VoL . 103, no. 22
T h E U N I V E R S I T Y O F T E X A S AT E l PA S O
the Spring Break issue
Hitting the open road
March 6, 2018
helpful tips for traveling Pg. 3 Student’s plans for the break Pg. 4
Pg. 5
Staycation in EP Pg. 6 the road to Neon desert Pg. 7 Shows to binge Pg. 8 Basketball seniors say goodbye Pg. 9
PhoTo and deSign by michaela romÁn / The ProSPecTor
o’rourke returns home to cast his primary vote and listen to El Pasoans By miCHaela romÁn anD elenie Gonzalez The Prospector
Early voting has come to an end, with Tuesday, March 6, being the last day to vote in the primary. U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, who is battling Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for his U.S. Senate seat, has yet to take a break from campaigning across every small town and big city within the red state, which has a population of 20 million. Although historically red, Democratic turnout in Texas has topped GOP turnout during 10 days of early voting. Democrats saw an more than 102 percent voting increase as opposed to a Republican 16 percent increase since the midterm primaries in 2016. There were 449,269 Democrat early voters and 402,002 Republican early voters. A crowd of over 100 gathered in downtown El Paso to hear O’Rourke speak at San Jacinto Plaza under the scorching sun on Friday, March 6. He thanked the crowd for their support and spoke briefly on immigration, public education, veterans, health care and border security. “No me importa (It doesn’t matter) if you’re a Democrat or a Republican or an Independent or someone who just doesn’t vote, the fact that you’re here, that you’re in our country, that you’re our state, that you’re in our lives is all that matters to me,”
O’Rourke said. “I’m going to do everything I can to represent you, to serve you, to fight for you.” O’Rourke has been busy driving across the state, visiting all 254 counties to hold town hall meetings. He claims he’s met the “coolest people” around Texas, even in King County, who saw an overwhelming 96 percent of its residents voting for President Donald Trump in 2016. O’Rourke invited his supporters to walk with him to the El Paso County Courthouse and to join him in casting his vote. Dozens followed him as he made his way down Mesa Street and San Antonio Avenue. When asked what concerns he heard from college students across Texas, O’Rourke stressed their main concern is affordable education. “College has to be affordable,” he said. “It’s the only way that people are going to be able to earn a living wage, contribute to their full potential and there’s a public interest in doing that.” Being able to pay more in taxes, write better novels and make better art are societal benefits O’Rourke acknowledges. “No student at UTEP or El Paso Community College should be taking on so much debt that they end up not affording their education, or graduate without the ability to stay in El Paso because they can’t find a job that will allow them to pay the note on the debt and the mortgage and put food on the table and their health bill and
everything else that comes with living life after school,” he said. “I want to make sure that we invest in people who want to better themselves. It’s an investment that pays dividends many times over.” Although it is not confirmed yet exactly how many young voters selected O’Rourke during the early voting period, he acknowledges the strong impact that young voters may in the Democratic turnout.
“I don’t blame students for not having voted in previous elections if no one shows up to listen to them,” he said. “I do think that those younger people, student and non-students alike, have been a big part of the surge in turnout that we’ve seen across Texas. He predicted in El Paso that younger voter numbers are high, but is uncertain on the most recent data. “I think it’s happening in El Paso too, our numbers are up really high in
El Paso,” he said. “I don’t have data on who it is, but I gotta think that a lot of them are young people.” According to Bob Moore, former El Paso Times editor, early voting numbers show that El Paso County had almost 1,000 more voters over age 80 than under age 30, even though El Paso has 80,000 more registered voters under 30 than over 80.
see o’roUrKe on page 3
michaela romÁn/ The ProSPecTor Beto o’rourke talks to his supporters as he walks from his town hall at San Jacinto Plaza to the el Paso county courthouse, where he voted on the last day of early voting, Saturday, march 10.
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PAGE 2 March 6, 2018
OPINION
Editor-in-Chief
Michaela Román, 747-7446
USL soccer has a home in El Paso By Adrian Broaddus The Prospector
Last week, United Soccer League (USL) and MountainStar Sports Group (MSSG) announced that the Division II American Soccer League will find a new home in the Sun City starting in 2019. The news came as a surprise to some, but not to all. The idea of a soccer team coming to El Paso has been in the works since 2014, and MountainStar Sports Group has been proactive on the development ever since. Now this isn’t about some conspiracy master plan from MSSG to bring a soccer team under everyone’s nose, or a plan to displace people with a new stadium downtown in the Duranguito neighborhood. This is about another opportunity for El Paso to grow economically, improve its quality of life and continue the improvement of the city’s overall look. “I’ve seen the impact sports can have on a community,” MSSG President Alan Ledford said. “El Paso is a great example of that. Sports bring communities together.” It’s true, sports do bring communities together. Bringing a USL soccer team to El Paso will continue that, and as Ledford said at the press conference, it will allow outsiders to see what the culture is like in El Paso. Now the big question is, will it work? Can a community like El Paso sustain a club soccer team like this and continue to come out for each game? Based off the area’s demographics and socioeconomic status, yes, this will work, despite what naysayers may say. At the Division II level, this will be the highest level of soccer El Paso’s seen in its history. USL works with Major League Soccer (MLS) and some players even go off from the USL to MLS to play at an even higher level. President of USL Jake Edwards called USL the “Triple-A baseball of soccer,” in terms of level of competition. In the USL, there are currently 33 teams in the U.S. and two international teams. El Paso will join a four-team expansion, along with Austin, Birmingham and Memphis. The team will likely play in a Southwest conference, regularly playing clubs from Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Antonio and Austin. The Sun City team will start its inaugural season in March of 2019 and likely play its first season in Southwest
University Park, sharing the stadium with the Chihuahuas. In the past, El Paso has supported semi-pro teams like the Patriots, who played in the Premier Developmental League from 1989-2013, and more recently the El Paso Coyotes, who are a Major Arena Soccer League club affiliate and have been active since 2016. Although the Coyotes struggle in their respective division, they have good following of fans, who come out for each game at the County Coliseum. It won’t be a surprise when the USL El Paso team comes to the Sun City and its games are sold out, or if the El Paso team reaches among the highest attendance in the league. Edwards said at the introductory press conference that the average attendance is around 6,000, which is a very realistic goal El Paso can reach. When the team arrives in 2019, they will have around 17 home games. No doubt that each of those games will be sold out, or close to selling out. Then comes to mind the novelty of getting a new stadium, which MSSG says could happen within two years. Once a new stadium is built and the team can play home games in its stadium, it will be yet another novelty for the team that will excite local fans. When the novelty wears off, fans will still show up. Even after five years of play, people still come to see the Chihuahuas every game and they still manage to keep it entertaining for locals. Groups don’t even care about the quality of the sport, but come just for the entertainment. With a USL team, the future looks even brighter for El Pasoans in terms of new possibilities. If El Paso can support this venture throughout its time here, there’s even more opportunity for a professional team to make a landing in the city. With a new stadium, it could house more boxing events, more concerts and even a UFC bout, which is something El Paso hasn’t seen the likes of. According to Ledford, the USL club wants to start a soccer academy in El Paso to reach out to the community and unite the local kids in playing club soccer. That will add even more of an incentive to support this team. This USL team is another new beginning for the city and its residents, and I believe fans from Cd. Juárez, Las Cruces and others areas around the region will come out to support this new franchise for years to come.
By Jake Deven The Prospector
Between homework, a full social calendar and unpredictable El Paso weather, the first half of the spring semester can take a toll on your mind and body. Midterms are driving you crazy and the assignments never seem to end, but all of a sudden, spring break arrives and you can finally sit back and enjoy yourself. Spring break is the breath of fresh air that every college student looks forward to. It’s a reminder that there’s more to life than the seemingly never-ending stress of school. Some students go all out by planning trips and getting as far away from their responsibilities as possible, but for others, going away isn’t an option. Vacations cost a lot of money and sometimes they don’t live up to the hype. Plus, saving money is what college students are all about, and if you stay home and build up your savings you can go on an even better trip in the summer. If your friends’ idea of vacation is a crazy bender that will leave you exhausted, it’s probably better to stay home anyway, because you have to be able to jump right back into the grind once it’s over. So if you’re taking a staycation, here are some easy tips and tricks to help you unwind: Let’s be real, you probably did not sleep for eight full hours each evening since the semester began. Sleep can positively affect your focus and recall, which you will need come
finals. Maybe you were up completing assignments all semester or simply hanging out with friends. Whatever your reason (or reasons), it’s good to return to a normal sleep schedule during spring break. Indulge in that nap that you have been looking forward to, but also go to bed at a reasonable hour. Although it sounds like a buzzkill, you can make the most of your time by organizing, catching up or getting ahead on school work. This might just be the perfect recipe for a clear head to finish off the semester with vitality. Getting your responsibilities in order is therapeutic, and when have you ever regretted getting ahead on assignments? Unfortunately, many professors often assign work over your muchdeserved break, so you might as well get started. Set aside time to participate in some sort activity that does not involve your television, smartphone, laptop or any other electronic device. LED light and movement of electronic devices can strain your eyes and mind. Turn them off for at least several hours to rejuvenate those muscles. Consider spending time outside (i.e. hiking, biking, running, etc.) or playing a board game with your family or friends. Altering your usual routine, which as students includes hours sitting at a desk and working in front of a computer, is one of the best ways to revitalize your brain. A clean room is key to a clear mind—don’t underestimate how these small changes can make a big difference in your productivity. It’s hard to stay focused when your
notes are unorganized and laundry has piled up on your floor. Now that you don’t have as much on your plate, take the time to organize your plan for the rest of the semester. Learn something new or work on a hobby. You finally have time to sharpen your photoshop skills or read that book that’s been sitting on your shelf all semester. Use spring break as an opportunity to hone your existing skills and develop new ones. The internet is full of online tutorials and advice to help you learn something new. Each unique skill you have makes you stand out in a job, so take this time to diversify yourself as a candidate. Right after spring break, summer seems to quickly approach, which is why you should get to work on some internship and job applications. Finish up the applications you’ve already found, and continue to seek out new ones, you never know what you’ll find this early–your dream job could be waiting. Spring break is meant for you to relax and enjoy yourself. It’s also relatively short, so maximize its days. Whatever your plans are for spring break, it is crucial to devote some time to giving your brain a much needed and deserved reprieve. These are just a few ideas to have a productive spring break. You could also try your hand at volunteering, exercising or just spending more time outdoors. Have a fun week off and enjoy unwinding from the stresses of everyday life. Follow Jake Deven on Twitter @Jakedeven
NOW ON SOUNDCLOUD
Follow Adrian Broaddus on Twitter @adrian_broaddus
The Prospector is committed to the accuracy. If you think we have made an error of fact, email the editor at michaelairoman@gmail.com
STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Michaela Román Web Editor : Christian Vasquez Layout Editor : Alejandra Gonzalez Copy Editor : Adrian Broaddus Spor ts Editor : Jeremy Carranco Enter tainment Editor : Claudia Flores Photo Editor : Gaby Velasquez Multimedia Editor : Rene Delgadillo Staff Repor ters: Mike Flores, Elenie Gonzalez, Daniel Mendez Photographers: Claudia Hernandez, Sergio Muñoz Contributors:Brianna Chavez, Aylin Tafoya, Jake Deven, Paulette Villa, Jason Green
Make use of your free time this break
VOL . 103, no. 22
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Join The Prospector Sports Weekly Podcast featuring UTEP football offensive coordinator Mike Canales to talk about spring ball, which kicked off Monday, talk about the intense quarterback battle they are having, talk about who he is as a coach and what he hopes to bring to the team.
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Letters will be edited for clarity and brevity. Letters over 250 words are subject to editing to fit available space. Please include full name, street address and telephone number and e-mail address, plus major, classification and/or title if applicable. Address and phone number will be used for verification only. Write to 105 E. Union, e-mail theprospectordaily.news@gmail.com, call 747-7477 or fax to 747-8031. The Prospector is published by the Student Media and Publications Board, 105 Union East, 500 W. University Ave. El Paso, Texas, 79968. The Prospector appears in print once per week on Tuesdays during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The newspaper is not printed during holidays and when classes are not in session. The Prospector does provide news online at www.theprospectordaily.com. The Prospector is provided to students through student fees. First copy is free. Any additional copies, if available, must be purchased for $1 through the Department of Student Media and Publications. The Prospector is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. Additional policy information may be obtained by calling The Prospector at 915-747-5161. Opinions expressed in The Prospector are not necessarily those of the university.
ThEPROSPEcTOR
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March 6, 2018
Six ways to stay safe while traveling By THe ProsPeCTor sTaFF The Prospector
If you plan on going out of town for spring break this year, here are a few useful tips. Remember before you take off to tell your friends and relatives where you will be vacationing, when you will depart and when you expect to return.
1
hotel rooms
Avoid picking up bed bugs by checking the bed sheets and the upper and lower seams of the mattress. If you don’t feel sure about how clean your hotel bed is, make sure to ask the hotel management staff to change your sheets.
2
Safe sex
Take some condoms for your friends and yourself while traveling just in case. Do not make risky decisions while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Make sure that every physical encounter is consensual.
3
helpful apps
If you have and your friends have iPhones, you can share your location with each other on “Find My Friends” to see where they are at all times in case someone in the group gets lost or if someone’s phone gets stolen. For Android users, “Familo” is the way to go. Always have the Uber and Lyft apps downloaded on your phone with your card information just in case you quickly need to leave a situation.
4
Plan ahead
Before going out, have a plan that everyone agrees with to avoid any kind of confusion. Be sure everyone knows what places you will be visiting and for how long. If you’re driving long distances, take plenty of breaks and change drivers to avoid a car accident. Always keep your hotel address and phone number available in case of an emergency.
5
While drinking
Lower your risks of being drugged by never losing sight of your drinks. Avoid accepting drinks from people you don’t know. Don’t accept drinks that come from an open can or bottle. When going out, try not to be alone in an unfamiliar place, especially at night. Do not drive if you plan on drinking. PhoTo SPecial To The ProSPecTor
o’roUrKe from page 1 Earlier on Friday, O’Rourke held a general town hall at El Paso High School, his alma mater, in which community members, veterans and students asked him questions on a wide range of topics.
i don’t blame students for not showing up in previous elections if no one shows up to listen to them.
- Beto O’Rourke, U.S. Senate candidate
O’Rourke, who never shies away from storytelling, talked about being in the same seats the students sat in. He talked about being a “nerd” who dived into books, records and computers. He told the story about being turned onto punk rock music and attending shows at Campus Queen, a venue that no longer exists on Cincinnati Street. Then he talked about touring with his band, which included current At The Drive-In members. “In the five years I have been a member of Congress, we have had precisely zero debates on the issue of gun safety and gun violence in America today,” O’Rourke told the
room. “I would love for El Paso and this state to lead the way on sensible gun safety reform.” O’Rourke’s team will hold his watch party at the Brass Monkey on Tuesday, March 6, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., he will speak at the watch party via live stream. On Saturday, March 10, El Paso local artists Great Shapes, The Swell Kids, Dulce Mal and Brandon Bailey Johnson will play a show at the Lowbrow Palace to support O’Rourke. The show starts at 8 p.m. and there is a minimum donation of $5. Visit betofortexas.com for more information. Follow elenie Gonzalez on Twitter at @eleniegonz and michaela román at @michaelaroman_
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BroWN BAG LUNCh SEriES rEtUrNS
Protect belongings
Don’t carry all of your money around with you. Try not to leave your backpacks, purses and other belongings out of your sight. In your hotel, make use of the safe or anywhere you can lock your belongings. If you are being robbed, do not resist. If you’re traveling abroad, make sure to always know where your passport is.
6
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toBy MAC CoNCErt
St. PAddy’S FESt 2018
JENNy ANd thE MExiCAtS CoNCErt
THEPROSPECTOR
| 4 | NEWS
March 6, 2018
question of the week
Is spring break for partying, catching up on life or doing nothing? claudia hernandez, sergio muñoz / The Prospector
Alexia Nava
Claudia Chavarria
Freshman multimedia journalism major
Senior political science major
“All of the above. It is a time of rest. Some of us like to do nothing, some of us like to catch up on life, taking time off from school and some people just like to party.”
“Catching up on life because friends that are out of town come that week so you are able to go out with them. Sleep because you are able to rest.”
Karina Garcia
Marissa Velasquez
“Doing nothing, especially sleeping. Because personally if I spend hours doing homework during the night, I can’t do anything during the day.”
“It just depends. I think you can have fun, catch up on life and by doing nothing. Honestly, it can be combinations.”
Junior biology major
Senior social work major
David Casiano
Sophomore digital media production major
Joel Estrada
Jorge Javier
Sophomore communication studies major
Freshman fine arts major
“In my opinion, it is mostly for catching up on life and just taking a break on life.”
“To catch up on life because as you don’t have any assignments, you can watch more Netflix and catch up on life.”
All of the above. It’s important to catch up with school, but also to relax, to stop thinking about work for just a second.”
Martin Renova
Omar Avina
Tomiko Reyes
“I think it is for doing nothing. It should be for having fun and taking a break from school. But, I like to get ahead during spring break.”
Sophomore digital media production major “Catching up on life. I’ll be working. I work here at new student orientation and at Bahama Bucks, so that’s what I’ll be doing.”
Sophomore digital media production major “For partying. We are going to Las Vegas with some friends so I think this is an opportunity to get as wasted as we can.”
Sophomore physics major
PAGE 5 March 6, 2018
entertainment
Editor
clAUDIA FlORES , 747-7446
Last-minute getaways not too far from home
La Popular – La Casa de Pascualita
While walking through downtown, you must visit the urban legend of the haunted manikin “La Pascualita,” placed at bridal shop’s window since the 1930s. The legend says a bride died on her wedding day due to a scorpion’s sting and was embalmed by her mother (the original owner of the store) to make her into the detailed mannequin. One can see her for free anytime at Guadalupe Victoria St. No. 803. Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua-2 hours or less (due to traffic on weekends. 8 miles. Juarez is making an effort to reclaim their reputation as the best side of the border to party. Many students on campus already spend their weekends there without any fear, here’s the chance to break the stereotype yourself. Also, take advantage of the dollar’s value, which is around 19 pesos, making it cheaper to have drinks and delicious food. michaela romÁn/ The ProSPecTor Former UtEP Student Jessica mendez sits on a rock near Truth or consequences, new mexico. T or c is best known for its hot springs and only two hours outside of el Paso.
By PauleTTe villa The Prospector
Instead of staying at home this spring break, here are some lastminute places to escape to and reset in to continue the semester fresh. These destinations are based on the opportunity to learn about the environment and culture of our surrounding states: Chihuahua, New Mexico and lesser-known parts of Texas. These trips are cheap and less than five hours away from El Paso. MARFA, TEXAS3–hours–96 miles On the way to Marfa, one of the best places to take a photo for your Instagram account, is the famous Prada Marfa. The building is an allusion of a Prada store created by art duo Elmgreen & Dragset in 2005. This sculpture is the best introduction on the way into Marfa is known for: a must-go place for people who love minimalist art.
Chinati Foundation
The internationally-known contemporary museum, created by artist Donald Judd, consists of sculptures, large-scale installations, paintings, drawings, poems and more. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, but online reservations are encouraged. Admission for a full guided tour is $10 for students and $25 for adults.
Springs due to its large amount of odorless hot thermal water around 100 degrees that contains 38 minerals. There are 10 hot springs available to relax in.
Riverbend Hot Springs
This is the only place close to the Rio Grande and it includes five common pools and seven private rooms. There are still a lot of 50-minute private sessions available for spring break to book online, which cost $15 per person. Walk-ins are $12, which provide one hour access to common pools, saunas and grounds.
Whitewater Weekends
Travelers can find the Whitewater Weekends office in a white school bus roaming on West Riverside Drive on the weekends. They provide rafts ($40 for two to three people), kayaks ($20 for two people) and tubes ($10 for one person) to flow within six miles of the Rio Grande. Availability depends on the weather and the river’s flow, which can be checked on their official Facebook page for daily updates.
Paquimé, Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua–3.5 hours– 189 miles This is the best option on the list if you love archeology. Casas Grandes is one of Mexico’s magical towns (pueblos mágicos) close to the prehistoric land of Paquimé. The archeological region of Paquimé is unique from the whole country of Mexico, since it is made up of interconnected labyrinth of adobe homes from 1,200 years ago. Museo de las Culturas del Norte After visiting the area, visitors can continue learning at this museum, where one can see the artifacts, textiles, art, music instruments, ceramics and offerings from the people of Paquimé. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission is 65 pesos (around $3) and free on Sundays. The easiest route is by taking the Santa Teresa bridge and continue to Cd JuarezJanos/Mexico 2 road, then to Nuevo Casas Grandes-Janos/Mexico 10 road. Chihuahua, Chihuahua–4 hours – 237 miles The city is filled with history and surrounded by beautiful natural ar-
eas, such as forests, mountains and waterfalls, where the indigenous group of Tarahumaras live. Chihuahua’s main tourist attractions are in the historical area, a full pedestrian zone with parks, cathedrals, museums and restaurants.
Cumbres de Majalca National Park
While on the road to the capital city, make a detour on the CHIH 50 road to visit the forest for 80 pesos ($4). It has unique rocky formations and is one of the few places in the country where black bears live. Visitors can go hiking, repelling, or even camping for 80 pesos ($4) per night at the Cañon de las Hadas, which includes tables and sanitary services. The weather conditions are predicted to be partly cloudy.
Museo de la Revolución Mexicana
If you want to learn about the Mexican Revolution, visit Pancho Villa’s home, which has artifacts, weapons, furniture, documents and even the car where he was assassinated. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed on Mondays. Admission is only 10 pesos (less than a dollar.)
Blvd. Manuel Gómez Morín.
“Gomez Morin” or also known as “La Gomez,” is the most popular boulevard to go bar hopping at in Juarez. There are around 20 bars and restaurants of different styles to choose from. All bars close at 2 a.m. The easiest route is by taking the Zaragoza bridge, going straight in Waterfill Avenue and go right at boulevard Gómez Morín. Continue at Gómez Morín and drink-lovers find all the bars after A.J. Bermudez avenue.
El Parque Borunda.
This is the perfect place to eat a variety of snacks, such as corn in a cup, slushies, cotton candy and more Mexican food. The park consists of food kiosks and a small amusement park at night for children, which is a nostalgic place for many people on the border. The park is open from 9 a.m. to midnight every day. Travelers get there by taking the Americas Bridge and going all the way straight to De las Ámericas avenue, past the fountain in an intersection and by going to 16 de Septiembre Street, and the park will be at on the left. Paulette villa may be reached at paulette. villa.345@gmail.com
El Cosmico
This Marfa camping area includes tepees, trailers, safari tents and yurts to spend the night in, but are unfortunately sold out for spring break. Luckily, there is the option to selfcamp for $20 and groups may have access to communal space and bath house on a first-come, first-served basis.
Marfa Lights
These lights have been witnessed on U.S. Route 67 every night since 1883. They are mysterious random colored lights roaming in the desert sky, and there is still no clear explanation of their origin. Explorers do not necessarily have to spend the night to see them since there is a viewing area on Highway 90 toward Alpine. Truth or Consequences, New Mexico–2 hours–117 miles. Also known as T or C, this small town used to be named Hot
michaela romÁn/ The ProSPecTor (Left) Prada Marfa is a permanent installation off of uS-90, in valentine, Texas, on the way to marfa. (right) donald Judd’s sculptures at the chinati Foundation in marfa, Texas.
ThEPROSPEcTOR
| 6 | EntErtAinMEnt
March 6, 2018
By elenie Gonzalez The Prospector
Staying in El Paso over the break? here’s what to do
michaela romÁn/ The ProSPecTor downtown El Paso as seen from above.
For those who will not be traveling this spring break out of town, there are plenty of things to do in the borderland. From sitting at home and watching some entertaining college basketball, to listening to local bands across town, here are the best things to do during spring break in El Paso:
Franklin Mountains
There’s no doubt that March means the weather is becoming warmer and you may want to spend some quality time outdoors. El Paso is lucky enough to have some amazing hiking spots on the Franklin Mountains and Hueco Tanks. If you haven’t taken advantage of this, now would be the perfect time. Franklin Mountains State Park offers trails for every type of hiker, from beginner to expert. Favorite trails for local hikers are the El Paso Tin Mine Trail and the Aztec Cave Trail. The Tin Mine Trail takes hikers to the only tin mines in the U.S. . Hikers can also explore caves buried in the mountains. The Ron Coleman trail is another popular spot, although it is not suggested for beginners. Being in the mountains also provides a perfect photo opportunity, so tie up those
laces and make sure to bring plenty of water for your hike. At Hueco Tanks, you can hike, rock climb, bird watch, study nature and history, picnic and stargaze at night.
Museums
There are several museums located across the city, most of which are free. I’m sure you’ve heard of the El Paso Museum of Art and the El Paso Museum of History, but there are plenty more. Although, these two wouldn’t be a bad place to start if you’ve never visited them. Currently, there are three new exhibits in the El Paso Museum of Art. “Ethics Excess Extinction” is the first presentation in which contemporary art speaks in creative and compelling ways to the timely issue of endangered animals. “Papel Chicano Dos: Works on Paper from the Collection of Cheech Marin” is an exhibit featuring from major Chicano art collector and comedian Cheech Marin. The exhibit features 65 works on paper by 24 artists utilizing unique and traditional practices of portraiture and varied viewpoints integrating urban culture and images that are from a range of historical sources. “The Empire of Texas” is an exhibit
featuring photographs from local photographer Richard Baron. See the evolution of Texas through his lens. The El Paso Museum of History is another great museum where you can see current exhibits of how El Paso came to be. Find out what people who migrated to El Paso brought with them, the history of Saint Patrick Cathedral and Cathedral High School, see pictures and personal keepsakes of residents past and present of Segundo Barrio and the Chihuahuita neighborhoods and experience a chronological journey through major events and influences that have shaped El Paso into the city we experience today.
Music Scene
El Paso has an amazing music scene that has emerged in the past few years. With the rise of music festivals and venues in the city, there is always a good show to look forward to. The Showdown Fest on March 1618 at the El Paso County Coliseum will feature recognized tattoo artists from around the world, but this isn’t just about the tattoos, it’s about the music as well. This all-age event will feature music from every genre, from rock to hip-hop and country to reggae. The headliners of the festival will be Vince Neil of Motley Crue on Friday, Long Beach Dub All Stars on Saturday and Jack Russel’s Great White on Sunday. Tickets range from $25-$60 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com and the El Paso County Coliseum box office. Tricky Falls will feature two shows during spring break. The first will be on March 13, when Hippie Sabotage will stop by on their Path of Righteousness Tour. On Friday, March 16, Jenny and the Mexicats will take the stage. Tickets for each show can be found at trickyfalls.com The Lowbrow Palace will have a show almost every night during spring break. Notable performances to look forward to include Blank Range, Gila Monster and Tennis System on Sunday, March 11. The Frights, Sadgirl, Shopping and Buttertones will also be performing during the week. For more information, check out the calendar on lowbrowpalace.com.
St. Patrick’s Day
This year spring break concludes with St. Patrick’s Day. It falls on a Saturday, which is a perfect time to day drink well into the night so you can recover the next day. There’s usually plenty of events happening around town from block parties to festivals. This year, the annual St. Paddy’s Festival will take place at Fort Bliss. The two-day event is an all-age affair honoring the mighty Irish. You can find traditional Irish cuisine and music, bagpipes and free activities. This year’s music lineup features Empyre Pipes & Drums, The San Patricios, Aces & Eights, Soul ‘n Rhythm Crew, Sorry About Your Sister, Dusty Low, Wildflower and DJ RAMZEntry.
March Madness
The month of March can mean different things to different people. Spring break and warmer weather are what most college students look forward to, but March Madness really takes the spotlight, especially if you’re an avid sports lover. If this is your thing, there are several spots around El Paso where you can catch the tournament action. Brew Sports Pub West, Tortuga Sports Lounge, Ale House, Brass Monkey and Spirit of 66 are just a few of the places where you can watch the games depending on your scene. Each bar offers a menu with a selection of food and drinks and plenty of televisions for your viewing pleasure. Follow elenie Gonzalez on Twitter @eleniegonz
THEPROSPECTOR
ENTERTAINMENT | 7 |
March 6, 2018
Artists on the Neon Desert lineup you may not have heard of
Phtoto courtesy of Little jesus’ facebook Little Jesus will be performing at Neon Desert Music Festival
By adrian broaddus The Prospector
Nearly two months away from El Paso’s largest music festival, the hype around Neon Desert is at an all-time high. From indie pop to Latin rock, there are bands under the radar that will surely steal the local stage and could end up blowing up on the national level. Here are the bands you may not have heard of who will perform at the festival: LANY-Indie pop Combining a suave alternative pop style with an R&B influence, the trio is sure to make a memorable appearance at Neon Desert. From their upbringings in Los Angeles and Nashville, the band has been on the rise since 2014 and continues to gain listeners in the modern indie world. Their full-length project “LANY,” released in 2017, has been the staple of their recent success, with popular songs such as “Super Far,” “ILYSB” and “13.” Listen to: “Pink Skies” This track, although it is almost three years old, is an accurate representation of how the
band plays. It’s a dreamy ‘80s pop ballad, fused with modern lyrical style. Cuco-Indie rock Omar Banos, better known by his stage name Cuco, has come a long way from being a south Los Angeles Band Camp and Soundcloud musician. Now, Cuco has raised a cult-life following under his wavy music style and is selling out shows across America—no matter how big or small the venue is. There’s a reason why he’s gained such a following, and it isn’t prided off a couple of popular tracks, but rather his style of making music that can captivate any music lover. It might be premature to say this, but Cuco might be one of the best sets at Neon for the simple notion that he lives to entertain the audience and brings such a unique set to each show. Listen to: “Lover is a Day” In this song, Cuco embraces his Latin rock roots, develops a jam that sounds like MGMT meets Chicano Batman and simply lets each lyric roll, one after the other. Little Jesus–Latin rock Hearing Latin rock bands are
a turn-off for most, but Little Jesus’ music makes any true music festival fan want to watch their unique spin on alternative rock. Formed in south Mexico City by Santiago Casillas, what started as a solo project quickly evolved into a four-member band that prides themselves on their stage work. The band started getting more and more noteworthy as their years went on. In 2013, they released their debut album “Norte,” followed by their international tour in 2014 and 2015. Their second, and most striking, album came in 2016 when they released “Rio Salvaje,” which gained a lot of traction in the Latin rock scene. Listen to: “La Magia” This is a up-and-down West Coast rock-influenced jam. “La Magia” feels like the perfect Latin ballad to listen to on the road. This song is a perfect introductory song if you have not heard the group before. Buddy - Hip-hop At only 17 years old, Simmie Sims, better known for his stage name, Buddy, has taken the Compton music scene by storm for a new era of hip-hop. He has a big burden and big shoes to fill living in the prime of LA, where the best hip-hop music is created, from legends like Tupac to Kendrick Lamar. However, it seems like Buddy is already making a name for himself and continues to make good music. Under DJ Casanova, Buddy’s youthful and flows crisp way of flowing makes him a mustsee at Neon Desert. In 2017 he released his debut EP “Magnolia,” which features five tracks,
including features from Wiz Khalifa and Boogie. Listen to: “Shine” In another one of his first singles, Buddy completely destroys the beat that’s given to him on “Shine.” On the track, he shows his Kanye West influences at emcee, with a Tory Lanez and PartyNextDoor twist. Cults–Indie pop Making another trip to El Paso, Cults will bring their dreary retro sound of indie pop back to the Sun City. The duo prides themselves on unique indie twists and makes their own spin in each track. Cults are actually a pair of film school dropouts, released their self-titled album in 2011, with
their hit “Go Outside,” and have gone only upward since. They released “Static” in 2013, which added to their darker side, but went a little brighter with “Offering,” which was their deepest album and released in 2017. Now, Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion, both 28, continue to create jams and travel the country, despite a near break up in 2015 and record labels switch. Listen to: “I took your picture” In this track, Cults shows their new-age style and their transition to new artistry. The band’s new sound is uplifting and will be an entertaining set at Neon Desert. Follow Adrian Broaddus on Twitter @adrian_broaddus
Phtoto courtesy of cucos facebook Cuco is one among many artists to perform at Neon Desert Music Festival
this month at the student recreation center I nt r a mur a ls :
Re g is te r yo ur te a m to p l ay in t he S o f t b a l l I nt ra m ura l s ! (D e a d l ine 3/21)
R e g i s te r yo u r te a m to p l ay i n th e O u tdo o r S o cce r I ntra mu ra l s ! ( D e a dl i n e 3 / 2 1 ) Co m e watc h th e Ta b l e Te nn i s To u r n a me nt on 3/7
Outdoor A dv e n t ur e Pr o gr a m:
S p ring B re a k at t he B ig B e nd N at io na l Pa rk (3/10- 3/15)
Co me p a r ti c i p ate i n th e Cl i mb i n g Gym Ch a l l e n g e (3/26-3/29)
Don ’ t F o r ge t ! The Student R ec Center will be operating under its I ntersession Hours from M arch 12-M arch 18 We will be closed on Fr iday, M arch 30th in obser vation of Cesar Chavez Day.*
ThEPROSPEcTOR
| 8 | EntErtAinMEnt Is
HIRING
March 6, 2018
An advertising account Executive
Shows to binge and snack to
Must be a full-time UTEP student
Call 747-7434 for more information
BANK ACCOUNT LOW? SPecial To The ProSPecTor
By Brianna CHavez The Prospector
If your idea of a fun spring break consists of siting back and relaxing here are eight Netflix shows to binge watch along with some snacks to enhance the experience:
“Friends”
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The classic American sitcom revolves around six friends in their 20s, who live in Manhattan. Over the course of 10 years, to viewers witnesses the group of friends going through mayhem, family problems, romance, drama and most importantly, lots of laughs— basically all the aspects of friendships. The show was nominated for 62 Emmys throughout its 10year run. Every season, the show ranked within the top-10 of the final television season’s ratings. Pair a nice cup of coffee or tea with your favorite pastry such as a slice of cake and you’ll feel like you’re sitting with the Rachel, Ross, Chandler, Phoebe, Joey and Monica at the Central Perk Café.
“Parks and recreation”
“Parks and Recreation” follows the life of Leslie Knope and her love for public office. As the deputy director of the parks and recreation department in Pawnee, Indiana, Knope hopes to make her town a better place and further her career. She becomes best friends with nurse Ann Perkins after she complains to Knope about the necessity of filling in a pit that her unemployed boyfriend, Andy Dwier, had fallen into and injured himself. The mockumentary show follows Knope and the rest of the employees of the Pawnee Parks and Recreation Department, Ron, Tom, April, Donna, Andy, Ben, Chris and Jerry. The show ran for seven seasons on NBC. Watch all seven seasons while you eat some waffles, which will make you feel like you’re at Leslie’s favorite food from JJ’s Diner.
“queer Eye”
One of the newest series on Netflix is a reboot of the early 2000s show, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” The Fab Five consists of Antoni, the food expert, Bobby, the interior designer, Tan, the fashion stylist, Jonathan, the hair stylist, and Karamo, the culture expert. In every episode, the Fab Five transforms the life of a straight guy in need of an upgrade. While it just sounds like a makeover show, it’s much more than that. The show is heart wrenching and emotional, but it also gets a little political by addressing homosexuality, religion and even police brutality. Pair it with a nice glass of your favorite wine and charcuterie (cheese and meat board) to feel just as fancy and classy as the Fab Five.
“the End of the F***ing World”
This Netflix series takes a dark twist on romance. James , a 17-year-old who claims to be a psychopath, is fascinated with murder. In the series, James meets Alyssa, a hostile teen, whom he pretends to fall in love with, but all he really wants to do is to kill her. The two teens run away together and engage in some very dangerous and violent incidents. Although the series sounds a bit obscure and daunting, it’s actually quite romantic. The series is based on a graphic novel of the same title. The dark comedy received a 97 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Watch this show with a friend or partner and enjoy some blueberry pancakes, like the ones Alyssa orders for breakfast, and don’t forget the “extra f***ing spoon.”
“Everything Sucks”
The series is a coming-of-age show that takes place in Boring, Oregon, in 1996. The show revolves around a group of freshmen who join the AV club and join forces with the Drama Club to get through high school together. It tackles the awkwardness that comes with being a teenager in high school and what it’s like to be an outsider. The show resembles other shows on Netflix such as “Freaks and Geeks” and “Glee.” “Everything Sucks” is full of ‘90s nostalgia, so watch this show while you snack on a Hot Pocket, a six pack of Zima (the ‘90s’ Smirnoff Ice) or your favorite ‘90s snack.
“the office”
The iconic mockumentary comedy, based on the British series of the same name, follows the employees of the Dunder Mifflin branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Michael Scott, the overly confident and clueless office manager, aims to lead his employees to become the best branch of the paper company. The show aired for nine seasons on NBC and won several Emmy Awards. If you want to feel like you’re a part of the office crew, get takeout from Chili’s and pretend you’re celebrating with them at the annual Dundie Awards.
“Black Mirror”
The creepy science fiction show, inspired by the “Twilight Zone,” deals with modern culture and the concerns of new technologies. Each episode tells a different dark story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Watch all four seasons of “Black Mirror” while you snack on some Oreos or your favorite comfort food. You might want to place a sticker over your laptop camera because you never know who’s watching. Brianna Chavez may be reached at brichavez2008@gmail.com
PAGE 9 March 6, 2018
Sports
Editor
Jeremy Carranco, 747-7446
Basketball seniors bid farewell to UTEP
gaby velasquez / The Prospector Jake Flaggert (left), Matt Willms (middle) and Omega Harris (right) won their last home game at the Don Haskins Center against Southern Mississippi, 73-44 on Feb. 24.
By mike flores and daniel mendez The Prospector
Omega Harris Senior guard Omega Harris will go down as one of the best players in UTEP history. Since he first started playing for the Miners in 2013, Harris continuously climbed the ladder in UTEP’s record book. Harris will finish in the top 10 in scoring at UTEP, he’s top five in 3-pointers made, top 15 in recorded steals, along with doing all the little things that don’t show up on the stat sheets. “I let my game speak for itself,” Harris said. When Tim Floyd was able to snatch Harris from the rest of the nation, the hype around the city was electric because Harris was a talent that all coaches dreamed of. He could score in his sleep and defend the opposing team’s best player, which his high school resume showed.
From Bethany, Okla., Harris played for Putnam City West High School and was listed as the No. 3 prospect in the state. In Oklahoma, the three-star product was the runner-up for 2014 Player of the Year after he averaged 18.5 points per game, five rebounds, 3.1 assists per game through the duration of his senior year. Harris was also named The Oklahoman’s Big All-City Boys Player of the Year. Also, in his high school career Harris was a three-time conference defensive player of the year and two-time offensive player of the year in conference. “When I was getting recruited out of high school, I told my mom that I need to go somewhere where I’m needed. UTEP needed a point guard my freshman year,” Harris said. “When I came here, I saw they had a gym running 24 hours, and UTEP had everything I was asking for.” However, before Harris became a household name at UTEP, he experienced some growing pains from the
demands of being a student-athlete in college. During his sophomore year with the Miners, Harris was suspended for the first semester of the season due to struggles in the classroom. “Going through my freshman year, with the setbacks that I went through and being able to overcome that, it was a wonderful feeling,” Harris said. “Being able to be where I’m at right now and to have the support I’ve had with the coaching staff and everybody in El Paso is just wonderful.” Despite the obstacles Harris went through to begin his career, he still managed to put up 6.7 points, two rebounds and two assists per game in 20 games played during his freshman year. He also remembers the jump from high school to college-level basketball. “Some of my big moments was playing against some big players. I played against Stanley Johnson (Detroit Pistons forward) early in my career,” he said. As a sophomore, Harris showed improvement. He was third on the team
gaby velasquez / The Prospector Matt Willms ranks third at UTEP in career field goal percentage at 57.5 percent behind Cedrick Lang (.581) and Brandon Wolfram (.579).
in scoring (12.3 points per game), set a sophomore record with a .440 3-point percentage and scored a career-high 23 points against rival New Mexico State. But his junior season is where he really started to leave his mark at UTEP. The Miners started the year off with a dismal 2-13 record and it seemed as if UTEP was headed for one of their worst seasons, until one of the greatest turnarounds in program history took place. After losing 13 of their first 15 games, UTEP went on to win 12 of their next 16, in large part to the dynamic duo of guard play from Harris and Dominic Artis. In their mid-season turnaround, UTEP handed Marshall their first home loss, they beat the conference leader Middle Tennessee and earned a top-four seed and a first-round bye in the ConferenceUSA tournament. For that team, Harris was the leading scorer of the year with 17 points per game, and scored 16 straight games in double figures, was second in assists per game (2.1) and led the team in steals. For his efforts, Harris was named to C-USA’s Third Team. Then with a younger team, including five freshmen and seven newcomers, it was undoubtedly Harris’ team during his senior year. During his final season, the Miners went through a lot of changes, from all the new players, to losing Floyd to retirement five games into the season, to dealing with co-guard Keith Frazier leaving the team mid-season for a number of games. With all the distractions, UTEP (11-19, 6-12 C-USA), who was predicted to finish fifth in CUSA, finished as the No. 12 and final seed in the conference tournament. Aside from the rough year, Harris still remained one of the brightest spots for a struggling UTEP team. He’s averaging a team-high 11.8 points per game, scored 18 or more points in his final four games of the season and led UTEP with 60 total assists. “The last shot in the Don Haskins Center was one of my biggest moments right now,” Harris said on his
four-point play against Southern Mississippi in his last home game. Harris says he’s far from done, though. The Conference USA tournament begins March 7 in Frisco, Texas, and UTEP has their eyes set on an upset against fifth-seeded UTSA. “I’m still looking to make big moments for the UTEP program,” Harris said. “We’re trying to keep this going and make memories.” What kept Harris going through the roller coaster of his time at UTEP was his family. Harris has a 3-year-old daughter named Khylann, and along with her, Harris’ biggest inspiration is his mother, Yolanela and his grandmother. Harris plans on playing professional basketball after he graduates in May. His destination has yet to be announced. “I can always say El Paso is a home to me,” Harris said. “It’s like I was coming to my second home, so it was like I never left Oklahoma.”
Matt Willms
From Ontario, Canada, Matt Willms grew up loving hockey. It never crossed his mind that putting a ball through a hoop could get him to where he is now. Willms started playing basketball at an older age than many. It wasn’t until his junior year in high school that Willms played his first year of organized basketball. But at 7-foot-1 with natural basketball skills, it was a no-brainer that he could take his talents to the college level. Coming out of one of the most prestigious high school basketball programs at Findlay Prep, Willms averaged 8.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds and recorded the secondhighest single season of blocked shots in school history (46) on the team’s way to a 32-1 record in the 2011-12 season. Willms was also part of the under-17 Canadian National Team in between his junior and senior season, where he was teammates with two NBA No. 1
see seniors on page 10
THEPROSPECTOR
| 10 | SPORTS
March 6, 2018
seniors from page 9 picks in Anthony Bennett (2013) and Andrew Wiggins (2014). Before committing to UTEP, Willms had signed to play for Texas A&M in College Station. However, as soon as Willms got the opportunity to explore El Paso and what it has to offer, Willms changed his mind and decided he wanted to compete for Tim Floyd. When the Miners struggled, though, it was something Willms had to learn how to deal with. “Honestly, those have been my best moments, going through adversity,” he said. “I haven’t dealt with that before and every team before I got here had been one of the best in the state or even the country,” Willms said. “It changes you as a person, after you lose, you come back the next day and keep working hard and never give up.” This past Saturday, March 3, UTEP found themselves in a tied game with North Texas. With 10 seconds left on the clock and a final spot in the conference tournament on the line, freshman guard Evan Gilyard found senior center Willms at the rim for a C-USA Tournamentclinching dunk just as time expired. The senior, who is appreciating his final moments as a Miner, added another important bucket to his legacy as the Miners edged out North Texas, 68-66. “The journey, it’s been a roller coaster,” Willms said. “I’ve had really good seasons, we’ve had so-so seasons, and then this season, it’s not going so well. But I mean we’ve kept battling, we’re still doing good.” Willms has seen it all during his five years as a Miner. He was often injury plagued, but when he came back on the court, he produced. In his senior season, Willms has been responsible for two late buckets in two separate games that may have saved the Miners’ season for now. The dunk against North Texas came three games after a game-winning tip-in against La Tech that gave UTEP a 74-72 win on Feb. 22. “I would say that we’re still continuing to battle. There hasn’t been a lot of highs this season to talk good on,” he said. “We keep battling and that’s what I’m happy about. It’s not the season we had wanted, but we can still change it around and end it on a good note.” Injuries aside, Willms used it as a learning experience and it has
gaby velasquez / The Prospector Jake Flaggert led Conference USA in charges drawn in both 2015-16 (18) and 2016-17 (33). shaped him into the person that he is today. “It has shaped me to become a man,” he said. “It has made me more of a man because not everything is going to be bright. I got to keep working hard even when things go wrong, just got to push through and keep going.”
It’s not the season we had wanted, but we can still change it around and end it on a good note.
- Matt Willms, senior center Before his final game at the Don Haskins Center against Southern Miss, Willms and the other seniors, Omega Harris and Jake Flaggert, were honored on center court before the game. Willms was humbled
by the crowd that attended the Don Haskins Center that stayed true to supporting him throughout his career as a Miner. The moment was special as Willms’ mother and girlfriend were present for the occasion. “It felt great. Having my mom and my girlfriend up there was a great feeling because I saw all of the fans out there,” he said. “All the fans that I’ve known since I was a freshman. It just felt good to know that there was still a lot of support there.” Willms knows his time as a Miner is coming to an end. Only the conference tournament games remain and UTEP is the last seeded team (No. 12) in the tournament. While every game means it could be his last a Miner, the senior is optimistic about the tournament. “It’s a long time coming. I’ve been here for a long time and I’m kind of looking forward to it because I’ve been here so long,” he said. I’ve
been here for a long time, so once it’s done it’ll be like, ‘okay, time for that chapter of my life to end.’ I hope that we can finish off on a really good note and who knows where we can go in this tournament.“
Jake Flaggert
Jake Flaggert has led Conference USA in charges drawn for years. He led the conference in charges drawn in both 2015-16 (18) and 2016-17 (33). Although the senior has taken just 10 in limited playing time this season, Flaggert now has a total of 67 in his career with at least one game left to play. “I’d love to take that as my identity,” Flaggert said. “I enjoy it, taking charges to try and help my team win.” Arriving on the UTEP campus in 2013, Flaggert redshirted in 201415 and has seen teammates come and go, but one of the best moments
at UTEP are the friendships that he has made. “My journey as a Miner has been great,” he said. “When I came in here, the seniors Cedrick Lang and Julian Washburn and other guys that I’m still friends with today have been great to build friendships with throughout this whole thing.” Flaggert appreciates the fans and acknowledges that the fan base is the reason why the Miners are trying to finish the season strong and do damage at the C-USA tournament. “Definitely the fans, the fans are great,” he said. If it was another team, I don’t think they would nearly have as many fans that we still do. I think that’s what motivating us as a team, this last end of the season for our fans who are still sticking with us, we’re still trying to play hard for them.” Being a Texas native from his hometown of Lucas, Flaggert found El Paso and UTEP to be a second home for him. When he was honored before the tip-off against Southern Miss, Flaggert felt sentimental about leaving the UTEP home locker room after the game. “It was great being honored at the Don for the last time,” he said. It was a sad moment and I remember walking down to the locker room and all these fans wanted to talk to me. That meant a lot and whenever this season comes to end, it’s been a second home for me.” The 6-foot-7 forward may not have the scoring average to impress UTEP fans, with his career average in points per game at five, but according to interim head coach Phil Johnson, Flaggert is one of the smartest kids he has known and says he already has plans set for graduation day. “Jake is a really bright kid,” Johnson said. “He’s going to leave here with a degree or two and maybe even a master’s degree. He’s already got his future laid out for
see seniors on page 11
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THEPROSPECTOR
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March 6, 2018
seniors from page 10 himself as far as business and going to work as soon as he graduates and heads home to Dallas. In fact, we all may be calling for a job soon in a couple weeks.”
Tamara Seda
The majority of Division I student-athletes begin playing their respective sports at a relatively young age and multiple season-ending injuries can lead a player to not reach their full potentials, or even lure them to quitting at times. But for Tamara Seda, she defied all the odds. It was 2011 when Seda first picked up a basketball, but she still managed to find her way onto a college roster with Seward County Community College, despite starting later than others. At Seward County, Seda was forced to take a medical redshirt in 2013-14 season after suffering a preseason injury. Unfortunately, the following year (2014-15), after averaging 14.2 points, 10 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, Seda was forced to sit out for the final 14 games due to another season-ending injury. However, for a UTEP team that had just finished a disappointing 2014-15 season at 12-16 and 7-11 in Conference USA, then head coach Keitha Adams needed to regroup for the next year. Seda and UTEP were a perfect mutual fit. UTEP needed improved
talent and Seda was a top-20 overall junior college prospect in the country, according to the rankings done by Dan Olson Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. Seda’s road, defying obstacles in her way, led her to not only play for the Miners, but also becoming a key part of her team by the end of her collegiate career. From Mozambique, Maputo, to Seward County in Kansas, Seda was new to El Paso and UTEP. In her first season with the Miners in 2015-16, the adjustments to Division I were not the only aspects Seda had to deal with. “The first thing I learned when I got here was the diverse culture that UTEP has, with the border and the Hispanic community here,” she said. “Basketball-wise, I had to learn how to get stronger. At this level, post players have to be very physical.” As a redshirt sophomore and new to the team, Seda played in 34 games, clocked in 15 minutes per game and averaged four points and four rebounds per game. Her ability to get to the free throw line was apparent, as she went 33-of-71 at the line. The addition of Seda helped UTEP rebound from a down year the season prior to her arrival. UTEP went 29-5 overall (16-2 in conference) and won the Conference USA regular season championship. “That was my highest moment, when we won the conference my first year here,” Seda said.
gaby velasquez / The Prospector Omega Harris will graduate in the top-10 in scoring at UTEP with at least 1395 points scored in four years with the Miners. UTEP would end up playing in the WNIT tournament at the Don Haskins Center, where they lost to Oregon, 71-67, in the semifinals. “Playing the WNIT here at home was special. Seeing the Don filled up was huge,” Seda said. Also, during that same season, Seda developed an element to her game that comes along with being the defensive anchor that she is down low.
“I remember my first year when I blocked a shot on the baseline, and that’s when the finger wag started,” Seda said. The following season, Seda really shined for a UTEP team that was going through a rebuilding year. The 6-foot-4 forward improved in every aspect of her game. She put up 9.6 points, nine rebounds and was
force on defense as she also averaged 1.6 blocks per game. “I wouldn’t consider tough moments being low points because we were never low as a team. You always get to learn something,” Seda said. During that 2016-17 season, the Miners went 8-23 (5-13 C-USA) and lost in the first round of the conference tournament, 80-70
see seniors on page 12
TAKE CARE OF YOUR WATER. KEEP IT CLEAN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICE HERTZOG BUILDING, ROOM 170 (915) 747 - 7124 • eh&s@utep.edu
Do not dump waste, chemicals, paint, custodial waste, and general rubbish items (tires, old car parts, shopping carts, etc.) into storm drains, channels, or ditches. No tirar basura, aparatos electrodomésticos, muebles, llantas, y chatarra a canales y acequias del sistema de drenaje pluvial.
Properly dispose of hazardous wastes, pesticides, and fertilizers. Call UTEP EH&S to schedule waste pickups. Deseche correctamente los residuos peligrosos, pesticidas, y fertilizantes. Llama al departamento EH&S en UTEP y agenda fecha para recoger los desperdicios.
Leave natural vegetation in place where possible to prevent erosion. Si es posible, deje crecer la vegetación en forma natural para evitar la erosión.
Storm drains are easily identified with “NO DUMPING” decals at stormwater inlets. Alcantarillado de aguas pluviales es identificado con anuncios de “NO REVERTIR DESECHOS AQUI”
Keep material out of the stormwater conveyance system (curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streets, drains, culverts, and arroyos). Dispose of grass, leaves, yard waste, and construction debris properly.
Recycle oil, antifreeze, and other vehicle fluids, or dispose of them properly to prevent the pollution of stormwater, groundwater and the Rio Grande.
Recicle aceite, No tapar el flujo pluvial a anti-congelante y lubricantes canales, alcantarillas y arroyos o disponga propiamente con basura. Disponga de ellos para prevenir correctamente de basura contaminación del sistema vegetal (césped, ramas, y hojas) de drenaje pluvial, mantos así como basura de construcción. acuíferos y el Río Bravo.
THEPROSPECTOR
| 12 | SPORTS seniors from page 11 against Old Dominion. After the down year, UTEP’s head coach of 18 years, Keitha Adams, resigned and moved on to her home state team at Wichita State. That’s when UTEP hired Kevin Baker on April 24, 2017, out of Angelo State University before Seda’s senior year. “Everybody makes their own choices,” Seda said. “It wasn’t that tough because coach Baker came in
March 6, 2018
and he’s a very good coach. He came in and made everyone comfortable with the move.” Baker pushed Seda’s game to the highest point of her career. She led UTEP in points scored (14.8 points per game), rebounds (9.3) and blocks (18). UTEP’s offense ran through Seda on nearly every possession. In her last home game, Seda scored 21 points, 13 in the fourth quarter, to help her team get their
gaby velasquez / The Prospector Tamara Seda ranks second at UTEP in double-doubles (24) and fifth in rebounds (689).
best conference win in two seasons, 80-75 over defending C-USA regular season champions Western Kentucky. “How perfect was it for her to play her last game ever at the Haskins Center and then go to the free throw line with a chance to win the game,” Baker said following the win over WKU. “Couldn’t have happened to a better player, couldn’t have happened to a better person. The Miners are going to miss Tamara Seda but Tamara Seda
is going to go on and do big things so I’m just proud to know her.” On Monday, Conference USA announced Seda to the All-Conference second team for her efforts during the 2017-18 campaign. With her help, the women’s basketball program was able to double their win total this season from the year prior, going 16-13 (7-9 C-USA). After Seda’s career comes to an end, she plans to keep playing basketball overseas. As a backup plan,
Seda wants to come back to UTEP and work her way to master’s degree. “This year I had to learn different skills of being a post player,” she said. “Coach (Michael) Madrid made me step out of my comfort zone and do things I never thought I could do and that is something I will build on when I leave.” The Miners will take on Southern Mississippi on March 7 at 11 a.m. in Frisco, Texas. Follow The Prospector at theprospectordaily.com.