@yahoo.com

Reporters and Photographers Alvaro Balderas Ana Villaurrutia Bobby Cervantes Russen Vela Leslie Estrada Onydia Garza Laura Garcia

Design Editor Roy Bazan........................rbazanzz@yahoo.com

Adviser Dr. Greg Selber..........selberg@utpa.edu

Secretary Anita Casares..........areyes18@utpa.edu Advertising Manager Samantha Quintana.....spubs@utpa.edu Assitant Advertising Manager Jacqueline Iglesias................................... jiglesiasz@broncs.utpa.edu **Delivery** Thursday at noon The Pan American is the official student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or university.

International Museum of Arts and Science presents special art exhibition organized by Kirk Clark, with eight New Mexico artists

Border forum: “The Wall and Other Issues,” at 10:35 a.m. in the Student Union Theatre Tuesday

Newsinbrief REHABILITATION The U.S. News and World Report recently ranked The University of TexasPan American’s department of rehabilitation at 24th in its 2009 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools The issue, which was released on March 31, ranked UTPA as one of the top schools, based on data from more than 12,000 graduate programs across the United States.

SGA The University of Texas-Pan American’s Student Government Association is holding their run-offs until the end of the week. Candidates Marcos Silva/Raghuveer Puttagunta and Yuri Bazan/Michael Martinez received 454 votes and 304 votes, respectively in the first round. Runoff elections ended Wednesday. Last week’s election garnered 1,200 votes. The next student body president is expected to be chosen by the end of this week.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. The Pan American reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. The Pan American cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to thepanamerican@gmail.com. Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format or needing assistance to attend any event listed can contact The Pan American for more details.

April 10, 2008

N EWS

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THE PAN AMERICAN

HEALTH

Don’t ‘waist’ your money By ABBY MUNIZ The Pan American Eating healthy may be the last thing on college students’ minds as they prepare for an exam or work. Financial barriers also pose a problem, as tuition rates continue to climb and students are left with only enough money to buy a few bags of Ramen noodles. But a prevalent student misconception - that eating healthy is expensive -

affects the unhealthy lifestyle they lead, according to Monica Fredensborg, a junior dietetics major from New Zealand. Fredensborg, Amber Pray and Angelique Young, all dietetics majors, put together a presentation and participated in the Student Union’s How-To Series with “Eating Healthy on a Budget,” Wednesday at The University of Texas-Pan American. College students fall prey to fast food and packaged meals high in sodium, and this leads to an expanding waistline, as

evidenced in a 2004 National College Health Risk Behavior survey conducted by the American Diabetes Association. The study found that as many as 35 percent of college students might be overweight or obese, up from an estimated 21.6 percent the year before. So there’s a problem.

See HEALTHY page 12

STUDENT LIFE

ALUMS

Student secures seat at 2009 inauguration Twin vets By BOBBY CERVANTES The Pan American In less than a year, the 44th President of the United States will be sworn into office, and people across the globe can only expect to view the televised event. However, one University of TexasPan American student has been given an opportunity to go one better: a front-row

seat at the inauguration. Senior chemistry major Hugo Salazar said as a student at South Texas High School for Health Professions, he attended the National Youth Leadership Forum. The forum aims to help students find interests that will better serve them once they enter the workforce. “Since I’m considered part of the program alumni, they have been sending me offers from many other programs,

and I get to choose what to attend by enrolling,” the 21-year-old said. It is through the NYLF that Salazar received the ability to attend the University Presidential Inaugural Conference. The conference will span the course of five days where Salazar will hear from distinguished guest speakers such as Erik Weihemmayer, the first blind man to climb Mount Everest; bicy-

clist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong; and former North Carolina senator and ex-Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards. A few weeks back, Salazar got a suspicious, spam-like e-mail, which if he had not opened, would have made him miss the chance to attend the inauguration. “I honestly thought that the e-mail was either a joke or spam. If I hadn’t had

See INAUGURATION page 12

SEEN AND CAPTURED

Roxy Solis /The Pan American READY, SET, TEXT - (Left to right) Freshman Luis Carrasco and sophomores Joseph Ryan and Jay Pedregosa get their fingers warmed up during the Student Unionʼs Text Mania event, held Tuesday during activity hour.

reflect on war, life experiences By ANA VILLAURRUTIA The Pan American Many twins try to find their own identity as they reach adulthood, but for U.S. Air Force veterans Delia Zorrilla and Dalia Calvillo Garcia, ambitions have often been parallel. They were born to a large struggling migrant family and the pair stayed together until the military came into their lives. Delia’s career in the Air Force was a high school dream but their father never allowed it. It was her husband that gave her an extra push into the service. He was a nurse in the military reserves and had been in the reserves since he was 17. Delia married him and adopted his daughter. The family moved to various bases and the experiences made Delia want to join even more. “I had always wanted to join the military so I told my husband and he said, ‘Well, I don’t want you ever to have regrets and keep you from something you’ve always wanted to do,’” recalled Delia. Delia was called to duty in November 1990 during the escalation of the Gulf War. She hadn’t gone through basic training, but with 20 years of experience at civilian hospitals and a bachelor’s in nursing from The University of Texas-Pan American, she was soon a

See TWINS page 12

April 10, 2008

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April 10, 2008 NEWS

April 10, 2008

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ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT

April 10, 2008

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THE PAN AMERICAN

I ON THE SPOT

I MUSIC SCENE

Group finds unique use for trash cans Ear Candy: What’s playing in your iPod?

By LESLIE ESTRADA The Pan American

Plastic buckets, huge ladders, mortar castings and giant 50-gallon containers are not the ordinary instruments used to make music, but hip-hop funk group Recycled Percussion can jam away with this “trash” kit, as they call it. Tuesday evening at the Student Union, the band performed their unique sounds to a student audience, as part of the continuing Arts at the Union feature series. “The Student Union wanted to incorporate a different style of programming to student life,” said Cindy Mata, assistant director of the union. “We felt that bringing acts like Recycled Percussion would give the UTPA community an opportunity to see these types of performances without

having to leave the Valley or pay an expensive ticket fee.” Currently on their Man vs. Machine tour, the band consists of two power-percussionists, Justin Spencer and Ryan Vezina, the hip-hop funk of DJ Pharaoh and guitarist MonsterJimms “Mags.” “Recycled Percussion is a band that is unique to its own genre,” said Mata. “They perform on everything from their signature ‘trash’ kits.” Something that makes their show different is that the instruments are not the traditional ones that are used by other bands. “The instruments that they use are pretty unique; they use anything from trash cans, power tools, ladders, mailboxes and a monster piece drum kit, the adrenaline they have and the showstopping performance are a must-see,”

said Mata. Together, these four talented musicians create music from recycled trash. “The edge and attractiveness to Recycled Percussion is the concept of the creation of their music,” said Mata. “At one point all their instruments were once trash, now that’s an innovation to recycling.” According to NBC’s the Today Show, the NBA, Disney and many more, Recycled Percussion is a can’tmiss show. “I heard they were going to be here and I made plans to attend,” said senior biology major Monica Lopez. “I’ve never heard about them before, but I find it interesting to see how they’ll make their music using all those things.” Lopez says that this is something not very common in the Rio Grande Valley. “I’m glad that the Student Union is

doing this for us,” said Lopez before the show. “Most of us don’t get the opportunity to watch a performance like this and the university is making it available for us, I am definitely taking advantage of this opportunity.” Mata said that watching the band perform was an opportunity to hear something different and exciting. “The band has an ability to project on stage a thrilling groove of mixed rock music with an electrifying hip-hop performance full of high beat and crazy drumming,” she said. Arts at the Union series will continue, featuring Capitol Steps on April 21. Doors will open 30 minutes before the show begins and is free for all students, faculty and staff. For more information or for special accommodations please contact the Student Union at (956) 316-7989.

Enrique Iglesias Alguien Soy Yo “It sounds good, I like Latin because the rhythm and beat is different.” -Lazero Torres Graduate student, psychology

Linkin Park Forgotten “It’s strong, it wakes me up I only listen to soft music when I have a headache.” -Myrna Marquez Freshman, Computer Science Hot Cross Dissertation #14 Hot Cross Dissertation # 14 “It’s intense, I like the lyrics, their political and they say what I feel.” -Andres Sanchez Freshman, Art

Paramore Pressure “I like the beat in the music. I like the group, it’s real up beat.” -Alina Limon Senior, rehab

Ben Briones/The Pan American REVVED UP - The four-piece instrumental group Recycled Percussion made a stop at the Student Union during their Man vs. Machine tour Tuesday evening. The band produces a hip-hop and rock sound using unusual elements like trash cans and tools.

Heroes del Silencio Chispa Adecuada “I grew up with that band. I like the meanings of the words, they have a life message, its radical idealism.” -Rafael Olacio Graduate student, chemistry

April 10, 2008

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April 10, 2008

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Summer film project enlists help from Hollywood actors By JEANETTE PEREZ The Pan American

or 17 years, the UTPA TV/film program has produced full-length feature films during the course of the summer sessions, all of which have been produced by and have incorporated students and professors. This summer, however, associate communication professor David B. Carren will bring forth the idea of a student-run feature film in a whole new light — a Valley-based storyline using veteran Hollywood actors. Carren’s feature film, The Red Queen, will star Oscar Torre (Cane), Estephania LeBaron (The A lamo), Harley Jane Kozak (Parenthood) and UTPA’s most famous alumnus, Valente Rodriguez of The George Lopez Show, all amid the usual student crew. Working alongside communication professor Jack Stanley, Carren, a writer in California for more than 30 years, is thrilled to produce an original screenplay with all of the Hollywood experience. “Every summer they’ve [the film program] had a feature, but there’s been no money and very little time spent on them and no pre-production for a whole bunch of sensible reasons,” said Carren, whose work includes writing for Walker, Texas Ranger and Star Trek: The Next Generation. “But I’m not a sensible guy. I decided to treat this as if it were an L.A. production because I lived there for so long.” Already, Carren and his crew are seeing the differences between a regular summer feature and his latest professional venture. “Marian Monta has gotten people to handle contracts for our writers because I’m a WGA [Writers Guild of America] writer. All of our actors are screen actors so we need to have contracts,” explained Carren. “We’re doing things we haven’t done before. Bringing actors from Los Angeles is a very ambitious thing. We’ll really be pushing the envelope with this.”

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? While the idea of Hollywood actors itself is a major part of this summer’s production, the location and Valley culture, said Carren, are what ultimately drive the storyline. “The script itself is very much a Valley project. Jack and I very much wanted to do a project that was not something that could just be shot anywhere,” said Carren. “We’re doing a movie that’s all about the Valley experience.” Production manager Jacklyn Alvarez believes there is much to explore in the entertainment industry within the Valley. “I like that it’s [the storyline] based in the Valley and revolves around the Valley. There’s not many arts here, it’s barely become known,” said the 24-year-old broadcast major. “There was never really any emphasis on the arts. It’s [the Valley] so rich in culture.” The Hollywood film industry is missing out on the big picture, said Alvarez. The Valley environment, she added, has what the industry lacks. “Movies don’t come down here. There are some independent short films made in Spanish, but nothing really in English language. Most things are always based on the Midwest and they’re very generic and kind of predominantly white,” said Alvarez of McAllen. “That’s not the majority of the United States population anymore. We have a really big Latino culture down here. The Valley is just an untapped resource for the film industry.” According to Alvarez, the Valley is one big set with endless possibilities. “The Valley has a very unique look. You can find everything you need for a movie here,” said Alvarez. “Like the whole Valley, we can go from Roma to Brownsville. If we want a certain look or a certain feel, we can go and get it from somewhere here.” The film’s theme, identity, also holds a strong tie to another significant element, the importance of family. It focuses around a young girl, Gabby

Salinas, who’s desperate for any type of connection to her deceased mother. With no factual information on her family or background, Gabby begins to question herself and where she came from. Her father, Jose Salinas, played by Rodriguez, is holding back something and ultimately, Gabby finds out the truth. The idea of an unknown history and identity was something Carren felt strongly about, as it had once plagued him. “My family at one point lied to me about my background for many years; they told me we were from Ireland. I found out when I was 27 that I had no Irish background at all,” he explained. “But you know what; families do weird things like this. Sometimes they’ll lie because it’s just convenient. It’s really about dynamics, unintentional betrayal and the best of intentions. It’s also about how sometimes circumstances get really difficult in families and it really can’t be avoided.” With family ties and strong cultural elements, what Carren and his crew most push for is longawaited recognition of the area. Production designer Cynthia Santos of Mission saw an opportunity in making a small location into something the whole world will remember. “I wanted to be part of something that would make a difference in the film industry in South Texas. The Valley might get a lot of recognition after this. We seem to be one of those small parts of the world that never really gets recognized,” said the 29-year-old theatre-TV-film major. “We want to show kids that you can be here and you can prosper just like Valente.” Carren shows no hesitation in getting the Valley’s name out there through film. “The Valley frankly needs more recognition in the country and in the state. Nothing makes a community more real than a film. Film is the universal language,” he said. “The whole world knows America from our films and the whole world needs to know about the Valley.”

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April 10, 2008

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Summer film project enlists help from Hollywood actors By JEANETTE PEREZ The Pan American

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April 10, 2008 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

I DOCUMENTARY

Texas history explored in Warnock’s Border Bandits By RUSSEN VELA The Pan American

Victor Gomez HISTORY LESSON - Kirby Warnock examines the strained relationship between Hispanics and Anglos after the 1915 incident at the McAllen Ranch.

In Hollywood fashion it is always a trend to attend a special film screening and discussion. At these special events, the audience can ask questions as to why the director chose this actor or actress, or why he/she chose to direct and write it. South Texas College had the opportunity to hold a special screening and discussion about the film Border Bandits Saturday afternoon. The documentary is about a group of Mexican banditos (or outlaws) in 1915 who raided the McAllen Ranch, one of the largest in the area. The next day, a group of Texas Rangers supposedly arrived and eliminated the perpetrators. With due consideration, the real story is not as neat and tidy as it has been portrayed. As the tale goes, Roland Warnock, a 19-year-old cowboy working on the Guadalupe Ranch near present-day Edinburg, witnessed two of these killings when he saw Texas Rangers from Company D shoot two unarmed men in the back and leave their bodies by the side of the road. The effects of these killings by the Rangers, part of a very difficult time in the region’s history, are being felt in South Texas some

80 years later. This single incident brings into play much of the roots of the distrust between Mexicans and the Rangers, at its height during the Mexican Revolution, as well as the continued friction between Hispanics and Anglos in Texas. Directed and produced by Kirby Warnock, the real-life grandson of Roland Warnock, the film explores the historically strained relationship between Anglos and Hispanics. Warnock spent nearly five years tracking down the descendants of the dead men. He also poured through almost every Ranger report still in existence to find missing clues and much needed information for this documentary. He also came across some interviews from historians and investigated what actually happened on that hot day. Victor Gomez, a third-year history instructor at STC, was excited about the screening and the discussion with Warnock. “The director/author wants to uncover a dark chapter in Texas history that has been widely ignored,” said Gomez. “He also wants to uncover the truth behind the deaths of two innocent men who his grandfather told him were shot by the Rangers.”

Border Bandits contains the actual voice of the primary source of information, Roland Warnock, lending it an air of authenticity unmatched in most documentaries. Kirby Warnock saved the tapes recorded by his grandfather, digitized them and placed them in the documentary, with re-enactors portraying the events. Re-enactment scenes were filmed at Old City Park in Dallas, and Warnock’s family ranch near Fort Stockton. Previous screenings have garnered critical praise from The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Dallas Morning News and The Dallas Observer, as well as at the Kansas International Film Festival and CineSol Festival this spring. At the festivals it played at, it received rapturous applause and high marks from movie critics. About 200 people along with Gomez sat down for the screening and discussion and were excited with the energy of both the film and its discussion. Gomez especially condoned the rarely talked about facts and foundation of the film. “It’s history,” Gomez said. “It is forgotten history...the truth.” For more information on the documentary, visit the official Web site www.borderbanditsmovie.com.

I MOVIE REVIEW

21: A notable effort in a card shark drama By RUSSEN VELA The Pan American 21 is a wildly entertaining film in a spring full of rather ho-hum films. Based loosely on the best-selling book Bringing down the House, the film follows a team of MIT students, led by their ambitious teacher, who have cracked the code to making hundreds of thousands of dollars at blackjack. The plot is a little scattered like the cards being dealt, but 21 makes up for its clutter with a great ensemble cast (including rising British import Jim Sturgess who recently starred in The Other Boleyn Girl and Across the Universe), a script that is willing to have a little fun with its unbelievable scenarios, and a glossy almost dreamlike production style that highlights the mystery and intrigue of Sin City. The film, following the appropriate genre formula, presents the main character—Ben Campbell (Sturgess), who is both likeable and presented with a big dilemma: how is he ever going to raise the 300 grand he needs in order to pay for his dream of graduating from Harvard Medical School? The kid is a math genius with an outstanding resume, but,

as the interviewer for a prestigious scholarship notes, there’s nothing else about him that makes him stand out from the crowd. But so enters Micky Rosa, played by Kevin Spacey (American Beauty, Superman Returns), Campbell’s invariable equations professor. Rosa recognizes the genius behind the man. He introduces young Ben to a devious but lucrative scheme using the basic mathematics of “counting cards” to break Vegas’ largest casinos for everything they’ve got. Rosa has already assembled a team of four other students who study during the week and then jet off to Nevada, living a double life full of first-class luxury hotel rooms, tons of alcohol, strippers, and piles of money. The story then jets into the fairly predictable, but nevertheless entertaining. Kate Bosworth (Blue Crush, Superman Returns) plays Jill Taylor, one of Campbell’s teammates and of course his love interest. Bosworth finally gets to play someone serious instead of the cute girl next door, and she along with Sturgess ignites the screen whenever the camera pulls to them. She indeed has come a long way

and 21 proves she has got the chops to play serious demanding characters. In the beginning, the film takes time to explain the mechanics behind the scheme and this works to the movie’s advantage, giving it a great

play-along element. Writers Peter Steinfeld and Allan Loeb must have had a lot of fun writing the scenes, wherein the audience can guess what the count of the cards is based on the subtle gestures and words

the team uses. 21 isn’t earth-shattering, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s funny enough and slick enough to be a safe bet for almost any crowd. It is probably even good enough to double-down and see again.

Sonypictures.com SCHEMING - MIT college students try their hand at lady luck by counting cards in the dramatic release, 21.

April 10, 2008

Page 11 NEWS

FERNANDEZ continued from page 1 tional – mixed up Castro’s letters and sent the one intended for Clews to his wife and vice versa. “A few months later he found himself free from prison and free from marriage,” Fernandez said. It was through her stories that Fernandez painted a picture of what Cuba slowly became in those first years of Castro’s reign and his “masterpiece of control.” What started as a freedom campaign ended in what some refer to as one

of the longest-running dictatorships in the world. “People were assigned to watch about 20 families or so each; to watch every movement in every house in the neighborhood,” the speaker said. “Since then no one was able to move, change jobs, organize meetings or receive any visitors.” Only five or six at the time, Fernandez nonetheless remembers noting the changes going on ever-so subtly in her life.

“I was watching TV and I saw a blindfolded man in front of a wall. Suddenly, black spots appeared on his shirt,” she said. “It took me more than three years to realize I had witnessed an execution.” As she grew older, Fernandez began to feel the weight of her people’s oppression grow heavy on her heart. “I always felt like a frontline witness to the things that were going on in my generation,” she said. So much so that Fernandez, who

“There are deeper problems and I don’t know how they are going to be solved.” -Alina Fernandez Castroʼs daughter now hosts a Cuban-themed talk radio show entitled Simplemente Alina, renounced a position as one of Cuba’s elite. A strong, vocal critic of her father’s reign, Fernandez escaped Cuba in 1993

by disguising herself as a Spanish tourist. She has not spoken with her father in more than a decade, though still keeps in contact with her mother, who has been allowed access to the Internet since she is a government worker, via e-mail. She has no plans on contacting her famous father, though by all accounts he has been seriously ill for years. “He was the male figure in my life while I was young, but that’s it,” she concluded.

YUDOF continued from page 1

Nick Dodd/The Pan American LEADER - Mark G. Yudof, former chancellor for the University of Texas System, visited UTPA in February. Yudof will now serve as the 19th president for The University of California.

really gotten to know UTPA,” she said. “I think he understood that each institution has different things to work with and challenges.” Yudof’s history with the UT System began in 1971 when he was an assistant law professor at The University of Texas-Austin; he eventually became dean of the law school and provost. He spent 26 years at UT-Austin before becoming president of The University of Minnesota in 1997; five years later, he came back to Austin. Cardenas said a history in academia was one of Yudof’s best qualities, as it gave him a deeper level of understanding regarding university issues, especially in matters like financial aid and faculty tenure decisions. Kenneth Shine, executive vice chancellor for health affairs at the system, will serve as interim chancellor starting May 1. Yudof, who took his post in 2002, will serve as a special adviser for him during the interim. Cardenas said Shine was an “absolutely extraordinary man who has the right values” to run the system in Yudof’s absence. She asserted that she had no idea if Shine would pursue the permanent position. Details regarding the search for a new chancellor have been vague. Even

Cardenas remains in the dark. “I haven’t heard anything; I haven’t asked,” she said, with a laugh. “I focus on what we’re doing most of my time. Unless they (Yudof’s replacement) would have a completely different personality; I’m not very worried at all.” UT System Chairman H. Scott Caven said the news was a blow to all in the system, getting in a shot at the

guages and literature. One change the planning committee decided on was hosting a recruitment fair during would help influence more graduating high school seniors to further their education. Another milestone for the OIP is the success of gathering several keystone U.S. and Mexican government officials. The forum titled “Border Forum: The Wall and Other Issues,” will be web cast through the International Programs website. Students like Ashley Morales, a freshman mechanical engineering major, said Pan American Days is something she had never heard about.

After flipping through the pamphlet of scheduled events, she said she is interested in certain events like the lecture, “Border Violence.” “I expect to be informed on the cultures and issues in the Americas the parts of the world closest to us that have impact on our way of life,” she said. Salazar noted that this year’s topics and events correlate well with the chosen theme and added that it is satisfying knowing an impression is being made. “It is always very fulfilling for all of us, the International Programs staff and the planning committee, to see how our events have a positive impact on our students,” said Salazar.

“I think (Yudof) had really gained a strong appreciation for what we are trying to do here at UTPA, and that’s a relationship that takes time to build.” -Blandina Cardenas UTPA president System’s California competitor. “I think it is fair to say that every member of this Board is chagrined by the ministrations of this rival ... but not surprised,” he said in a written statement. The demand for Yudof’s expertise is what Cardenas said made him an asset. “He will now have led the two most important systems in the United States,” she said. “So that’s a testimony to the respect that higher education has for his work.”

FESTIVITY continued from page 1 She added the committee wants to keep the university educated about international issues. “One goal of Pan American Days is to celebrate our affinity with all the Americas as well as our location on the U.S.-Mexico border,” she added. “Another goal is to strengthen the bonds of friendship and understanding among the peoples of the Americas and the event is also to mark the anniversary in 1890 when the union of American nations was established, now the Organization of American States.” Some potential speakers the committee had thought about inviting were the president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, and Carlos Slim Helu, a

Mexican businessman and second richest man in the world. However, Salazar said inviting such important speakers is not necessarily easy. Themed “Changes and Challenges,” this year’s Pan American Days will range from a panel forum Tuesday on border issues featuring mayors and government officials from both sides of the border, to important guest speakers like Rosa Helia Villa de Mebius, grand-daughter of General Pancho Villa, Wednesday. According to Gary Mounce, professor of political science at UTPA and a planner in the committee, the reason behind the theme is the amount of changes the Americas have gone

through, such as the re-election of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil, who is set to serve until 2011. “The Americas, especially Latin America, is undergoing a major shift in economic and political attitudes and there is change in governments as well,” Mounce said. “The destruction of the rain forest is a huge challenge, there is the rise of indigenous protests, a possibility of a Latin American economic union. Latin America’s influence in world affairs has become very significant.” As in the past, Pan American Days is hosted by the Office of International Programs and co-sponsored by organizations such as the Texas Border Coalition and UTPA’s department of modern lan-

April 10, 2008

Page 12 NEWS

TWINS continued from page 3 part of Desert Shield. Stationed initially in Louisiana, in January 1991 she was deployed for Desert Storm. “I went backwards because all they cared was that I had the nursing experience,” Delia remembered. “And at that time they thought we’d have a lot of casualties, but thank God we didn’t.” SERVING A PURPOSE When she was thousands of miles away in England, Delia felt safe as the only operating room nurse in her ward. “I wasn’t scared because I always felt that God had a purpose for me and that I wasn’t in any danger,” said Delia. In 2004, Delia, already a lieutenant in the Air Force, filled in for her supervisor who was too sick to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom, the war in response to the Sept. 11 attacks. “I volunteered to go, it was my supervisor’s turn to serve and she was very sick, so I went for her,” said Delia. Delia left the service in 2006 to be closer to her mother in Laguna Vista, Texas and now works with a Department of Homeland Security health care program called Health Resources and Services Administration in Port Isabel. MILES AND MILES AWAY Dalia is based at a hospital in Landstuhl, Germany working in the labor and delivery ward. As an Edinburg native Dalia is not accustomed to the German culture but as a migrant worker, she knows change. In Landstuhl, she helps female soldiers and male soldiers’ wives through their preg-

nancies and enjoys her job. “I have enjoyed all the locations I have been assigned to,” she commented. “I am fulfilling one of my dreams of serving in the air force with an elite group of people.” Like her twin, Dalia enjoys the respect she garners from being in the military. Through her 16 years at civilian hospitals, she could never outrank a physician. In the Air Force, though, she felt a sense of camaraderie. “What I like about the Air Force is the teamwork and respect I get from my colleagues both physicians and nurses,” said Dalia, who joined several years after Delia; again, her dream of getting in coincided with that of her her twin. “I went to college, got married, had kids, things just kept coming up,” said Dalia. At 39, the cutoff age for nurses in the Air Force, she finally decided to go in, with her husband’s support. “We had been married for 21 years and I had always followed my husband with his teaching career,” said Dalia. “When we first met he knew that this was something I really wanted to do, we find a way to stay together.” A friend of Dalia’s was up for deployment but she was also pregnant. Dalia decided to go in her place. It was 2004 and Dalia would soon serve in OEF, working in Qatar in the intensive care unit as part of a small staff of medical workers taking care of 2,000 military personnel. “I felt we had a purpose; to provide first rate medical care to our comrades,”

Office of University Relations SEEING DOUBLE - Delia Zorrilla (left) and Dalia Calvillo Garcia, twin Air Force nurses, address a class of prospective nursing students on March 27 about their experience as war nurses.

she said. The twins may have experienced the Air Force separately, but their goals are very much related. Their similar dreams are not a surprise to Dalia. “Delia and I have always been very close,” Dalia admitted. “This spills over into our dreams, goals, families, and careers. We have always had compassion to help others.” Sandy Sanchez, nursing professor

at UTPA, recalled the twins when they were her students. “I think they’re unique, of course…they’re one of only two sets of twins that I can recall at this moment who’ve graduated from our program,” she noted. “They’re great role models, not necessarily because they’re in the service, but because they’ve been successful in our profession.” The twins spoke on March 27 to

the current class of nursing students at UTPA, working their separate and parallel experiences into play. “Nursing is hard, peoples’ lives depend on you,” Dalia said. “It takes a special person to be a nurse and I saw this in the eyes of the students we spoke with. There is such a great need for nurses in the Rio Grande Valley, so it was my honor to go home to make this push for UTPA.”

fessor of chemistry at UTPA, since July. He said he has learned about marine wild life and really appreciates being able to get outside of the laboratory atmosphere. Salazar is preparing to take his Medical College Admission Test soon and hopes to attend either the Health Science Center in San Antonio or University of Texas Medical Branch in

Galveston. He hopes to one day become a cardiologist, a field much different than that of politics. Although politics is not his forte, he expects to gain a lot of understanding about the process. “While I’m there, I hope to get a better appreciation for what goes on in Washington,” he said. “It’s still a bit sur-

real for me and every now and then I’ll get a really big feeling of anticipation. I get pretty excited knowing that I’ll be at the steps of Congress watching the next president being sworn in. It’ll be a great memory to have.” “One thing is for sure; I'll pretty much be glued to the news until elections come around in November,” he said.

“If you want to start eating healthy, you can’t use the excuse that it’s not in the budget anymore.”

later when they need to prepare for an exam. “[This is so that] you don’t have to eat puffy Cheetos all night long… you can have something else,” Pray said. Setting up a list before going grocery shopping is a start; the list could include fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, frozen foods, grain foods and canned and packaged items. “We don’t really want to promote frozen meals or convenience meals too

much because they are really high in sodium usually,” Fredensborg said. Brandon Simmons, a freshman CIS major who attended the presentation, felt that the session helped him realize he needed to change his eating habits. “I always bring a (cup) of Ramen noodles… yeah, that’s going to switch now,” Simmons said. Simmons, who is planning to live on his own, felt that the session also helped him realize how he can use his money wisely while still eating healthy.

INAUGURATION continued from page 3 the curiosity to open it, I would have deleted it,” he said. “Once I read it through, I immediately signed up to save my spot.” Salazar said he is not sure how many spots are available for the conference, as it varies from program to program, but he is sure that it is quite limited. Although attending the conference is an accomplishment in itself, this is not

the first time that Salazar has been part of a prestigious program. During his sophomore year, Salazar attended the International Scholar Laureate Program. The objective of the program allows students to understand how their field of study applies to a host country. Salazar has been a research assistant for Thomas Whelan, associate pro-

HEALTHY continued from page 3 But eating healthy should not be solely dictated by the amount of money a student has, Fredensborg and Pray say. “If you want to start eating healthy, you can’t use the excuse that it’s not in the budget anymore,” Pray said. Budgeting through planning can help students devise a way to eat well and not spend too much. A good place to start, Pray said, is to examine your monthly usable income and realizing where you are spending cash. “You can probably take this further

and start itemizing everything and you can start creating a budget for your everyday life,” she said. Everyone looking to eat healthier on a budget needs to work on personalizing their own budget, obviously because not everyone has the same income. “Everybody’s spending ability is going to differ, depending on how much is provided from their parents or if they have jobs… but not knowing how much you’re spending is probably not a good place to start,” Fredensborg said.

-Amber Pray dietetics junior The presenters said students need to realize there’s actually food such as yogurt, fruit or cereal bars to incorporate into their diet that will help them stay up

Page 13

April 10, 2008 SPORTS

GOLF

TENNIS

Broncs split decisions in finales Ongoing struggles continue, teams face last chance

By ALVARO BALDERAS The Pan American

There were only a few fans in the stands during Saturday’s home finale for The University of Texas-Pan American’s men’s tennis team. But not even the slight attendance could stop the Broncs from posting a win as they improved to 7-9 on the season, defeating Oral Roberts University 6-1 at the Orville Cox Tennis Center. The men set the tempo by controlling all three doubles matches, with senior Ivan Avila and Calcutta native Nirvick Mohinta claiming their match 84, while sophomore Brett Bernstein and freshman Aswhin Vijayaragavan also triumphed by an 8-4 count. Newcomer Marcus Dornuaf and Andrew Irving of New Zealand completed the sweep, col-

lecting an 8-2 victory. In singles competition, the Broncs went five of six as Avila, suffering from stomach difficulties, took the only loss with a 7-5, 6-1 setback. “It’s always good to finish off the season with a win,” said head coach Robert Hubbard. “Unfortunately for Ivan, he was suffering with some stomach problems, which may have contributed to him coming up short in the end.”

CORPUS At the end of their match against nationally ranked Texas A&M-Corpus Christi two days earlier, Hubbard described the tilt as “sometimes you have to know how to win and lose ugly.” Behind a strong wind, the visiting Islanders bounced the Broncs, who were coming off an emotional 4-3 victory over

Lamar University, by a 6-1 decision. “Corpus also had the same weather we do so in the end it was an even playing field,” Hubbard said. “In order for us to compete with a team like them we have to bring our ‘A’ game and limit mistakes. Fortunately, we’ll have another shot at them in the conference tournament at the end of this month.” After failing to claim the doubles point, Vijayaragavan was the sole Bronc who posted a win in his match, 6-3, 6-3. The Broncs and Lady Broncs will close out the 2008 campaign with a West Coast road trip as the men visit Portland State while the Spartans of San Jose State will host the women. The Lady Broncs’ final home game of the season against the University of TexasArlington was cancelled Sunday due to scheduling problems for the Mavericks.

By RAMIRO PAEZ The Pan American Other than the Jack Brown Memorial Tournament, where both teams captured the titles, the 2007-2008 campaign has been a rough one for The University of Texas-Pan American men’s and women’s golf teams . And in their final push before the all-important National Minority College Championships in early May, the Broncs and Lady Broncs couldn’t find a way to seize their respective tournament titles when Tuesday afternoon came to a close. The women traveled to Mississippi to compete in the Lady Eagle Invitational, where they found themselves sitting in fifth place after one day

of action. But on day two the Lady Broncs failed to improve on Monday’s score (319) as they dropped two spots with a team-score of 652. The tournament host, Southern Mississippi University, took the title after a tworound score of 621. Junior Mariale Camey and senior Elizabeth Rodriguez led the women with top-20 finishes as Camey tied for 17th place, while Rodriguez tied for 19th overall. In Scottsdale, Ariz., the Broncs experienced déjà vu at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic after the men posted a score of 866 en route to finishing 16th, the same slot they held the previous day. The University of California-Davis was crowned tournament champion for its three-round score of 833.

April 10, 2008

Page 14 SPORTS

April 10, 2008

Page 15 SPORTS

BASEBALL

Green and Orange ousted by New Orleans Broncs fail to avenge home loss to Corpus After its demoralizing three-game series against New Orleans University, The University of Texas-Pan American’s baseball team traveled to Corpus Christi Monday to seek revenge for its Feb. 23 9-3 loss at home. But the Islanders didnt give the Broncs a chance during their doubleheader as the home team’s offensive production was too much for UTPA, which fell to 9-22 on the season. TAMCC defeated the Green and Orange 13-6 in Game 1 and 6-4 in Game 2.

Gonzalez home. But then things turned sour for the home team as the Privateers turned up the heat, scoring five runs in four innings. The Broncs kept quiet until the bottom of the seventh when Nick Bourn led things off with a single and Jose Mendoza was walked. Short stop Andrew Perez had a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners and Jeremey Johnson grounded out to bring in Bourn. And after Gonzalez singled to second, Hough kept the rally going with a single to bring in Mendoza, giving the Broncs two runs off three hits. The rally was stopped short though by reliever David Burch, who pitched two innings and had four strikeouts. Cody Cisper (1-5) took the loss as he pitched six innings and struck out eight batters. Gonzalez went 2 for 4 with one run.

NEW ORLEANS The Broncs hosted the Privateers over the weekend at Edinburg Baseball Stadium, facing one of its toughest opponents on their schedule, and got swept in its three-game series. UTPA fell by counts of 8-3, 11-2 and 5-2. With the visitors holding a 1-0 advantage in Game 1, the Green and Orange tied the score on an RBI by center fielder Bonham Hough. Senior Roly Gonzalez got the pot stirring after hitting a single into left field. He advanced to third base when the catcher for the Privateers tried to pick him off at first base and the ball ended up in right field. Then Hough grounded out to bring

GAME 2 The Broncs hoped to rebound the following day but the Green and Orange gave up nine runs in the first four innings of play, sealing its fate en route to an 11-2 defeat. “You can’t make a mistake against a great hitting ball club because they make pay for it,” said head coach Willie Gawlik. The Broncs kept quiet throughout the first six innings until pinch-runner J.C. Cortez scored off of a single by Perez, who went 3 for 4 with one RBI, in the bottom of the seventh. But by that time, UTPA faced a huge 11-1 deficit. Bourn managed two hits on four at bats and collected his eight RBI of the season.

By PEDRO PEREZ IV The Pan American

Onydia Garza/The Pan American ROUGH OUTING - Despite recent team struggles, senior Jeremy Johnson claims the second best batting average (.361) in his 26 games played.

A&M - Corpus Christi 6, Texas-Pan American 4, March 8 R H E Texas-Pan American 001 030 000 - 4 11 0 A&M-Corpus Christi 111 111 00X - 6 10 3 Roth and Janecka (5). Ferdin, Sparkman (5), Hudec (7), Gutierrez (8), and Gibson (9). W – Sparkman (1-0); L – Roth (0-2); S – Gibson (1). 3B: Trevino. A&M - Corpus Christi 13, Texas-Pan American 6, March 8 Texas-Pan American 010 010 013 - 6 12 0 A&M-Corpus Christi 340 401 10X - 13 18 1 Rodriguez, De Leon (3), Garza (5), and Johnson (7). Blair, Longoria (6), Maldonado (8), and Perez (9). W – Blair (2-0); L – Rodriguez; S – None. 3B: Wolk. University of New Orleans 5, Texas-Pan American 2, March 6 Univ. of New Orleans 000 021 110 - 5 11 2 Texas-Pan American 010 000 001 - 2 7 1 Cunningham. Whalen and Henderson (7). W – Whalen (3-3); L – Cunningham (0-1); S – None. 3B: Rutledge. University of New Orleans 11, Texas-Pan American 2, March 5 Univ. of New Orleans 061 200 200 - 11 12 1 Texas-Pan American 000 000 101 - 2 10 2 Sheperd, Garza (4), Brevard (8), and Lankford (8). Cryer and Brown (8). W –Cryer (6-1), L – Shepherd (2-2). S – None. University of New Orleans 8, Texas-Pan American 3, March 4 Univ. of New Orleans 110 310 011 - 8 10 1 Texas-Pan American 100 000 200 - 3 8 3 Cisper, De Leon (7), Cox (8), Roth (9). Garcia and Burch (8). W – Garcia (30); L – Cisper (1-5); S – None. 3B: Garza.

GAME 3 UTPA had one last chance Sunday to avoid a Privateer sweep but could not hold on to a slim 1-0 advantage as New Orleans scored five consecutive runs to put away the Broncs. The Green and Orange put their first run on the board in the bottom of the second when Gonzalez hit a triple and scored on Perez’s sacrifice fly. In the top of the fifth, the Privateers finally got on the board as they scored two runs off three hits, leading them on their rally. With the Broncs facing a 5-1 deficit heading into the bottom of the ninth, Gonzalez (2 for 3 with two runs) and Perez got things rolling with two singles. Mendoza brought home Gonzalez with his RBI single but with UTPA facing two outs, Jordan Rutenbar could not keep the comeback in tact as he popped out to left field. In a valiant effort, Evan Cunningham showed no signs of slowing (0-1) as the junior pitched all nine innings, giving up 11 hits with eight strikeouts. Gonzalez finished 2 for 3 with two runs, while Rutenbar, who is tied with first-baseman Billy Donaho for a team-high 18 RBI’s, went 2 for 4. “I felt about the same pretty much throughout the whole game,” said the right-hand pitcher. “I just made some mistakes in the middle innings that they took advantage of but over all I felt like I competed pretty well.” The Broncs will continue their seven-game road swing tomrrow, beginning with a trip to Houston against Texas Southern slated for a 3 p.m. start.

Player

AVG GP-GS AB

H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB

Shives............. Johnson.......... Rutenbar......... Garza, E.......... Salinas............ Gonzalez......... Bourn.............. Lozano............ Vest................. Spears............. Donaho........... Perez............... Mendoza......... Gutierrez......... Hough............. Garcia............. Tefft................. Cortez............. De Leon.......... Janecka........... Shepherd........ Franco............. Cunningham.... Roth................ Garza.............. Lankford.......... Rodriguez........ Cisper.............. Cox.................. Brevard...........

.600 .361 .352 .333 .333 .320 .300 .300 .298 .289 .268 .267 .261 .220 .213 .175 .167 .000 .000 -

1 12 20 1 2 27 6 7 8 9 19 11 15 4 15 7 5 1 1 -

3 30 38 2 2 40 15 12 17 11 30 27 31 9 23 7 6 0 0 -

Totals...............

.282

9-0 26-22 31-30 5-2 5-1 31-30 19-11 17-10 21-16 18-12 30-29 30-30 32-31 14-7 31-30 14-9 17-9 4-0 1-0 -

5 83 108 6 6 125 50 40 57 38 112 101 119 41 108 40 36 1 0 -

1 4 7 0 1 4 5 3 2 2 1 4 2 3 5 1 0 0 0 -

0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

31-31 1076 171 303 45 5

0 0 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 4 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 -

0 11 19 0 1 14 9 5 8 6 19 11 15 2 13 8 5 0 0 -

4 34 56 2 3 46 23 18 19 19 43 38 35 12 31 14 6 0 0 -

.800 .410 .519 .333 .500 .368 .460 .450 .333 .500 .384 .376 .294 .293 .287 .350 .167 .000 .000 -

0 4 12 4 1 15 2 6 5 7 7 2 13 0 8 5 3 0 0 -

15 146 403 .375

ERA W-L 3.38 0.00 4.50 6.52 3.65 3.74 5.57 5.76 7.20 7.47 7.56 8.80 10.59 12.34 23.62

0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1-1 2-2 2-2 3-2 0-1 0-2 0-0 0-0 0-4 1-5 0-3 0-0

IP H

2.2 0.2 2.0 19.1 37.0 21.2 32.1 29.2 20.0 15.2 8.1 30.2 26.1 11.2 2.2

5 1 1 21 38 21 45 37 20 25 12 47 43 22 8

R BB SO 1 0 1 19 18 13 23 26 18 15 12 37 41 18 7

2 0 3 20 6 12 9 9 14 11 5 26 19 14 6

4 1 1 16 14 16 20 32 15 14 8 23 31 7 0

6.87 9-22 260.2 346 249 156 199

Page 16

S P O RT S

April 10, 2008

THE PAN AMERICAN

TRACK AND FIELD

StatsAtAGlance

7 7

Number of days remianing in the 2007-2008 NBA regular season

9 9

Onydia Garza/The Pan American

By RAMIRO PAEZ The Pan American Mid-April is a time most college students enjoy and dread at the same time. With less than a month left in the 2007-2008 school year, finals are fast approaching for most as they look ahead

to a summer filled with sun, beach and fun. But if you ask The University of Texas-Pan American men’s and women’s track and field, they would tell you that the next six weeks will be filled with hard work on hot, sizzling days. Only five meets remain for the Broncs and Lady Broncs, as they seek to

Roxy Solis/The Pan American READY FOR TAKEOFF - (From top) Senior Will Littleton and junior Kate Shannon look to end the 2008 season with successful jumps before regionals.

qualify for regionals and advance to the NCAA Regional Championships May 30 in Lincoln, Neb. “I think the progress of the team has been going well,” said track coach Dennis Darling. “I think we are becoming a complete team with the field, distance and sprint events. In terms of distance, we already have a regional qualifier (J.J. Hernandez). They have been going out there and competing with the big, top-notch schools and that’s what I’ve been wanting.” Last season, three-time AllAmerican Will Littleton was the sole Bronc who qualified for the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships, with his second-place jump of 7-2½ at the Abilene Christian University Last Chance Meet. Littleton then clinched a berth in Sacramento, Calif., for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships (nationals) after posting a fifth-place finish in regionals. First-year coach Darling took over the coaching reigns last summer after former track coach Ricky Vaughn left the position to become assistant athletic director of academic support and student services. The former Olympian hopes Littleton’s success, plus new team training and development methods, can fuel some of his athletes who came up short of advancing to the regional round last year. “I think they have been training a lot harder,” said Darling. “The way that I’ve been approaching it is from the mental aspect of things. You can go out there and train as hard as you want but if you don’t have it (strong mentality) upstairs, then you’re not going to go out there and compete.” “I’ve really been working hard on the mental aspect of stuff and letting them realize we could go out there and compete with the big schools, and could

go out there and qualify for regionals.” Houston native Vanessa Brown, who has steadily improved in her three seasons with UTPA, was one of those competitors who fell short of the qualifying mark. Brown clocked in a time of 56.03 in the 400-meter dash en route to a third-place finish at the ACULCM. On the men’s side, look for the tandem of San Juan native J.J. Hernandez and cross-country standout Luis Nava to make some noise and vie for potential regional spots. Hernandez and Nava helped the distance medley relay team finish in first place Feb. 16 at the UH/All Corners Meet, and on March 4 the seniors finished first and third, respectively, in the 5,000-meter run at the Border Olympics. Hernandez also triumphed at the Texas State Open the following week for his first-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. TEXAS RELAYS But before the teams could look ahead, UTPA traveled to Austin Wednesday for the annual Texas Relays where athletes were tested by a competitive field. Brownsville Hanna alum Carolina Izaguirre acquired her second best time of the season after placing fourth in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 17:40.77. And despite failing to obtain a top-10 finish, the 400- and 800-meter relay teams recorded their best times of the season, with 47.50 and 3:49.37, respectively. Hernandez, with a time of 9:26.27, collected eighth place in the steeplechase, while sophomore Gilroy Martinez finished 12th in the 800-meter run, in 1:53.41. The men and women will resume action Saturday as they travel up Highway 77 to compete in the Kingsville Meet hosted by Texas A&M-

The deficit the Kansas Jayhawks overcame in the final 2:12 of regulation in Mondays’s national championship game

ShortSports CAMPUS Along with select universities, The University of Texas-Pan American athletic department will host its first-ever Bronc Athletic Invitational Tournament May 3 in order to help fund scholarship opportunities for student-athletes in the Rio Grande Valley. BAIT, a fishing tournament open to the public and all competitive anglers, will be hosted by former “Texas Style” TV series host Carl “Bud” Rowland, a fourtime world recordholder in fly fishing. There will be only three kinds of fish officials will accept to be weighed, red fish, flounder and trout. The champion will be crowned after the heaviest accumulated weight of the eligible fish are weighed. If there is a tie, the earliest weigh-in time will determine the final decision. The weigh-in scale will open from 11 am to 3 pm. Since this is the first time UTPA has conducted BAIT, UTPA Athletic Director Scott Street says they are teaming up with Shane Wilson and Danno Wise from Fish Across Texas, a nonprofit association, to assist them in organizing the event. Unlimited fajitas and beverages will be included in the registration fee, along with an anglers’ tournament bag and auction. The captain’s meeting dinner will be held at Louie’s Back Yard at the Island from 5 to 9 p.m., and more enthusiastic participants can enter a big fish pot competition for a $25 fee. Registration begins May 2 at 5 p.m. with a captain’s meeting at at 6:30 p.m. Early registration fee will be $100 per person, while late entries will pay $125. For on-line registration, visit www.fishacrosstexas.com.