Francisco Rodriguez/The Pan American
Volume 67, No. 31
By Saira Treviño The Pan American Stories about the ongoing violence in Mexico bombard the news every day, but the danger is truly never noticeable until it hits home. At a university with hundreds of foreign exchange students from south of the border, the drug cartel situation is beginning to have an impact it didn’t have in the past. Insecurity has become a regular situation for those living in Mexico, especially in the border region. As a result of the rising number of kidnappings since the war on the cartels began in 2006, many students that face the reality of organized crime have decided to come to the United States for a chance at living a safer and more peaceful life. At The University of Texas – Pan American there are a number of students in this boat, although most tend to shy
www.panamericanonline.com
Las Hermanas Leal
August 4, 2011
The impact of violence in a neighboring country
away from talking about it, for obvious reasons that deal with safety. Take for example the Leal sisters, whose names have been omitted, have left what they once called home in search of safety and tranquility. In one six-week span recently, a close relative of these young girls who owned a car lot in Monterrey, was kidnapped after being extorted by people allegedly involved in drug trafficking. These apparently ordinarylooking individuals, demanded cars and money from the relative. The doubly distressing part was that, as is often the case in Mexico, the harassing individuals were Mexican authorities. “It hurts to see the people, the police, who should be protecting us, to be the ones most involved with these crimes,” mentioned one of the Leals. A few months prior to the kidnapping these people continually harassed the family member, collected
information on his movements and business and allegedly planned the future crime. One day while their relative was talking to his wife, nephews and mother-in-law, “normal - looking” individuals knocked on the door. Little did the Leal family know was that these people were going to abruptly take him by force. The relative of these girls was taken hostage, together with 20 other captives who were kidnapped for different reasons. For 11 days he was physically abused and starved. He was finally released thanks to the timely intervention of the Mexican army. However, because of this event the Leal family has decided to immigrate permanently to the United States. It is noteworthy that in this particular case the family has legal status in the States, because in many cases the people fleeing the violence do
not have it. Luckily for the Leals, the girls can pursue their education here without fear. “I suppose that everybody is rather aware that the violence in Monterrey is very drastic, but you don’t take it into consideration or acknowledge it until it is your turn to live it,” said one of the sisters. “The kidnapping, in reality, opened our eyes to the great threat that the whole family faced living in Mexico. A day after the captivity we came immediately to the Valley because it just wasn’t safe over there.” The situation in Mexico affects people’s emotional state but also causes sudden changes in the lives of the family members of the kidnapping victims. In the case of the Leal sisters, it meant a change of residence, moving to a country that previously was visited for leisure activities. They have to start again and leave one life behind to start another.
For the Spanish translation visit: www.panamericanonline.com
“I left behind family members, friends, work and my studies. I just needed a few more classes to finish with my education in Mexico, but I had to come,” describes the elder sister. Despite having to leave everything behind, the young sisters understand that their safety and well-being are more important. “My parents wanted to come a long time ago, but there were still things to resolve, like my studies among other things,” one of the sisters said. “But after what happened, our security was more important before anything else.” Many other students at UTPA and throughout the United States have had their lives altered by the violence in their home country. “I would love to return to Monterrey, but to the old Monterrey, in which one does not have to be afraid to live your life,” one of the new Broncs lamented.
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August 4, 2011 Vol. 67, No. 31
Commentary
THE PAN AMERICAN
UTP-‘A’
1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 665-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122
Is it easier to get a good grade in South Texas? Reynaldo Leal Photo Editor As I look around my Physics II summer class, something becomes very clear - the maroon “Howdy” T-shirts give it away - there are a lot of students from other schools taking this class. It would be easy to say that there are Texas A&M and UT students who have families here in the Rio Grande Valley, and just want to take advantage of their summer time at home; however, when you ask them the answer is almost always the same - it’s easier to get an A here. The subject and concepts are the same, so how can physics at A&M be “harder” than at UTPA? Those who shiver at the thought of any math or science course may find it difficult to understand, but physics doesn’t differ from one part
of the state to another. Lectures are not harder, textbooks are just as confusing, and the need for tutoring is generally the same, especially with a fast-paced summer class. More opportunities to turn in assignments late, grade curves, extra credit, and a lower grade required to get an ‘A’ – an 88 in physics - may contribute to the belief that a good grade is easier to get in Edinburg. However, what the students from College Station and Austin may not see is that it is generally easier now to get a better grade at the university level regardless of the area code. So, where does the belief that classes are somehow dumbed-down in South Texas come from? Perhaps people believe that classes are inherently simpler the further south one travels. I want to be angry at the
thought of someone downgrading the level of difficulty it takes to get a good grade here at UTPA, but I can’t. I can’t because whether they’re right about it or not, the pursuit of the perfect grade is not something we can look down on anymore. The perfect grade, like the American dollar, doesn’t mean what it used to. And like the dollar, it may be easier to get one now, but you need more perfect scores to make up for the inflation. This is what causes us to search for the easy ‘A’ at any cost. It’s why I took Documentary Film History for my upper-level elective and why the Aggies in my class thought it would be better to come here for the summer. “Get the ‘A’ and walk away” is what most of us think. Play the game and get into grad school with
a high GPA. Perhaps it is the new academic culture - which equates test scores with success - that creates this high-pressure environment. Years of TAAS and TAKS have shown us that it is more important to teach and learn for the exam instead of for life. The classroom becomes a tour of duty where making it out with an ‘A’ is more important than actually learning the subject. A transcript is now a checklist of strategic conquests and not a reflection of how much one actually knows. So is it easier to get an ‘A’ in the Valley? Not necessarily. Do some professors make it easier than others to get a good grade? Yes. Does your ‘A’ mean less because you got it at the University of Texas Pan-American? Depends…did you learn anything?
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 SPANISH EDITOR: Saira Trevino sairatrev@gmail.com SPORTS EDITOR: Michael Saenz mike_s2208@yahoo.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Reynaldo Leal reynaldo_lealjr@yahoo.com INTERIM MULTIMEDIA EDITOR: Veronique Medrano veroniquemedrano@gmail.com DESIGN EDITOR: Erick Gonzalez erick.dgr@gmail.com ADVISER: Dr. Greg Selber selberg@utpa.edu
5Stages
This damn professor hates me!
This class is easy. I am NOT failing
I swear he is out to get me!
of Failing a Class
DENIAL Oh, dear God! Please don’t make me fail this class. I’ll be good and do all my work next semester!
BARGAINING
ANGER
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
I can’t believe this is happening to me. I suck.
DEPRESSION
No biggie! I guess I’ll just take it at STC.
ACCEPTANCE Erick Gonzalez/THE PAN AMERICAN
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.
August 4, 2011
3
Pressure is on for nursing applicants Changes to program has hopefuls vying for fewer spots By Roxann Garcia The Pan American Typically the nursing department at the University of Texas-Pan American begins their year by admitting close to 130 students every fall and spring semester. Beginning in 2012 however, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Masters of Science in Nursing programs will only allow admittance once a year, in the fall. “It’s going to look as if ‘oh, the nursing department isn’t doing well at all,’” Carolina Huerta, department chair, said. “But the reason for it is because we’re switching admission cycles.” By next fall the department will, “look great,” as Huerta put it, because numbers will have evened out by then. “We want to be like the majority of the nursing programs in the United States that admit students in the fall,” Huerta said. “Now, some programs have more than one admission date; some admit in the fall or the spring.” Those are the very big programs such as the University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing or the University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston. But almost all programs the
fered at South Texas College, was closed in 2000. BSN In order to avoid overlapping with the associates group when using the same facilities GRAD YEAR GRAD YEAR such as labs, etc. the departadmitted ment started to admit stugraduated dents of the BSN program in the spring. While one group used the labs the second group began MSN by taking the fundamentals of nursing. Those close to graduating moved on to working in GRAD YEAR GRAD YEAR a hospice. admitted Although it has been 11 graduated years since the associate’s degree program was removed, administration gave the OK in March to make the final deciKaren Villarreal/THE PAN AMERICAN sion on the admittance deadline. It was a move the departMONITORING THE COMPETITION- Admission rates will decrease in 2012. ment was very interested in making for some time. “We’ve explained to [administrasize of UTPA’s admit only in the fall, our enrollment from a fall perspective. No one is interested in how tion] about how it may look like we Huerta continued. have fewer semester credit hours but “It becomes a real hassle because many we admit in January.” The first nursing program offered we don’t,” Huerta said. “In the fall we receive surveys regarding the number of students we admit from at UTPA, formerly Pan American we’re going to make them up. We’ll numerous associations, organizations University, was an Associates of Ap- have lots of semester credit hours.” Funding at a public university and the Texas Board of Nursing,” she plied Science in Nursing. The twosaid. “All of these reports ask about year program, similar to the one of- such as UTPA, is distributed accord-
UTPA
10
130
UTPA
10
80
80 15
UTPA
12 UTPA
12
ing to semester credit hours generated. With 130 students taking an average of 10 credit hours each admitted every fall and spring, the nursing department was generating 1,300 credit hours per semester. With the new change however, the department is looking into offering more classes such as remedial or special topic courses. Eduardo De La Rosa, a 25-yearold senior from Santa Maria, has applied to the BSN program and was rejected twice. Now approaching his third try he’s worried to some degree about the new change. “It’s unfortunate that they’re reducing the amount of students admitted,” he said. “Especially when it’s already a very competitive field.” The department chair, however has offered various suggestions for those who originally planned to apply for the upcoming fall semester. “If you really want to get into this program and your GPA isn’t as high as it should be, use your time wisely or find something else you might want to do,” she said. “Many students in the BSN program graduate with minors. Or end up doing something completely different.”
Students receive award letters, make financial decisions By Belinda Munoz The Pan American Despite the emotional rollercoaster this year’s legislative session has caused for students, faculty and public education in general, UTPA students can still expect to receive TEXAS and Pell Grants for the 2011-2012 school year. With the new fall semester beginning Aug. 29, award letters have already started to go out to students. The effects of this year’s cuts to public education, which totaled around $4 billion, have created a mixed bag of emotions for students who have begun to worry about how they will pay for tuition and other expenses. For students like Frances Saldivar, a senior pursuing her degree in biology, how she will maintain her college lifestyle is still unknown. As a recipient of the TEXAS Grant for the past three years, Saldivar was disappointed to receive a letter stating that she was offered about $2,000 less. While the TEXAS Grant provides enough to cover her tuition, Saldivar
must also pay for dormitory fees and is conflicted on whether to instead accept an offer for a federal subsidized loan in place of the grant, as it would ultimately offer her more money. “I received my award letter in the mail about a week ago,” Saldivar said. “The award letter informed me that I was going to be receiving less in TEXAS Grant money this academic year. I am grateful that I have enough to pay for my designated university tuition this academic year, but will most likely have to end up taking loans to pay for my on-campus dormitory.” In an effort to balance her losses, Saldivar has applied for work-study. While she anxiously awaits the decision, Salvidar cringes at the thought of having to take out a subsidized loan, should her work-study position not be awarded. Ideally, Saldivar hopes that being granted work-study will allow her to have a flexible job to provide enough money to avoid incurring more debt. “Right now I’m hoping that my request for work-study will be approved,
but as many other students agree, it’s not a sure thing,” Salvidar explained. “I’m also using loans as a backup plan. It’s a big letdown because I was hoping I’d graduate without being in debt - especially before graduate school, which brings its own financial challenges.” Like Saldivar, Esteban Padilla, a 21-year-old Weslaco native double majoring in chemistry and music, finds that extra costs like paying for room and board cannot be covered by his grants alone. However, Padilla believes that the idea of accepting loans is simply more convenient for his lifestyle at this time. “I received my award letter for the 2011-2012 school year,” he said. “The amount received was pretty much the same, except for a few things different, like I didn’t get offered as much for loans and I got offered work-study, even though I told them that I didn’t want it.” Padilla believes it is far better to assume debt during college while maintaining a more flexible school schedule, than to be debt-free but be constantly crunched for time.
“I’m a double major, and it’s really hard to try to fit in work-study with a double major. It’s one thing when you have to work evenings or the weekends, but when you have to work during school time it’s just very complicated to try to fit classes around a school time work schedule… It just doesn’t work when you are taking nine or ten classes,” Padilla said. “I plan on graduating with debt. I don’t mind because here, in loans, the max I’ve taken out is like $3,000 a year, which is nothing compared to some of my friends who go to schools up north where they pull out $10,000 to $15,000 in loans a year.” He is in the process of plotting a course for the next year. “My plan right now is just to make sure that my room and board are covered first, you have to have enough for room and board,” he said. “I’m a little short on classes right now, so I will probably get an emergency loan and try to figure out how to come up with the loose ends in the meantime. But I’m pretty sure what I’m going to have
to do is deny work-study and ask for a little more in loans.” Eduardo Trenado is also worried about how he will pay for extra expenses not covered by his grants. The 23-year-old business senior is from De Leon, Texas. “The amount (in grants) that I got was not what I expected. I was awarded the Pell Grant but I’m missing the TEXAS Grant. I’m not sure if they will give it to me later on or not,” Trenado said. “The Pell Grant will barely pay for my four classes, but without the TEXAS Grant I won’t have money to cover other expenses such as books, room and board. Since I’m not from the Rio Grande Valley, I have to live on campus or apartments somewhere else around campus. This last semester I’m planning to come back to the apartments on campus, but still I need to make sure that I get the TEXAS Grant so I can start planning.” Trenado is still waiting for his TEXAS Grant award to come in, so that he will not need to accept a loan to make up for the difference.
THE PAN AMERICAN
Page 4
August 4, 2011
August 4, 2011
New season brings high hopes for the Broncs
More than a recruiting trip By Michael Saenz The Pan American
CBS columnist Jeff Goodman follows Coach Ryan Marks during three-day trip
A recruiting trail that led UTPA men’s basketball coach Ryan Marks from Indianapolis to Chicago to Milwaukee, then back to Chicago and finally to St. Louis, was planned just like every other year. However this time would definitely be much different. An idea that was sprung on by one of the great minds of the sports world, Jeff Goodman to his CBS bosses would find Marks in the middle of a national experiment. Goodman, a college basketball columnist for CBS Sports who came aboard from Fox Sports in June, pitched the “recruiting trail” idea to executives. As he writes in his blog, he was new at the network and wanted to impress new bosses, so he basically suggested that two blogging journalists follow two Division I basketball coaches during a recruiting trial in early July. One high-major and one low-major coach and the experiment would be called “the highs and lows of summer recruiting.” Goodman’s CBS colleague Gary Parrish was paired up with Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, while as Goodman writes, “I took one for the team” and found himself traveling with Bronc coach Marks. The project was reported nationally on Goodman’s Twitter account (@ GoodmanCBS) and on his daily blog at CBS Sports, and so UTPA was right in the thick of sports news for a week. Who would’ve known that Michigan State and UTPA basketball would ever be used in the same sentence, covered by well-known college basketball experts. During the last ten years Michigan State has averaged more than twenty victories
a season under Tom Izzo. Also, he stands as the winningest coach in school history. On the other hand, last year UTPA only managed to win six games. But this was more than just an experiment. It would bring light into the unknown territory of the love that college basketball coaches have for the game, no matter the circumstances. “Jeff followed me the first three or four days of the period. We were in Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and St. Louis. We always started and ended the day together and obviously we traveled together,” said Marks, entering his third season in Edinburg. “Over the course of the day he was with me about fifty to seventy-five percent of the time.” As Goodman writes in his blog: “I spent two nights on the pull-out couch of Marks’ mother in her downtown Chicago condo, where she honestly treated me like her son.” It was apparent that this would be an eye opener. While Goodman’s colleague Parrish was flying in private planes and watching top-tier talent at the Lebron James Camp, Goodman would be waking up early to watch some low-level Division I prospects try and impress. As the trip continued it was apparent that recruiting for Michigan State is very different than doing so for UT-Pan American. “I believe that Jeff found out how much more difficult the process of recruiting in July is for a school like ours as opposed to the biggest name schools,” Marks said. “For us, we are constantly trying to find new prospects, while the bigger schools have a pretty good idea of what players are coming their way. A couple of times I remember Jeff telling me that it is hard to decipher what guys would be your level.”
Tweets from the road
As the threeday experiment began to come to an end, Goodman at the very least had gained the understanding of what it is like for a Division I coach on the recruiting trail with a small budget. Of course most of the high profile universities such as Michigan State, North Carolina, and Texas don’t have an unlimited budget for the recruiting trips. As for Marks, well there is a budget but a small one. No private planes, luxurious hotel stays, or fancy dining. But one thing that keeps Marks and other low level Division I coaches going is the love for the game. Goodman noted in his blog that Marks never complained once. “That is Hector J. Garcia/THE PAN AMERICAN life,” Marks said. “I understand.” TRAVELING MAN - Coach Ryan Marks’ love of the game Marks had fun is apparent in his cross country recruiting trips. He with the exposure. was recently followed by CBS columnist Jeff Goodman From tweeting for a story chronicling the highs and lows of summer pictures from his recruiting. Twitter account (@ CoachRyanMarks) Marks will continue to work on of the duo together at several recruiting recruiting and on the upcoming basketball stops, to teasing each other about foot attire season, while Goodman of CBS will go on (mainly about Marks’ sandals). It was evident back to covering big-time college basketball that the national experiment was a success. names such as Rick Barnes, Roy Williams, The public was able to see inside the life of and Mike Krzyzewski. But the time that a low-profile head coach on the hunt for brought two polar opposites came together players, with the highs and lows of summer for those three days will be embedded in their shopping very well evident. hearts forever. As the two parted ways in St Louis, As Goodman concludes in his blog, Marks had another slate of recruiting stops he had mixed emotions when it was time scheduled starting in just a few days. to leave. “On July 22 we traveled to Las Vegas for “It’s almost like breaking up with a four days, then over to Phoenix and finally girlfriend - except that Marks and I will ended in LA. It was another crazy stretch definitely stay in constant contact after this of ten days,” Marks explained. “Later, in separation,” he wrote. September we can start having home visits Simply put, he ended his final blog and bring in players for campus visits. The post with the headline, “2011 Recruiting early signing period begins in November Trip: Not a Single Regret” with small but and we hope that this whole recruiting trail significant praise. will bring in two or three athletes to sign in “…and that I’ve lived the life of one of November.” the best coaches in America.”
to opponents outside the United States. As part of a foreign cultural experience during the spring break of 2009, several UTPA volleyball players from that team traveled to Italy to compete against local teams. “Two years ago the girls traveled to Italy, so that was really special,” said Bronc defensive specialist Perez . “I’ve never played a team from Mexico, so that’s going to be something different for me.” A few more notable games on the schedule include Texas A&M Corpus Christi and conference rivals Houston Baptist and Utah Valley. Since it’s his first time as a college head coach, Yale learned ‘on the fly,’ as he called it, and leaned on Hubbard for guidance. “I’ve known her for quite a few years. She’s actually helped me in the learning process,” Yale said. Yale brings a different attitude to Edinburg, and a fresh coaching style, which goes along with the recent rebranding of UTPA Athletics. “(Yale) is quick on helping and he’s easy to talk to,” Perez said. “ He’s a very calm coach and has a lot more patience with girls. He’ll come and talk to you individually.” In the past, Yale allowed his players to correct
By Alejandro Pena The Pan American There’s one thing that is sure to stand out when the UTPA volleyball team takes the home floor for the first time this season on Sept. 6. That noticeable entity will be something innovative and fresh, but there’s a couple actually, aside from the home opener being against the Big 12 Conference’s Texas Tech University. The most important of which is the Broncs new head coach Brian Yale, who in January became the fifth head coach in UTPA volleyball history. Yale, a 36-year-old native of Eden, NY, succeeded former Bronc coach Angela Hubbard who was promoted to the school’s Associate Athletic Director for Student Services and the Senior Woman Administrator. Yale spent the last six seasons as an assistant at Stephen F. Austin, where the Lady Lumberjacks amassed a 142-59 record during his tenure, which included a 62-game conference-winning streak. He also coached at Genoa High in Ohio, posting a 121-51 record, but UTPA is his first college head-coaching gig. “It was something where it was the right time and opportunity for me,” Yale said about coaching the Broncs. “I feel like my past experience has prepared me very well, and I’m happy to be here at the university.” The first-year head coach has his work cut out for him with a roster lacking senior experience.
Ijanae Holman, Maria Kliefoth, Sarah Davis, Kristi Garcia and Krissy Perez are the only returning players from last year’s team, and are complimented by six incoming freshman and one junior transfer from Hawaii. One of those incoming freshman is San Antonio-native Diara Reynolds. “It’s different (than high school) because your goals are a lot higher,” Reynolds said of playing college ball as a freshman. “It’s faster too, but I’m looking forward to the first game of the season. “That shows where we are as a team.” That first game is Aug. 26 against Sam Houston during the Sam Houston Tournament. The Broncs have not won a season opener since 2004 and a home opener since 2008. They’ll have the Baylor tournament six days later before they welcome Texas Tech to the Rio Grande Valley. After the Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Rob Morris tournaments, fast-forward the schedule a few days to Sept. 20, where the Broncs will host an uncommon face from, la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), or the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, in Spanish. Booking the game against one of Mexico’s volleyball powerhouses was not an easy thing. In fact, the opportunity happened somewhat out of the blue. “Playing (UANL) was an opportunity that came up late, and we took it,” Yale said. “It’s going to be new and exciting for us because of those schools that don’t normally come (to the U.S). It was a challenge, but we’ll give them a run for their money.” It won’t be the first time the school is exposed
(Yale) is quick on helping and he’s easy to talk to, he’s a very calm coach and has a lot more patience with girls. He’ll come and talk to you individually. - Krissy Perez
themselves during practice, and will not be changing his technique when his Broncs hold the first team practice on August 9. “ I am the same way I was as an assistant, as a player, and coaching high school,” said the Bowling Green State University alum. “I’m not a yeller and screamer, I let the girls make mistakes and let them learn from them.” Yale hopes his control-oriented volleyball philosophy fills the seats at the Fieldhouse. “I am a ball-control defensive-style type of coach. We want to frustrate our opponent and keep the ball off the floor from the other team, but we want to score fast, easy points,” Yale said. “I stress exciting volleyball that will bring more fans into the stands.” UTPA opens its 10-game Great West Conference schedule that begins at Chicago State on Sept. 29, and ends at Houston Baptist on Nov. 12, before the GWC tournament. After a 9-22 overall record last year with a 4-8-conference record, Yale knows there’s a lot of work to be done. “ I know the history of the program, and there really is no way to go but up,” he finished.
THE PAN AMERICAN
Page 4
August 4, 2011
August 4, 2011
New season brings high hopes for the Broncs
More than a recruiting trip By Michael Saenz The Pan American
CBS columnist Jeff Goodman follows Coach Ryan Marks during three-day trip
A recruiting trail that led UTPA men’s basketball coach Ryan Marks from Indianapolis to Chicago to Milwaukee, then back to Chicago and finally to St. Louis, was planned just like every other year. However this time would definitely be much different. An idea that was sprung on by one of the great minds of the sports world, Jeff Goodman to his CBS bosses would find Marks in the middle of a national experiment. Goodman, a college basketball columnist for CBS Sports who came aboard from Fox Sports in June, pitched the “recruiting trail” idea to executives. As he writes in his blog, he was new at the network and wanted to impress new bosses, so he basically suggested that two blogging journalists follow two Division I basketball coaches during a recruiting trial in early July. One high-major and one low-major coach and the experiment would be called “the highs and lows of summer recruiting.” Goodman’s CBS colleague Gary Parrish was paired up with Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo, while as Goodman writes, “I took one for the team” and found himself traveling with Bronc coach Marks. The project was reported nationally on Goodman’s Twitter account (@ GoodmanCBS) and on his daily blog at CBS Sports, and so UTPA was right in the thick of sports news for a week. Who would’ve known that Michigan State and UTPA basketball would ever be used in the same sentence, covered by well-known college basketball experts. During the last ten years Michigan State has averaged more than twenty victories
a season under Tom Izzo. Also, he stands as the winningest coach in school history. On the other hand, last year UTPA only managed to win six games. But this was more than just an experiment. It would bring light into the unknown territory of the love that college basketball coaches have for the game, no matter the circumstances. “Jeff followed me the first three or four days of the period. We were in Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and St. Louis. We always started and ended the day together and obviously we traveled together,” said Marks, entering his third season in Edinburg. “Over the course of the day he was with me about fifty to seventy-five percent of the time.” As Goodman writes in his blog: “I spent two nights on the pull-out couch of Marks’ mother in her downtown Chicago condo, where she honestly treated me like her son.” It was apparent that this would be an eye opener. While Goodman’s colleague Parrish was flying in private planes and watching top-tier talent at the Lebron James Camp, Goodman would be waking up early to watch some low-level Division I prospects try and impress. As the trip continued it was apparent that recruiting for Michigan State is very different than doing so for UT-Pan American. “I believe that Jeff found out how much more difficult the process of recruiting in July is for a school like ours as opposed to the biggest name schools,” Marks said. “For us, we are constantly trying to find new prospects, while the bigger schools have a pretty good idea of what players are coming their way. A couple of times I remember Jeff telling me that it is hard to decipher what guys would be your level.”
Tweets from the road
As the threeday experiment began to come to an end, Goodman at the very least had gained the understanding of what it is like for a Division I coach on the recruiting trail with a small budget. Of course most of the high profile universities such as Michigan State, North Carolina, and Texas don’t have an unlimited budget for the recruiting trips. As for Marks, well there is a budget but a small one. No private planes, luxurious hotel stays, or fancy dining. But one thing that keeps Marks and other low level Division I coaches going is the love for the game. Goodman noted in his blog that Marks never complained once. “That is Hector J. Garcia/THE PAN AMERICAN life,” Marks said. “I understand.” TRAVELING MAN - Coach Ryan Marks’ love of the game Marks had fun is apparent in his cross country recruiting trips. He with the exposure. was recently followed by CBS columnist Jeff Goodman From tweeting for a story chronicling the highs and lows of summer pictures from his recruiting. Twitter account (@ CoachRyanMarks) Marks will continue to work on of the duo together at several recruiting recruiting and on the upcoming basketball stops, to teasing each other about foot attire season, while Goodman of CBS will go on (mainly about Marks’ sandals). It was evident back to covering big-time college basketball that the national experiment was a success. names such as Rick Barnes, Roy Williams, The public was able to see inside the life of and Mike Krzyzewski. But the time that a low-profile head coach on the hunt for brought two polar opposites came together players, with the highs and lows of summer for those three days will be embedded in their shopping very well evident. hearts forever. As the two parted ways in St Louis, As Goodman concludes in his blog, Marks had another slate of recruiting stops he had mixed emotions when it was time scheduled starting in just a few days. to leave. “On July 22 we traveled to Las Vegas for “It’s almost like breaking up with a four days, then over to Phoenix and finally girlfriend - except that Marks and I will ended in LA. It was another crazy stretch definitely stay in constant contact after this of ten days,” Marks explained. “Later, in separation,” he wrote. September we can start having home visits Simply put, he ended his final blog and bring in players for campus visits. The post with the headline, “2011 Recruiting early signing period begins in November Trip: Not a Single Regret” with small but and we hope that this whole recruiting trail significant praise. will bring in two or three athletes to sign in “…and that I’ve lived the life of one of November.” the best coaches in America.”
to opponents outside the United States. As part of a foreign cultural experience during the spring break of 2009, several UTPA volleyball players from that team traveled to Italy to compete against local teams. “Two years ago the girls traveled to Italy, so that was really special,” said Bronc defensive specialist Perez . “I’ve never played a team from Mexico, so that’s going to be something different for me.” A few more notable games on the schedule include Texas A&M Corpus Christi and conference rivals Houston Baptist and Utah Valley. Since it’s his first time as a college head coach, Yale learned ‘on the fly,’ as he called it, and leaned on Hubbard for guidance. “I’ve known her for quite a few years. She’s actually helped me in the learning process,” Yale said. Yale brings a different attitude to Edinburg, and a fresh coaching style, which goes along with the recent rebranding of UTPA Athletics. “(Yale) is quick on helping and he’s easy to talk to,” Perez said. “ He’s a very calm coach and has a lot more patience with girls. He’ll come and talk to you individually.” In the past, Yale allowed his players to correct
By Alejandro Pena The Pan American There’s one thing that is sure to stand out when the UTPA volleyball team takes the home floor for the first time this season on Sept. 6. That noticeable entity will be something innovative and fresh, but there’s a couple actually, aside from the home opener being against the Big 12 Conference’s Texas Tech University. The most important of which is the Broncs new head coach Brian Yale, who in January became the fifth head coach in UTPA volleyball history. Yale, a 36-year-old native of Eden, NY, succeeded former Bronc coach Angela Hubbard who was promoted to the school’s Associate Athletic Director for Student Services and the Senior Woman Administrator. Yale spent the last six seasons as an assistant at Stephen F. Austin, where the Lady Lumberjacks amassed a 142-59 record during his tenure, which included a 62-game conference-winning streak. He also coached at Genoa High in Ohio, posting a 121-51 record, but UTPA is his first college head-coaching gig. “It was something where it was the right time and opportunity for me,” Yale said about coaching the Broncs. “I feel like my past experience has prepared me very well, and I’m happy to be here at the university.” The first-year head coach has his work cut out for him with a roster lacking senior experience.
Ijanae Holman, Maria Kliefoth, Sarah Davis, Kristi Garcia and Krissy Perez are the only returning players from last year’s team, and are complimented by six incoming freshman and one junior transfer from Hawaii. One of those incoming freshman is San Antonio-native Diara Reynolds. “It’s different (than high school) because your goals are a lot higher,” Reynolds said of playing college ball as a freshman. “It’s faster too, but I’m looking forward to the first game of the season. “That shows where we are as a team.” That first game is Aug. 26 against Sam Houston during the Sam Houston Tournament. The Broncs have not won a season opener since 2004 and a home opener since 2008. They’ll have the Baylor tournament six days later before they welcome Texas Tech to the Rio Grande Valley. After the Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Rob Morris tournaments, fast-forward the schedule a few days to Sept. 20, where the Broncs will host an uncommon face from, la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL), or the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, in Spanish. Booking the game against one of Mexico’s volleyball powerhouses was not an easy thing. In fact, the opportunity happened somewhat out of the blue. “Playing (UANL) was an opportunity that came up late, and we took it,” Yale said. “It’s going to be new and exciting for us because of those schools that don’t normally come (to the U.S). It was a challenge, but we’ll give them a run for their money.” It won’t be the first time the school is exposed
(Yale) is quick on helping and he’s easy to talk to, he’s a very calm coach and has a lot more patience with girls. He’ll come and talk to you individually. - Krissy Perez
themselves during practice, and will not be changing his technique when his Broncs hold the first team practice on August 9. “ I am the same way I was as an assistant, as a player, and coaching high school,” said the Bowling Green State University alum. “I’m not a yeller and screamer, I let the girls make mistakes and let them learn from them.” Yale hopes his control-oriented volleyball philosophy fills the seats at the Fieldhouse. “I am a ball-control defensive-style type of coach. We want to frustrate our opponent and keep the ball off the floor from the other team, but we want to score fast, easy points,” Yale said. “I stress exciting volleyball that will bring more fans into the stands.” UTPA opens its 10-game Great West Conference schedule that begins at Chicago State on Sept. 29, and ends at Houston Baptist on Nov. 12, before the GWC tournament. After a 9-22 overall record last year with a 4-8-conference record, Yale knows there’s a lot of work to be done. “ I know the history of the program, and there really is no way to go but up,” he finished.
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the pan american
August 4, 2011
August 4, 2011
Throw-a-Thon benefits RGV food bank
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The UTPA art department hosted a Throw-a-Thon July 30 to benefit the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank. More than 60 volunteers attended the event. They made ceramic bowls for the food bank’s annual Empty Bowls fundraiser. This year’s event will take place at the Pharr Events Center September 22. Alma E. Hernandez/THE PAN AMERICAN
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THE PAN AMERICAN
Triangle Puzzle
Fill in the grid with the numbers 1 through 46
46 Example:
29
5 4
3 2 1
16
1
August 4, 2011