Volume 67, No. 28
WWW.PANAMERICANONLINE.COM
June 2, 2011
GUN BILL SHOT DOWN
“Guns on Campus” bill passes in Senate but halts in Texas House By Kristen Cabrera The Pan American The Controversial HB 750 known as the “Guns on Campus” bill, which passed in the Texas Senate in May, halted on the House floor Tuesday. It had been piggy-backing on another bill that was of fiscal interest but the Texas Constitution bars any bill from taking up two different subjects, so it was sent back to the Senate to have the section on the licensed firearms removed. UTPA President Robert Nelsen, who like the rest of the UT System presidents has been adamant about keeping guns off campus grounds, was relieved with the decision. “We at the University are very pleased and relieved that the concealed weapons bill did not become law,” Nelsen said. “The University is a safer place, and we will continue to oppose the bill if it should happen to appear again, in the special session or in the 83rd Legislative session two years from now.” Not everyone felt this way. Communication Studies lecturer Elizabeth Garcia said she hopes people will be better informed when the bill is re-introduced into legislation in the future. However, she is aware of the fears of those opposed to it. “I’d say that’s understandable considering some of the rumors surrounding the bill,” she said. “I’ve heard concerns that anyone would be allowed to carry on campus or that boasting and brandishing (showing your weapon, usually as a threat) would go unpunished.” Garcia dismissed the rumors citing that only the CHL (concealed handgun licensee) would be allowed to bring a handgun on campus and they are hemmed in by strict codes of conduct, or face arrest. “Threats and brandishing would remain illegal as ever since a
concealed weapon is meant to be just that, concealed and discreet,” she said. “Ideally, no one would ever know a licensed student had a weapon unless he or she had no other option to defend her or his self. And of course, in no way would this bill grant leniency to anyone unlicensed bringing a weapon to campus.” Chief Roger Stearns of the UTPA Police Department said the main focus should be safety. “My number one concern whenever and wherever there is a weapon present, Reynaldo Leal/THE PAN AMERICAN is the proper safe handling and security of the weapon by the LOADED ISSUE - The “Guns on Campus” bill was passed by the Texas Senate May 10 but sent back by person carrying it,” the House on Tuesday due to a state constitution technicality. The Texas Senate now has 11 days to he said. reconstruct the bill before the end of the legislative session. Though the main reason most are “We will continue to pursue if an assailant came here ignoring not make anyone proficient in the in favor of the bill is for protection handlings of handguns, he said. increased community participation in the nationwide ban on murder and purposes in the event of an active “CHL is a 10-hour class,” Rice the Shots Fired safety video we host on mayhem while one of our own obeyed shooter situation, George Rice, said. “You are not going to become our website,” he promised. “The safety a law that kept their best chance at sophomore political science major, a proficient anything with only 10 video and Bronc Alerts are critical survival locked in a drawer,” she said. thinks it would make the situation hours of training. The only reason resources to a community response for Stearns understands her concerns worse. I am proficient with firearms is this type of incident. I also encourage but said the UTPA PD is doing its “It would put you more at risk,” because I have had eight years of the community to frequently visit the best to make sure everyone is safe he said. “Going into the mind-set, extremely extensive training. And UTPA Police website, and follow us on on campus. everyone thinks they are going to not just training, actual practical real Facebook or Twitter. We will post any “The concern is a valid one,” he have a Rambo moment. Like if the life application in it as well.” additional information related to CHL answered. “We have significantly situation ever arises they are going When the Senate passed the bill (concealed handgun licensee) through increased the training our officers to rise to the occasion and be the May 10 Nelsen remained adamant these resources.” receive to respond to an active shooter hero. That’s not going to happen, about the potential dangers it posed Still the debate on whether incident. We have also coordinated you always fall back on your baseline to anyone at the University. Stearns the University would be more or an Active Shooter Drill on campus, training.” understands these concerns and less safe with guns around is not a equipped and trained our officers The training Rice refers to is that maintains that community awareness debate for Garcia; for her it would with the use of patrol rifles, and level at which one is proficient. and cooperation with UTPA PD is give extra security. pursued advanced scenario training But the average class time would “God forbid what would happen specific to this type of incident.” key to addressing these.
CHECK THE WEB A different education ||
Unconventional classes provide students with new views on old topics.
Bronc Abroad Follow Joey Garza || UTPA student
documents his travels in Florence, Italy while participating in student abroad program.
Home run! Extended contract for baseball coach Mantrana
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June 2, 2011 Vol. 67, No. 28
Commentary
THE PAN AMERICAN
The Valley is weird
Karen Antonacci News Editor “I’m going to the college in the Valley.” “Is that in California?” “No, the Rio Grande Valley. It’s the very southern tip of Texas, on the border.” I’ve had this conversation or some variation of it many, many times with a great number of very bewildered people since I made the decision a year ago to attend UTPA. That choice then led to the
decision I made at age 18 shortly after graduating high school in the Houston ‘burbs. Knowing a grand total of one person well in the entire bottom third of Texas (known eloquently to the rest of Texas as “pretty much Mexico”). Last year I found a room on Craigslist, transferred my minimum wage job, and moved to McAllen for the summer to get to know my new home. Here is what I got to know about the RGV. It’s weird. It just is. Three different but related languages are spoken in varying degrees by everyone. It has odd phrases I’ve never heard before (Why would you “get off” a car? Am I riding on the roof?). At one time or another, I have been yelled at for, respectively, not speaking enough Spanish, not speaking the right brand of Spanish, not speaking enough English, or not knowing a Valley catechism (The first time someone made that “Eahhh!” sound and opened their
mouth and stuck out their tongue, I assumed, like a logical person, that they had to vomit and they felt like doing it in my direction. Nah! That’s just Valley for “Este guy thinks she’s funny!”) It’s a place where people still use their blinkers. This is weird. Houston collectively decided a long time ago that turn signals were useless. Also, for some reason, going the speed limit or above is just taboo. Speeding? What are you? A northerner with a place to be? Spshhhhh. It’s a place that’s hard to get around if you’re new. I think most of the street signs are secretly hidden and only become visible when you answer some Valley-related riddle (Who is on San Benito’s water tower? I don’t know! Is this Mile 2 ½ West or not?). I had to learn what “Winter Texan,” “nombre,” and “colored eyes” meant. And oh man, is the Valley weird. People smile all the way up to their eyes. People are genuinely nice just
because… they are. Family is both a far-reaching concept and a tightknit unit. Hard work and education are seen as valuable assets. When I meet other people that aren’t from here, we exchange horror stories and poke a little bit of fun at the area. (“I know! I got lost once too because I didn’t know what Old 83 meant either!”). But after the ribbing, out comes the sentiment. From young cityslickers around UTPA comes the surprised, “people are chill here.” One professor confided that the Valley reminded him of his home country, a place that is not the wealthiest by far, but makes up for it with its strong sense of community, resilience, and determination. From a Valley author comes the comment, “It’s pure magic here.” Yeah the place is weird. Maybe that’s why I miss it after a week away. Shhhh, don’t let too many people know I like it, though. They might take down more street signs just to confuse me.
1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122 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.
CO-EDITORS IN CHIEF: Alma E. Hernandez alma.e.hdz@gmail.com Roxann Garcia roxx.gar11@gmail.com NEWS EDITOR: Karen Antonacci keantonacci@gmail.com ONLINE/SPANISH EDITOR: Denisse Salinas dns_145@hotmail.com ARTS & LIFE EDITOR: Benny Salinas 9_benny_9@live.com SPORTS EDITOR: Michael Saenz mike_s2208@yahoo.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Reynoldo Leal reynoldo_lealjr@yahoo.com DESIGN EDITOR: Erick Gonzalez erick.dgr@gmail.com DESIGNERS: Jennifer Tate Jen489@gmail.com Karen Villareal karen.g.villarreal@gmail.com ADVISER: Dr. Greg Selber selberg@utpa.edu ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE: Anita Reyes areyes18@utpa.edu ADVERTISING MANAGER: Mariel Cantu spubs@utpa.edu WEBMASTERS: Jose Villarreal josemvillarrealcs@gmail.com Selvino Padilla selvinop3@gmail.com
Delivery:
Thursday at noon Letters to the Editor
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The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. We reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. We 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.
June 2, 2011
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SUMMER ENROLLMENT IN FLUX Initial projections suggest number will be down from 2010
By Roxann Garcia The Pan American
Given the ongoing budget crunch and its effect on multiple areas of higher education, Magdalena Hinojosa, associate VP and dean of admissions and enrollment services, could foresee the impact on this year’s summer enrollment. “Early on, we could see that some courses would not be available and that this might have a negative impact,” she said. “But we worked very closely with our division and the Division of Academic Affairs to make sure the President’s Cabinet was very much aware of the situation and what would happen.” Every Thursday afternoon Hinojosa and Havidan Rodriguez, the provost and VP for academic affairs, has met with Sr. Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies Ana Rodriguez and others to discuss the proposed schedule for the summer. The group looks at enrollment and areas of improvement such as which classes to offer and how many. “Even through the recent budget situation, higher administration on campus has really made sure to do everything we can to offer classes to students,” Hinojosa said. “I can’t say I can really see a negative impact at this point except maybe on the financial side for students.” For summer I the enrollment stands at 9,925 and for summer II at 7,193. The figures represent a projected drop from the number last summer, but there are mitigating factors involved. LAST YEAR vs. THIS YEAR The non duplicated count in the combined summer sessions last year was 11,856 compared to 2009 at 10,428, or a 13.7 percent increase. A nonduplicat-
ed count means students who attended summer I and II were only counted once. As of right now numbers for this year’s summer enrollment are subject to change because the census date, also known as the last class date to drop is June 9. The payment deadline for summer I is today and July 6 for summer II; many students have not been dropped from their classes as of yet, Hinojosa said. “And this year’s numbers are not unduplicated,” Hinojosa said. “So if you are enrolled in summer I and summer II, we have counted you twice.” REASONS FOR CHANGE The university saw an influx of students during last year’s summer sessions mainly due to two reasons. The first was a Pell grant extension specifically for students to use in attaining summer hours. Last summer, Pell grants were available for a second scheduled award after the first award for the fall and spring semester had been exhausted. “This made a huge difference because students who normally use up their grant in the fall or spring usually don’t come to summer school,” Hinojosa said. “They just don’t have the funds to do so.” The added funding for students was short-lived however; this year because of the budget woes Pell grant money will be reduced to its original sum. This, of course, depends on the applicant’s added income, Executive Director for Student Financial Services Elaine Rivera said. For summer a student could receive up to $1,388 for six hours of enrollment or up to $2,775 for 12 hours, again depending on a student’s current Pell eligibility. “Because of the budget situation at the federal level, they’ve done away with the additional Pell Grant money,” Hinojosa said. “So we basically had it for two
Graphic by Monica Garza/THE PAN AMERICAN
years and that’ll be it.” This will be the last summer session where students will receive the extra help. According to Rivera, Pell notices for this summer were only sent out two weeks ago. New requirements consisted of a student completing the required 24 hours during fall and spring semesters so that they can qualify for the grant this summer. Another possibility for students to acquire the grant is fulfilling that requirement after this summer’s first session. “So far this year, it looks like the majority of students will be able to qualify for the grant again this summer,” she said. In comparison to last summer session I, the same number of students will qualify this summer’s first session, amounting to a total of 5,000 getting a total of $5 million. With the current additional requirements (24-hour rule) last
year’s number might have been a little less, Rivera said. Another reason for the increase of students last summer is due to the number of GEAR UP students taking concurrent enrollment classes, which allow students to enroll in University courses and receive college credit before graduating from high school. “GEAR UP is funded through the U.S. Department of Education and works with a cohort of students beginning in the 7th grade,” said Cynthia Valdez, assistant director for GEAR UP, “and culminating with high school graduation and enrollment in a post secondary institution.” Combined, the University and Region One GEAR UP grants are the largest in country, providing college access and support services to approximately 50 high schools across the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo, according to Valdez. The
award for both grants is close to $80 million and works with nearly 20,000 students for six years. In total, because of the GEAR UP program there were 300 additional students enrolled last summer. “So we knew that this summer,” Hinojosa said. “We did not expect to see any increases in enrollment. In fact we expected to be flat or even a little bit lower.” Reasons for the projected flat rate this year can be due to the fact that the aforementioned GEAR UP students are now entering freshmen, and summer hours were up in the air, Hinojosa continued. This year’s numbers are subject to change, however. Despite the decrease in numbers, Hinojosa doesn’t doubt the quality of classes offered in the summer. “The schedule is very conducive to what our expectations were for this summer,” she continued.
Utpa y la Fundación de Exxon Mobil
Fundación brinda oportunidad de vivir un verano de conocimiento a estudiantes de UTPA. By Alejandra Roman The Pan American La Universidad de Texas-Pan Americana y la Fundación de Exxon Mobil contribuyeron con la realización de un campamento de verano de ciencia donde varios estudiantes disfrutaron la oportunidad de vivir una experiencia inolvidable al conocer un poco más sobre la ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y la matemática (STEM) que para muchos de ellos cambio la manera de ver su futuro.
Uno de los 48 afortunados alumnos de secundaria en el 2009 fue Ania Ruiz que obtuvo la oportunidad de participar en el campamento de Verano de Ciencia que fue patrocinado por ExxonMobil. Ruiz, ahora estudiante del onceavo grado de preparatoria manifestó que ella nunca antes había estado interesada en el área de la ciencia o la matemática y que gracias a esta experiencia con los experimentos prácticos y científicos en los cuales ella pudo participar despertó un interés en estas dos áreas de conocimiento en la que ella pensaba que eran aburridas. Este es el tercer año donde el astronauta veterano el Bernard Harris y la Fundación Exxon Mobil se han asociado con UTPA para la contribución y apoyo a la realización de este campamen-
to donde animan a los estudiantes a tomar un interés activo en las carreras en los campos de las ciencias y de las matemáticas. Desde 2006, más de 5.500 estudiantes de todo el país han participado en este campamento. Este campamento de la ciencia toma lugar cada año y para poder participar estudiantes elegibles deben de estar por comenzar sexto, séptimo u octavo grado en el otoño de 2011, tienen que adquirir y pre-
sentar recomendaciones de sus profesores en los campos de ciencias y matemáticas como también escribir un ensayo de 250 palabras. Además, estos estudiantes necesitan haber obtenido una puntuación promedia en todas la pruebas realizadas en las áreas de ciencias y matemáticas como también un promedio de B o mejor en todas las clases en estas dos áreas mencionadas anteriormente. Los estudiantes que participan en este
Si están interesados sobre el campamento de verano de la Ciencia de Exxon Mobil Bernard comuníquense al 665-2659 para más información.
campamento habitan en los dormitorios estudiantiles de la escuela por 2 semanas gozando de la experiencia universitaria y tienen la oportunidad de visitar el Laboratorio de Estudios Costeros de UTPA en la Isla del Padre, como también The Sea Turtle Inc. También se complacen con la experiencia de una serie de actividades con los cohetes como la construcción de un perro-robot construido con piezas de Lego etc. Por medio de actividades como esta es importante dar a conocer a cada estudiante de lo que es capaz de hacer o aprender. Como también es importante contribuir a la realización de más actividades que ayudan al fortalecimiento del conocimiento de cada uno de los estudiantes como lo somos nosotros.
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June 2, 2011
DESKS AND SUMMER FUN By Benny Salinas The Pan American
Even if our shirts weren’t drenched in sweat after every walk through any given parking lot, it’d be pretty evident that summer has arrived in the RGV. The same Schlitterbahn commercial that’s run since the mid-nineties with the little girl pouring water into her kiddy pool has
begun its seasonal run on daytime TV. Raspa stands become suddenly extremely visible. Roadtripping becomes almost a necessity. Yet, for students taking summer classes, the season becomes a series of events that fit within the weekends, evenings and that small window between Summer I and II. For them, The Pan American has assembled a list of events and activities around the Valley that will ensure this summer isn’t just a sweaty, academic one.
MUSIC:
Exhibits at IMAS: Ron English:
The All Stars Tour, Feat: Norma Jean, The Chariot, Emmure, Alesana, Blessthefall. - July 22, Las Palmas Racepark in Mission Tx.
- You Are Not Here - Running through Aug. 14 - Arte de la Frontera -Running through Sept. 4 - Maria Linzoain: An Artist’s Life -Running through Aug. 7 2011
Twin Sisters and Dignan - June 7, Cine El Rey in Mcallen
FOR THE KIDS:
Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour, Feat: Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser, Lee Brice - June 30, Las Palmas Racepark in Mission Tx.
FILM, THEATRE & ART: Global Lens Film Series: “Leo’s Room” - Student Union Theater 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9 Pan American Summer Stock: - To Kill a Mocking Bird – July 7-10th - Top Girls – June 30 – July 3 - Jeffers Theater
Ballet Workshop: Rio Grande Valley Ballet presents a free workshop for dancers 10 years and older. - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 6, through Friday, June 17 in Deborah Case Dance Academy, 5240 N. 10th St., McAllen 2011 Wellness and Recreational Sports Complex Summer Youth Camp Four TWO week sessions (Monday-Friday) - Session I June 6-June 17, 2011 - Session II June 20-July 1, 2011 - Session III July 5-July 15, 2011 - Session IV July 18-July 29, 2011
Thirteen O’clock Theatre Presents: Comedy Wars – Improvisational Comedy - June 11, 2011 at Edinburg High School Fine Arts Center - July 16, 2011 at TBA
By Dimitra Hernandez The Pan American
There was a hush over the Communication Arts and Sciences Building at the University; a crowd of people whispered over their lines, waiting to audition for the two Summer Stock productions last Thursday. Selina Alvarado, a 24-year-old beauty consultant, sat in a corner away from the rest, reciting her lines with concentration. “This is my third time auditioning, my first play was ‘Man of La Mancha,’ it was everything that I expected,” said the Edinburg native, “It’s always been my dream, I’ve had experience, not at a collegiate level though, I had never
P.A.S.S Auditions Biennial theatre program kicks off 40th year auditioned for Pan Am. ‘Man of La Mancha’ was my first audition.” Alvarado looked over the two scripts she was working with, one was for the first production, “Top Girls,” and the second was “To Kill a Mockingbird.” These plays were chosen by directors Cynthia Santos and Richard Edmonson for the Summer Stock shows. “It’s Pan American Summer Stock and the acronym is PASS, they’ve been doing it for about 40 years now,” said Edmonson, a theatre graduate student from UTPA. “Unfortunately for cutbacks they only do it every other summer; they do a film and television one called PAST and then they do PASS which is the theater one, so it alternates
every other summer.” Edmonson’s production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” will be performed July 7-10; he explains why he chose this play. “I chose ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ because I love the show, it’s so moving, it’s one of the most amazing shows I think because it totally speaks about things that are relevant in our society.” Edmonson said, “Especially today because it talks about accepting people for who they are and getting to know them, rather than being afraid of your neighbor or being full of judgment towards your neighbor, so I think in that way it’s really powerful.” This is Edmonson’s fourth production but first here at the University, and he acknowledges the limited time he has to
put the show together and how that might be a factor. “This summer we’re doing two shows, we only have five weeks to get everything up and running, it’s a challenge, it’s always a challenge,” said Edmonson, who is originally from Seattle. “But in theater it’s amazing, everybody works together and it comes together at the last minute, it’s kind of miraculous. Everybody knows that they got to do this and the show must go on.” Alvarado appreciates the message each show represents and is hoping to get cast in “Top Girls” the most. “’To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is classic but ‘Top Girls’ is speaking to me, it’s about a woman named Marleen, a career woman who has a dream
or something about these historical characters coming over for dinner,” Alvarado said, “They all represent different aspects of her life and are small reflections of decisions that she’s made.” “Top Girls” will be the first show of the two PASS productions, performed June 30-July 3. Alvarado looked over her script once more and as she did this she explained her theories on getting cast in a show, and the magic she herself sees in theatre. “There are so many variables in getting into a play, your work ethic, what the director is looking for,” Alvarado said. “And when you and the director have the same vision for the part, that’s when it’s magical.”
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June 2, 2011
UTPA represents well at NCAA Prelims Strachan and Sarmiento competed over weekend in Oregon
By Michael Saenz The Pan American
Reynaldo Leal/THE PAN AMERICAN
WORLD CLASS - Jameson Strachan holds the school record for the 400-meter dash and will try to qualify for the 2011 World Championships.
The University of Texas-Pan American sent two athletes to the 2011 NCAA West Preliminary Round of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., last weekend. Jameson Strachan and Melinda Sarmiento were the only athletes to qualify for the preliminaries since 2009. Senior sprinter Strachan competed in the 400-meter dash and clocked a time of 47.64, or .27 seconds away from qualifying for the semi-finals. Earlier this year, Strachan set the UTPA school record with a time of 46.60 seconds at the Bobcat Invitational in San Marcos. He also won the GWC title with a time of 47.79 and took gold at the GWC championships in the 200 meters as well. Strachan’s career as a Bronc is now over and was always proud to wear UTPA across his chest. “Basically I took it one step at a time. Every race was an obstacle and I was able to overcome every one,” the Bahamas native said. “I would say getting to this point was a career achievement for me, along with gaining my degree of course. It was nice to finish my career here at UTPA on top.” Even though Strachan’s career for the Broncs may be over, he will be traveling back to his native home, the Bahamas, to try to earn a spot on his national team. The Open Nationals will take place on June 24-26 in the Bahamas
and he believes he has a real good chance University with a masterful work at qualifying to compete in the World ethic that won over her coaches. Championships in Korea in August. Assistant track coach Xavier “I felt that my performance at the Richardson explained just how unique NCAA Prelims was not my best. I was not of an athlete Sarmiento was during her proud of my time that I ran it in, I know time at UTPA. I can do better, Strachan said. “I’ve proven “I came in her junior year, and I can do better. But my career still isn’t she was the hardest worker out there. over. I think there is You didn’t have a great chance that to keep watching I can qualify for my her to make sure world team that will “ I would say getting to she did what she’s hold a meet June supposed to do,” this point was a career 26. If I do make he said. “During the team we will be practice she works achievement for me, along competing in Korea hard and takes care later this summer.” of business. “This with gaining my degree of Sarmiento also year she has jumped course. It was nice to finish ended her career much higher than at UTPA with the past years and my career here at UTPA on representation in we can attribute the prelims and that to her hard top. ” posted a high jump work, dedication, of 1.65 (5 feet 4 and diligence. At inches), which was times she’s looking not enough for her up, literally, at her to advance to the Jameson Strachan competition and she finals. has mastered that Senior sprinter The Progreso mentality of not HS alum didn’t being intimidated. get her best jump this weekend, She loves what she does and is very but her improvement throughout passionate and focused.” this year was an accomplishment The UTPA track and field season in itself. Sarmiento evolved from ended in Oregon, but will have high not knowing much about the sport expectations heading into next season. The or even having knowledge of what Broncs will have a few months off before it took to be a true track and field getting back on the saddle in preparation athlete, but she departs from the for next year’s season.
Broncs’ early GWC baseball tourney exit fuels future goals By Alejandro Pena The Pan American
By the time University of TexasPan American Broncs head baseball coach Manny Mantrana was done chatting with all of his players, more than three hours had passed. Mantrana and a member of the coaching staff sat down with each player individually for about 10 minutes, but the contents of the post-season meeting go far beyond any occurrences on the diamond. “We go over things on how they’re doing with their studies, and review everything going on in their lives in these individual meetings,” Mantrana said. “We want to see where the players are at right now.” This debriefing process, however, took place sooner than Mantrana had expected. A 6-5 loss against the Houston Baptist University Huskies last Tuesday, followed by a 7-5 defeat to the University of Northern Colorado Bears the next day, meant an early exit for the sixth-seeded Broncs from the Great West Conference tournament at Kraft Field in Grand Forks, N.D. More frustrating for the Broncs
was the way these losses took place. UTPA pushed two runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 5 against the Huskies, but lost it in walk-off fashion. Pan Am had a similar late-game surge against the Bears. Down 7-2 in the ninth, the Broncs scored three runs and had the bases loaded with only one out, but would not salvage the win. UTPA improved slightly in conference play from last year, posting a 10-19 record, but could not match last year’s two-win GWC tournament at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. “Give the guys a lot of credit. We made a good run,” Mantrana said. “The expectations for us are bringing conference championships to the Valley. We didn’t bring the trophy and until we do, we’re going to keep working hard.” With a three-year contract extension given to him last Tuesday, Mantrana will surely do just that. His philosophy on education and community involvement played a role in his new contract, which expires after the 2014 season. “We’ve improved every year – in the classroom and the relationship with
the Valley - we had 17 players make above a 3.0 (GPA),” Mantrana said. “We tell our players that being part of a program is a right, not a privilege. Being with the program means getting involved with kids and giving back to the community we are part of.” Under the third-year coach, UTPA achieved its first winning record at home since 2007 with a 15-8 mark, but the program finished its 11th straight losing season with a 21-31 overall record. The team’s best spell was in early April when it scored 10 or more runs in seven of eight straight wins. But after that, they failed to bring in more than six runs in a seven-game losing skid. It was indeed a microcosm of UTPA’s rollercoaster season that began with a 5-0 record until a six-game losing skid halted the once promising start. Toward the end there were 11 straight losses. “We had a lot of ups and downs and what you want to do is be steady, but sometimes we play well, sometimes not so well,” Mantrana said. He learned two things after the talk with each player. One is that
academically, they’re well off. The other, is that with key returning players like catcher Mike McCarthy and infielder Angel Ibanez, he believes next year’s team will be the
best team he has had here. “There’s no doubt. The recruiting class is amazing. The goal is that you field a better team than the year before, and that’s what we’re striving for,” he said.
Top UTPA Performers 2010-2011 Pitchers Player Cody Plunk Jonathan Delgado Arnold Franco Andre Cordova
ERA W-L APP GS 6.53 2-6 17 10 6.54 2-5 12 10 3.80 3-3 17 5 4.24 2-1 22 1
H 74 80 54 46
R 47 54 26 23
ER 44 39 20 19
BB 32 15 10 29
R 29 43 37 45
H 72 77 68 65
2B 12 11 9 16
3B 2 6 1 0
HR RBI 1 45 3 38 2 25 4 38
SO 40 36 36 32
Hitting
Player Mike McCarthy Angel Ibanez Roger Bernal Vincent Mejia
IP 60.2 53.2 47.1 40.1
AVG .377 .348 .343 .342
GP-GS 53-51 53-53 52-51 53-53
AB 191 221 198 190
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