UTB/UTPA art gallery
Exhibit being displayed until March 12
Page 4
February 26, 2015
Volume 71, No. 20
ONLINE CONTENT
panamericanonline.com
Sports
WAC athletes of the week
Gaming Blog
New Nintendo handheld 3DS XL
YouTube
Women’s basketball sets program records
ONLINE CONTENT utbcollegian.com
SGA Drafts Constitution
Wo m e n’s b a s k e t b a l l m a k e s p r o g r a m h i s t o r y Sarah Carvajal / The Pan American By Marco Torres The Pan American
Students allowed to view documents online
As if winning the most games in program history wasn’t enough, the UTPA women’s basketball team decided to set forth a new home record with their victory over Utah Valley Feb. 21 at the Field House. On Feb. 16 the Broncs
changed program history when they defeated the New Jersey Institute of Technology 54-53 at home, improving their record to 15-11. In this victory UTPA was led by sophomore guard Shante’ Goff who scored 23 points, grabbed six rebounds, two assists, two steals and one blocked shot.
The previous mark for wins in a season was 14, achieved three times starting with the 2004-05 then again in 2008-09 and finally in 2013-14. As for home victories, the record was 10 wins with two teams reaching that goal for two consecutive seasons: 2007-08 and 2008-09. The win over NJIT was No. 11
at the home site. Senior T’Ondria Nolen, who is averaging 4.4 rebounds, four assists and less than two turnovers for the season, expressed how she felt about the run of firsts. “It’s exciting, especially to
be a part of UTPA history,” the biology major said. “Before I came here I didn’t know much about the history and just being a part of UTPA, it’s a blessing and exciting.”
CONTINUES ON PAGE 7
2
opinion
February 26, 2015
The Pan American
thepanamerican@gmail.com 1201 West University, ARHU 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539 Phone: (956) 665-2541 Fax: (956) 665-7122
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Editors-in-Chief: Andrew Vera May Ortega
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FIRING UP FOR FESTIBA
This year’s Festival of International Books and Arts kicks off Monday, March 2 and will end Sunday, March 8. This year’s theme is “Entre Dos Mundos: Uniting Communities Through Arts and Literacy.” As with every year, the variety of events was made possible by UTPA as well as the City of Edinburg and other sponsors and partners. Events will take place across campus with free admission for the community. A full schedule and details can be found at community.utpa.edu/festiba.
CONNECTING WITH THE COLLEGIAN
UTB and UTPA will be coming together as UTRGV in less than half a year, and so are their student-run newspapers. The time to meld with our Brownsville-based counterpart is upon us, so we will be exchanging content both in print and online. This will help provide our Valley-wide community with information from a broader range as well as prepare our staff for the unification. We hope that this relationship will strengthen bonds between both campuses during the remainder of the merging process. Visit UTBCollegian.com to read their stories and check out UTB’s happenings. Sincerely, your friendly neighborhood newspaper.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
thepanamerican@ gmail.com Vol. 71, No. 20
Tweet at and follow us @ThePanAmerican Skipping class to study for another class! #ThatsHowYouCollege #utpa #whateverItsMybday
@UTPA_CareerServices
@Marine4409
-@Nenaa57
I just saw #UTPA police driving around the parking lot talking on the phone . But we get tickets for it . We can never win -@paolalalah
On the road to Austin to play #6 Texas tonight at 6! #broncsbaseball #utpa
-@MattRigby32
@Mrigs32
@Kazonrmz
Alicia Rangel/ The Pan American Dr. Martha A. Cantu (center), vice president for student affairs, and students at UTPA's last Homecoming Parade Feb. 24. Homecoming Week ends Feb. 28 with a tailgate followed by a men’s basketball game against New Mexico State University.
news To gun or not to gun? Senate to review campus carry law for Texas universities By Elsa Cavazos The Pan American The Texas State Legislature prohibits open carry for weapons or firearms under the Texas Penal Code, but that could soon change. According to the Texas Tribune, Gov. Greg Abbott supports allowing citizens to openly carry their handguns in public places, including universities. He said allowing open carry lets Texans exercise their Second Amendment right. After an eight-hour hearing, the Senate State Affairs Committee passed two bills that lifted current bans on having con-
cealed handguns on university campuses. The two are known as Senate Bill 11 and Senate Bill 17; the latter will allow licensed carriers to carry holstered handguns on campuses statewide. Each bill passed with a 7-to-2 vote and will proceed to the Senate. While running for governor in 2014, Abbott proposed colleges opt out of any laws that would permit citizens to openly carry their guns on campuses, but recently changed his view. In a Feb. 17 press conference at the State Capitol he said he would sign any bill that will expand gun rights. State Representative Joe Driver, R-Garland, said open carry laws would let citizens protect themselves and ex-
pand their right to selfdefense while doing so in a responsible way. Freshman Carlos Chavez agrees with the passing of both bills. “I consider it to be a good idea to make it legal to openly carry your handgun in public places because you never know when you might need to use them,” the business major said. “It is good to have a weapon near you just in a case of an emergency. Also, if people know that anyone is allowed to have their handgun with them there would be less robberies and people would think before attacking you.” In the last 20 years, gun violence has decreased drastically. In 1994 there were nearly 1.3 million firearm incidents compared to the less than half a million reported in 2011, according to the National Institute of Justice. UTPA student Ana Valle also agrees that letting citizens and students openly carry guns is the right choice. “I think it is a good idea to
February 26, 2015 be allowed to posses a fully charged weapon and openly carry it because it is believed that people are less likely to assault the possessor rather than someone who does not posses any type of object to protect them,” the pre-med student said. “Looking at it from a point of view of a college student, I would not be agitated by knowing that someone on campus has a gun for their own safety.” In stark contrast to Valle’s opinion of the bills, criminal justice major Zulema Paredes fears chaos might be created from these new laws. “I think it is OK for people to own a gun since protection should be a priority, yet I don’t think openly carrying them is a good idea,” the sophomore said. “It would be too risky considering the shootings that have happened in our country before.” One such shooting was the 1966 case at the University of Texas at Austin when Charles Whitman opened fire on students, faculty and staff, killing 16 people including his wife and mother off-campus. This shooting sits alongside the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting as one of the worst college campus massacres in U.S. his-
tory with a death count of 32. “Since there are a lot of people that have caused attacks because of anger or a random act of rage I think letting people bring in weapons to campuses could cause another tragedy,” Paredes said. “There are many other ways to protect yourself, by owning a taser or carrying a pepper spray and I think that carrying around a gun is unnecessary and too risky.” George Bowe, a professor in criminal justice, considers the bill to be extremely dangerous and a threat to students on college campuses. “I just don’t feel it necessary to have students with firearms in the classroom. I teach sworn police officers and they have training to use their arms only if necessary. I don’t think the average person with a handgun is equipped to diffuse a situation on campus and would probably create a great danger
to bystanders. Even S.W.A.T teams with continuous practice are subject to making mistakes,” said Bowe, who teaches crime in America and courts systems courses. “At my previous employments, I have carried firearms and was even a firearms instructor. With this background, I still do not feel comfortable carrying a firearm in the classroom. It is too dangerous and too many mistakes can be made.” The Senate began its session Jan. 13. If passed SB 11 and SB 17 will allow citizens to openly carry their handguns on Texas university campuses, whether they are against it or not.
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3
Page 4
THE PAN AMERICAN
February 26, 2015
New UTRGV costs praised, opposed by students By Denise Garza The Pan American
UTPA and UTB exchange artwork to show collaboration
For one of the last times, UTPA and the University of Texas at Brownsville are presenting two independent art exhibits before turning into the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the fall. The universities exchanged artwork with each other to show a beginning collaboration between them. The exhibition at both universities is called The Last Hurrah and signifies exactly that. The exhibition opened Jan. 22 in UTPA’s Visual Arts Building. The gallery features 24 different pieces ranging from paintings to mixed media. The featured works are solely from UTB’s Visual Arts Department faculty, which includes Carlos G. Gomez, Stephen Hawksbill, Alejandro Macias, Julian Rodriguez, Patrick Fatica, Noel Palmenez and Felix Trejo. UTPA’s artwork at UTB is being showcased at the Historic Brownsville Museum Jan. 30 through Feb. 28. When walking into The Last Hurrah at UTPA, one can see five cases holding little sculptures scattered throughout the floor. Those pieces, each with their own personality, are called santitos, according
to featured artist Julian Rodriguez, a lecturer at UTB. Santitos are little saints and each of them have different costumes and meaning. The santitos are derived from the Catholic religion and are meant to be interpretations of different saints, often taking on comedic and familiar personalities. One of the santitos is a representation of Saint Theresa, who is known as a doctor of the Catholic Church and flower woman in the 17th century. This saint and sculpture is wearing a habit and holding flowers. In addition to these miniature saints, on the walls hang several kinds of art pieces such as photographs, ceramics and pencil art. Elena Macias, an associate art professor at UTPA and the gallery’s director, talked about how important The Last Hurrah is and what it signifies for UTPA students and faculty. “This exhibit symbolizes the spirit of collaboration and the merging of two institutions in one,” she said. “The idea of an exchange of exhibits between UTPA and UTB was highly welcomed by both institutions.” Macias went on to explain how it feels to be
part of the exhibit and experience the expansion of the department. “It is very special to be involved in the continuous growth and development of our beloved institution, UTPA, soon to be UTRGV,” said Macias, who has been teaching at the University for 14 years. After hearing about the art gallery and merger from an employee at the art department, a UTPA student was also asked how she felt about the merging and the art department expanding. Danielle Hernandez, a UTPA sociology and psychology major, told about what art means to her. “Being an art major means getting to bring out your personality, your voice, getting to be you,” the 22-year-old said. “Even when you get judged, it’s simply opinions on how to increase or unlock some of your potential. Being an art major can also mean making a huge statement on things that are currently happening and need to be addressed. Art influences so many people in every way possible. It’s really a powerful thing.” With the union between the schools happening in just six months, Hernandez explained how
Alejandra Benitez/ The Pan American
Alejandra Benitez/ The Pan American Art pieces featured at UTB and UTPA’s The Last Hurrah art exhibit which opened Jan. 22 and closes Feb. 28. The two universities will officially merge and become UTRGV fall 2015.
she thinks the unification will affect the art department and future exhibits at UTRGV. “The merger will greatly change things, but I think it’ll be a good change,” the former art major said. “(There will be) more art teachers sharing their take on things (as well as) more students wanting
Page 5
THE PAN AMERICAN
Rise in Tuition expected
The road to unity
By Angela Cantu The Pan American
February 26, 2015
to major in art and hopefully more exhibits and art classes opening up.” The UTB art department continues to collaborate with UTPA and members have invited UTPA students to be a part of their new exhibit coming up in a couple of months. In the past, UTB exhibits only featured
works by their own population. This future exhibit will be called Pigmented III: An All Star Juried Student Art Exhibition and is scheduled for May 22 to July 10.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, UTPA and the University of Texas at Brownsville have provided some of the lowest tuition rates in the state for decades. Undergraduate UTPA and UTB students scheduled for 12 to 15 hours per semester have been able do so for around $3,100 in recent years. However, that will change in the fall. The reputation of offering the lowest tuition rates in the University of Texas System may soon be lost, but it could lead to positive change. Last September UTRGV President Guy Bailey organized a task force to address the subject of setting tuition rates for students enrolled in the new university, which officially opens in late August. Bailey assigned UTPA Vice President of Business Affairs Martin Baylor to lead the initiative aimed at designing simple, affordable and transparent tuition plans. The results are five tuition plans that would place a 12hour cap of $3,665 per semester on tuition for undergraduates. The proposal is pending approval from the UT System Board of Regents, whose members are authorized to suggest changes. The confirmation is predicted to arrive this summer. The task force included staff and members of both UTPA and UTB’s Student Government Associations. SGA President Alberto Adame and Angelica Corona, vice president of accounting and finance of UTB’s SGA, were the only students to work alongside Baylor in the effort of designing tuition rates for the new university. The first tuition plan applies to entering freshmen and provides a four-year guarantee fixed rate of $3,665. The other four plans guarantee set prices and are designed for all transferring undergraduates. Students with up to 29 hours earned would qualify for a four-year rate of $3,605 while transfers with 30 to 59 credit hours would be of-
fered a three-year rate of $3,545. Those who have earned 60 to 89 credit hours would qualify for a two-year rate of $3,425 while students with 90 or more hours would get a single-year rate of $3,305. A fixed two-year estimate will be available to graduate students seeking a master’s degree and doctoral students would be offered a set tuition plan of four years, but their costs have not been specified. Of the nine academic institutions that are part of the UT System, UTPA currently has the second lowest undergraduate admission
from August to January. This ensured that Adame and Corona could learn about resources available to the universities and how they are utilized. “The training was just to get up to speed, to understand how the university finances work,” Adame said. Several measures were taken to learn how students feel about the proposed changes. Surveys were conducted and meetings were held at the end of fall 2014. In late October the task force gathered senators from both school’s SGAs to discuss
rate with a 15-credit hour semester running up to $3,157. The University of Texas at San Antonio, on the other hand, offers an undergraduate tuition rate of $4,541 per semester for equivalent credits. As of fall 2015 the University of Texas at El Paso will be the most affordable of all the UT System schools, costing $3,509 per semester. The decision of increasing tuition costs for UTRGV was made after extensive research. Aside from a brief one-day training, constructing a tuition plan required weekly meetings between Baylor and the students
the proposal draft. According to Adame, the senators’ most pressing questions concerned financial aid, which about 79 percent of UTPA and UTB students use to pay for tuition. He assures students that rather than hurting their status, the increased rates would cause a proportional increase in financial aid awarded. “If you are covered by financial aid, you shouldn’t worry about it,” the 20-year old said. “This is good for you.” The proposal was presented Nov. 20 at UTPA’s Student
Union amid uncertainty about the future with UTRGV. According to Adame, since students were not aware of the probable benefits, initial sentiment about the proposal was not positive. One of the discontented was Viviana Silva, a senior biology major who is scheduled to be part of the first graduating Vaquero class in December 2016. “I feel like tuition is already high enough,” Silva said. “I don’t understand why it should increase.” She may be disappointed with the proposal, but Adame is optimistic about the results of the
year was exhausted last semester, forcing the SGA to request more funds and limit student programs. This rise in price is good news for students involved in extracurricular activities, but what truly excites Adame is the prospect of the price cap. Its purpose, Adame explained, is to ensure undergraduate students can take up to 21 hours without increasing the cost of tuition. For most students, taking extra classes is not an option considering that each course at UTPA has an individual cost of about $700. The proposed cap would give students the chance to graduate sooner without having to pay more. Subtract UTPA’s rate from UTRGV’s suggested tuition and the difference is about $4,000 in a span of four years. “If the reason students enroll in only 12 hours is because they don’t have the resources ... this creates an incentive to take more hours if it’s going to cost the same,” he said. In order to know what tuition plan students will qualify for, they will have to calculate the number of hours earned before the fall. Of the five estimates offered, the arrangement available for seniors taking 12 hours is the most affordable. At a one-year rate of $3,305 students with 90 hours or more will pay a difference of $100 to $200 per semester. The UT System Board of Regents will have the chance Alicia Rangel/ The Pan American to make suggestions on the plans proposed by Baylor. The assignment, believing the rise in proposal was to be reviewed this tuition is good news for UTRGV month, but the regents could because it will increase the num- not fit it into their schedules. ber of resources available for Approval of a proposal is exstudents. He said the increase in pected to be announced by the tuition will give the school the summer. funds necessary to provide more “This is something that is goresearch opportunities as well. ing to be beneficial for all of “Pretty much everything that us,’’ Adame said. “We’re going we pay in tuition comes back to get better student services to us, some way or another,” and will be, in general, a better Adame said. university overall.” The hike in prices would increase the amount of money UTRGV has to spend on student organizations. UTPA’s budget for the 2014-2015 academic
Page 4
THE PAN AMERICAN
February 26, 2015
New UTRGV costs praised, opposed by students By Denise Garza The Pan American
UTPA and UTB exchange artwork to show collaboration
For one of the last times, UTPA and the University of Texas at Brownsville are presenting two independent art exhibits before turning into the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the fall. The universities exchanged artwork with each other to show a beginning collaboration between them. The exhibition at both universities is called The Last Hurrah and signifies exactly that. The exhibition opened Jan. 22 in UTPA’s Visual Arts Building. The gallery features 24 different pieces ranging from paintings to mixed media. The featured works are solely from UTB’s Visual Arts Department faculty, which includes Carlos G. Gomez, Stephen Hawksbill, Alejandro Macias, Julian Rodriguez, Patrick Fatica, Noel Palmenez and Felix Trejo. UTPA’s artwork at UTB is being showcased at the Historic Brownsville Museum Jan. 30 through Feb. 28. When walking into The Last Hurrah at UTPA, one can see five cases holding little sculptures scattered throughout the floor. Those pieces, each with their own personality, are called santitos, according
to featured artist Julian Rodriguez, a lecturer at UTB. Santitos are little saints and each of them have different costumes and meaning. The santitos are derived from the Catholic religion and are meant to be interpretations of different saints, often taking on comedic and familiar personalities. One of the santitos is a representation of Saint Theresa, who is known as a doctor of the Catholic Church and flower woman in the 17th century. This saint and sculpture is wearing a habit and holding flowers. In addition to these miniature saints, on the walls hang several kinds of art pieces such as photographs, ceramics and pencil art. Elena Macias, an associate art professor at UTPA and the gallery’s director, talked about how important The Last Hurrah is and what it signifies for UTPA students and faculty. “This exhibit symbolizes the spirit of collaboration and the merging of two institutions in one,” she said. “The idea of an exchange of exhibits between UTPA and UTB was highly welcomed by both institutions.” Macias went on to explain how it feels to be
part of the exhibit and experience the expansion of the department. “It is very special to be involved in the continuous growth and development of our beloved institution, UTPA, soon to be UTRGV,” said Macias, who has been teaching at the University for 14 years. After hearing about the art gallery and merger from an employee at the art department, a UTPA student was also asked how she felt about the merging and the art department expanding. Danielle Hernandez, a UTPA sociology and psychology major, told about what art means to her. “Being an art major means getting to bring out your personality, your voice, getting to be you,” the 22-year-old said. “Even when you get judged, it’s simply opinions on how to increase or unlock some of your potential. Being an art major can also mean making a huge statement on things that are currently happening and need to be addressed. Art influences so many people in every way possible. It’s really a powerful thing.” With the union between the schools happening in just six months, Hernandez explained how
Alejandra Benitez/ The Pan American
Alejandra Benitez/ The Pan American Art pieces featured at UTB and UTPA’s The Last Hurrah art exhibit which opened Jan. 22 and closes Feb. 28. The two universities will officially merge and become UTRGV fall 2015.
she thinks the unification will affect the art department and future exhibits at UTRGV. “The merger will greatly change things, but I think it’ll be a good change,” the former art major said. “(There will be) more art teachers sharing their take on things (as well as) more students wanting
Page 5
THE PAN AMERICAN
Rise in Tuition expected
The road to unity
By Angela Cantu The Pan American
February 26, 2015
to major in art and hopefully more exhibits and art classes opening up.” The UTB art department continues to collaborate with UTPA and members have invited UTPA students to be a part of their new exhibit coming up in a couple of months. In the past, UTB exhibits only featured
works by their own population. This future exhibit will be called Pigmented III: An All Star Juried Student Art Exhibition and is scheduled for May 22 to July 10.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, UTPA and the University of Texas at Brownsville have provided some of the lowest tuition rates in the state for decades. Undergraduate UTPA and UTB students scheduled for 12 to 15 hours per semester have been able do so for around $3,100 in recent years. However, that will change in the fall. The reputation of offering the lowest tuition rates in the University of Texas System may soon be lost, but it could lead to positive change. Last September UTRGV President Guy Bailey organized a task force to address the subject of setting tuition rates for students enrolled in the new university, which officially opens in late August. Bailey assigned UTPA Vice President of Business Affairs Martin Baylor to lead the initiative aimed at designing simple, affordable and transparent tuition plans. The results are five tuition plans that would place a 12hour cap of $3,665 per semester on tuition for undergraduates. The proposal is pending approval from the UT System Board of Regents, whose members are authorized to suggest changes. The confirmation is predicted to arrive this summer. The task force included staff and members of both UTPA and UTB’s Student Government Associations. SGA President Alberto Adame and Angelica Corona, vice president of accounting and finance of UTB’s SGA, were the only students to work alongside Baylor in the effort of designing tuition rates for the new university. The first tuition plan applies to entering freshmen and provides a four-year guarantee fixed rate of $3,665. The other four plans guarantee set prices and are designed for all transferring undergraduates. Students with up to 29 hours earned would qualify for a four-year rate of $3,605 while transfers with 30 to 59 credit hours would be of-
fered a three-year rate of $3,545. Those who have earned 60 to 89 credit hours would qualify for a two-year rate of $3,425 while students with 90 or more hours would get a single-year rate of $3,305. A fixed two-year estimate will be available to graduate students seeking a master’s degree and doctoral students would be offered a set tuition plan of four years, but their costs have not been specified. Of the nine academic institutions that are part of the UT System, UTPA currently has the second lowest undergraduate admission
from August to January. This ensured that Adame and Corona could learn about resources available to the universities and how they are utilized. “The training was just to get up to speed, to understand how the university finances work,” Adame said. Several measures were taken to learn how students feel about the proposed changes. Surveys were conducted and meetings were held at the end of fall 2014. In late October the task force gathered senators from both school’s SGAs to discuss
rate with a 15-credit hour semester running up to $3,157. The University of Texas at San Antonio, on the other hand, offers an undergraduate tuition rate of $4,541 per semester for equivalent credits. As of fall 2015 the University of Texas at El Paso will be the most affordable of all the UT System schools, costing $3,509 per semester. The decision of increasing tuition costs for UTRGV was made after extensive research. Aside from a brief one-day training, constructing a tuition plan required weekly meetings between Baylor and the students
the proposal draft. According to Adame, the senators’ most pressing questions concerned financial aid, which about 79 percent of UTPA and UTB students use to pay for tuition. He assures students that rather than hurting their status, the increased rates would cause a proportional increase in financial aid awarded. “If you are covered by financial aid, you shouldn’t worry about it,” the 20-year old said. “This is good for you.” The proposal was presented Nov. 20 at UTPA’s Student
Union amid uncertainty about the future with UTRGV. According to Adame, since students were not aware of the probable benefits, initial sentiment about the proposal was not positive. One of the discontented was Viviana Silva, a senior biology major who is scheduled to be part of the first graduating Vaquero class in December 2016. “I feel like tuition is already high enough,” Silva said. “I don’t understand why it should increase.” She may be disappointed with the proposal, but Adame is optimistic about the results of the
year was exhausted last semester, forcing the SGA to request more funds and limit student programs. This rise in price is good news for students involved in extracurricular activities, but what truly excites Adame is the prospect of the price cap. Its purpose, Adame explained, is to ensure undergraduate students can take up to 21 hours without increasing the cost of tuition. For most students, taking extra classes is not an option considering that each course at UTPA has an individual cost of about $700. The proposed cap would give students the chance to graduate sooner without having to pay more. Subtract UTPA’s rate from UTRGV’s suggested tuition and the difference is about $4,000 in a span of four years. “If the reason students enroll in only 12 hours is because they don’t have the resources ... this creates an incentive to take more hours if it’s going to cost the same,” he said. In order to know what tuition plan students will qualify for, they will have to calculate the number of hours earned before the fall. Of the five estimates offered, the arrangement available for seniors taking 12 hours is the most affordable. At a one-year rate of $3,305 students with 90 hours or more will pay a difference of $100 to $200 per semester. The UT System Board of Regents will have the chance Alicia Rangel/ The Pan American to make suggestions on the plans proposed by Baylor. The assignment, believing the rise in proposal was to be reviewed this tuition is good news for UTRGV month, but the regents could because it will increase the num- not fit it into their schedules. ber of resources available for Approval of a proposal is exstudents. He said the increase in pected to be announced by the tuition will give the school the summer. funds necessary to provide more “This is something that is goresearch opportunities as well. ing to be beneficial for all of “Pretty much everything that us,’’ Adame said. “We’re going we pay in tuition comes back to get better student services to us, some way or another,” and will be, in general, a better Adame said. university overall.” The hike in prices would increase the amount of money UTRGV has to spend on student organizations. UTPA’s budget for the 2014-2015 academic
February 26, 2015
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Page 6
The University of Texas-Pan American
An Evening with
AMERICA FERRERA Emmy Award-Winning Actress and Activist
Thursday, March 5, 2015 UTPA Fieldhouse, 7:30 p.m.
America Ferrera is best known for her fearless portrayal of “Betty Suarez” on the hit comedy “Ugly Betty.” This breakthrough role earned her many accolades including an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award. One of Hollywood’s most vibrant young talents, Ferrera was featured on the PBS series “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.” Shot in 10 underprivileged countries, the series focused on women and girls living under some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable — and fighting bravely to change them. Ferrera also joined Voto Latino, the leading non-partisan national youth empowerment organization, for “America4America,” a grassroots and online campaign that discussed issues related to voter ID laws, education, and immigration. Doors will open at 7 p.m. for UTPA students, faculty and staff with a valid UTPA ID, and at 7:20 p.m. for the general public.
FREE ADMISSION. SEATING IS LIMITED. View the program live at www.utpa.edu/live. For more information or if special accommodations are needed, call (956) 665-7989.
sports
February 26, 2015
7
Baseball perfect during Al Ogletree Classic By Nathaniel Mata The Pan American
Bronc cleats stepped between the white lines of the Edinburg Baseball Stadium for their first home series against Abilene Christian University Feb. 20-22 and the team triumphed in all three games. The Broncs had won their last two games of four at the Jackson State Tournament while Abilene Christian came to Edinburg with a winless record. This year’s Al Ogletree Classic was the 11th annual installment of the competition, named after the former UTPA head baseball coach. Ogletree was the Broncs’ head coach for 29 years (1968-97) and is a member of the RGV Hall of Fame, UTPA Hall of Fame and Texas Sports Hall of Fame. KEEPING THEIR COOL While it was easy for the team to get excited for the first set of home games, Head Coach Manny Mantrana reminded his guys during pre-game that stay-
ing even-keeled was crucial. “(Staying calm) was one of the points (the coaching staff) addressed,” said Mantrana, who is in his sixth year as head coach. “You have to be calm. And it’s tough, it’s actually tougher here (playing the) opening game with the fans and the cheering. It’s very easy to lose your adrenaline and make it work against you.” Game One Feb. 20 was tied in a pitching duel in the early innings. Both teams had one run apiece until the sixth when UTPA’s converted outfielder Logan Landon broke the deadlock with a home run to put the Broncs ahead for good. Landon’s two-run homer that proved to provide the winning runs and enough support for the pitchers as the final score was 3-1. He enjoyed a fine weekend at the plate, going 6 for 10 with four extra-base hits and two RBI, earning him WAC Player of the Week honors on Feb. 23. Landon stressed the importance of winning the first game for team momentum and the confidence to keep moving for-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Goff won the NJIT game by hitting a shot off the board and drawing a foul in the process. The shot tied the game and the free throw gave the Broncs the lead with 20 seconds left. A missed layup by the Highlanders and a rebound by Goff sealed the victory for the home side. The women’s team improved to 11-2 at home and UTPA had two more opportunities to improve both the all-time win and home records. However, the second game of the week Feb. 19, the Broncs faced Grand Canyon University and lost 75-63 at the Field House. Led once again by Goff, who scored 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting, the Broncs shot 41.9 percent as a team. Behind Goff was freshman Hildur Björg Kjartansdóttir, who had her first career double-double by scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. “Coach told us that it is not that we weren’t getting it done but we were just not knocking down shots,” Goff said. “And we definitely didn’t knock down shots, we had some great looks but just couldn’t make a shot.” The Broncs struggled throughout the game as the Antelopes were able to spark a run whenever UTPA got close on the scoreboard. In the second half the ‘Lopes began
ahead by seven points when they pushed the lead to 11, then the Broncs went on a 9-0 run that pulled them within two points. Unfortunately the opponent responded with a 13-5 run and put the Broncs in a hole that they could not dig themselves out of. “Well (GCU) shot the ball about 45 percent, they shot about eight three’s and (UTPA) shot 30 percent. You are not going to win many games shooting 30 percent,” Head Coach Larry Tidwell said. “We got the ball inside where we wanted it, we got the ball on the perimeter where we wanted it. We just need to make shots.” In the Broncs’ final game of the week, UTPA senior Cherrell Price became the hero as she made the game-winning shot against the Utah Valley Wolverines Feb. 21 at the Field House on Senior Day. “I just knew we needed to get a shot off,” said Price, a general studies major. “I was feeling good. I really didn’t know if the ball was going to come to me but I was ready to rebound, actually. But then she (Nolen) passed me the ball and I made the layup.” Price’s buzzer beater officially sets the home win record at 12 as the Broncs prevailed 57-55. She also scored the final 10 points for the Broncs
ward. “It’s always nice to get a win for the home crowd,” the senior from Sioux Falls, S.D said. “The first one always feels really good. It’s tough sometimes to maintain a good hype level. You don’t want to get too high or too low. These last few games we’ve really come into our own.” The home run gave the Broncs a 3-1 lead that was enough for starting pitcher Blake English who pitched eight innings, allowing only one earned run. He also compiled a career-high nine strikeouts before exiting the game after the eighth. The kinesiology major from Del Valle, Texas said he was confident after getting the necessary offense. “After (Landon) hit the home run my mentality was ‘Go out and put up a zero,”’ the junior said. “I went out with the same mentality as the beginning of the game.” YOUNG ARMS CLOSE With senior starting pitcher Alex Henson injured, Man-
over the final nine minutes of the night. She led the Broncs with a career-high 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting and had three rebounds within 21 minutes of action. “We are going to have to move the ball, get touches to everyone and we are going to have to continue to rebound,” Price said. “We are going to have to outwork the other team.” The win now puts the Broncs at 16-12, 8-4 in the Western Athletic Conference, and along with establishing the program record for conference wins in a season the team has now been assured a number two or three seed in the WAC Tournament, which begins March 11 in Las Vegas. “We are going up there to do what we can,” Tidwell said. “Hopefully we can get a postseason bid for either the (Women’s Basketball Invitational) or the (National Invitational Tournament) if we don’t win the (WAC) Tournament. I am not counting out that we can win the tournament, but we can also get knocked out the first round. We have to be consistent and that is something we have not done.” The Broncs’ next game is one of two left on the schedule before playing in the WAC Tournament. UTPA will face New Mexico State, currently leading the WAC with an 11-1 record.
trana gave the ball to a pair of freshmen pitchers in the last two games of the series. Feb. 21 Nikki Rowe alumnus Ryan Jackson made his home collegiate debut. In 6.2 innings, he struck out four batters and allowed only one earned run on four hits. Behind his pitching the Broncs came out as winners 5-3. All of the Broncs’ offense was provided in the third inning. Freshman Manny Loredo, a McAllen Memorial alum, hit a triple to score a run and came in shortly after the ball passed the catcher. Outfielder and Olympia, Wash. native Cole Loncar hit another run-scoring single before a two-run scoring error handed UTPA its five-run cushion. Abilene Christian made a push at the Bronc lead by way of home runs. The Wildcats hit seventh and ninth inning homers, however both were solo shots, minimizing damage. The later innings in the second game were like those of the first for sophomore Business Ad-
ministration major Andrew Padron. He came in for the ninth inning and successfully recorded a save. The 5-3 score was final thanks to his second save of the season. The Broncs went for the sweep in Sunday morning’s finale and tried to push their win streak to five games. Aside from a UTPA RBI-single in the first inning, both offenses took time to heat up. In the top of the seventh inning ACU scored three runners, its highest offensive inning of the weekend. The Broncs erased the deficit in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single by Loncar followed by a run-scoring double play hit by Victor Garcia Jr. Relief pitcher Matt Rigby shut down the Wildcats in the top of the eighth to set the stage for Correy Davis’ go-ahead sacrifice fly ball. His run made the score 4-3. Rigby’s game was done after one out and Padron was handed the ball in the ninth for a third consecutive game. The event was over six pitches after he came in
and the Broncs earned the series sweep. The back end of the bullpen might have found their anchor early in Padron, who is gaining momentum. “I feel confident, especially with the guys behind me,” the 5-foot-11-inch pitcher said. “Our defense is rock solid. I’ve never had a defense that solid before.” Padron pitched 2 2/3 innings over the weekend, throwing four strikeouts and allowing a single run. The Broncs’ next series will take place Feb. 27 at home against Lamar University, first pitch at 7 p.m. Following the three game set with Lamar, UTPA will be road-bound until the start of a three-game series in Edinburg with Arlington Baptist College March 13. NOTE: The Broncs then traveled to Austin to take on the Longhorns Feb. 25 where they lost 5-4.
BOOTCAMP WELLNESS
& REC SPORTS
FEBRUARY 3 - MARCH 12, 2015 TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
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FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
This early AM workout is instructed by our personal training staff and is a way to get into shape quickly! Workouts are suitable and modified for all fitness levels.
PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETE 80% OF CAMP QUALIFY FOR A PRIZE.
stay connected For more information or special accommodations
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