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Volume 68, No. 29
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June 28, 2012
DREAM deferred Obama, DHS aim to protect undocumented immigrant Pages 4-5 youth, push for reform continues START
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editorial
June 28, 2012
Citizens United two years later Corporations are still free to put their money where their mouths (?) are Nadia Tamez-Robledo Co-Editor-in-Chief One of the most surreal moments of my life occurred just seconds after the Supreme Court announced its opinion in the Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission case on Jan. 21, 2010. I had only been in Washington, D.C., for a few days when my internship supervisor at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press decided to take us on a field trip to Capitol Hill. Politicos and blogs were buzzing that the justices could very well pick that morning to hand down their decision on the controversial case, which threatened to muddy the lines between freedom of speech and political advertising. The very act of the opinion’s delivery seemed almost bizarre to me at the time. As I marveled at the beauty of courtroom, my thoughts were interrupted by a shrill noise akin to the buzzer on a dryer, signaling the justices’ arrival. I was immediately starstruck when the nine bastions of
the country’s highest court filed in and took their seats at the front of the room. As Justice Anthony Kennedy delivered the opinion on the Citizens United case, Justice Clarence Thomas leaned back as far as his chair would allow, seemingly staring at the ornate ceiling. The question at hand was whether the rights of conservative lobbying group Citizens United had been violated when a DC court ruled that it could not run ads for its Hilary Clinton-bashing documentary Hillary: The Movie close to the election dates in 2008. The Federal Election Committee stipulated that to allow the group to do so would go against laws prohibiting political ads from being run 30 to 60 days before an election (depending on the type) and preventing corporations from directly funding ads for or against candidates. Were the commercials protected by freedom of speech or subject to restrictions on political campaign ads? I struggled to understand Kennedy as he referenced the list of previous cases and laws the opinion was about to upset. He quoted the Constitution
and talked about freedom of speech, political speech, and the importance of ensuring that voices in a democracy – including those opposed to the powers that be – be protected against suppression.
he was done talking, corporations and unions had been extended the same freedom of speech rights as everyone in the room. After Justice Paul Stevens read the dissenting opinion,
Conservative
$61,472,659
Conservative
$34,481,040
Conservative
$23,920,035
Liberal
$14,580,589
Conservative
$8,615,841
Source: OpenSecrets.org Super PACs are political action committees that can raise unlmited amounts of money to advocate for or against political candidates. Were these laws applied to individuals, the opinion read, there would be no question that free speech was violated. By the time
the laundry buzzer sounded again and the justices filed out. The courtroom was silent for a moment as everyone looked at those around them, processing
what had just happened. We were ushered out a second later, reporters already heading for their computers in the press area. It wasn’t fully clear how the ruling would come into play, but analysis almost immediately predicted that companies would funnel huge amounts of money into political campaigns. More than two years later, their predictions proved correct. Through “super PACs,” or political action committees, corporations are allowed to put unlimited amounts of money toward getting a candidate elected – or not. The Supreme Court upheld its decision this week when it ruled that Montana’s anti-corruption laws limiting political campaign funding violated free speech. People have written about and debated at length what it means to give corporations a human right like freedom of speech. I’ve listened to both sides, but the decision reached by five of the nine members of the Supreme Court still makes little sense. Yes, a group of people with a common goal like Citizens United has the right to have its voice heard. Absolutely that right should be protected, regardless of whether they are in agreement with the actions of their leaders. But never have I mistaken a major retail chain or any other business for a person. The problem with this way of thinking is that it eliminates people’s voices rather than
strengthening anyone’s freedom of speech (aside from those who decide how companies will donate their money). As a former WalMart employee, I know that managers never once asked my opinion about anything. Why would the corporation ask me, as a part of its organization, how I thought they should spend its money? Why would my views, or that of its stockholders, matter? They don’t. What this Supreme Court decision reinforces is a sad truth that people the world over know: even in a democracy, money drives influence. While grassroots movements certainly have the power to bend the ear of their representatives, it’s much easier for groups who have the ability to send millions of dollars into the campaign system. The final paragraph of the original Citizens United opinion says, “Citizens must be free to use new forms, and new forums, for the expression of ideas.” Corporations – whomever that is – will certainly be free to do that. Without the ability to vote yet, they’ll most certainly be doing so with their checkbooks. When I got home after my first Supreme Court visit, my roommates had already gathered in the kitchen to discuss the decision. My friend Libby, visibly upset, summed it up in a way I’ll never forget. “Making corporations people,” she said, “that’s just evil.”
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THE PAN AMERICAN
June 28, 2012
DREAM deferred: Obama,DHS aim to protect undocumented youth By Karen Antonacci The Pan American Almost two weeks after President Barack Obama’s announcement about the new Homeland Security policy protecting undocumented youth, the dust has settled and UTPA students are figuring out what it means for them. The new DHS policy will benefit young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country before the age of 16 and have no serious criminal record, among other qualifications. These immigrants will be able to apply for deferred action, which means that DHS will not deport them, and that they can also apply for renewable two-year work permits. UTPA President Robert Nelsen told The Monitor June 15 that approximately 600 of the University’s 19,034 students would be eligible to apply for this new status. For those students, Obama’s announcement might mean a chance to work and travel, where there had been none previously. Psychology major Lisa Menchaca’s husband is an undocumented immigrant. She said that if he were granted work authorization, it would bolster their small family’s income. “It would mean a lot, especially because of our daughter. It’s very hard for him to find work,” said Menchaca, a 20-year-old senior. “It’s very difficult. We’re fortunate to have family members that will
give him work, but it’s hard labor. Not something you want to do forever.” The opportunity to find employment outside of working with relatives also affects Rodrigo Garcia, a 24-year-old undocumented UTPA graduate. “I’ve been working with my parents, doing odd jobs,” said Garcia, who holds degrees in political science and sociology, as well a certificate as a computer technician. Garcia admits that he wanted to go to UT-Austin for law school but was not sure he could have made it past the checkpoint in Falfurrias. “It would be nice to be able to do so in a legal manner,” he said.
as children and served either two years in the military or attended college. The DREAM Act was first proposed in 2001 but has never passed the Senate. Proponents of the DREAM Act expressed fears that the new policy would decrease the urgency for immigration reform.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES Critics on all sides soon took issue with the new policy and the method that Obama used to implement it. One sticking point is that the deferred action status is conferred on a case-by-case basis, rather than as a blanket grant to all of those that qualify. “DHS cannot provide any assurance that (deferred action) requests will be granted,” went a DHS press release, adding that the policy does not guarantee any “substantive” or basic rights. Some pointed out that the policy seemed like a watered down, temporary version of the oft-debated DREAM Act, which would have granted permanent residency to undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S.
“We thought it was a giant step in the right direction, but when we heard, we said, ‘OK, this is not a path to citizenship and it carries a lot of restrictions,’” said graduate student Candido Renteria, incoming president of the UTPA Minority Affairs Council. To receive deferred action under the policy, undocumented immigrants must also be under the age of 30 and prove they’ve been in the U.S. continuously for the past five years. The one exception is what the DHS referred to as, “brief
and innocent absences undertaken for humanitarian purposes.” It is unclear whether this includes crossing the border for a day or two to visit family. Politicians on the right criticized the policy implementation because it bypassed Congress with an executive power called
“Congress is going to need to do something and in the absence of them doing something he’s basically saying, ‘this is what I’m going to do.’” - Jimmy Gleason Political science professor
%
prosecutorial discretion. Prosecutorial discretion is used by various law enforcement agencies and means that the agency or an individual officer can decide whether to pursue a case against a person. This is certainly not the first time prosecutorial discretion was used in immigration enforcement. In June of last year, John Morton, director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, issued a memo
telling staff to consider factors such as ties to the community and the existence of U.S.-citizen family members when deciding whether to prosecute undocumented immigrants. In August 2011, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said she would be willing to reevaluate undocumented immigrants’ cases that met the DREAM Act requirements on a case-by-case basis. Also under scrutiny is the timing and fanfare of Obama’s announcement, with accusations that he is trying to secure the Hispanic vote five months before the election. According to the Pew Research Center, 67 percent of voting Hispanics cast their ballot for Obama in 2008, as opposed to the 31 percent that chose John McCain. UTPA political science Professor Jimmy Gleason said he believes the new policy’s benefit for the Obama administration may be that it forces the issue with Congress. “On one level, it’s politically expedient. On another, he’s trying to force the hand,” Gleason said. “Congress is going to need to do something, and in the absence of them doing something he’s
Politics, polarized
% Favors Policy
Should’ve gone
through Congress
President took
the right action
basically saying, ‘this is what I’m going to do.’” Elihu, an undocumented UTPA student who asked not to be identified by his full name, is eligible for deferred action under the new policy. He said he was hopeful for the future but remains skeptical about the measure and the motivation behind it. “I think Obama is being observant,” the 21-year-old psychology and sociology double major said. “He hasn’t done much about immigration and he knows that his reputation is at risk in the Hispanic community - in the Latino community. He is the only one - the only nominee for the Democratic side, so it is all in his hands. It leaves a lot of people like me unsure of Obama.” The new DHS policy put Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in a tough position, especially as the Supreme Court threw out three-quarters of the controversial Arizona immigration law Monday. In the Republican debates, Romney called Arizona’s SB1070 “a model” for federal immigration reform. When pressed about Obama’s executive order, Romney said that he would replace it with his own long-term solution, but spoke little about what that might be. During the debates leading up to the Republican primaries, Romney said he was in favor of undocumented immigrants “selfdeporting” with a national system in place to verify the legal status of employees. That part of SB1070 was struck down by the Supreme Court Monday on the grounds that the federal government already made it illegal to hire undocumented immigrants in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Romney also said then, as he does now, that he is in favor of permanent residency for higherlevel students. “I would be willing to staple a green card to graduate degrees,” the former Massachusetts governor told several news outlets, including CNN, during the 19th Republican debate, in January. As of now, there are no application procedures set up by DHS except two phone lines. For those already subject to deportation, there is 1-800-3755283, and for those that have a case pending it’s 1-888-351-4024. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, undocumented immigrants who do not have a case pending or an order for removal should wait about two months and check uscis. gov. Any applications sent early before a process is in place will be rejected.
THE PAN AMERICAN
June 28, 2012
Page 5
Politicians react to the What and How of the policy Barack Obama President of the United States of America
Ruben Hinojosa
In the face of a Congress that refuses to do anything on immigration, I’ve said I’ll take action wherever I can...This is a temporary measure that lets us focus our resources wisely while offering some justice to these young people.
U.S. Representative, Congressional District 15 What this administration has done is a step in the right direction, but it is just the beginning... During a Democratic majority, we in the House of Representatives voted to pass the Dream Act, but unfortunately it was the Senate that halted the American Dream for these children. The wrong must be made right.
Mitt Romney Republican candidate for President For two years, this president had huge majorities in the House and the Senate. He was free to pursue any policy he pleased, but he did nothing to advance a permanent fix for our broken immigration system....I will put in place my own long-term solution.
Marco Rubio
Blake Farenthold U.S Representative, Congressional District 27 This problem needs to be solved but the President needs to come to congress. We have a President, not a king.
U.S. Senator, Florida These are compelling stories, they are people brought here at a young age through no fault of their own, and it touches your heart to hear these stories. And trying to find a reasonable balance that honors our legacy of a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws is not easy...What the President did, it’s ignoring the constitution and ignoring the Congress.
- as told to Soledad O’Brien on CNN
Rick Perry
- as told to Sean Hannity on Fox News
Aaron Peña Texas Representative, District 40 27 Obama’s new policy is the Rubio Plan as best I can tell. The difference is one is temporary by fiat, the other is more permanent. For the Hispanic community, this immigration debate should remind them that it has two suitors vying for their collective affections.
Governor of Texas If you say we should not educate children that have come into our state for no other reason than they had no choice, then you have no heart...President Obama is going around Congress, it’s a really lawless way to do it.
- via Rep. Pena’s Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT
Page 4
THE PAN AMERICAN
June 28, 2012
DREAM deferred: Obama,DHS aim to protect undocumented youth By Karen Antonacci The Pan American Almost two weeks after President Barack Obama’s announcement about the new Homeland Security policy protecting undocumented youth, the dust has settled and UTPA students are figuring out what it means for them. The new DHS policy will benefit young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country before the age of 16 and have no serious criminal record, among other qualifications. These immigrants will be able to apply for deferred action, which means that DHS will not deport them, and that they can also apply for renewable two-year work permits. UTPA President Robert Nelsen told The Monitor June 15 that approximately 600 of the University’s 19,034 students would be eligible to apply for this new status. For those students, Obama’s announcement might mean a chance to work and travel, where there had been none previously. Psychology major Lisa Menchaca’s husband is an undocumented immigrant. She said that if he were granted work authorization, it would bolster their small family’s income. “It would mean a lot, especially because of our daughter. It’s very hard for him to find work,” said Menchaca, a 20-year-old senior. “It’s very difficult. We’re fortunate to have family members that will
give him work, but it’s hard labor. Not something you want to do forever.” The opportunity to find employment outside of working with relatives also affects Rodrigo Garcia, a 24-year-old undocumented UTPA graduate. “I’ve been working with my parents, doing odd jobs,” said Garcia, who holds degrees in political science and sociology, as well a certificate as a computer technician. Garcia admits that he wanted to go to UT-Austin for law school but was not sure he could have made it past the checkpoint in Falfurrias. “It would be nice to be able to do so in a legal manner,” he said.
as children and served either two years in the military or attended college. The DREAM Act was first proposed in 2001 but has never passed the Senate. Proponents of the DREAM Act expressed fears that the new policy would decrease the urgency for immigration reform.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES Critics on all sides soon took issue with the new policy and the method that Obama used to implement it. One sticking point is that the deferred action status is conferred on a case-by-case basis, rather than as a blanket grant to all of those that qualify. “DHS cannot provide any assurance that (deferred action) requests will be granted,” went a DHS press release, adding that the policy does not guarantee any “substantive” or basic rights. Some pointed out that the policy seemed like a watered down, temporary version of the oft-debated DREAM Act, which would have granted permanent residency to undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S.
“We thought it was a giant step in the right direction, but when we heard, we said, ‘OK, this is not a path to citizenship and it carries a lot of restrictions,’” said graduate student Candido Renteria, incoming president of the UTPA Minority Affairs Council. To receive deferred action under the policy, undocumented immigrants must also be under the age of 30 and prove they’ve been in the U.S. continuously for the past five years. The one exception is what the DHS referred to as, “brief
and innocent absences undertaken for humanitarian purposes.” It is unclear whether this includes crossing the border for a day or two to visit family. Politicians on the right criticized the policy implementation because it bypassed Congress with an executive power called
“Congress is going to need to do something and in the absence of them doing something he’s basically saying, ‘this is what I’m going to do.’” - Jimmy Gleason Political science professor
%
prosecutorial discretion. Prosecutorial discretion is used by various law enforcement agencies and means that the agency or an individual officer can decide whether to pursue a case against a person. This is certainly not the first time prosecutorial discretion was used in immigration enforcement. In June of last year, John Morton, director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, issued a memo
telling staff to consider factors such as ties to the community and the existence of U.S.-citizen family members when deciding whether to prosecute undocumented immigrants. In August 2011, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said she would be willing to reevaluate undocumented immigrants’ cases that met the DREAM Act requirements on a case-by-case basis. Also under scrutiny is the timing and fanfare of Obama’s announcement, with accusations that he is trying to secure the Hispanic vote five months before the election. According to the Pew Research Center, 67 percent of voting Hispanics cast their ballot for Obama in 2008, as opposed to the 31 percent that chose John McCain. UTPA political science Professor Jimmy Gleason said he believes the new policy’s benefit for the Obama administration may be that it forces the issue with Congress. “On one level, it’s politically expedient. On another, he’s trying to force the hand,” Gleason said. “Congress is going to need to do something, and in the absence of them doing something he’s
Politics, polarized
% Favors Policy
Should’ve gone
through Congress
President took
the right action
basically saying, ‘this is what I’m going to do.’” Elihu, an undocumented UTPA student who asked not to be identified by his full name, is eligible for deferred action under the new policy. He said he was hopeful for the future but remains skeptical about the measure and the motivation behind it. “I think Obama is being observant,” the 21-year-old psychology and sociology double major said. “He hasn’t done much about immigration and he knows that his reputation is at risk in the Hispanic community - in the Latino community. He is the only one - the only nominee for the Democratic side, so it is all in his hands. It leaves a lot of people like me unsure of Obama.” The new DHS policy put Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in a tough position, especially as the Supreme Court threw out three-quarters of the controversial Arizona immigration law Monday. In the Republican debates, Romney called Arizona’s SB1070 “a model” for federal immigration reform. When pressed about Obama’s executive order, Romney said that he would replace it with his own long-term solution, but spoke little about what that might be. During the debates leading up to the Republican primaries, Romney said he was in favor of undocumented immigrants “selfdeporting” with a national system in place to verify the legal status of employees. That part of SB1070 was struck down by the Supreme Court Monday on the grounds that the federal government already made it illegal to hire undocumented immigrants in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Romney also said then, as he does now, that he is in favor of permanent residency for higherlevel students. “I would be willing to staple a green card to graduate degrees,” the former Massachusetts governor told several news outlets, including CNN, during the 19th Republican debate, in January. As of now, there are no application procedures set up by DHS except two phone lines. For those already subject to deportation, there is 1-800-3755283, and for those that have a case pending it’s 1-888-351-4024. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, undocumented immigrants who do not have a case pending or an order for removal should wait about two months and check uscis. gov. Any applications sent early before a process is in place will be rejected.
THE PAN AMERICAN
June 28, 2012
Page 5
Politicians react to the What and How of the policy Barack Obama President of the United States of America
Ruben Hinojosa
In the face of a Congress that refuses to do anything on immigration, I’ve said I’ll take action wherever I can...This is a temporary measure that lets us focus our resources wisely while offering some justice to these young people.
U.S. Representative, Congressional District 15 What this administration has done is a step in the right direction, but it is just the beginning... During a Democratic majority, we in the House of Representatives voted to pass the Dream Act, but unfortunately it was the Senate that halted the American Dream for these children. The wrong must be made right.
Mitt Romney Republican candidate for President For two years, this president had huge majorities in the House and the Senate. He was free to pursue any policy he pleased, but he did nothing to advance a permanent fix for our broken immigration system....I will put in place my own long-term solution.
Marco Rubio
Blake Farenthold U.S Representative, Congressional District 27 This problem needs to be solved but the President needs to come to congress. We have a President, not a king.
U.S. Senator, Florida These are compelling stories, they are people brought here at a young age through no fault of their own, and it touches your heart to hear these stories. And trying to find a reasonable balance that honors our legacy of a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws is not easy...What the President did, it’s ignoring the constitution and ignoring the Congress.
- as told to Soledad O’Brien on CNN
Rick Perry
- as told to Sean Hannity on Fox News
Aaron Peña Texas Representative, District 40 27 Obama’s new policy is the Rubio Plan as best I can tell. The difference is one is temporary by fiat, the other is more permanent. For the Hispanic community, this immigration debate should remind them that it has two suitors vying for their collective affections.
Governor of Texas If you say we should not educate children that have come into our state for no other reason than they had no choice, then you have no heart...President Obama is going around Congress, it’s a really lawless way to do it.
- via Rep. Pena’s Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT
arts & life
June 28, 2012
How three UTPA alumnae beat the odds to open their own business and compete on national TV By Karen Antonacci The Pan American The bartender slams drinks together at Buffalo Wings and Rings Sunday night. Everyone else in the packed restaurant is holding their breath and watching several TV screens to see whether the Valley will claim cupcake victory. Victory on the Food Network show Cupcake Wars would mean a $10,000 prize to RGV Cupcake Factory owners Johanna Saenz and sisters Erica Rodriguez and
Sabrina Rodriguez-Louck. It also means validation for the work they put into getting on the show. RGV Cupcake Factory began as an idea when the trio visited the Valley’s first cupcakery in Harlingen, excited to have a shop closer to home. “I told Erica that we had to go try this place,” Sabrina said. “And we came out of there crying,” Erica interjected loudly, not quite waiting for the end of Sabrina’s thought. Her hands are in the air for emphasis on the next atrocity. “It was like a
-Sabrina Rodriguez-Louck Co-owner; Cupcake Factory
Ruben Gutierrez/The Pan American
(From left) UTPA alumnae Sabrina Rodriguez-Louck, Erica Rodriguez and Johanna Saenz use pastry bags to frost cupcakes June 20 at RGV Cupcake Factory, the business they started together last year. They recently won $10,000 on the TV show Cupcake Wars, which aired Sunday.
bakesale cupcake.” The Rodriguez sisters often speak like this - overlapping each other. Johanna interjects occasionally but seems content to let the siblings - mostly Sabrina do the talking. All are from Donna and graduated from UTPA with degrees in communication disorders. Now, the trio work as speech therapists together. “This was an idea that we had been tossing around for years and years,” Erica said. “We were finally able to just be like, ‘I don’t care what happens, we’re going to do it.’” With their full-time jobs and lacking the capital to hire other employees, the first weeks were not easy. “Sabrina and I would come in the morning and bake for the whole day and then Johanna would come after she got off work and close up,” Erica explained. Eventually, they were able to hire more employees and the trio settled into their roles around the shop - all three
troubleshooting while the sisters dreamed bigger and bigger. ‘She just makes up her own rules’ After two months, Sabrina decided to apply for the popular Food Network program Cupcake Wars, but it was booked up with contestants a full two seasons in advance. Sabrina didn’t care. “The thing about Sabrina is she doesn’t ever follow rules,” Erica explained. “She just makes up her own rules the whole time. So she applies anyway, and they call us back the next day.” ‘You would be ten pounds heavier a lot happier’ Johanna continued to keep shop as the sisters left to go film the show for five days in Los Angeles. It was no cake walk. “We got to the competition and you saw the other teams with iPads, and the California team had all these tools,” Erica remembered, laughing. “There’s a day where they show you your station and tell you to prepare it,” Sabrina added. “We’re there just like, ‘Well, this looks good. We’ve got a fridge and a table.’ But you see the other people like this.” Sabrina jumped up from the table and juked her way around the shop.
The Pan American online exclusive
Man with a mission: Local artist finding success in the music industry
“
I don’t want fast fame. I want to work hard for it.
”
- Homer King
Singer / songwriter
panamericanonline.com
“They were like role playing and saying, ‘OK, if you’re here, then I’m going to be here,’” she imitated as the other two cracked up. Sabrina and Erica slept little and rarely had time to eat. The stress of the five-day filming schedule was starting to wear on them both. When one of the assistants told them an early loss in the show would mean they would be able to relax, the sisters started reconsidering if a win was worth it. “Hollywood really is like a different planet,” Sabrina marveled. “At one point I got so fed up I told one of the people, ‘If you came to the Valley, you would be ten pounds heavier and a lot happier!’” The Valley played a large part for the sisters on the show. “One of the questions on camera was, ‘What would this mean to your store?’” Sabrina said. “And I said, ‘Not just my store, but bringing this title home to the Valley would bring so much positive attention.’” Back in the restaurant, during the viewing party, it seems much of the Valley has come out to support Johanna, Erica and Sabrina. On screen, the Rodriguez sisters have made it past two rounds into the final battle - to make a cupcake display for the Hollywood
Black Film Festival. TV Sabrina stands before the judges while her real-life counterpart watches from the middle of the room. When the announcer says her name, it is inaudible as the room explodes in sound. Sabrina, Erica and Johanna disappear behind cameras as everyone tries to capture their reaction. The Sabrina on screen is saying something about winning but it almost escapes the crowd’s attention under the pandemonium. “..... home to my beautiful Rio Grande Valley,” she finishes as the credits roll. If it’s possible, the crowd goes wilder.
Pecan B
lvd
N 10th St
6
RGV Cupcake Factory
Orange
Ave
RGV Cupcake Factory is located at 1414 North 10th St. in McAllen.
sports
June 28, 2012
7
Newly named UTPA coach Richardson strives to keep successful routines a norm
By Alex E. Peña The Pan American The sun was glaring down on another offseason workout for the UTPA track and field and cross country teams. Three of the team›s girls were present - Deandra Barroso, Kayla De La Peña, and Karla Garza - practicing hurdles drills while weathering the temperature that marked just above 100 degrees. This time, it was under the supervision of newly assigned coach Xavier Richardson, 32, who set up the necessary equipment and watched his girls vault their way past the plastic obstacles. Though it was Richardson’s first official offseason as the Bronc coach, it was a day just like any other day. But Richardson had to take a long pause and think for an answer when asked to backtrack to the instant where he was told his interim tag had been officially removed. As the coach pondered a bit, Barroso and Garza, without skipping a beat, blurted the answer in unison, and it all came back to Richardson. Well, sort of. “It was during the season,
we were still in preparation for a meet during the weekend,” said Richardson, who stated that he likes to keep preparation as routine as possible. “That day was like any other day, we had a meeting and then practiced. It wasn’t a stop, it was a continuation. I wasn’t focused that much on becoming the head coach, I was just focused on getting ready for each competition.” Richardson had been interim head coach since Jan. 17 after the resignation of former coach Dave Hartman, who became an assistant coach at Lamar University of the Southland Conference. The Broncs were fresh off a successful competition at the Bobcat Classic in San Marcos and gearing up for the Great West Conference Outdoor Championships when Richardson received the call from Athletic Director Chris King, telling of his promotion. “The people here at UTPA saw something in me that they wanted to make me the head coach,” said the native of Fredericksburg, Va. “It’s a true honor to be up front of the program.” With the help of first-year
assistant coach Riley Miller and graduate assistant coach Jiovanna Martinez, the school saw 10 student-athletes break into the top-five on the all-time record list in their respective events, including two new records in the indoor women’s 60-meter hurdles and one in the outdoor men’s distance medley relay. Richardson, wearing dark sports glasses, proudly boasted the fact that 18 student-athletes earned a spot on the AD Honor Roll in the spring But Richardson, after spending three cross country seasons and two in track and field as an assistant coach, finally gets his crack at coaching the Broncs. He admits there is no need to deviate from what works. He still commands the same Ruben Gutierrez/The Pan American respect as before, but the promotion does have its UTPA track and field team members (from left) Deandra Barroso, Kayla De La differences. Peña and Karla Garza perform hurdle drills Tuesday. The team has been under the “A lot more paperwork, and it’s more responsibility. I see direction of new head coach Xavier Richardson since Jan. 17. my name on places a lot more,” Richardson joked. “I still my assistants and them helping spill over into 2012-13. season, we did have a conference command the same respect, as me.“ “We just want to continue, championship, we did make head (coach), they know that Like his hurdles drill on a we did have a fantastic season,” some school records, we had my word is law. Now, it’s not hot summer afternoon, he wants Richardson said. “There was the highest point total in so much me looking up, but to keep it simple. Richardson some chaos with the changing competition. But these guys looking down and relying on wants to have this year›s success of the guard (at coach). Indoor show up every day and compete.
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the pan american
June 28, 2012