February 18, 2010 by UTRGV Student Media

Volume 66, No. 18

The Pan American

February 18, 2010

Budget shakedown continues By Brian Silva The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American is still giving it back, but some details have changed in the process. As the Legislative Budget Board’s (LBB) deadline for a 5-percent return of funds plan passed Monday, the university churned out a more certain plan for the potential giveback. The “real” sum the university would have to return remains at $7.4

million. However, the scheme has “It is just a plan… now with the way now shifted more toward fiscal year the numbers are adjusted we can go 2011. Originally, President Robert back and make specific cuts.” Instead of paring the FY 2010 Nelsen wanted the 5 percent of the biennium budget to be given back in budget to the bone, Nelsen said they opted to accumulate equal portions. savings from this year. This about face in the He said the next fiscal university’s iteration is year may have a lot more evidence of the fast-paced budgetary flexibility, nature of the process. which will make the cuts “We were adjusting easier. Nelsen noted this every moment until Sunday is the way the majority afternoon, trying to figuring of UT System schools are out where we could get it handling the situation. [cuts in cost],” Nelsen said. Robert Nelsen

Nelsen said at one point the university would have been significantly aided by UT System, by about $1.4 million, due to savings from refinancing of Tuition Revenue Bonds – loans taken out against students’ tuition to pay for new buildings and renovations. However, he said the LBB denied the help from System to all its universities, including UTPA. The scramble for cuts began Jan. 15 when Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov.

See budget || Page 6

5% of

Biennium Budget:

7.4

million

Library polling station provides early ballots By Roxann Garcia The Pan American

Alma Hernandez /The Pan American

Early Voters - Siblings Patrick Ryan Gray (left), a civil engineering senior, and Jaclyn Gray, a freshman nursing major participate in early voting Wednesday at the library. Early voting ends Friday, Feb. 26.

The buzz was all over campus as Gloria Lopez and her team began to set up early Tuesday morning. The group was up at the crack of dawn in order to be present at the UTPA Library at 7 a.m. for the start of early voting in the Valley. State and local primaries for both Republican and Democratic parties began this week on Tuesday and early voting will continue through Friday, Feb. 26. While Election Day is set for March 2, an estimated 100 people visited the four voting booths

Tuesday, Lopez said. The library was one of two Edinburg stations; the other was at the Elections Annex Building located at 317 N. Closner. On March 2, voters must cast their ballot in their home precinct; early voting gives them more convenience because they do not have to do that. Numbers of citizens who choose to take advantage of the two-week period before the final one-day tally have staggered by the year. In 2006, the total votes cast for the Democratic ticket stood at 3,254 while Republican votes stood at

See voting || Page 6

Beloved biology professor loses brief battle with cancer By Kristen Cabrera The Pan American Over the weekend The University of Texas-Pan American lost a cherished colleague as biology lecturer Kathryn Dodd, who touched both students and faculty through her dedication and personality. Dodd lost a five-month battle with cancer Feb. 14 at her Edinburg home. She’d moved to the Valley 11 years ago in order to teach biology and other classes at UTPA. During her time in the department,

Page 2 - Big business might Commentary: Higher educahave packed their bags, but tion costs loom they never left

Dodd’s demeanor won her consistent praise. Research professor Frank Judd was the biology chair when she first started and remembers her vibrant personality. “Throughout the day we would visit and exchange pleasantries. I’ll miss her…she was a good colleague and a very nice person,” he said. “She was very helpful and confident teacher who knew what she was doing.” Dodd attended the University of Oklahoma where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in botany. At UTPA she taught plant

Page 3 - freshman Jobs after have fewer Incoming graduation becoming scarce AP credits

morphology, biological writing, and medical microbiology laboratories. Joshua Galindo, a 21-year-old senior biology major, was astounded by her dedication to students. “She was on my thesis committee and she would take time out of her schedule to help you if you didn’t understand, regardless,’ Galindo recalled. “She was always real helpful and happy and with a smile on her face.” This dedication once earned her the Mentor of the Year award by the University Scholars Bridge Program. It

Meet11the Homecoming Page - Holiday gift guideKing and Queen

extra credit project, was impossible for fellow he went to watch his faculty not to notice her teacher perform as commitment to students. a Native American “She’d take the Jingle Dancer. time to go through “We went to things in very small see her dance at detail to make sure they their Powwow,” he understood. She was said. “She would do very dedicated teacher, Indian dancing at very conscientious. I their annual powwow think she did a really in McAllen.” good job teaching,” utpa.edu Kathryn Dodd A memorial Judd said. service for Dodd will be held tonight at Galindo recalled her unique 7 p.m. at Baptist Temple in McAllen. personality with an anecdote. For an

Hall Fame ceremony Page 14of - Q&A with volleyball player Rebecca Toddy

Photos: Featured scenes from around campus

February 18, 2010

Vol 66, No. 18

Illustrated Commentary

February 18 , 2010

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122

Editor in Chief

Brian Silva / brian.silva2@gmail.com News Editor

Roxann Garcia/ nevaeh09@msn.com Multimedia Editor

Kristen Cabrera / kristenmichellecabrera@yahoo.com Arts and Life Editor

Andrielle Figueroa / j27ig@yahoo.com Sports Editor

Sara Hernandez/ sarahdzm@hotmail.com Photography Editor

Alma Hernandez / alma.e.hdz@gmail.com Senior Designer

Roy Bazan / rbazanzz@utpa.edu Adviser

Dr. Greg Selber / selberg@utpa.edu

Administrative Associate

Anita Reyes / areyes18@utpa.edu

Advertising Manager

Mariel Cantu/ spubs@utpa.edu

Webmaster

Jose Villarreal / josemvillarrealcs@gmail.com

**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.

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.

Anthony Salinas / The Pan American

Commentary

University in revenue bind as cuts loom Brian Silva Editor in Chief

Students beware: higher costs to education wait on the horizon. It’s no secret that the state is facing a bigger budget crunch than was previously anticipated. However, forces are at work, and have been for at least eight years, that may complete a transition of cost burden from the state to the student. If students and the community let these impending decisions pass by without notice, the consequences will be literally quite costly. It all started about eight years ago when the state Legislature decided to deregulate tuition. In doing so it allowed all the college governing boards to raise tuition, with virtually no student consent, to strained straining levels. Some institutions, including the University of Texas and Texas A&M, saw their tuition surge by 110 percent over a few years. Many other public universities raised rates too. However, UTPA opted to not increase by much at all because of the underprivileged socio-economic status of the area. It must be noted that the reasoning

for increasing tuition by such large amounts was to provide a “greater degree of quality” for education. This centered on the idea that increased revenue leads to more funds to hire better quality faculty and pay for other programs that enhance the university experience. There was an underlying factor concerning deregulation, which was the notion that taxpayers should not share such a huge burden for the cost of maintaining the state’s higher education institutions. Raising tuition by such huge margins allowed the Legislature to allot less in terms of yearly appropriations to the universities. Formula funding, which is the state’s way of determining how much a university gets, decreased for universities. With deregulated tuition becoming a larger funding source the state no longer needed to keep up its end of the bargain. However, what happened to institutions like UTPA? Former interim president Charles Sorber and retiring business affairs vice president Jim Langabeer consistently said the university’s budget woes were a “revenue

problem, not an expenditure problem.” Sorber’s tenure here was mostly spent tightening up the loose ends around the university, after the institution came dangerously close to being put on Financial Watch by the UT System. State funding gradually decreased amid the early effects of an economic downtown, leading to the re-regulation of tuition by the state Legislature. However, the legislation was simply a resolution, and is non-binding to the state’s governing boards. The boards, including the UT System Regents, agreed to the resolution, which limits tuition increases to smaller increments. This was the alternative to a tuition freeze suggested by state Democrats, which didn’t go over well with fiscal conservatives. In fact, State Sen. Judith Zaffirini pushed a proposal that compromised a tuition increase limit (not a freeze), along with an increase in formula funding to compensate for the loss in revenue. The measure didn’t make it through the state’s complex system, which puts ridiculous time limits on legislation. This leaves UTPA with less funding from the state and students.

With the state soon to take back a large portion of funds from statewide budgets, the university has scrambled to trim expenditures without affecting its mission: education. Faced with this difficult situation, the heroic effort to maintain quality in education continues. We don’t have to live with this, though. Early voting has begun and Election Day is March 3. With a sizeable delegation in Austin, the Valley can and should fight for better higher educational resources. Let’s make the demand for increased resources heard now, during the primaries. This will allow higher education to rise up the ranks of important election issues. Expect nothing less from the candidates than a tough fight for the people of the Valley. If the shift of burden occurs, the local students will not be able to access education as easily as they once could. Higher education would then become a commodity and something for the wealthy. The Legislature cannot allow universities to become privatized, and the only people who can stop this are voters. Go vote, and demand accessible, affordable education.

February 18, 2010

Number of new students with AP credit declines By Minerva Morato The Pan American Earlier this month, a USA TODAY analysis found that while more high school students nationwide are taking Advanced Placement exams, a growing number are failing, particularly in the South. According to the analysis, last year students took a record 2.9 million exams through the AP program, which challenges

high school students with collegelevel courses. Depending on a college’s criteria, the article states, students who pass the exam with a 3 (on a point scale of 1 to 5) may obtain college credit. According to the College Board Web site, over 90 percent of four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. provide credit for qualifying scores. The University of Texas-Pan American is one such university.

The newspaper’s overall analysis finds that last year 41.5 percent of students nationwide earned a failing score of 1 or 2, up from 36.5 percent in 1999. In the South, a region defined by the Census as spanning from Texas to Delaware, 48.4 percent earned a failing score. According to Vanessa Valdez, assistant director of admissions at UTPA, the number of students entering the university with AP

credit in 2009 stood at 17 percent – a decline from 24 percent in 2007 and 21 percent in 2004. Valdez was unsure whether the decline is due to the failure rate, and suggested some more likely factors. “The cause for the dip from 2007 to 2009 is due to students taking the actual college course through either Dual Enrollment or Concurrent Enrollment while in

“I do not believe high schools are pressuring students, in fact, I think it’s the other way around.”

Maria Reyes Education professor

See AP || Page 7

NASA shuttle ending leaves new beginning By Erin Menendez The Pan American

Alma Hernandez /The Pan American

Presidential Ovation - University President Robert Nelsen is spotted with his wife Jody and Paul Sale, provost and vice president of academic affairs, at Saturday’s basketball games.

Online term paper scandal causes stir By Pamela Morales The Pan American A recent national scandal has Broncs buzzing on campus. The case is about a man in Illinois, Rusty Carroll, who runs a Web site selling term papers. A judge has ruled he is guilty of “copyright infringement” for taking undergraduates’ term papers without permission. The rule covering such a charge, however, has been reviewed in court since 2007 when a handful of term-paper authors sued. Overall, the judge seeks verification of permission from the authors whom term papers have been sold. A lecturer, Chad Weidner, from the Roosevelt

Academy in the Netherlands, has also sued to show students the consequences of plagiarism or buying term papers online. At The University of Texas-Pan American, it is against the rules to plagiarize any type of written assignment, from English to political science classes. Students may be suspended or expelled from college for doing so. And by and large students seem to have gotten the message. “I think it’s not helping students,” said Belma Diaz, a broadcast journalism major. “It’s affecting students and they just can’t buy their way out of writing a paper.” Rolando Rodriguez, a junior

SEE TERM || Page 7

The future of the U.S. space exploration is transforming as NASA carries through the first of the final five missions. Fallout from a recent landmark decision by President Obama has taken the space program in a different direction. Instead of following through with the Constellation program that was to return to the moon by 2020, the focus will now center on new areas such as technological advances and life in space, after Obama made the decision to trim down the overall NASA mission. Though there was much hand-wringing from many NASA quarters, reality has set in now. The recent Mission STS130 successfully installed the

Tranquility node which now provides additional room for the space station Endeavour’s existing life support and environmental control system and for crew members to facilitate robotics work. Attached to the node is the cupola, a dome consisting of seven that offers a 360-degree view of Earth, outer space and the space station. The new addition will also help astronauts maneuver robotics with more ease than ever before. “For years we have been waiting to have this cupola get set up because the robotic workstation we have is inside the lab so you really can’t see anything outside the window, you’re just looking at screens because everything has camera views,” said flight controller Mike Massimino.

See NASA || Page 7

University honors successful alums By Alejandra Martinez The Pan American The University of Texas-Pan American will host a ceremony Friday, Feb. 19 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Visitors Center located at West University Drive, titled Pillars of Success, to recognize some of the university’s most prominent alumni. The honorees will be Gustavo de la Viña, retired chief patrol agent for the United States Border Patrol; Dana M. Gonzalez, doctor in obstetrics and gynecology for Victoria Women’s Clinic; Anil Menon, president of globalization and intelligent urbanization for Cisco Systems; Javier Palomarez, president and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and Tim Tully, president and founder of Southwest Precision Printers, L.P.

The Visitors Center offers two permanent exhibits to its students and the community; one is an overview of the university, the other one is a display of its outstanding alumni called the Pillars of Success, explains Sally Mendiola, associate director for admissions and new student services. “Pillars of Success serves as a celebration of our alumni and it shows our prospective Broncs what our alumni have become,” Mendiola said. “They serve as an inspiration to our future Broncs.” The university has honored its alumni with this ceremony every two years since 2003 when the Center was built. Nominees are recommended by the community, as well as current students and the Visitors Center committee. The candidates are then reviewed by the president’s executive council,

at which point a handful are selected. “The committee is university wide,” Mendiola explained. “There are representatives from each college, in addition to Staff Senate and Faculty Senate. The honorees are selected based on their achievements.” Honorees receive an award letter from the Office of the President at the beginning of January and are honored the evening of the ceremony with an exhibit that displays their photo and a brief history of their achievements. The exhibit changes every two years when new alumni receive the accolade. “It’s important to celebrate our alumni,” Mendiola said. “We believe the measure of UTPA is the success of its students and these pillars of success serve as inspiration to future Broncs and lets them know what they can become if they come to UTPA.”

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Former PAU professor visits for teaching methods workshop By Rick Hinojosa The Pan American

Ever wonder how professors come up with such invigorating courses? Want to gain some knowledge about what they do to outline what students will learn in a semester? If so make plans to attend a workshop on Friday, Feb. 19 featuring Ken Bain, director of the Research Academy for University Learning at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Bain has been the founding director of four major teaching and learning centers, at Northwestern, New York University, Vanderbilt and Montclair State. He taught at Pan American University from the 1970s through the early ‘80s. He’s authored numerous publications; the most notable is his award-winning book, “What the Best College Teachers Do,”

February 18, 2010

News

which won the 2004 Virginia and Warren Stone Prize awarded by the Harvard University Press for the outstanding book on education and society. The book has been translated into 11 languages and has for the last five years been one of the world’s top selling books on higher education. The workshop will seek to improve individual teaching methods and allow students to learn from what some of the best college teachers have to say. It will be divided into two parts. The morning workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in HSHE 1.114, and is titled, How to Foster Deep Learning Among Your Students. The afternoon workshop will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in HSHE 1.114 and is called Building the Promising Syllabus. Both parts of the workshops are expected to improve methods

but also introduce new ways of engaging students by using students’ own interests and ideas. Melinda Sauceda, a junior majoring in education at UTPA, said she will be graduating in May 2011 and plans to attend graduate school outside of the Rio Grande Valley. But the workshop is something she would be interested in. “I think its great that a professor who use to teach at UTPA is giving a workshop here at UTPA and giving back to his roots,” she said. The office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and the College of Education are co-sponsoring the event and invite anyone who wants to attend to come out and join the event. Anyone interested may RSVP by emailing ykswenson@ utpa.edu.

Voting

continued from Page 1 125, totaling to 3,379. In the 2008 primary elections, which took place amid a heated presidential primary, the total number of votes stood at 5,772. During the two-week period of early voting the precinct on campus will be readily available from the hours of 7 a.m. until 7 in the evening with the exception of Sundays, when any eligible citizen will be allowed to cast a ballot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Anyone is invited to vote, provided they bring a picture ID,” Lopez explained. “Even a campus I.D. or birth certificate will be accepted.” Proof of identification is required for those who do not have a registration card with them. The verification process to gain registration permission doesn’t take as long as some would think. Upon being presented a form of identification, Lopez and her team of two others then begin to locate the individual within the computerized system. “Sometimes we find them,

sometimes we don’t,” the precinct judge explained. If the information cannot be found, the team calls the main Hidalgo County Early Voting Offices located on North Closner. Information there can be more accessible and usually an outcome can be reached. If there is no record of the individual due to card expiration or failure to sign up, the person is given a Voter Registration Application. “After filling out the form there is a 30-day waiting period,” Lopez explained, adding that to be eligible to vote in an upcoming election one’s application must be received at least 30 days prior to the posted election date. Lopez is a retired schoolteacher who has been working with the county as a precinct judge for nearly four years now. “Whenever the county needs workers, they call us for some parttime work,” the former educator explained. “I enjoy it very much in that it gives me something to do.”

Budget

continued from Page 1 David Dewhurst and Speaker of the House Joe Straus issued a joint statement asking all state agencies to provide a plan by Feb. 15 that gives back 5 percent of their state appropriated funds. Nelsen has said since it began that he believes that, even though it is a preliminary plan, the LBB will indeed follow through with the plans. Even though it adds to the pile of budget snips, Jim Langabeer, vice president of business affairs, said most reductions are centered outside of instruction. “We’re not going to cut any noticeable support to students,”

Langabeer said. “At the end of the day very little will be noticed on the student side and the instruction side.” The VP said the way UTPA’s budget is constructed makes it easier in terms of protecting student services. Budget cuts will only come out of general revenue and not from student fees, which are protected by law. Nelsen and Langabeer noted that significant portions of planned cuts in travel expenditures are from administrative areas. SGA President Raghuveer Puttagunta had raised concerns during the process that travel for research may be impacted.

Nelsen said, however, that because of the nature of research funding, it is highly unlikely to be affected, and he did reiterate that travel cuts were made at the departmental level. “We’re going to adjust for a while,” Langabeer said. “We don’t want the professionals that support this institution to not have the valuable knowledge and peersharing experiences that come from a national trip…but we can put it off for a year or two.” Nelsen expressed optimism that with increased funds from enrollment and a pending tuitionand-fee hike, the university will be able to absorb some of the

shock using the added funds. However, he noted a new round of budget whacks could be looming on the horizon. “I think we could face another two percent or three percent this biennium,” he said. “I think it’s a real possibility.” POSSIBLE CUTS The fact that additional money may have to be forfeited means that another area that may be affected is the annual merit raise for faculty. The University of Texas at San Antonio reduced expenditures for this item as part of its austerity plan. However,

Nelsen emphasized that he does not want to do that and will talk with the potentially affected parties first. “What I want to do is meet with the faculty next week,” he said. “It would have been very easy for us to just put down merit raises, plan it and turn it in to System. But, I want to have a conversation with the faculty and staff before I would ever do that.” Nelsen said that right now there is money budgeted for the annual bonuses which reward outstanding faculty achievement. However, the money could be used for more faculty hires.

February 18, 2010

News

TERM

NASA

majoring in computer engineering, students, such as Daniel Frias, agrees, saying, “I don’t think it’s okay sophomore rehabilitation major, to get term papers online because it have known peers that bought online term papers. wouldn’t be their own work.” “It was for an American Heritage On the basis of the judge’s ruling about the Web site owner needing to class and they both bought papers but changed words obtain permission, and phrases,” Frias a freshman psychology “Professors need to recalled. He added that major, Robbie not just grade, but they did not get Hernandez, said the owner actually create an caught but instead, one received a needs permission assessment meth- B-plus and the because he’s taking other odology that moni- other an A. Frias also said that he’s people’s work. tor’s student’s cre- never bought or “It’s just used someone as if you were ative work.” else’s work. stealing,” he Jaime Curts “I think it’s declared, and Associate Dean great,” he said. others held the College of Education “The man is same judgment of making profit and the case. “What he’s doing is wrong,” said people who buy or sell, it’s their life and Carlos Salinas, a freshman in the they choose to buy it and not learn.” engineering field, “but the right thing This idea also resonated with is to ask for permission.” finance junior Joel Tovar, who Jaime Curts, associate dean of the says it’s no one’s business how College of Education, condemned one makes money, “but if there’s the Web site for its unethical practice. not permission, then that’s He said he believes that all professors different. I also think people calling for written assignments should are getting tired of taking time. monitor students by having them write Because of society, it’s all about several drafts before turning in the final doing everything now.” version. For music education freshman “Professors need to not just grade,” Rosy Arevalo, she sees nothing wrong said Curts, who has been at the as long as the permission is given. university for three years. “But actually “If I turned in my paper and it was create an assessment methodology that graded, then sure,” she said. “If they monitors students’ creative work.” got my paper before it was graded This, he added, would avoid the then it’s not OK.” possibility of students buying an Whichever side one is on in this online term paper. debate, many teachers, instructors “My philosophy is to avoid copying and professors find plagiarism a very and pasting,” he remarked. offensive tactic too risky to take a On the contrary, other UTPA chance on.

The shuttle is scheduled to return Feb. 21 to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. With only four missions left before the retirement of shuttles, Mars will soon become the focus, said NASA Spokesperson Josh Byerly. “NASA will pursue technology development, so that when we go to Mars we can get there in a week,” he said. “The other half of it is to take a look at the commercial sector to help them develop their own spacecraft, lower orbit. Can we turn that over to commercial firms and companies and open it up to more people? The goal is to free up NASA to do more exploration whether it’s the moon or Mars.”

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UTPA astronomy professor Jose Luis Cortez said he believes the new course of action is necessary based on economic restraints and that NASA will now allocate more money to engineering rather than shuttle-related expenses. “The moon is sort of like a window into outer space. If we ever go to another planet like Mars the first top will be the moon. The moon is like a space station,” Cortez said. “We could use the moon as a launch pad. Without the moon as a launch pad we cannot go too far out into the solar system.” Returning to the moon is a big production and takes billions of dollars, Cortez noted, adding that more research should be done with

robots and probes before revisiting the moon. UTPA Education senior Jennifer Moreno said she believes a return to the moon would be counterproductive. “What do we do when we return to the moon and we find nothing; think about all the tax money wasted,” Moreno said. “We can’t afford to take that risk.” In contrast, UTPA mechanical engineering major Anim Silva said she believes the program can benefit from returning to the moon now. “By 2020 there will be more advances in technology and NASA may be able to find more data and analysis on traces of water,” she said.

Movin’ in Crew members Nicholas Patrick (left) and Robert Behnkenon on the STS-130 mission answer questions from the press early last Saturday morning. The STS-130 mission included three space walks and increased the station’s interior space.

Erin Menendez /The Pan American

continued from Page 3 high school,” Valdez said. “So, more students are opting to enroll in an actual course rather than take the AP exam.” Dr. Maria Reyes, professor at the College of Education at UTPA, deems the analysis valid. She believes that more students taking the AP exam is a positive thing, but that the failure rate is likely due to lack of preparation. “It means that more students from diverse backgrounds are taking the test, which used to be reserved for middle and upper class students,” said Reyes, who has been at UTPA since fall 2006. “Unfortunately, the results also reflect that these students are not being wellprepared for these exams.” With the findings published in the article, questions are

being raised as to whether schools are pushing students into AP classes without adequate preparation and whether schools are training teachers to properly deliver advanced material. Reyes disagrees that students are being pressured to enroll in AP classes and take the exams, arguing that they are only taking advantage of all the available opportunities to obtain college credit. “I do not believe high schools are pressuring students, in fact, I think it’s the other way around,” Reyes said. “Many of my own teacher-certification students in the high school program tell me they felt left out because their districts in the high schools they attended in the Valley did not participate in these programs.”

As a mother and former high school teacher at Eagle Pass High School, Reyes feels students should be challenged, especially during high school, in preparation for college. Teacher quality and course content, she said, are vital to ensuring student success. “As a mother of four children, I saw how my own kids were not being intellectually challenged during their last two years of high school,” she said. “We need to better prepare teachers, promote critical thinking skills, and weed out those candidates that do not demonstrate the appropriate dispositions to be teachers. We also need to ensure that the academic rigor in these courses is consistent.”

More students take AP tests, but... •Students entering UTPA with AP credit in 2009 was 17% -a decline from 24% in 2007 and 21% in 2004

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THE PAN AMERICAN

February 18, 2010

THE PAN AMERICAN

Above: Nikkie Hernandez, a broadcast journalism major, shows off her face painting during Tuesday’s Mardi Gras celebration in the Student Union. Top left:(From Left) Vivi Garza, Rosie Flores and Stephanie Cortez ask for matching balloon hats on “Fat Tuesday.” Top right: Abel de Hoyos recieves an arm band painting at the Student Union Tuesday. Right center: Balloon artist Mike Mauthe entertains Vivi Garza and others in line while he constructs a hat made of balloons.

Photos By: Alma Hernandez

Bottom right: A line of students gather to wait their turn to have their face painted by Margaret Mauthe.

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THE PAN AMERICAN

February 18, 2010

THE PAN AMERICAN

Photos By: Alma Hernandez

Bottom right: A line of students gather to wait their turn to have their face painted by Margaret Mauthe.

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February 18, 2010

Meet your new Homecoming king and queen By Victor Ituarte victorituarte@gmail.com

Glee has created an episode solely of music from Madonna. The episode will air when the TV show returns from its Idolinduced hiatus in April.

Martin Scorsese brings an adventure-filled thriller to the silver screen. DiCaprio and Ruffalo play two U.S. marshals hoping to find a murderer who escaped from an insane asylum.

Over 90 percent of The University of Texas-Pan American students are from the Valley, meaning that Laredo native John-Robert Iruegas didn’t know anyone when he began his college career here. One of the first things he did upon arriving in the Valley was check the university Web site to see what student organizations were available. “How I was able to become part of the university was to get involved,” he explained. “What I really want for students is not just to think of this university as a place to take classes and leave, but a place to be involved in, a place where you can become a family.” His will to become a part of the UTPA community has paid off. Last Friday at the annual coronation ball, students witnessed crowns bestowed upon the Homecoming king and queen for 2010, Iruegas, a 22-year-old psychology major, and Annette Torres, a 21-year-old communication studies/business management double major. “It was kind of unreal just because there was a lot of competition. They were great candidates,” said Iruegas. “When they announced that I was king I was kind of dull for a minute, but then it dawned on me when the crown was placed that I was actually king so I got really excited. It was a really exciting moment.” The king and queen are required to attend specific campus events and

volunteer at off-campus community service events as outlined by the Office of Student Development. They are also supposed to be positive role models for students. Despite being obligated to participate, Torres, from Harlingen, said she would join in anyway because of her involvement on campus. “I’ll be continuing to support any student organizations or school activities that we have, as well as trying to make it to more that I’ve never been to,” said Torres, who is already excited to be a part of the next Midnight Madness festivities in the fall. “For instance, I was looking at Bronc Notes last night and I know there is a short Black History Month film series.” Both Iruegas and Torres offered advice to students who might feel left out or are not participating in what the university has to offer. “There’s a lot of things here on campus for every single thing,” Torres noted. “If someone’s into art, we have an art gallery. If students are into gaming, I know there are student organizations on campus that do that. If you sit at home and watch basketball games or are into sports, we do have that here on campus. What’s better than actually seeing it in person instead of getting that TV experience?” She also said that the Student Government Association has a suggestion box in which students can write comments about what they want to see more of. “Find something you’re interested in because it’s going to be here,”

Alma Hernandez / the pan american

BRONC ROYALTY - John-Robert Iruegas (right) and Annette Torres are presented at Saturday’s Homecoming game as the new king and queen.

Psychology Addiction studies, leadership Michelle Branch is going to be ‘Everywhere’ after her fourth record, ‘Everything Comes and Goes’ drops on February 23. The first single off of the album is ‘Sooner or Later.’

A school psychologist working with families and children

“Everything from country to hip-hop and R&B, anything that has a good beat. I like everything except ranchero music.”

“Any comedies or anything that hits on emotions. The Holiday is a favorite, Avatar really is a good one. 12 Angry Men. I have too many favorites.”

“I’ve read all the Twilight series so those are some of my favorites. The Five People You Meet In Heaven is a really amazing book. Harry Potter, of course. The Left Behind series would have to be some of my favorites as well.

“I’m a really nervous person, especially when talking to people. I have been diagnosed with social anxiety and panic attacks. People wouldn’t really assume that about me.”

“Team Edward because I like his personality more”

Communication studies, business management

Director/actor Kevin Smith was removed from a Southwest Airline plane and dubbed a “travel risk” because of his weight. He took to Twitter to recount the embarrassing incident, and the airline is doing some serious damage control.

Executive director for a non-profit organization that helps animals.

“Team Jacob because he doesn’t get the girl at the end.”

“Hip-hop, rap, and R&B. Lil Wayne, Drake, Pitbull, I’m a fan of Lady GaGa now, and New Found Glory for some emo, punk, screamo, whatever you consider them.”

“Law-Abiding Citizen, Beauty and the Beast, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Knocked Up.”

“Running, working out, dancing whether it’s out and about or in the privacy of my own apartment, and hanging out with friends.”

“I still sleep with my Tommy and Angelica dolls from Rugrats. Also, throughout all of my years in elementary, middle school, and high school, I was always that student that challenged the teacher.”

February 18, 2010

Arts and Life

Page 11

Students build homes while keeping the faith By Kristen Cabrera

kristenmichellecabrera@gmail.com

With gloves on to protect his hands, Edinburg native Joey Cortez carried cinder blocks 50 feet, holding them over his head to help build a day care in a Yucatan village last spring. To this day though, he is still in awe of the 12-year-old local boys, who did the same heavy lifting with ease alongside him. “All the boys there are really tough. I mean, I’m struggling to carry two and they have one in each hand,” said the 23-year-old senior. “Some of them weren’t even wearing shoes; they were barefoot stepping on rocks and stuff and didn’t have any gloves on. They made us wear gloves but the kids didn’t have any on. Those kids are tough, it’s crazy.” This year Cortez will again spend his Spring Break in Merida, Yucatan’s capital, along with eight others as part of the UTPA InterVarsity chapter’s second mission trip to the peninsula. The Broncs will join other InterVarsity group, some from Texas like Texas Tech, and other from surrounding states. InterVarsity is an interdenominational, Christian faithbased organization with over 850 chapters in the United States on 562 college campuses. UTPA’s started four years back and gained steam under Nick Dombrowski, now campus pastor, came to the Valley from Western Michigan University.

Dombrowski discussed the the impoverished community with InterVarsity strategy for approaching a basic necessities such as food, week during which many students do water, and shelter. Missionaries also plan to connect with children in the nothing. His group works. “We hold a variety of different community through physical sports events throughout out the week,” he and activities. Dombrowski said that giving said. “This year we are able to send a service is total of nine from important, our chapter as especially in opposed to only terms of building two students last “ I want to go back and help structures like the year,” he said. daycare Cortez Cortez was other people experience it helped erect. The one of two who last area that the made the trip in to the fullest and I want Yucatan mission 2009 and his first to see what God’s plan is. trip focuses on thought when is evangelism, entering the Every trip is a new chapter or zealous country had to do preaching and with one the least in my life and I can’t wait to spreading of the prominent of the see what it’s going to be. ” gospel to those five senses. in the local “The first thing community. This I noticed was the left a lasting different smell,” impression on he said. “I was like ‘whoa!’ This Joey Cortez not just the people in the place didn’t smell UTPA senior village but on like anywhere I Cortez himself. had been before. It “I fell in love smelled like I was with the people. in a new country. Even the stars look different, though There was this little boy Jose, you’re much farther south of the we grew really close,” Cortez Valley, and I just remember thinking, recounted. “I gave him his first Bible and he told me that all he ‘this is so amazing.’” The mission trip, planned wanted in this world was his this year for March 14-20, has family. And I know I took a lot four main goals, according to of things for granted then like my Dombrowski, including providing family. It made me realize that I

wanted to put my experiences into practice once I got home.”

GREATEST OF IRONIES Wanting to get some distance between himself and his daily routine, Cortez left his phone off and contacted no one during his time in Merida. “It was cool,” he said, “I felt good not having to worry about this or about that. I wanted to disconnect my self from the world in order to fully put all my strength and all my mind into God.” Surrounded by a new world, Cortez was able to be free of modernday technologies and burdens. But on the trip back home tragedy brought him back down to reality as he listened to the frantic voicemails of friends and family trying to get ahold of him. “Once we landed one of the first things I did was check my voice messages to see who called me,” he said. “I had a lot of calls saying that a close friend of mine had passed away while I was gone.” After hearing the news of a close friend’s death, Cortez started to immediately harbor ill feelings toward Mexico and his faith. “It took me a week to love Mexico and a split second to hate it,” he said. “I was heartbroken, on the way back on the bus I just cried. I went from excited to get back to the States…and then to hear that he died.” But as the time went by and

Anthony Salinas

weeks turned into months Cortez began to forgive and let go. He remembers how much his friend loved to travel, loved Mexico and loved God. Cortez hopes the latest trip will bring him stronger faith and healing through with new tasks and friendships. Despite the unexpected setback, last year was a rewarding experience. “It was my first mission trip and it was so life changing,” he concluded. “I want to go back and help other people experience it to the fullest and I want to see what God’s plan is. Every trip is a new chapter in my life and I can’t wait to see what it’s going to be.”

What are you listening to? Music lovers talk tunes

Age: 20 Major: Music Classification: Sophomore Hometown: Roma

Age: 22 Major: Business Management Classification: Senior Hometown: Frisco,

Age: 19 Major: Interdisciplinary Studies Classification: Freshman Hometown: Rio Hondo

Age: 22 Major: Business Management Classification: Senior Hometown: San Juan

Age: 18 Major: Biology Classification: Freshman Hometown: San Juan

Favorite Kind of Music: “It varies. I’m really open to any type of music”

Favorite Kind of Music: Hip Hop and R&B

Favorite Kind of Music: “ I really don’t have one. I like all types. I listen to a little bit of everything”

Favorite Kind of Music: “I don’t have a favorite kind of music.”

Favorite Kind of Music: Pop

Listening to: “3 am” by Eminem

By Cecily Saldana cecilydino@yahoo.com

“It’s my favorite kind of music. I can’t really explain it.” Listening to: “Invented Sex” by Trey Songz

Listening to: “You’re a Jerk” by The New Boys

Listening to: “Reptilia” by The Strokes

“I think it’s better than other types of music” Listening to: “Telephone” by Lady Gaga

Page 12

February 18, 2010

the pan american

Amateur filmmaker to direct movie next month By Andrielle Figueroa andrielleword@gmail.com

Going to high school, receiving a diploma, going to college and getting a job seems to be the monotonous norm for most young adults. Somewhere in the mix, amid the homework and partying, the love you once had for a favorite subject diminishes into thin air. But for UTPA sophomore Andres Sanchez, rather than losing his first crush, it has only grown stronger since his middle school days. The 20-year-old remembers eight years ago when he first discovered enjoyment for creating and editing videos. “I was convinced then and remain convinced now that filmmaking is one of the best methods for telling a great story and that is something I love doing,” the Weslaco native said. Sanchez will embark on his latest film project by the end of this month. His inspiration usually derives from music or moods, but this time he has taken motivation from Brooklyn writer/poet Tao Lin. Lin’s focus on ominous feelings stemming from depression helped fuel the cold, opaque story Sanchez hopes to portray. The film, called “Soon I’ll Be Gone,” will use nearly 40 extras plus two people in lead roles. Sanchez

explains his film will be a dark portrayal of human frailty following a devastating breakup. The Weslaco native hopes to have the finished product no later than April; updates on the film can be found on his production blog http:// cinesaurproductions.wordpress. com. Videos for local artists are located on his music blog at http:// hailingthephotongods.wordpress.com. When Sanchez was asked if he could have his choice of casting any actor (local or not) he divulged his fondness for actor Sidney Poitier. “He is an incredible actor with just the right chops to pull off intensity and sensitivity simultaneously,” Sanchez explained. Along with Poitier, Sanchez would love to work with Cate Blanchett, and Christoph Waltz who recently played Hans Landa in “Inglourious Basterds.” In a generation dominated by reality shows and YouTube videos, it’s easy to produce something and automatically show it to the world. One could argue film making is something anyone with a laptop or a handheld camera can do. Sanchez believes that due to technology there are more films, but at what cost of quality? “The really great films are either harder to find or not released very often to the mainstream public,” Sanchez said. “There are still plenty of great

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Just shoot me - Theatre/film major Andres Sanchez bases his writing structure off his favorite film ‘Casablanca.’ Humphrey Bogart’s Rick Blaine is Sanchez’s definition of cool. independent films. You just need to dig through all of the layers of awful and mediocre films to find them.” This won’t be Sanchez’s first film; he has worked with local group Goodbar Productions, plus Aaron

Stidwell and Digamma Studios. It’s a hard-knock life for people who decide to more than dabble in the arts; there is always the thought of not being successful or not having enough talent. Sanchez has learned to

keep the naysayers out of sight and out of mind. “There is nothing that I enjoy doing more than making movies and I strictly believe that you should love what you live by,” Sanchez stated.

February 18, 2010

GWC Player of the Week goes to Guzman By Alvaro Balderas Alvaro_tx @msn.com

When watching a University of Texas-Pan American women’s basketball game for the first time and seeing senior Marah Guzman directing teammates, dribbling seemingly between and around opponents legs or hitting a jumper against the trees, one might not get the full understanding of what the 5-foot-2 guard means to the team. It’s not all about the numbers but more about doing everything and anything the team asks, Guzman says. Averaging 13 points, six rebounds, nine assists and four steals in two road conference games last week, the Edinburg native earned the Great West Conference Player of the Week award. Instead of feeling zealous over her accomplishment Guzman understands her games as a collegiate player are numbered so she is determined to give everything she has every time she steps on the hardwood. Saturday marked Senior Night at the Field House, and the guard was one of five Lady Broncs making a last appearance in front of the home folk. Being Player of the Week right before her home finale was a thrill. “I wasn’t expecting the award at all. It’s a great honor that I got from working hard and doing what the team needs me to do,” Guzman said. “I just know I want to go out hard my last games here because I want to be remembered for

the impact I had when I played basketball for UTPA.” Guzman has always been a standout baller, going back to her days at Edinburg High where she was named MVP of the Valley her junior and senior years. She also received honorable mention All-Conference accolades as a freshman at Western Texas College with her impressive passing abilities. Deciding to come back to the Valley from WTC after feeling a little homesick, Guzman walked on to the Pan-Am squad last year. Last season, in her first year as a Lady Bronc, Guzman faced adversity for the first time as a basketball player. Perhaps the worst setback that any player has to deal with is facing his or her role on the team, and for Guzman hers was coming off the bench playing limited minutes. After always been a starter, and usually a star who took charge of the team, Guzman said that it was tough to compete in 2008-09 when averaging less than 10 minutes a game. “Last year I struggled coming off the bench and sometimes not even playing. I felt I could have helped my team more but I understood that in order for me to play I had to prove myself,” the dietetics major said. “When my name was called, I think I showed I could help the team.” Playing in all 24 games this season, Guzman has moved into the starting

five for the surging Lady Broncs. Now averaging 25 minutes, she is one of the most consistent Lady Broncs as she’s doubled her regular season numbers by averaging 13 points, six rebounds and six assists in conference play. UTPA (6-2 in GWC play, 10-14 overall) head coach Denny Downing admits Guzman’s durability as a basketball player is something not everybody has, making her an exceptional asset to the Lady Broncs despite the fact that she is usually the shortest athlete on the court. He also expressed admiration about Valley talent, noting that he has been surprised by the speed-oriented style that his all-Valley backcourt tandem has fits very well to his system. Guzman teams with Harlingen South ex Bianca Torre in that role. “I can’t say enough about her and the other three seniors and how they’ve made my transition extremely easier coming into my first year,” said the firstyear coach. “She’s been tremendous because she contributes in every way.” Guzman admits that being a studentathlete in college has been demanding at times but her love of the game has helped her persevere through hard times. “I want to leave the game getting the best record and winning the tournament Alma Hernandez / The Pan American (GWC),” she concluded. “My goal since high school is to get a ring and I good stuff - After struggling to prove herself as a valuable player believe we have a really good team this for the Lady Broncs, Marah Guzman closes her senior season with the year to accomplish that.” recognition of being named GWC Player of the Week.

Broncs grab home finale, prepare for road trip

By Benny Salinas Bsalinas@broncs.utpa.edu

The men’s basketball team earned its first win in almost a month Feb. 13 against Utah, bringing the conference record to 3-5 and overall mark to 4-23. The 74-61 victory in the home

finale win was a redemptive one for the Broncs after their Feb. 4 road loss to Utah, when they blew a 10-point halftime lead. “This is a really great for our confidence,” said Ryan Marks, head men’s basketball coach. “We did a good job of holding onto our lead, sustaining

our defensive intensity and playing well for 40 minutes.” After an initial lead by Utah, the Broncs were able to get ahead 10 minutes into the game on a three-pointer by junior Manny Hendrix. By the half, UTPA led by nine and Utah would not lead again for the remainder of the

Daniel Flores/The Pan American

almost there - Senior Luis Valera reaches for the basket in Saturday’s win 74-61 against Utah Valley. The Venezuela native had 16 points and six rebounds.

game.The Broncs, however, knew not to rest on the first-half effort this time. “The last time we played them we went into halftime ahead by 10 and then Utah came out and just exploded in the second half,” Marks said. “We played well but we couldn’t hold onto that lead.” That was not the case this Saturday as the Broncs controlled things throughout the rest of the game, allowing Utah to come only as close as five points. The Broncs’ top shooter of the night was freshman Aaron Urabanus, who finished with 19 points and was 5 for 6 from behind the 3-point line. Behind him was senior Luis Valera from Venezuela, who scored 16 points and was 6 of 8 from the field, and Hendrix, beating his home state with 15 points in 20 minutes of action. He is originally from Salt Lake City. “Going into this game we knew Utah was a really good offensive team,” Marks said. “So we knew we had to do everything in our power to make things difficult for them on that end because they can beat you in many ways.” And the Broncs did just that. Utah was only 39.6 percent from the field,

compared to the Broncs 50 percent. The Broncs were able to sink 11 more shots despite taking seven fewer attempts. “There’s really an art to knowing how to finish a game,” Marks said. “A lot of times we play well enough to win a game but you don’t make the right plays and you don’t close the game.” This is a painfully honest assessment of the Bronc performance in their recent series of games. Following a Feb. 4 loss to Utah, on Feb. 6 the Broncs lost, 76-69, to Chicago State, a team they had previously defeated by 21 points. Then, on Feb.10, UTPA dropped a hard-fought battle to Houston Baptist in overtime, 84-82. “There were a lot of things that worked for this time around,” Marks said. “The guys were playing unselfishly and we were getting openrhythm shots.” Saturday the team will be in Newark, N.J. to play NJIT, and after that, there are only three games left before the Great West Conference Tournament in March.

February 18, 2010

Page 15

Sports

Lady Broncs honor seniors with win against Utah By Sara Hernandez Sarahdzm@hotmail.com

Alma Hernandez/The Pan American

closing time - Freshman Jasmine Gordon (left) and sophomore Shevan Walker celebrate after the Lady Broncs score Saturday. The women go into the last stretch ranked third in conference.

The environment in the UTPA Field House was different when seniors Rachel Hester, Marah Guzman, Taylor Schneider, Aleeya Grigsby and Rose Hester Jean stepped on the court escorted by relatives and cheered on and saluted by teammates, coaches and fans. Saturday evening was the Lady Broncs’ final home game of the season, and Senior Night marked the last time these veterans would step on home court as part of the University of Texas-Pan American women’s basketball team. After the quick but emotional ceremony the Lady Broncs went to business and defeated Utah Valley 78-69 in a preamble to the last four conference games (at NJIT, Houston Baptist, and the Dakotas) before the Great West Conference Tournament in Orem, Utah, in March. Their next effort comes Saturday afternoon in New Jersey. “I feel happy and sad at the same time, happy because we got the win and sad because it’s my last home game,” said the 6-foot Grigsby. But things didn’t look that certain at first. Although UTPA had defeated the Wolverines 71-61 on

the road Feb. 4, taking complete control in the second half, this time it wasn’t until the last four minutes that tide turned, as Grigsby broke a 61-61 tie to lead her team to a 7869 win. The women have now won six of eight conferences games and stand 10-14 overall. “It was good to get a win on senior night,” head coach Denny Downing said. “It really meant something to the seniors, and I think Andrea Garza really stepped up, I think she was feeling that she really wanted to do something for the seniors.” Sophomore Garza of McAllen spelled Jean throughout the game and scored six points, two on a jumper with 3:20 left in the game after recovering a ball that seemed lost. “I’m honored to play (for the seniors), they’re awesome because of their leadership,” Garza said. The leading scorers of the evening were senior Edinburg native Guzman with 21 points, Maria Erlingsdottir with 16 and Grigsby with 15 (and an equal number of rebounds). Freshman Bianca Torre trailed close behind with 14 points. After Saturday’s win, the Lady Broncs moved up a spot and now rank third in the conference. Due

to an uneven stagger this season, UTPA and Utah have played eight league games while some of the other schools are lagging behind. Thus, the Lady Broncs have the most wins in league play but are not the first-place team right now. “The next four games are really going to show that we’ve improved and that we are one of the top teams in conference,” Garza said. As the season comes to an end things are coming into place, and the Lady Broncs feel closer to their objective of winning the GWC Championship. Only four games keep them from being able to contend for the title on March 11-13. “We’re feeling good, we’re six and two,” Grigsby said. “We’re just ready to get this four out of the way so we can be champs.” As of right now, the victory on Senior Night, with its memories of experiences in the Field House and beyond, leaves a good taste with the squad. But the nostalgia hasn’t made them forget that things are not done yet. “We feel great, we won on Senior Night and you can’t ask for anything better,” Guzman said. “It’s a little sad, but we still got four more games on the road.”

Hall of Fame ceremony ties UTPA’s past and present By Benny Salinas Bsalinas@broncs.utpa.edu

Somewhere between the neatly tossed salads and the sounds of UTPA administrators mingling with their former athletes, between the flash from cameras of media taking pictures of old friends posing shaking hands, and even beyond the families of athletes looking at pictures of their former glory lined up against the back wall of the ball room, there was the almost overwhelming feeling that spoke out as loud as it could. “Look at what we were, look at what we managed to pull off.” The 2010 UTPA Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held Feb. 13 in the UTPA Ballroom. The ceremony honored three of the Broncs’ most legendary pitchers, Jim Hickey (1982-83), Felipe Leal (1963-65), and Lupe Salinas (197073), along with record setting track and field/cross country runner Nancy Mireles (1985-89), basketball player Fred Taylor (1967-70), and sports doctor Ben Garza, who has been a staple at not only Broncs sports since 1981, but of Rio Grande Athletics since the 1970s. Garza entered the Hall of Honor for distinguished service while the others joined the Hall of Fame’s fourth induction class. “I remember I was fixing this kid

up once and he asked me, ‘Will I be able to go out coach?’ and that struck a chord with me because I’ve always wanted to be a coach, it means they trusted me,” Garza said from the podium Saturday. “We have to find someone that believes in you and hang on to them.” Garza, who grew up in Edinburg, pointed out perhaps the most evident theme of Saturday’s ceremony: the undeniably important role of those who supported and encouraged the athletes during their lifetime. Mireles, who still holds five records, recalled the undeniable help her best friend and coach Doug Erickson gave her during her time as a Bronc. After losing her brother during her first semester, amid being away from home for the first time in her life, it was Erickson who assisted her and assuaged her grief. “Doug really helped me every time I wanted to quit,” Mireles said in between tears. “We need to find someone who can lift you up, and Doug was that for me.” Fred Taylor, the six-foot-five-inch basketball player who led the Broncs to a 21-6 record his junior year and acquired 1,721 points in his career, echoed the sentiment when recalling the push his grandmother gave him to go to college despite his belief that it was not necessary.

“She knew my weakness was cars so she promised me a new car if I finished two years in college,” Taylor said. “But once I got here I loved it so much that I just stayed.” After completing his time at Pan Am he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns on the second round in 1970. He was then traded to Cincinnati, where he met his future wife. “My grandma kept me from making a really boneheaded move,” Taylor said. “And along the way every time I was gonna make a boneheaded move I always felt that someone or something was pushing me in another direction.” For the three pitchers being inducted, it was legendary coach Al Ogletree who made the difference. Jim Hickey, who led the Broncs to a program record 64 wins by going 16-2 in 1983, would later go on to become pitching coach for the Houston Astros and later the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, going with both of them to the World Series. “The most important parts of playing with the Broncs were all the people I met who I still keep in touch with,” Hickey said. “This is the biggest honor I’ve ever received as an individual.” Although Felipe Leal was unable to attend the banquet, his contribution to the Bronc legacy is undeni-

Alma Hernandez/The Pan American

legendary - Al Ogletree (right), who served as UTPA baseball head coach for 30 years and was inducted to the HOF in 2007, presented three of his former players including 1983 pitcher Jim Hickey. able. He was only the second pitcher to pitch a no hitter, and led the team to the NAIA playoffs in 1963 and 1964. Lupe Salinas was another stellar pitcher who during his time with Pan Am led the program to the 1971 College World Series with a shutout win over vaunted Texas in the regionals.

Looming over the ceremony was the knowledge that in a few hours the Broncs’ current basketball team would be playing a double-header at the Field House, against Utah’s teams. Both squads won Saturday, and it seemed only fitting that an event celebrating victories of the past would be followed by two victories of the present.

Page 16

February 18, 2010

the pan american

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