V OL . 1 0 4 , n o . 1 August 28, 2018
th e u n iversit y o f te x as at el paso w w w.t h epros pec to rda i ly.co m
2
OPINION
August 28, 2018
My Last -30by Kathy Flores The Prospector
I am finally doing something I have had several students ask me to do over the last 16 years–write a column for the student newspaper. I have always turned them down as The Prospector is supposed to be the students’ voice. Their recent request, though, I could not turn down. This is my final week until my official retirement, and as you are reading this, I will be flying to Paris, France. I am calling this column My Last –30– because this is an old term that was used when I first started working in the communication business, which was during the Ice Age as some of my former students have said. Traditionally, the term was used by journalists to indicate the end of a story when it was sent to an editor by telex or some form of wire service. While I am looking forward to my retirement, I will definitely miss interacting with the students who work for student media at UTEP. They are, for the most part, a special breed of college students– dedicated, hardworking and passionate. I have gotten to know so many of them during my time at student media, and have adopted quite a few of them as well (you know who you are!). I have been with them through good times, the sad times, and the ever-evolving process of producing student media. And we have grown together– adapting to new technology and the ever-changing methods of delivering news. They have aggravated me to no end with typos, style mistakes and missed deadlines, but they have made me very proud as well, winning numerous
STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Gaby A. Velasquez Web Editor: Adrian Broaddus Layout Editor: Christian Gutierrez Copy Editor: Javier Cor tez Sports Editor: Daniel “Curly” Mendez Entertainment Editor: Jake Deven Photo Editor: Sergio Muñoz Multimedia Editor: Claudia “Gigi” Flores Staff Reporters: Brianna Chavez, Isaiah Ramirez, Andrea Valdez Photographers: Claudia Hernandez, Contributors: Catherine Ramirez, Aimee Santillan, Priscilla Gomez, Melissa Mar tinezsotomayor, Eddie Velazquez
state and national awards for their work and going on to great careers in whatever their chosen fields. Our students have gone on to work at various local print media outlets such as the El Paso Times, El Diario and El Paso Inc, as well as electronic media such as KVIA, KTSM, Telemundo, Univisión and KDBC. They have also gone on to work at media throughout the country such as CNN, Associated Press, Now This, Buzzfeed, New York Daily News, Politico and the Dallas Morning News. Several former students now teach journalism in the local high schools, El Paso Community College and UTEP, sending their protégés to come work at The Prospector when they come to college. I know The Prospector will go on to produce more great journalists and creative artists, and I am proud of my small contribution to its 103-year history. Students, I encourage you to keep picking up The Prospector and Minero Magazine and reading our news online and on social media. It is your voice, your news and your opinions. I also want to thank the great professional staff I have worked with during these past 16 years, Isabel, Veronica and Marcie, and encourage them to keep up their efforts and always remember that the students come first and that we do make a difference in their lives. Good luck to all the future editors, reporters, designers, photographers and ad executives in the coming years. And to Gaby Velasquez, The Prospector’s new editor-in-chief, my mini-me, I have a lot of faith in you and I know you will do great. And, finally, to my husband David, who supported me every step of the way–who put up with my stress and the time I spent working on weekends and holidays, who helped me bring food to the newsroom and gave valuable training to the students–I couldn’t have done this without you. –30– Kathy Flores may not be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.
VOL . 104, no. 1
Account Executive: Kenneth Bell Senior Designer: Itzel Lara Garcia Graphic Designer Salma Lozoya, Videographer: Daniel “Curly” Mendez Advertising Coordinator: Malia Greene Administrative Secretary: Marcela Luna Accounting Specialist: Isabel Castillo Assistant Director: Veronica Gonzalez Director: Kathleen Flores
Editor-in-Chief Gaby A. Velasquez, 747-7446
New Beginnings by Javier Cortez The Prospector At The Prospector, we are used to changing. It happens all the time and in every facet of our industry. We are a college newspaper that mirrors the professional newspapers and publications we strive to be like. Each semester we have staff that comes and goes, whether it be contributors or editors, people come and people go. But at the end of the 2018 spring semester, we went through some big changes. Changes that only happen every so often. For starters, our former director and advisor, Kathleen M. Flores, retired after 16 years at the helm. She dedicated each and every day to the job; teaching us, the students, the who, what, when, where and why of the job, while overseeing student media as a whole. Her impact on our publication and her positive influence on the work we do as college journalists cannot be summed up in a few paragraphs. “Kathy,” as we affectionately called her at the office, will be missed in more ways the one. Luckily, for the staff, Veronica, our advertising director, who has worked at Student Publications for the past 15 years is taking over. Despite losing such an influential figure in our publication, we are retaining and gaining another great leader to take us down a new path. That said, the change in Director is not the only change that has occurred when you were
on vacation. We went through one of the biggest staff turnovers in recent memory. This semester we welcome in a new, energetic, young staff that is ready to offer fresh insights into student life here at UTEP and all the new happenings in the borderland. And to go along with the change in staff, our actual paper is different! So long fold over. We hope you enjoy the new layout as much as we do. Lastly, this summer, we did not have printed editions. It was a sad but fitting reality of journalism today. It’s pretty simple; the money is not there and the support for journalism is not what it used to be. But that does not mean you should stop reading The Prospector. We still want your support, need your support, and value your support. We will continue to publish daily, regardless of whether we are printing or not, and we strive to keep up with the times; integrating multimedia and social media into the content we produce. And by you, we mean all of you. We hope for continued support from the Division of Student Affairs. We hope for continued support from the students, professors and faculty who pick up the paper on Tuesdays. And we hope for renewed support from the Department of Communication, more specifically the multimedia journalism program. We are always in the need for contributors and students who want to gain practical writing experience outside of the classroom. Without your support, we’re not as good as we can be, but with your support, we can be a great publication that mirrors the great work that is being done by great journalists out in the professional world today. Javier Cortez may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.
Speak your mind Submit a letter to the editor! 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, theprospector1@gmail.com, call 747-7477or fax
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 and spring 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
August 28, 2018
NEWS | 3 |
Botello to focus on college experience during SGA tenure
Claudia flores / The Prospector Junior psychology major Cristian Botello is the newly elected Student Government Association president.
by Eddie velazquez The Prospector As a new school year begins , a new Student Government Association (SGA) administration comes into the fold. At the helm of this regime is junior psychology major and now new SGA president Cristian Botello, who is certainly not a stranger to the way SGA operates. He was elected senator-at-large in 2017, but Botello’s leadership in a UTEP setting did not start there. “I think that I didn’t get my first real (leadership) experience until I came here on campus, here at UTEP when I joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity,” Botello said. “That is when I was able to become a social chair. I had to plan different events, mixers with sororities, trying to be creative and taking on a responsibility.” After his term as social chair, Botello looked to put his skills to the test taking on a more significant leadership role. This time within the university. “(When) I became a senator-at-large here at student government, that is where I really got to experience the administrative part and talking with administrators, communicating and public speaking,” he said. Previous experience within the government
body is something Botello thinks of as a critical quality for those holding administrative positions within SGA. He also said that it has already paid dividends within his staff. “If somebody is internal, I believe that they know how student government is ran. A big part of this administration was training the senators and the upcoming administration and we already have
background experience in doing that,” Botello said. “Overall having those relationships with administrators already made the transition easier.” His internal climb in office didn’t come without a struggle, as the MOVE party candidate captured 48.81 percent of the popular vote in route to the presidency. Campaigning exposed him to student life and
made him value the importance of transparent feedback. Following up on a measure implemented by the previous administration, the current regime plans on live streaming every SGA meeting via Facebook Live, as well as establishing social media accounts as open forums for students to provide criticism. However, once entrenched in student government, student life came to take a deeper meaning for the 21-year-old. “When it comes to UTEP we are a commuter school, so we don’t have as much student engagement compared to other universities,” he said. “That is probably due to a lot of factors; for example, students working, or students going to school and right after just heading home instead of just staying on campus.” The emphasis on student engagement is reflected in the types of projects that the administration has prioritized thus far. Promises of a bigger homecoming pageant fueled by more funding, free food offered by members of SGA before the first home football game and even a debate between two of Texas’ current juggernauts (incumbent Beto O’ Rourke and and U.S. Senator
see BOTELLO on page 8
ATTENTION
Juniors, Graduating Seniors & MBA Candidates in Business Administration, Marketing, Accounting & Computer Science
GREAT INCOME OPPORTUNITY! a) Work Part Time: Requires 1 Hr, (4-5) Times/Week. Great for students or those in NEED of extra income, and internship/apprentice. b) Jump-Start an ONLINE INTERACTIVE COMMERCE BUSINESS with ZERO OVERHEAD! *Athletics Training. Nutrition. Sports Nutrition. Wt Loss/Mgmt. Corporate Wellness Exclusive Skin Care line. Proper Supplementation. Team-Up for Support with Established Business Owners! *For Individual or Group Overview, we have (15-20) minutes segments available. P/S, Only serious inquiries please. Call: (915)-252-3180. E-mail: fkmunene@live.com
THEPROSPECTOR
| 4 | NEWS August 28, 2018
Miner Welcome kicks off the Fall 2018 semester
4
1
3
2
5
Priscilla Gomez / The Prospector 1. Creative writing major Cheyanne Lozano makes a huge bubble at the Miner Welcome. 2. Sophomore fine arts major Sara Castro rides down the zip line. 3. Junior mechanical engineering major Luis Nuñez and senior forensic science major Gema Espinoza climb up the rock wall. 4. Latin American and Border Studies graduate student Luis Suira and junior org and corp communications major Andres Adame dance at Miner Welcome at Centennial Plaza. 5. (From left to right) Horacio Estavillo, Enrique Romero, Sandra Navarrete and Adriana Chavez de la Rosa table at the first day of Miner Welcome with their organization Visión Mexico.
Despite all the new changes in UTEP Athletics, do you care about UTEP football? Priscilla Gomez, Sergio Muñoz / The Prospector
Aibhlin Esparza
Senior mechanical engineering major “I would like to. I feel like we could’ve done better in the past years but I’m looking forward to see what they can accomplish. I am planning to go to the games this semester.”
Alejandro Loya
Alexandra Melendez
Carlos Alvarado
Leslie Sossa
“Yes, I care about the football team. I think football is really fun to watch, it’s a great sport to go with friends. I am definetly going to a couple of games; at least against UTSA and NMSU.”
“No, I do not, but I understand why other people may care for them. But I think that they put so much money in them and I think we can definitely focus on other things.”
“To be honest I went to one game last year. I am plannig to go to a game, at least one. I care if they win, and if they lose I have to get used to it.”
“No, I feel like athletics are taken to highest standards than the actual education, and I feel like if we stop spending so much money on the football team we would have more money for education.”
Senior biology major
Senior computer science major
Sophomore theater major
Junior computer science major
THEPROSPECTOR
August 28, 2018
NEWS | 5 |
Uncertainty continues as DACA reaches make-or-break decision from Houston Judge
File photo / The Prospector A protestor at a march celebrates the block of SB4 on September of 2017 in Downtown El Paso.
BY Andrea Valdez The Prospector Editor’s Note: Quotes from Monica Diaz and Diego Garcia were translated from Spanish to English. The nearly-700,000 young people who were brought to the United States illegally during their childhood face a difficult time in their lives as the immigration program Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which provided them permission to live and work in the United States, may come to a halt. District Judge Andrew Hanen, of the Southern District of Texas, heard arguments from several states that claim that DACA is unconstitutional. Judge Hanen has yet to make a decision on the immigration program’s constitutionality. For now, the request to immediately stop the program is being considered. DACA, created by former President Barack Obama in 2012, is facing lawsuits regarding the program’s constitutionality. Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia have
signed on the lawsuit, arguing that DACA creates additional costs in education, health care and law enforcement, as well as increases competition for jobs. In previous lawsuits, courts from New York, Washington D.C., and California ruled favorably for the program. Though Judge Hanen’s decision on the program’s constitutionality has yet to be declared, Dr. Irasema Coronado, professor of political science at UTEP, believes that letting DACA survive should not be a question and that the government should allow the DREAMers to continue working and studying in the country. “It’s the right thing to do for these young people and taking that away from them is a cruel and unusual punishment,” Coronado said. Coronado has interviewed people in Mexico who have been deported and found that adjusting to life in a different country was extremely difficult, since most DACA recipients are not socially, economically or politically cultured in their parents country of origin. Coronado believes that there must be accommodations for the beneficiaries and emphasized that the creation of DACA
was Obama’s boldest step forward in immigration policy. According to governing calculations of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services from the 2016 Census, about 120,000 people in Texas are DACA recipients. In El Paso County, about 9,000 are eligible for the program. Should all authorized workers be removed along with the immigration program, the country’s economy will take a hit. A report by the Center for American Progress found that a mass wave of deportations would cause the U.S. cumulative Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to decline by about $4.7 trillion. But more importantly, DREAMers would be negatively impacted. UTEP graduate Monica Diaz came to the United States when she was 8. Now 22, she recals becoming a DACA beneficiary at the age of 18. DACA helped her acquire a job and was granted a scholarship thanks to the program. Throughout the application process for a job, employers always ask for legal requirements, such as a work permit. “Wherever I apply for a job, I’m required to show a work permit. If it weren’t for DACA I wouldn’t be able to work,” Diaz said. “If DACA was to get repealed, I don’t know what would happen. I’m the only DACA beneficiary in my family. (The government) knows where I live, where I work, everything. I don’t like to even imagine what would happen.” Another DACA beneficiary, junior Diego Garcia, has lived in the U.S. for 17 years. Garcia has been a DACA beneficiary for five years and says that he’s very thankful for the program, as it has helped him get a job so that he could pay for school. If DACA gets repealed, Garcia is most worried about what
will happen to him, with the uncertainty, at times, becoming too much to bear. “I would be living in uncertainty,” Garcia said. “Ever since Trump became president, many of his decisions have launched the country into disarray and caused many changes. I think that all these changes have to do with (the administration’s) political agenda. The Trump Administration must not have concrete information about what would happen if they removed the immigrants from the country.” Sophomore mechanical engineering major Miguel Cuervo, also said that DACA made it easy for him to work and he was able to get a driver’s license. “My license expires along with my work permit. So, my license would go, my permission to work would go. That might affect my (education],” Cuervo said. “I think it would be wrong to deport and get rid of all the people who are working here (under DACA).” Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at UTEP, Dr. Catie McCorry-Andalis said that the university will still support all students in their education and that Dr. Diana Natalicio, has sent out a DACA statement to all UTEP students for support. “No matter where a student comes from to us, whether it’s locally, internationally, (UTEP) will continue to support them in their education,” McCorry-Andalis stated. A website by UTEP’s Dean of Students office, titled Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, provides information about the program for students. The website includes information about support and students’ rights. Andrea Valdez may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.
THEPROSPECTOR
| 6 | NEWS August 28, 2018
New College of Education dean committed to its students, UTEP community
by Brianna Chavez The Prospector
Walking into the dean’s office in the education building can be somewhat intimidating, but the new dean of the College of Education is far from that. Clifton Tanabe, Ph.D. is welcoming, kind, and eager to work for and alongside students in the College of Education. Tanabe is one UTEP’s newest additions to its era of change. He comes to El Paso from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa . “I’m extremely grateful, honored, privileged and committed to joining this team and to working together with folks across the campus and the community,” Dr. Tanabe said. Born in Indiana and raised in Honolulu. Tanabe has a master’s in educational foundations from UH Mānoa , a doctorate in educational policy studies and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Before coming to El Paso, he actually knew about UTEP as a child. The University of Hawaii and UTEP were both members of the old Western Athletic Conference (WAC) for the better part of three decades. Even as Tanabe grew passionate about education, he would hear about the work UTEP President Diana Natalicio was doing in the community and the work of the El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence (EPCAE). “That collaborative work is very interesting to me because it resonated with some of the types of things that I was trying to do as a faculty member in various communities,” Tanabe said. EPCAE works to respond to the needs of schools in the El Paso area, something Tanabe is very excited to be a part of. “(EPCAE) is 25-years-old and that’s an amazing reality in and of itself. To have something exist for that long, it’s powerful,” Tanabe said. Tanabe believes that working in the field of education creates a foundation for the future, especially
in El Paso. He said the work that educators do can spark hope; providing a pathway for individuals. “It’s challenging, but I keep that the back of my mind,” Tanabe said. While the work may be tiring, Tanabe said he gets goosebumps as he drives home and is thrilled to contribute to UTEP’s mission even if it’s in a small way. Tanabe acknowledged that there is a lot of work that must be done within the college, which is why his biggest goal for this new school year is listening. To Tanabe, the most successful educators and administrators at other institutions were those who “had a dose of humility” and put all their efforts trying to understand and learn, something he will be focusing on this year. Tanabe said he’s optimistic about the impact the college will be making moving forward. The college is working hard on their partnerships with schools across the area to provide interesting, yet exciting new experiences for educators in the field. He hopes UTEP students notice the College of
Education’s efforts in “continuing a culture of support” as well as their dedication in making sure students become “the best educational professionals.” “I just have a tremendous drive to try to do better for students here to the extent that I’m capable of doing. I promise I will put every drop of energy into it,” Tanabe said. Dr. Tanabe will also be a tenured professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations, however students won’t be seeing him in the classroom this semester. The Honolulu native wants to get his feet under him before he steps back into the classroom. While Tanabe has only been on the job for about six weeks now, he has already grown to appreciate El Paso and the UTEP community, especially the sunsets. “I come from a place that has a reputation for beauty, but El Paso is every bit as beautiful,” Tanabe said. “Hawaiian folks pride themselves on the sunsets, but [El Paso’s] sunsets might be even prettier.” Brianna Chavez may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.
Sun Metro provides safety tips for upcoming streetcar by Aimée santillán The Prospector
Aimée Santillán / The Prospector The streetcar goes through Oregon Street on Friday, August 24, during one of its safety tests.
The El Paso streetcar is hitting the roads soon. But before opening its doors to the public, Sun Metro is working on performing safety tests and sharing tips on how to interact with the streetcar while driving, cycling or walking. Unlike other railway means of transportation, like subways, trains, and metros, the streetcar is designed to coincide with normal traffic. This means that lanes used for cars, trailers and buses will sometimes match with the lane in which the streetcar will pass. “We are introducing a new mode of transportation, and like any other new thing, we have to learn to coexist,” said Jose Marquez, Streetcar safety, security and training manager at Sun Metro, during a streetcar safety community meeting. “The streetcar operates on the street, therefore we have to coexist as motorists, pedestrians or cyclists,” During past safety tests, the streetcar showed that it did not make much noise when traveling, and for this reason, the traffic interacting with it has to be more cautious when making turns or changing lanes in places where the streetcar could pass. “The operator of the streetcar will be using a bell to be able to communicate with traffic. For example, when the streetcar is approaching a stop, the operator is instructed to ring the bell twice before starting the movement of the vehicle, either in an intersection or a stop,” Marquez said. Streetcars will not be able to make sudden stops or make turns at will to avoid other traffic. For this reason, it is advised for motorists,
cyclists and pedestrians to not venture into cutting off a streetcar to make a turn, pass another vehicle or cross the street. Furthermore, bicycles will not be able to operate on the same lanes where the streetcar will operate since the wheels could get stuck on the rails. Additionally, the streetcar is designed to be a way to connect the downtown area–going all the way down to Father Rahm Avenue–with the uptown area–up to Glory Road. It connects destinations such as the Don Haskins Center, UTEP, private hospitals, Southwest University Park, the Sun Metro transfer center, the International Bridge and the El Paso County Courthouse among others stops. According to Sun Metro Director, Jay Banasiak, Sun Metro is also working with public and private officials to coordinate so that the streetcar will be in function for the public during events around the area. “We’re targeting any type of passenger to use the streetcar, whether it is people wanting to get lunch, going from downtown to uptown or vice versa, as well as workers in the morning,” Banasiak said. “ We’re hitting all the parking lots in town, so if there’s somebody going to a football game or to Cincinnati [Street], they can go and park at any of the parking lots and use the trolley to get to those events.” Students will be able to get a fare discount for riding the streetcar, just like when using any other Sun Metro vehicle and will be able to use Sun Metro monthly passes on this vehicle as well. That said, some UTEP students have been concerned about streetcar safety issues when its interacting with normal traffic.
see Streetcar on page 8
UTEP
Staff & Faculty Take advantage of payroll deduction from August 15 – September 14 Open Recreation Fitness Programs Indoor Swimming Pools Intramural Sports Climbing Gym Indoor Track Free Weight Room Selectorized Machines Outdoor Adventure Trips Game Room
!
Union East, Room 304 915.747.5584 sga@utep.edu
THEPROSPECTOR
| 8 | NEWS August 28, 2018 BOTELLO from page 4 Ted Cruz) are all a testament of aiming higher in order to keep students engaged. “We think that with the initiatives that we are pushing; with the debate, with student involvement on campus when it comes to the special project of getting people to the football games, Minerfest, which is another idea that we did last year as a senator but we are gonna continue to make it better this year,” Botello said. “I think that the social aspect along with the political voter turnout, I think can get students engaged, and overall I think students’ college experience and they can get the most out of that.” With the implementation of all of these events,
streetcar from page 6 Botello hopes to enhance his vision of an enriched college experience. “I think that it is very important for students to get the college experience. That they aren’t just going to classes just to get good grades but that they are involved, they are in organizations, building leadership experience, that they can go out to events like Minerfest and hang out right before finals, to stay on campus to see what is going on,” Botello said. “I think that is what makes a good college experience, not only the academics but also that social part. That is what we are really focusing on this year.” Eddie Velazquez may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.
“I think it’s great that they brought them back, but one of the main reasons why the city decided to have them again was to alleviate traffic in the downtown area. But I don’t think that’s going to be the case. Instead I’m concerned that drivers and the streetcars won’t be able to coordinate in order for both, vehicles and the streetcars, to properly operate during the day,” said junior economics major Aylin Heredia. Meanwhile, some UTEP students are looking forward to hopping on the streetcar. “I feel the vintage streetcar offers a unique and exciting transportation experience for all of its users. This technology serves as means of transportation, all while promoting the conservation and education of our city’s history,” said senior organizational and corporate communication major Mitzi Anguiano Zarate. “I am eager to hop on a streetcar with my family and friends to take in the beautiful views of El Paso. I am sure I will enjoy the change of pace and glimpse of the past that
streetcars have to offer.” Reviving the city’s history as well as using the streetcar to help reduce traffic from the downtown/university area seem to be some motivators for students. “The streetcar is an amazing way to revive our vibrant border history,” said junior history major Tais Miller. “I currently reside around the UTEP area, so the streetcar will be a great convenience for me since I can use it to go from the university to downtown. For college students, it will help us reduce our carbon usage, which is a plus.” Sun Metro is still waiting to receive the state’s security certification in order to begin operations. According to their public affairs coordinator, Oscar Arriaga, Sun Metro is planning to keep continuous street safety tests up until late November and have its grand opening in December of this year. Aimée Santillán may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.
entertainment
August 28, 2018 Editor jake deven, 747-7446
9
International Museum of Art to host UTEP student by jake deven The Prospector Editor’s Note: Quotes from Jorge Martinez were translated from Spanish to English.
courtesy of angel de la rosa De la Rosa is one of many artists to preform at this semester’s fall music series at the bookstore.
UTEP Bookstore kicks off fall music series
by Claudia Flores The Prospector
As part of their new Borderland Music Series, the UTEP Bookstore will offer a series of concerts featuring UTEP students and local artists on campus. Concerts will be held Monday through Thursday at the bookstore patio to bring a fresh and exciting environment for students during the fall semester. “One thing about me is that I have a musical background, and when it comes to young people, music is at the top of their list,” said the bookstore’s marketing specialist Cheryl Patterson. Working in tandem with the UTEP Department of Music, Patterson’s goal for the new series goes beyond promoting the talents of UTEP students and faculty, it’s about bringing the community together. “I called it ‘Borderland Music Series’ because this is a border community,” Patterson said. “You have people from all over, and it’s open to everybody.” Apart from the live sessions, every Thursday will feature a segment called “Turn Up Music Thursdays” where DJ Prince Jett, one of the attached artists, will keep up the good vibes with a wide range of music, going from pop to rock, to the retro music from the 70s and 80s. “Music can motivate,” Patterson said. “It motivates anyone but more so young people, and one of my roles at UTEP is to create excitement, and that excitement is supposed to inspire you. It should move you to do something.” Angel de La Rosa, a graduate student set
to perform at the Borderland Music series said that this project is a welcoming opportunity for performers to get out and expose themselves and their work to an already-diverse community at UTEP. Artists from all music genres and ages are welcome to join in and prepare a set list for a 30 minute or two-hour show. There are no general restrictions set on applying to be part of the music series–possible participants do not have to be enrolled at UTEP to apply to be apart of the music sessions. “As a songwriter, I personally feel that the series is a unique chance for me to spend some time with other folks who share an interest in live music,” De la Rosa said. “It opens up a moment for me to share a story that I can tell through lyrics and chords.” Besides being a platform for young-adult performers, Patterson also wants to make sure that children in the community have a spot in the music scene. “On Saturdays, families can come and kids can bring their instruments and jam with the artist,” Patterson said. The idea of opening this space to children is to motivate the young ones to pursue a new hobby. Along with the artist, children will be able to learn about songwriting and music. The children’s workshop will take place on Saturdays twice a month. To be part of the bookstore’s Borderland Music Series send a link from a live performance to utepbkstr@gmail.com. For more information visit utepbkstr.com Claudia Flores may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com
As fostering as UTEP is for art students, many find it humbling and rewarding to be able to present their work to the public. For junior graphic design major Jorge E. Martinez, on Sept. 8 to Oct. 3 at the El Paso International Museum of Art, he might come to understand that feeling first hand as he presents his collection, “The Life of J”. Martinez originally submitted his drawings to be displayed at the Rubin Center but ended up being selected to participate in the 51st Arts International Exhibition 2018. Martinez says that despite having an interest in simple art, he is passionate about making the audience feel something when analyzing his work. “I really enjoy abstract and minimalist art, I like when art is simple but still carries a message,” Martinez said. “I don’t want it to be easy for the audience. I want them to wonder what I was thinking when I created my paintings and to reflect, then have their own interpretation.” One of Martinez’s exhibits, which is to be displayed at the Glass Gallery from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5, showcases his take on life and death. He calls it “Memento Mori,” describing his work as a way of encouraging peo-
ple to live their lives as naturally as possible while encouraging conversation about both the mortality of human life and the falsified idiom of immortality by pop culture. “The majority of my art represents the human experience,” Martinez said. “I want people to look at my art and notice how we relate to one another.” Martinez initially started painting at a young age, but wasn’t able to fully enjoy his passion until high school. Being a bilingual student, he was limited to certain Spanish-speaking classes, in which art was not one of them. His work reflects his love and passion for every memory that lives in each painting. “Before, my art used to be really sad. Now, it’s really about having a positive outlook on life,” Martinez said. “I really just found a way to occupy my mind and use my creativity so that I wouldn’t become bored or dull.” Martinez says that much of his inspiration comes from a time in his life when he was being treated for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Much of what’s depicted in his art is the message of renovation or starting fresh. “I’m just having fun. I try to make sure the pieces I put out represent how I feel at that moment,” Martinez said. Jake Deven may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com
“Autorretrato” courtesy of Jorge E. Martinez
| 10 | ENTERTAINMENT August 28, 2018
The Center for Accommodations and Support Services (CASS) welcomes you to this new semester.
We are here to provide students with disabilities with: Classroom accommodations tailored to your needs. Access to accesssible classrooms Information on resources Problem-solving assistance Activities associated with Ability Awareness Week: Oct. 8-11, 2018
Union East Bldg. Room 106 Phone: (915) 747- 5148 Email: cass@utep.edu
@CASSatUTEP utepcass
THEPROSPECTOR
THEPROSPECTOR
August 28, 2018
ENTERTAINMENT | 11 |
Prospector Picks: Hottest movies and music of the summer
by the prospector staff The Prospector
Editors Note: From relatable coming of age movies to long-awaited sequels, and from highly anticipated album releases to massive collaborations; it’s safe to say that this summer was packed with some of the best entertainment of the year. Here’s what the Prospector staff was hooked on all summer long.
Eighth Grade, Directed by Bo Burnham
Sergio E. Muñoz, Photo Editor Eighth Grade is not only the best movie of the summer but also the best of the year so far. It’s a film that takes you back to the most embarrassing moments of your puberty. Director Bo Burnham does an excellent job making both a funny and thrilling movie. The story immerses the audience into the life of Kayla, played by Elsie Fisher, a girl who is living through her eighthgrade year of school and has to deal with different situations that will test her confidence. The most remarkable element of the movie is how the director uses situations that we all probably experienced during this horrible age of our lives, which gives the audience a stronger connection with the characters. These situations could have occurred
in our school, with our family, with our friends and Burnham uses them brilliantly to develop Kayla’s story. No doubt, Eighth Grade is another achievement for A24, an independent entertainment company based in New York City that has produced other hits this year, including First Reformed and Hereditary.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Directed by Desiree Akhavan
Eddie Velazquez, Contributor Packaged as a sincere coming-of-age tale about an orphan discovering her sexuality during her teenage years, The Miseducation of Cameron Post delivers stunning performances and roots its relevance on the issues of today. Chloe Grace Moretz plays the role of Cameron Post, who is sent to a religious sex conversion camp after her boyfriend finds her having sex with her best friend Coley in the back of his car. Set in the early 90s, the movie attempts to explore the notion of “non-normative” sexual attraction and gender identification as pathological behaviors. Not only does the movie explain this with clarity but it also draws parallels to current conventional and ill-founded ideas surrounding progressive gender expression.
BlacKkKlansman, Directed by Spike Lee
Jake Deven, Entertainment Editor Legendary film director Spike Lee has something to say and says it loud with his new movie BlacKkKlansman. The movie tells the story of Ron Stallworth, the first black cop who eventually went undercover as a member of the Ku Klux Klan. It goes without saying that being a black cop back then was met with disrespect and racism by both the community and the department. With that in mind, this movie needs to be seen by as many people as possible. Not only is BlacKkKlansman a relevant movie for today’s times, it’s just a great story overall. It’s the perfect look in the mirror at the state of racism in America in the era of President Trump. This movie doesn’t shy away from the brutal horrors of bigotry, racism and hate crimes that might trigger painful emotions and feelings in some moviegoers. The end credits, in particular, are painful to watch. Despite the dark story, Lee is somehow able to balance the hate with plenty of humor almost flawlessly. One minute viewers are in tears laughing at Washington’s chemistry with Adam Driver — who is magnificent as always — and by the very next scene are in tears because of what some white supremacist
just did on screen. Stallworth’s story very much deserves to be told and viewers should definitely prepare themselves mentally ahead of time.
Incredibles 2, Directed by Brad Bird
Brianna Chavez, Staff Reporter “WHERE IS MY SUPER SUIT?!” is probably one of the most memorable and quotable lines from Disney’s The Incredibles. The film came out in 2004 when I was seven years old. I remember buying the film on DVD when it was released and watching it religiously. Now, 14 years later, I’m sitting in a movie theater on a Tuesday night with a glass of wine in my hand getting ready for Incredibles 2. When Disney announced a sequel to the film, I was ecstatic knowing that I could relive one of my favorite childhood films as an adult. After watching the film, it was clear to me why Disney is so good at what they do. The sequel picks off right where the first film left off. The plot was joyful yet mixed with the right amount of suspense. I was blown away by how detailed Pixar’s animations were. Walking out of the theater, I wanted more. I guess we might have to wait another 14 years to see everyone’s favorite family of superheroes. Incredibles 2 was just as good, if not better than first.
see Summer on page 12
THEPROSPECTOR
| 12 | ENTERTAINMENT AUGUST 28, 2018 Summer from page 11
Wide Awake! By Parquet Courts
Eddie Velazquez, Contributor Brooklyn-based band, Parquet Courts took it to the next level with the release of their most recent LP. Wide Awake! featuring the band’s most eloquent and poignant songwriting to date. This is especially impressive because the music industry seems saturated with sometimes forced and aimless socio-political statements. The most notable example of this is in the opening track, “Total Football,” which talks about social intransigence and the working class struggle. In terms of sound, drummer Max Savage and bassist Sean Yeaton steal the show with their frantic and much-improved performances. The funkification of the band’s sound builds on their characteristic garage/art punk sound. It also opens up different sonic avenues for Savage and Yeaton to catch up with superstar vocalist Andrew Savage and guitarist Austin Brown. This album also gets bonus points for being recorded at Electric Lady studios in New York City and Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, TX. Recommended tracks: “Total Football” and “Tenderness.”
Now that the album’s here, it’s clear what took him so long. ASTROWORLD is a staggering, ambitious and sonically boundless work; supplanting others as one of the most star-studded rap albums in years. There has not been another album with a better line-up of features in 2018 than ASTROWORLD. Not only are there big hip-hop names like Drake, Pharrell, Kid Cudi, Frank Ocean and Swae Lee, there are also contributions from Tame Impala, James Blake, Stevie Wonder, Thundercat and John Mayer. While there are a lot of forgettable tracks on this album, they’re mostly due to repetitiveness not lousy production. Executive producer Mike Dean along with Hit-Boy, WondaGurl, Boi-1da, Frank Dukes, Murda Beatz, Cardo, Sevn Thomas, Nineteen85, Sonny Digital, and of course the 808 king, Tay Keith has served a line-up of beats that distinguish ASTROWORLD from the stereotypical trap we’ve become used to in 2018. Travis Scott is often accused of meaningless lyrics and no sense of vocal value, which I sorta get — I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s a down to Earth, poetic rapper but at this point he’s on another planet.
are despite the obstacles in life they have gone
company the warmer months of a continuously
through. Hov even addresses the elephant in the
complicated cultural era.
room with the track “FRIENDS”, detailing how throughout the struggles of life he has managed to keep true real friends in his circle. As the album progresses the duo discuss how fidelity almost ruined their strong relationship on the track “LOVEHAPPY.” It’s a real track that displays how much affection the god MC has for his wife and his family, and how he was willing to do everything at all costs to keep the family from feuding — because no one wins when the family feuds. No, we may never get a Watch the Throne II, but we got the closest thing with EVERYTHING IS LOVE.
Jake Deven, Entertainment Editor Kanye West and Kid Cudi have become two of the most influential rap artists of the 21st century. Separately, they have boomed through fan’s headphones for the better part of two decades. But together, they have created the latest challenge in their respective careers, Kids See Ghosts. Fans knew that Kanye West and Kid Cudi worked well together, but the level of synergy on this album is crazy. The
7 By Beach House Jake Deven, Entertainment Editor Technically this album came out before the summer even started — back in May — but that didn’t stop me from jamming to this gem all summer long. Over the course of 13 years and six albums, Victoria Legrand and
EVERYTHING IS LOVE By The Carters Daniel Mendez, Sports Editor
When the Carters, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, dropped their unannounced collaborative album just minutes after a second show in London as part of their On the Run II tour on a random Saturday afternoon, fans collectively
ASTROWORLD By Travis Scott
Jake Deven, Entertainment Editor Travis Scott finally dropped his long-in-theworks opus this summer, a full 27 months after he first announced its title back in May of 2016.
Kids See Ghosts By Kanye West & Kid Cudi
Alex Scally have built quite the reputation — churning out dark, dreamy, and melodramatic insulations of noise that always earn the stamp of approval. 7 feels natural and thoughtful, yet it never over or underwhelms, containing just enough clever sonic adornment and intelligent
listened to Queen-B talk greasy and out rap
wordplay. Beach House appears to have done
her male hip-hop counterparts, such as Kanye
it again by doing it differently, crafting a sonic
West. Her husband Jay-Z matched her slick talk
tapestry that awes the ear yet holds steady
by calling out the Grammy’s and the NFL in the
tension with accessibility and experimentation.
album’s second track, “APESHIT”. Throughout, the album they brag about how wealthy they
7 may be the strongest dream pop/shoegaze album to land this year and a lovely way to ac-
two complement each other so well. Whether white or black, I think we can all agree that the duo has a solid grasp of our current cultural landscape. At 23 minutes long, Kids See Ghosts might be short, but it accomplishes so much in that time. It’s a second coming for Kid Cudi with his smooth lyricism. It shows us Kanye West still has real bars. It offers bangers built on hard drums, and it encourages you to feel your feelings and empower yourself. I was skeptical of Kanye’s logic behind the seven track restriction, but I am totally on board now. Together, Kanye West and Kid Cudi have managed to craft a cohesive sound for their joint-venture. It’s an experience that’s best enjoyed as a complete body of work from start to finish.
The Prospector is committed to the accuracy. If you think we have made an error of fact, e-mail the editor at michaelairoman@gmail. com
Sports
August 28, 2018 Editor DANIEL MENDEZ, 747-7446
13
A new era of UTEP football is upon us “Obviously one of the hardest things as a coach is to tell them to not pay attention to anything in the media because that’s not what football players should do. They should be focused on how to get better and be the best you can be.”
I don’t pay attention to what they’re saying... If you don’t know, you shouldn’t be talking.
- Nik Needham senior corneback
Priscilla Gomez / The Prospector New head football coach Dana Dimel prepares his team for the season opener on Saturday Sept. 2 against Northern Arizona at the Sun Bowl.
By Adrian Broaddus The Prospector
UTEP went winless, 0-12 in 2017—something no other team did last year in the FBS. It hangs over the team like a forgotten friend, familiar to the team. The feeling creeps into the player’s thoughts and as much as they want to set it aside, it happened. And, it will be the main focus this Saturday against Northern Arizona. Amidst a coaching resignation in Sean Kugler and an athletic director change from Bob Stull to Jim Senter, came a gentle, yet eager coach from Manhattan, Kansas. Dana Dimel, who was previously the offensive coordinator of Kansas State under Bill Synder for almost a decade (2009-2017), chose to take a new direction in his life, challenging himself; inheriting a winless UTEP team. “I like the challenge. My whole career has involved rebuilding,” Dimel said last December upon his hiring. “This is a challenge I know I can
handle. I want the gratification of turning this thing around. I see the great potential here. Every player is going to represent the university the right way. My recruiting starts with player’s character.” Almost nine months into his regime as head coach and Dimel continues to work with his adopted players and newcomers to rectify the team come game day. He knows what it’s like to bring back a program from deep pits. During his time at Wyoming and Houston in the late ‘90s, early 2000s, Dimel took over traditionally poor football programs and brought them to commendable statures. He then joined forces with Synder at Kansas State and coached the Big 12 affiliate to seven bowl games in nine seasons. This is nothing new for Dimel, but the preparation leading into game one still tests his nerves. “Very anxious time right now getting ready,” Dimel said. “We had our Thursday gameplan and we get ready with all the mechanics that go along with that, so hopefully when we go out,
we can be more crisp and polished.” But in the eyes of the players, fans and the El Paso community, UTEP is in a desperate spot going against Northern Arizona on Saturday. Their 12 losses is the longest active losing streak in the FBS. “I don’t expect anything else than for people to doubt us and downplay us still,” said senior defensive back Nik Needham. “I don’t pay attention to what they’re saying. There was one podcast that said ‘I doubt they win a game this year,’ and I thought, wow, this guy hasn’t even come to a practice or seen how we look this year. That’s the only thing that’s annoying. If you don’t know, you shouldn’t be talking.” Preseason polls, like CBS Sports and Athlon Sports, have the Miners dead last this season. The little respect given by preseason prognosticators or lack thereof is exactly what Dimel wants his player to ignore. “You gotta keep them focused,” Dimel said.
Against Northern Arizona, the Miners will debut a brand new offense and defense. The offense is predicated off shotgun formations and constant misdirection. Like his offense at Kansas State, the team likes to run the ball, to go along with spreading the offense out in different packages. Their defense has switched from a 3-4 to a 4-2-5, which requires physical defenders that play man on most receivers. The defense is bringing in a significantly strong secondary, with Needham, Kalon Beverly, Justin Rogers and Kahani Smith leading the way for the returning Miners. The month of September will tell a lot for the Miners. After they kick off their season against NAU, the Miners travel on back-to-back road games to UNLV (Sept. 8) and Tennessee (Sept. 15). They will return home briefly to take on NMSU (Sept. 22) and begin C-USA play on the road against UTSA (Sept. 29). September will indicate if the Miners can turn around their team magically for a bowl berth fantasy. Or it could mean continued struggles, as they try to snap their double-digit losing streak. However, one thing is certain: the team cannot get worse than 0-12. Adrian Broaddus may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com
THEPROSPECTOR
| 14 | SPORTS August 28, 2018
Who will be under center for the Miners to start the season? College Offensive Player of the year. At Iowa Western Locksley passed for 2,238 yards in 12 games, averaging 186 yards a game, while rushing for 705 yards. Locksley threw 20 pass touchdowns and 20 rush touchdowns. “When I’m out there, I just try to make a play out of nothing sometimes, and I feel like that’s where my athleticism comes into play,” Locksley said. During training camp, Locksley has keptplays alive with his feet and that is going to be crucial for the Miners struggling offense. Last season the Miners averaged only 11.7 points a game on offense, so having a running threat like Locksley can contribute to more points on the scoreboard this season at the Sun Bowl. Being able to adapt to the style and fastpaced situations of Division I college football is necessary if Locksley wants to solidify his spot as the number one quarterback on the depth chart. Coach Dana Dimel mentioned in an interview with KVIA that in his system at Kan-
Priscilla Gomez / The Prospector Senior quarterback Ryan Metz (left) and junior college transfer Kai Locksley (right) work after practice on Wednesday Aug. 22.
By Isaiah Ramirez The Prospector
The Miners plan to exceed expectations and plant the roots to a successful reboot under first-year head coach Dana Dimel this season. In order to have a successful season, the Miners will look to have prosperity under center and a bona fide leader. The highly anticipated battle between these two quarterbacks will continue into the first game of the season Sept. 1, against Northern Arizona at the Sun Bowl. The main question the following week will be how long do Dimel and his coaching staff use the two-quarterback system before they announce a starter? Just like with any team a leader is necessary. A leader is someone who has the capability to alter the course of a game and lead their team to victories on a constant basis. This team is looking for that leader at the
quarterback position. The lights could be shining brightly on senior Ryan Metz who is a proven leader with a high football IQ, or the lights could head in the direction of Kai Locksley, a standout Junior College product out of Iowa Western, who has an outstanding athletic ability. Naming a starting quarterback before the season began would be a tough decision to rapidly make considering both of these athletes are highly talented, and both are capable of changing the losing dynamic of this team. “We’re definitely not anywhere close to naming a starting quarterback,” head coach Dana Dimel said. Previously, Dimel acknowledged on his radio show that he had used a multiple quarterback system at Kansas State, where he was the offensive coordinator for the past eight years. In regards to Locksley, there’s a lot of praise about his athleticism and that stems from being the fourth best dual threat quarterback according to 247Sports and Junior
We’re definitely not anywhere close to naming a starting quarterback.
- Dana Dimel UTEP Football head coach sas State they were successful through the play of a dual-threat quarterback, such as 2012 Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein. Dimel also mentioned that Locksley fits the mold of a dual-threat quarterback that fits nicely in his system. “Kai runs the ball well and is comfortable out of the pocket but he can also throw the ball really well and I think that is going to surprise a lot of people, and he’s not a running back playing quarterback he’s a quarterback that’s really special,” offensive coordinator Mike Canales said. The ability to create a positive outcome
of a negative breakdown play is what coaches including Dimel are excited to see. “Kai’s great athleticism and open field speed are things you always like as a coach because they create plays that you didn’t necessarily draw up and that’s what we like about Kai so much,” Dimel said. On the other hand, Ryan Metz, who started last year for the Miners, possess a high IQ and has proven he is a solid leader that can put up stable numbers. In 2016 as a sophomore, Metz threw for 1,375 yards and added 14 touchdown passes with four interceptions for the season. The El Paso native is praised for his knowledge of defensive tendencies and how to counter-attack their game plans. “Ryan is very smart and very sharp and possesses great leadership and experience,” Canales said. But when it comes to the battle under center, Metz is looking to always improve and contend for the top spot. Having to battle for the number one spot on the depth chart is nothing new to Metz, the fifth-year senior has had to compete for the spot on numerous occasions. Last year he was the number one quarterback before he struggled with nagging injuries towards the last three games. The previous battles will benefit Metz considering he’s been through this before and those experiences will be an advantage for number 12. “I feel pretty good but there’s always room for improvement and you never want to be complacent with where you are at because if you do that you’ve already beaten yourself,” Metz said. During Dimel’s first football media luncheon of the season, he mentioned that the quarterback who will take the first snaps for Saturday’s game against Northern Arizona will be announced after thursday’s practice. “After Thursday’s practice is when I will make up my mind for who will be the starter for the first series. That won’t be the starter, they’ll just be the player to take the first series.” Dimel said “Our plan is for both quarterbacks to play during the first game,” Dimel added. Who: Northern Arizona @ UTEP what: UTEP football season opener When: Saturday. Sept. 2, kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Where: Sun Bowl Stadium. 2701 Sun Bowl Dr. Free student tickets at sportslottery.utep.edu Isaiah Ramirez may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com
THEPROSPECTOR
August 28, 2018
SPORTS | 15 |
UTEP football looks for revitalization on both sides of the ball
Priscilla Gomez / The Prospector Offensive coordinator Mike Canales goes over the playbook with Kai Locklsey (left) and Calvin Brownholtz (right) camp.
By Daniel Mendez The Prospector
After a dismal year that saw the UTEP Miners football team go winless, changes needed to be made. With change comes a breath of fresh air for a team that was attempting to relive its glory days when they brought former head coach Mike Price out of retirement during that dreadful 0-12 season. Exit screen out the old era of UTEP athletics and enter the new era of athletics with the hire of Jim Senter. Senter’s first mission into his “wake up the sleeping giant” mantra was the hire of new head coach Dana Dimel. The former Kansas State of-
fensive coordinator then tasked to end the longest losing streak in the FBS, preferred to go with familiarity when it came to his coaching staff. He snagged away Tennessee Volunteers quarterback coach Mike Canales and brought along the first of many Kansas State Wildcats to El Paso with linebackers coach Mike Cox. The two Mike’s are in charge of leading the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. “The nice thing about the assistant (coaches) we’ve been together for thirty-something years in the making,” Dimel said. A coaching staff with previous experience working with each other found its way to the Sun
Bowl with aspirations of creating a new era. “It’s all about what’s best for this team and putting our players in a position to be successful and that’s the key to the whole thing,” said offensive coordinator Mike Canales. “If they keep working together and stay together as a unit, great things are going to happen.” Canales is inheriting an offense that averaged 11.7 points per game last season. That offense was responsible for a measly 19 total touchdowns, seven passing and nine rushing. One of the reasons the Miners struggled was the lack of explosive plays called. The offense was a run by committeeorientated scheme. This season is different; the talk of camp has been the quarterbacks. Canales understands there’s competition at the position but he wants his quarterbacks to be true to themselves. “I just want our players to play hard put a good effort and play sound technique and fundamentals,” Canales said. “Just make great decisions with what they do. Just be them. They don’t have to be Deshaun Watson, (or) Baker Mayfield, just be Ryan Metz, Kai Locksley, Brandon Jones, Mark Torres, Calvin Brownholtz and Alex Fernandes, I don’t want them to be no different.” With the new regime in, Miner fans should expect to see an offense that is a complete 360 from seasons past. The run heavy offense of the past morphed its way to a complete offense that is ready for many different looks from opposing defenses.
“It’s very dense. Very thick that’s going to be good for us moving forward,” Locksley said. “So whatever new defenses or new types of schemes or blitzes that teams try to throw at us we typically have something in the playbook for that.” On the defensive side of the ball, defensive coordinator Mike Cox has inherited a special group. The defense will be led by an experienced secondary, but what the coaches were able to do to make the defense the talk of camp has been the acquisitions through graduate transfers at the defesnive ine and the linebacker positions. Kansas State transfer CJ Reese will look to be the captain of the d-line, while Oregon Ducks transfer A.J. Hotchkins will look to make the linebacker core formidable. The defense last season at times kept the Miners in the game but were put in bad field position which allowed them to give up 36.7 points per game to opposing offenses. The switch to an even defensive line should be able to create havoc for opposing quarterbacks. “There’s a lot of experience on the defense,” Dimel said. “Going to the even front I think will be exciting. Really try to create more pressure on the quarterback with even looks. Be a little bit more versatile with what we’re doing”. Daniel Mendez may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com
Read more at theprospectordaily.com