VOL . 102, NO. 3
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
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
REACHING FOR THE COMMUNITY New African-American Studies director seeks to expand program
NINA TITOVETS/ THE PROSPECTOR UTEP African-American Studies director Michael Williams plans to train the next generation of students and gain visibility for the program, both on and off campus.
BY CHRISTIAN VASQUEZ The Prospector When Maceo Dailey passed away in October 2015, he left a hole not only in the El Paso community but in the African-American Studies Program at UTEP. The new director, Michael Williams, not only seeks to preserve Dailey’s legacy, but to expand on that legacy and create a communal bond between the program, UTEP and the surrounding community. “My objective is to make sure African American studies is in a position in which it is actually training up the next generation of students, who will go out and become leaders in their individual communities,” Williams said. Williams, who has a doctorate in history, comes to UTEP from Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he was the dean of social sciences, holder of the Bennie Gordon Thompson Endowed Chair in the Social Sciences and an associate professor in history. While Williams is a 20th-century historian, he specializes in the civil
rights struggle, black intellectual radicalism, grassroots activism and other topics relating to civil rights activism. His interest in civil rights came from his parents, who were involved in community activism. Williams grew up hearing the names and words of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Marcus Garvey, Medgar Evers and Ella Baker, and his schooling was an educational expansion of the values he was taught at home. Through his parents, his education and his own experiences, Williams became an advocate for universities that use their services to fit the needs of the community. “I’m a very strong proponent that there has to be a link between the academy and the community that the academy was designed to serve,” Williams said. At Tougaloo College, Williams was involved in outreach programs with community organizations on matters they thought were important such as voting issues, and would often be a keynote speaker, offering his knowledge about civil rights and civil rights history.
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While students are his main focus, Williams hopes to build a collaborative environment between the program and the El Paso community. “I want to gain visibility for the program, both on campus and off, and to do that through presented programs, events, collaboration with the community,” Williams said. “That’s extremely important and so having that kind of aspect of community engagement, community involvement, community work, that’s a part of that too, and so not only does African American Studies get an opportunity to highlight what goes on in the community, it also gets an opportunity to be a part of what that community is doing.” Williams also hopes to create national collaborative engagement between universities, where students and faculty can visit other universities and attend lectures, classes and other events to further their education and community involvement, and vice versa. “One thing that I hope to accomplish in point is to organize a civil rights tour of some of the key promi-
nent areas in Mississippi for students here as part of the African American Studies agenda,” Williams said. Along with the African-American Studies program, the Black Student Union also gained a new advisor, where Williams’ community-first proclivity continues. “I have already begun working with the leadership in the Black Student Union, and they have some ideas that are very good, and so I want to help them develop that and also sit down and let them build a part in what the African American Studies is doing as well, and then have them put in leadership positions there,” Williams said. Prior to his initial interview, Williams had never been to El Paso, and one of his first sights was the Franklin Mountains. “The thing for me is, I’m a person who loves mountains, I always have, and so when I stepped off the plane and I saw the mountains—it was just beautiful to me,” Williams said. “More importantly, the warm environment, the people and their willingness to help and assist in anything, and that’s
not just at UTEP, that’s the whole El Paso region that I came across, and so I was very much taken by that.” Although Williams wishes to further the legacy of Dailey, he hopes his own legacy will be one of commitment, community involvement and a life that brings out the best of those who know him. While he wants to help the community, he also wants to help other individuals help their own community as well. “I think that’s what excites me here is just that opportunity to be a part of a program, and then to be able to connect that program to the community, to be able to connect that program to the mission of the university,” said Williams. “So that students, then, are in positions so that they understand what it is that they can do and that they need to do, and that they have this kind of activist servant-leadership that comes with it.” Christian Vasquez may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@gmail.com.
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PAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
OPINION
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MICHAELA ROMÁN, 747-7477
Expecting around Zika BY ANDRIA GRANADO The Prospector
For months now, the mosquito images I used to associate with West Nile news have been replaced with news I’m more concerned about. “Zika,” like AIDS or SARS, sounds catchy. Even to people who know it’s actually a virus causing the deformed heads and mental disabilities that come with microcephaly in newborns, it might not be something that’s consciously avoided. But, as a pregnant woman, I’ve received regular advice from friends, family and strangers in the grocery store to not forget my bug spray or to cover up. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve gone outside plenty of times without taking a single precaution against the Zika Virus. I’ve read all the articles and watched Mayor Leeser go live on Facebook about the dangers of Zika to unborn babies, but I wear a “that can’t happen to me” attitude more often than I invest in mosquito repellent. From what I know of SARS and AIDS, how much damage a community takes from a virus relies on factors such as procedures in place to contain and manage them and a communities’ available resources. So, I’ve realized that my lack of Zika precaution is not flat-out carelessness, but a confidence I have developed in the American health system.
I trust the system without question to be ready for anything and have whatever resources they need to solve any problem that comes their way. I trust doctors and I like to think that they have it all figured out. It feels better to think I’m protected than to imagine the completely real possibility of me getting Zika and my baby being born unhealthy. I know that even if all plans are perfect on paper and the resources are available, feeling immune is ridiculous. I know that as long as there is no cure for Zika or microcephaly, me and my baby are still at risk, even if we do live in a first-world country. I’ll probably worry less about Zika or almost forget about it once my daughter is born, but that is just as unwise as thinking living in America makes me immune. Even if my family and I are not affected right now, I should worry about the Zika Virus. Until it is completely gone or under control, it is still my problem because I care about the well being of others, and I can try to blame a hectic schedule for not prioritizing bug spray, but I really need to listen to all my concerned relatives and strangers and take that extra minute to use it. Andria Granado may be reached at theprospectordaily.
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STAFF V O L . 1 0 2 , N O . 3 Editor-in-Chief: Michaela Román Copy Editor : Christian Vasquez Layout Editor : Rene Delgadillo Sports Editor : Adrian Broaddus Entertainment Editor : Eric Vasquez Photo Editor : Gaby Velasquez Multimedia Editor : Andres Mar tinez Web Editor : Javier Cortez Staff Reporters: Amanda Guillen, Grecia Sanchez, Shericka Lawrence, Andria Granado Contributors: Claudia Hernandez, Nina Titovets, Stephanie Hinojosa, Andres Gallegos, Vania Castillo, Gloria Heredia, Zenia Reyes
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THEPROSPECTOR
NEWS | 3 |
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
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UTEP surpasses the one million mark for community service hours this year Reyes. “When you are doing an interview or applying for a scholarship and you have your volunteer resume, it’s not that you created that info, you actually have the backup of the university to show that you completed that service.”
We really hope students at UTEP are learning stuff at their volunteer experiences and that they can bring back to their classes or to their work on campus what they have learned, - Casandra Reyes graduate assistant at the Center of Civic Engagement
FILE PHOTO / THE PROSPECTOR UTEP students completed 1,115,524 hours of volunteer experiences and service learning.
BY GRECIA SANCHEZ The Prospector Last year, the Center of Civic Engagement from UTEP reached the million mark for community service. The 1,115,542 hours completed by UTEP students was calculated based on volunteer experiences and service learning. Casandra Reyes is a graduate assistant at the CCE who spoke about what community service at UTEP entails. “We believe that there should be a balance between the organizations and UTEP,” said Reyes. “We really hope students at UTEP are learning stuff at their volunteer experiences and that they can bring back to their classes or to their work on campus what they have learned.” The way CCE connects students with agencies is through their new website CUE, which stands for Community University Engagement. By using this website, students can find the needs agencies are concerned about, keep track of their volunteer hours, RSVP events, and also allows students to fundraise and build a volunteer resume. “We have about 200 nonprofits that are constantly posting needs, volunteer opportunities, community-based internships and students can respond to those needs,”
said Reyes. “It sort of works like a Jobmine account, and in some cases it is even easier for students to navigate the CUE.” CCE encourages community engagement no matter the location. CUE opportunities within the reach of any UTEP student and, according to Reyes, even if a Juárez agency is not on the CUE, if a student is volunteering over there they can always upload their hours and keep track of them. “These hours are actually verified by the community agencies themselves or by our office,” said
The constantly updated website is also used to facilitate service learning, which occurs when a class has a service component. CCE is in charge of understanding the course objectives and creating specific service opportunities for the class, allowing students to learn academic content while serving the community. Gabriel Garcia, a junior majoring in graphic design, responded to Creative Kids’ needs by navigating the CUE, where he found that the organization needed volunteers for teaching and gallery maintenance. “This organization is about art education, so I invited friends who I knew they were art educators. We started volunteering only Saturdays and Fridays,” Garcia said. “We taught the kids and we got to build relationships with other instructors there.” Reyes explained that the CCE encourages students to communicate their capabilities, skills and knowledge to the agency; to own their leadership. Garcia is now of-
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fering his skills with graphic design classes at Creative Kids. “I communicated to them my major and interests and offered my help for the graphic design courses. I was able to help them and also lead my own graphic design class whenever the instructor wasn’t available,” said Garcia. “We focused on more graphic design classes with the Classic Film Festival. Kids had to design poster for the movies shown at the festival and they got to show their posters inside the Plaza Theatre.” Elva Navarro, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, is a part of a committee that works with and advocates for farm and domestic workers. She has become
one of the principal interns, and the organization is waiting for her to come back. “Having interaction with other people besides my career really helped me. The CCE gave me communication skills and they allowed me to work with other people as well,” said Navarro. “These skills were very important to develop for me and because of the field I am at. You can always be a nerd, but there is no point if you don’t know how to communicate your knowledge.” To learn more, visit the CUE website at utep.galaxydigital.com. Grecia Sanchez may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@utep.edu.
THEPROSPECTOR
| 4 | NEWS
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
UTEP professor gets closer to exploring the universe
PHOTO COURTESY OF NASA UTEP professor Jose Hurtado is on NASA’s shortlist for space travel. He has potentially years of training to complete before being selected.
BY RENE DELGADILLO The Prospector Flying to the moon and Mars are impossible dreams for many, but for Jose Hurtado, a UTEP professor of geological sciences, his dreams may come true. Hurtado is in the semifinal round to join NASA’s astronaut corps, where he hopes to accomplish one of his biggest dreams, flying and exploring the universe outside of our planet. Hurtado said that he was thrilled when he found out, it was a long selection process and he thought his dream might come to an end. “I was surprised, I wasn’t expecting to make it to the semifinal round,” Hurtado said. “The average age that people get selected to be an astronaut is 35, and I’m 42.” NASA’s selection process is rigorous. Hurtado is among the 120 mostqualified applicants out of 18,300. After the applicants travel to the Johnson Space Center for an interview, NASA choses around 40 individuals for a second interview before
selecting the candidates to advance into the finalist round. The candidates then go through medical and psychological tests before NASA chooses the Astronaut Candidate Class of 2017. Only eight applicants made it to graduation in the 2013 class. The class needs to successfully complete potentially years of training, where they will learn Russian, robotics skills training and aircraft flight readiness training in order graduate. NASA will then place the graduates in the jobs available, and if necessary, or required, the graduates may travel in space missions. Being an astronaut has always been a dream for Hurtado, and becoming one would mean serving and helping his university. “It is something that I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve always been fascinated by aviation and space for as long as I can remember,” Hurtado said. “I see it as way of serving my country, and would like to make UTEP proud of me. I would like to make the university stand out even more.”
He is a highly intelligent and competent scientist who has done a remarkable job in academia. He has unique experience.
- John Danny Olivas, Former NASA astronaut and UTEP alumni
But for some years Hurtado did not believe he would ever make it. His height and glasses would have disqualified him from even being considered an applicant, but the requirements of NASA changed and Hurtado decided to pursue his dream. Unfortunately, he has not been selected as an astronaut thus far. This is Hurtado’s fourth application, and his third time being a semifinalist in NASA’s selection process. In 2008 and 2012 he was among the semifinalists, but in 2004 he did not advance to the semifinalist round. Hurtado has not given up in his dreams despite not being selected in the past three occasions. “Why should I give up? It does not cost me anything to apply, all these things that I do to make me a stronger candidate aren’t just for that,” Hurtado said. “There are things I like to do and that I like to pursue just to make my life fuller.” Without being selected by NASA, Hurtado has still been part of the NASA team. He has been a volunteer since 2007, and helps people who do
get selected as a NASA astronaut with geological sciences training. “Geological sciences is an important element of being an astronaut.” Hurtado said. “If we go to the moon or to Mars, we need to know what are we looking at.” For Hurtado, it is more about the love of his dreams and what he likes. He said money won’t bring him happiness. “Well I don’t think that getting paid is the most important thing, I’m glad that I can participate and contribute to what I like and it may help me for a possible selection,” Hurtado said. “Learning and helping outweighs getting paid.” Former NASA astronaut and UTEP alumni, John Danny Olivas, said he has known Hurtado for over six years and that he is capable of becoming one of the next astronauts. “He is a highly intelligent and competent scientist who has done a remarkable job in academia. He has unique experience,” Olivas said. Olivas was one of the references for Hurtado, not because of their friendship, but because Olivas said that his colleague has impressed him since the day they met at NASA’s astronaut office. “I was very impressed by him,” Olivas said. “He is a person who is approachable, and I believe he will be an outstanding addition to the astronaut corps.” Professor Hurtado is also pilot who has flown more than 100 hours in single engineered planes. “It’s great! You feel freedom and it feels you can go wherever you want,” Hurtado said. Hurtado will be traveling to the NASA Johnson Space Center on Sept. 14-16, where he will have interviews and different activities that will decide if he is among the finalists. “I haven’t been preparing too much. They want to know if you can get along with someone in a long duration mission,” Hurtado said. “If you over prepare you are not being who you have to be to become an astronaut.” Hurtado said if he is not selected, he might apply again. “I’ll keep applying until they tell me to stop.” Rene Delgadillo may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@gmail.com.
INBRIEF 9/11 MEMORIAL In memory of Sept. 11, a commemoration in Centennial Plaza will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 9. Afterwards in the Union Gallery, an exhibit called “We Will Never Forget” will take place that will share the experiences of UTEP students, faculty and staff.
HISTORICAL RESEARCH PANEL The Department of History will sponsor “From out of the Archives: Taking Historical Research into the Public Sphere” panel at from 3-4 pm on Friday, Sept. 9 in the Liberal Arts Building, room 222 from 3-4 p.m. The panel will feature Yolanda Leyva, associate professor of history, Daniel Santana, Angelina Martinez and Jose Miguel Leyva.
CONCERT AT THE MAGOFFIN AUDITORIUM “Orquesta Sinfonica Esperanza Azteca” Concert at 7.p.m. on Saturday Sept. 10 at the Magoffin Auditorium in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and Juan Gabriel. For more information, contact 915-533-4082 ext. 258.
STUDENT FAN BUS The bus for UTEP vs. UT Austin football game on Saturday, Sept. 10 leaves at midnight and returns 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11. Tickets are $75 at the Office of Student Life, Union West, room 102, which includes a game ticket. They accept cash and check only.
THEPROSPECTOR
NEWS | 5 |
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
Trump changes rhetoric to win voter support
FILE PHOTO/ THE PROSPECTOR Trump visited Mexico last week causing controversy for his past comments on Mexicans.
BY CHRISTIAN VASQUEZ The Prospector Donald Trump’s record with Latino voters is dismal to say the least, and his recent visit to Mexico to speak with President Nieto is seen by some as an attempt to bring in the undecided voters or Republicans who are apprehensive about Trump’s temperament. After his visit, Trump visited Phoenix, Ariz., to lay out his platform on immigration and erase the media conjecture that he has softened his stance. During the press conference with President Nieto, Trump’s rhetoric was vastly different than his announcement for president in the Trump Tower, where he said that “Mexico is not our friend, believe me.” Instead, when standing next to the Mexican president in Mexico City, Trump said that “the bond between our two countries is deep and sincere.” Later that day in Phoenix, Trump’s immigration speech spoke not of two nations cooperating to achieve a common goal, but of a wave of dangerous Mexican immigrants, who cost billions, spread crime, drugs and guns, and drain welfare funds while taking jobs away from American citizens. There is a marked difference in language that Trump uses when talking to his die-hard followers and when trying to capture the undecided voters’ confidence. The rhetoric used when talking to the in-crowd, those who understand his euphemism
when he claims that “not everyone who seeks to join our country will be able to successfully assimilate,” is not a new phenomenon. But, as Josiah Heyman, director of the Center for Inter-American and Border Studies, explained in an email, one rooted in our nation’s history. “We are in a period of xenophobic reaction to large-scale cultural and social change, which includes immigration,” Heyman said. “It resembles the “know-nothing” antiCatholic, anti-Irish reaction of the 1840s, the expulsion of Chinese and other Asians in the late 19th century, eugenic racism in the 1910s and 1920s against many groups of Europeans, and internal racism against African Americans.” If this is true, then it shouldn’t come as a surprise that prominent white nationalists such as David Duke, former Ku Klux Klan leader, and Jared Taylor, who insists he is a “white advocate,” loved his speech. After Trump’s immigration speech, Duke exclaimed on Twitter that Trump made “an excellent speech,” and Taylor tweeted that his speech was a “hell of a speech. Almost perfect. Logical, deeply felt, and powerfully delivered.” One of the distinct aspects of Trump’s campaign is the support he has received from white nationalists. The Washington Post reported that Trump’s campaign has been a recruiting tool for the Klu Klux Klan and that Rocky Suhayda, chairman of the Nazi Party, said
Trump is providing a “real opportunity” to build their movement. During his immigration speech, Trump emphasizes the need for immigration reform to be the primary focus of the government. Trump promised not only his infamous wall, but also guaranteed that the undocumented living in the United States will not know a moment’s rest if he were to become president. He called for visa caps and for the ability “to choose immigrants based on merit, skill and proficiency” that includes an “ideological certification to make sure that those we are admitting to our country share our values.” “The United States indeed does need to look at our legal immigration policy—numbers of visas, criteria, etc.,” wrote Heyman in response to Trump’s criteria. “Our needs, with an aging population, include workers of various types, such as unskilled service workers as well as high-skill professionals and service workers. This sort of language may be a code for rejecting immigrants from Latin America.” Trump’s asserted reasoning for his extreme immigration policy depends on exaggerated or outright false accusations about undocumented immigrants. He stated that undocumented immigrants cost the country more than $13 billion per year. That figure is from the Federation for American Immigration Reform, an anti-immigrant organization that tallies legal children’s educational
and health costs, who have one parent who is undocumented. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a nonprofit, non-partisan research organization, calculated that in 2016, undocumented immigrants actually paid $11.64 billion in taxes into the economy. Trump also claimed that immigrants were responsible for “countless American lives being stolen.” When in fact, Latin immigrants have a far lower chance of committing a crime compared to non-Latino documented citizens. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, native-born citizens are five times more likely to be incarcerated for a crime. “We can definitely prove that immigrants from Latin America have lower crime rates, better health behaviors and many other positive characteristics. During the period of increasing immigration to the U.S., the crime rate has gone down impressively,” Heyman said. The FBI’s own research concludes that from 1990-2013, while the number of undocumented immigrants went up from 3.1 million to 11.2 million, the violent crime rate fell by 48 percent. As for Trump’s claim that immigrants are on welfare, well, they don’t qualify. Even a legal immigrant has
to wait five years before they can request public benefits. His primary solution, a giant wall standing 40 feet high that spans across the 2,000-mile border, is a drastic solution to an exaggerated problem. “The idea of a perfectly controlled, perfectly sealed border is a clear, obvious and compelling symbol of walling off change,” said Heyman. In spite of his misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric, or perhaps because of it, Trump has decreased Clinton’s lead in the polls. RealClearPolitics.com reports that Clinton now only leads by 3.9 percent, whereas last week Clinton lead by 6.3 percent. This may be due to Clinton’s neverending email scandal. Recently, the FBI uncovered 30 more deleted emails that contained information relating to the Benghazi incident. As the media highlights her private server usage, mishandling confidential information and the relationship between the Clinton Foundation and her position as Secretary of State, the elusive, undecided voter just might lean toward Trump. For now, anyway. Christian Vasquez may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@gmail.com.
THEPROSPECTOR
| 6 | NEWS
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
What are your plans for any extra financial aid money you will get back?
ALEXIS SOLANO
ANDREA CALLEROS
IVAN GUARDADO
GISELLE HINOJOSA
JOEY TORRES
“I do, but I only get a small check back like a $300 check. Mainly I just save it for gas money for school, and that’s what I’ve been using it for the past four years.”
“I do not get financial aid because my parents are paying for my school. I think people should have an easier access to go through college without having to stress themselves with all the of the expenses.”
“I don’t get financial aid money back. I feel like it’s more difficult to be able to afford all the things that we need, like books and tuition. But with the payment system that UTEP has, it makes it kind of easier.”
“I do get financial aid money. I use it for my books and I help my parents since they are self-employed.”
“I do receive financial aid, and at the moment what I do is portion it out. I get a specific amount that I need that week and put the rest in savings for any future emergencies that arise from school.”
STEPHANIE CORRAL
JORGE DURAN
MELISSA CASAS
CODY CARPENTER
JAVIER DELGADO
“Yes, I use part of it for school and the other portion I save for upcoming years just in case I won’t get it.”
“I have financial aid, but it doesn’t cover the whole tuition. I believe that education should be free. So it sucks that I have to pay for the rest of it.”
“I don’t get financial aid, I am paying for school through student loans.”
JOHN DE COSTE
DAWN STAR BLAZER
LARRY UKAOMA
VIVIANA QUEZADA
VICTORIA NUNEZ
“I haven’t received my financial aid yet. I’m still struggling to grab it. I’m going to use it for graduate school.”
“I did get FAFSA. I got about $1,600 back as a refund. I have used $700 for a laptop since I didn’t have one and I used $300 for my books.”
“I do not get financial aid. However, I am a part of the Hazlewood Act. My tuition is paid for, but I have to pay for my student fees and books on my own.”
GRISELDA GUTIERREZ
ANA ARGUMANIZ
MIREYA LOPEZ
Senior graphic design major
Graduate student in accounting
CRYSTAL FINO
“Sometimes I don’t get financial aid. I applied for it, but I still haven’t received it. When I do get money I use it for school and also to pay some of my bills and students loans.”
“I know it’s not the smartest thing to do, but sometimes I use it for living expenses, but I wouldn’t recomend it to anybody because it’s just adding to my student loan debt.”
“It was usually for bills for like my car, for books and phone bill.”
“I used to spend it on day care, I would stretch it out to about three to four months.”
Junior commercial music major
Freshman biological sciences major
Freshman pyschology major “Not getting financial aid is a little difficult because tuition cost is expensive. The way I deal with it is that I’ve been having to take out loans to compensate for the amount of money that I owe for my tuition.”
JOSHUA PRECIADO
Sophomore chemistry major “I got a scholarship and I don’t get any money back from financial aid.”
Senior media advertising major
Senior education major
Freshman physics major “I do get financial aid, but it goes all straight to tuition.”
Freshman forensic science major
Freshman biological sciences major
Freshman computer science major
Sophomore criminal justice major
Graduate student in ocupational therapy “I actually don’t get any back. I use financial aid to qualify for loans. I just take out what I need and I just put that to good use toward studies and school.”
Freshman civil engineering major
Junior digital media production major
Sophomore pharmacy major
Junior biochemistry major “I’m getting financial aid, but I owe money to EPCC. My tuition is $6,000 and my financial aid is $5,000, so I have to pay the rest out of my own pocket.”
Freshman nursing major
Graduate student in social work
THEPROSPECTOR
NEWS | 7 |
SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
New journalism professor makes her way to the border
GABY VELASQUEZ/ THE PROSPECTOR Professor Maria de los Ángeles Flores is teaching her first semster at UTEP.
BY MICHAELA ROMÁN The Prospector Student journalists at UTEP are welcoming a new addition to their multimedia journalism program. Professor María de los Ángeles Flores will be teaching research methods and Borderzine along with professors Zita Arocha and Kate Gannon. Flores, an admirer of Arocha—a National Association of Hispanic Journalist Hall of Fame inductee and Borderzine director—knew she had to apply when a position opened in the UTEP communication department. “To me it was amazing to have the opportunity to even apply to work with such a great person,” Flores said. “She’s preparing students to cover the border and cover the Latino perspective around the nation so she became my inspiration.” Flores’ path to becoming a journalist began when she received her bachelor’s degree at Universidad
Autónoma de Coahuila en Saltillo, México. During her junior year, she stumbled upon radio. One of the local radio producers was looking for local voice talent and Flores figured why not. With nothing to lose, Flores jumped right in doing commercial spots, eventually working her way up to becoming a radio reporter. Flores managed her radio job while finishing school, loved it and stayed there for three years until she switched to broadcast. “The television (station) called me and I accepted and decided to switch and become a television reporter,” Flores said. “I was there for a few years, and then Univision San Antonio came looking for talent.” She started working in San Antonio thinking it would just be a chance to report in a different country for a year or so, but ended up staying for much longer.
While she was in San Antonio she learned about UT Austin’s journalism program and decided to apply and was able to get her master’s degree. Flores then became a professor at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas. Now in the Sun City, Flores is ready to teach and lecture about her passion for journalism. One of Flores’ goals is to get her students to be ready for anything when they enter the field. “The job market and job descriptions are changing,” Flores said. “So I love the fact that I can conduct research and then make sure that research has some sort of useful ending.” After conducting research on equipment her students at A&M would need after they graduated, she found the most important thing was a smart phone. “(The number one digital tool) is a smart cell phone, with all the gadgets for photo, video, audio recording, photo editing, audio and video editing,” Flores said. Flores will continue to research to find out what trends the job market is going in for journalists, and make sure her students are ready. “I want them to feel like the time and the money they are investing in the multimedia program is worth it because it’s preparing them for the next 30 or 40 years of their lives,” Flores said. Flores will also continue her research here in El Paso on border journalists. “I believe that a border journalist has everything to be successful, because to me border journalism is
very close to international journalism because you have to be aware of other people’s cultures, points of view, system of beliefs, ideology,” Flores said. Flores is adapting to UTEP well and feels at home. She said she feels that the El Paso-Juárez border is a great opportunity for to
students to learn how to become successful journalists. “I am very excited about being here,” Flores said. “I am very happy because I found that the students are very smart and the students are also very eager to learn.” Michaela Román may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@gmail.com.
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entertainment
EDITOR
ERIC VASQUEZ, 747-7477
Creative Writing professor honored with UT Regents’ award
CLAUDIA HERNANDEZ / THE PROSPECTOR Professor Juan de Piérola is one of seven UTEP professors who have been awarded the 2016 UT Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. BY ANDRES GALLEGOS The Prospector Associate professor in creative writing Jose de Piérola was among seven UTEP faculty members honored with the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, which recognizes those teachers who have demonstrated extraordinary and original instruction inside the classroom. The award is among the most competitive and prestigious in the nation and is also one of the most rewarding with a monetary award of $25,000. In order to receive this award a faculty member must go through a series of rigorous evaluations by students, peer faculty and independent judges. Piérola, who teaches creative writing and is also the director of graduate studies, says he feels fortunate to receive the award. “It is a moment of recognition, and recognition is good because it feeds you as a human being so you can continue to be a good professor or so that you can aspire to be a better professor,” Piérola said. Not only does Piérola see the value of the respectability that the award brings, but he also sees the opportunities that the award presents, such as introducing him to other professors from the UT System. “You find people who are interested, who are passionate about teaching,” he said. “They teach things that are very different from your own so you learn and you see their own different strategies, their own different thought processes.” Piérola is an acclaimed novelist and has received literary awards from his home country, Peru, where he won the Short Novel Prize, and in Spain,
where he won the Max Aub International Short Story Award. As successful as he as been as a writer, writing was not his initial goal. He worked as an engineer, but writing was always in the back of his mind. He decided to leave that career and focus on his writing, something he says he does not regret. It is this leap of faith, that step out of his comfort zone, that pushes him as a teacher.
If you are thinking about the future, which is not there, you are squandering the wealth of this moment
- Jose de Piérola UT Regents’ Outstanding Teacher recipient “When I began writing, I didn’t have a mentor or I didn’t have the notion that you can go to school and learn how to write,” Piérola said. “I stumbled through a few years before I realized that the university setting is ideal to nurture and to form a writer.” Piérola’s teaching comes at a slow but secure pace. He is organized and careful. In some of his classes he introduces meditation so that his stu-
dents can connect their conscious selves to their subconscious writing. Mijail Lamas, a master’s student in creative writing, is taking his second class with Piérola. He talks about how careful Piérola is in the weekly organization of his classes and about the multiple exercises that aim to improve his students’ writing. “What I like the most about his classes is the mixture between practicality and technicality,” Lama said. Practicality is what Piérola sets as his goal. Using the class time economically really helps him in his highest aim. For him, the most important achievement is that his students leave his classroom as dedicated writers. He believes writing needs to become a habit, something that the student can add to their life without replacing or erasing anything from their life. This is where Piérola finds the most significant difference between habit and discipline. “The problem with discipline is that you are asking one part of you to take control over another part of you that might not like it,” Piérola said. Do not rush or multitask, that is his number one piece of advice for his students. The advice fits with his teaching style. Piérola enjoys carefulness because it is instrumental for good learning. According to Piérola, a student must be able to concentrate in the moment, to read in the moment, to write in the moment and to experience in the moment. “If you are thinking about the future, which is not there, you are squandering the wealth of this moment,” Piérola said. Andres Gallegos may be reached at theprospectordaily. ent@gmail.com.
Six other UTEP professors received the 2016 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching award Joyce Asing-Cashman
W. Shane Walker
Assistant professor of practice for STEM education
Maria Morales Associate professor of sociology and anthropology
Aurelia Murga Assistant professor of sociology and anthropology
Assistant professor of civil engineering
Jorge Lopez Rho SigmaTau Robert L. Schumaker, Professor of physics
German Rosas-Acosta, Associate professor of biological sciences
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
TEDxElPaso to stimulate idea growth and implementation for the borderland BY STEPHANIE HINOJOSA The Prospector
PHOTO COURTESY OF TEDXELPASO FACEBOOK PAGE The third annual TedxElPaso will showcase the city’s biggest thinkers and doers and their work.
The El Paso Community Foundation has partnered with TEDx to hold its third-annual conference next Saturday, Sept. 10 at the El Paso Museum of Art. The event will feature several speakers from the city who are chosen to speak on a topic to provide insight into El Paso’s issues and possibilities. This year, the focal point of discussion for TEDxElPaso is “innovation at an intersection.” TEDx is a branch of self-organized events powered by TED, which is a non-profit organization whose mission is to convey “ideas worth sharing” around the world. The presentations are limited to 18 minutes or less and are recorded, streamed for free and available online. Topics of discussion range from scientific methods to the creative process. They are meant to appeal to a broad spectrum of individuals seeking to change their lives, their communities and the world. The El Paso’s cultural and economic ties with Juarez offer a platform for unique development.
Rosemary Neill, the program officer for the El Paso Community Foundation, explained in an email the importance of discussing this intersection. “We believe this is a dynamic time for El Paso,” said Neill. “We are at an intersection both geographically and culturally. This intersection informs the innovation occurring across the Borderplex.” Among the list of speakers are U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke and artist and sculptor Ogechika K. Alozie. This year’s discussions include health care, the intersection of international relations, the border and business, genomics, dramatic changes in public housing, primary and secondary education, music and the creative process, how data impacts our region and an artist’s journey to find a place to call one’s own. “I think UTEP students are seeking an education in the broadest sense of term. They are being educated for both vocation and an avocation,” Neill said. “TED is about the latter. UTEP students are seeking something fulfilling in their life. TED is in that spirit.” She speaks of the fact that most UTEP students are not students alone. While most colleges have a population of fulltime students whose sole responsibility is school, there is a large percentage of UTEP students who double as a caregiver and employee.
I saw people who live in the same city as me that are actually helping people all over the world.
- Camille Martin, TedxElPaso attendee
All topics and speakers are selected to represent both the needs of the community and the relevance of technology, entertainment and design in terms of the borderland. The goal of these talks is to inspire and motivate the people of El Paso to further develop and improve the city’s future independently and as a community. Camille Marin is a junior political science major and was able to attend last year’s TEDxElPaso. She said that the event showcases citizens who are really putting their brainpower behind ideas to improve the world. “I saw people who live in the same city as me that are actually helping people all over the world. They believe in what they’re doing,” Marin said. Expect an influx of ideas and imagination to take place at the upcoming event. Considering the variety of topics up for discussion, it is sure to appeal to local thinkers and innovators. There is much room for development and growth in the city of El Paso and TEDxElPaso will offer a space where ideas for the near future can take life. It is estimated that more than 200 people will be attending the event on Saturday, but the event has not sold out. For more information on attending the event, visit tedxelpaso.com to begin the attendee application. Stephanie Hinojosa may be reached at theprospectordaily. ent@gmail.com.
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
COLUMN
A PLUR virgin experiences SCMF and the culture within it BY ERIC VASQUEZ The Prospector This weekend I was positive that PLUR was a verb, or at the very least something to do with the word “plural”, nothing close to the Peace Love Unity and Respect, the mantra of EDM festivals. I prefer my music to come from instruments, on stage, with a real drummer thrashing at the kit, not a button-in-a-program produced through a loudspeaker, which made me the perfect candidate to write this story, someone who was still wearing K-Swiss sneakers when the rave scene got big. The weekend began simple enough: two interviews with two DJs for their input on their music and how they liked playing El Paso. A screw up from someone with a headset barred me from media access though, and I ended up smack in the middle of the 20,000 eager individuals lining up to get into Sun City Music Festival, a mistake that threw me down a neon rabbit hole and lead me to one genuine fact: that the lifeblood of electronic dance music doesn’t rely on DJs or killer bass lines; but rather, on the people that make up the crowd.
PHOTOS COURTESY SMG EVENTS FACEBOOK PAGE Sun City Music Festival took place Labor Day weekend with two days of Electric Dance Music. Admittedly, the EDM culture at Sun City can seem like a place right out of the Protestant imagination of the road to hell. A mob dressed in intricate bikinis and tails or glowing masks wait in line, while the other side of the fence throbs from the bass of three glittering stages. There’s hushed talk of timing your pills in
time for Skrillex’s set and heated arguments about which stage to head to, when and how hard they are going to go hard—all the while medics escort over-partied attendees from the grounds before 9 p.m. Inside, however, these same sexcats and masked ravers meld into a crowd dressed like them that
09062016_P11_A1 Size: 5 X 8 in
somehow normalizes it. Hunter Davie, better described as GuyIn-American-Booty-Shorts-AndGlowing-Shoes, says that the outfits, the music and even the choice to take drugs is a part of the freedom of an EDM festival. “You’ll see some crazy outfits,” Davie said. “But it’s all just cos-
tumes, like another way to express the crazy side of yourself.” Davie, who drove from Houston for Sun City, explains how the freedom to dress sets up the entire atmosphere of an EDM festival. “No one has to pretend, and it’s like everyone agrees to let every
see SUN CITY on page 12
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SUN CITY from page 11
PHOTOS COURTESY SMG EVENTS FACEBOOK PAGE one be who they want to be if they don’t judge them,” Davie said. Davie speaks of a communal tolerance, a sort of cease-fire on judgement or ridicule at Ascarate Park, if only for the weekend. At times the sentiment went beyond tolerance and into community. Those in costume or decked out in fluorescent sunglasses did not hesitate to stop each other and talk about their costumes. A teddy bear highfived two rainbow fairies. A gang of glowing bandits stopped in front of the port-a-potties to get down with dudes in tank tops and light-up robot helmets. One of the stranger sights of these easily made friendships involved people who wore gloves tipped at the fingers with LED lights. Someone would tap them and ask for a “light show,” to which they would agree and start wiggling their fingers in patterns in front of their faces. The show would end, they shared a hug, and then they parted, a few minutes of giving and receiving. This acceptance extends far beyond wardrobe. Unlike at other concerts,
where dancing feels almost discouraged and attendees stand facing in the same direction, Sun City festival goers danced like it was their right. Shufflers kicked up dust, head bangers broke their necks after a build-up and heavy drop and general movers and squirmers grooved with anyone that came across their paths. No one judges them for it —there would be no point. The dancers care so little about who’s watching that it’d be a waste of time to try and pass judgement. Does the presence of dancers equate with quality DJs and a great line up? Mindaugas Lapinskis, who played Sun City Saturday evening as Gardens of God, would disagree. “Anybody can DJ,” Lapinskis said. “You play with sounds and give a good rhythm and people will dance.” If everyone can DJ, then how is it that Skrillex and Kaskade are raking in big money to play these festivals? “It’s a business,” Lapinskis said. “People want to party and we are hired to play the music.” Lapinskis has been a DJ for 12 years. He also scores television shows
and movies and listens to jazz and rock during his off time. Of the different areas of music he is involved in, he finds DJing to be the easiest.
No one has to pretend and it’s like everyone agrees to let everyone be who they want to be
- Hunter Davie SCMF attendee “It’s all about vibrations,” Lapinskis said. It’s a simple thought, but the truth of it reveals a lot about EDM. Volume and vibrations are what EDM boils down to: the build up coupled with an increased tempo, the rise in intensity and the pulsing hit of the bass is essential to the success of a DJ.
Even upfront and close for a no-name DJ can prove to be a better show than watching the Chainsmokers or Skrillex from the butt end of the crowd. A shirt sold by Sun City merchandisers summed it up in one phrase: “Live for the drop.” This was my problem before Sun City. EDM felt too flimsy—it didn’t feel like it had substance, nor insight into a human truth to teach me something. Certainly there was not any clever lyrics. It was not until halfway through watching Kaskade bobbing around on stage gearing up for another build up, and the crowd begging for the drop that I looked around. Even if the song didn’t have lyrics, these people in face paint and glow stick glasses, either shirtless or just about, were in a moment nonetheless. You could see it in their faces. They forgot about their jobs, their impending deadlines and were listening only for the drop and Kaskade, on stage, was living only to give it to them. It was then that I thought that maybe EDM doesn’t have to have mean-
ing. And that meaningless is a kind of meaning—if only to serve as a distraction from the weight of the stress that waits for them when it’s time to go home. If EDM is meaningless, shoot, if it’s all meaningless, and like the fireworks that popped over the stage to signal the end of Sun City our life is meant to just be burned up and used up then we might as well make a good show of it and make it pop, at the very least go crazy when the DJ hits the drop. After the festival, the lights came on, the fairies became waitresses and students again, the neon ninjas changed back into cashiers and sons; and they, we, wandered back to our cars in a daze as if it all were a dream, that the place where the freak in them could exist was made up. In a way they did make it up. Ascarate Park is just a dirt lot, but for Labor Day weekend it was a territory established on their terms, their laws. In a way, it was their city. Eric Vasquez may be reached at theprospectordaily.ent@ gmail.com.
PAGE 13 SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
Sports
EDITOR
ADRIAN BROADDUS, 747-7477
Miners travel to Austin to face UT
Can UTEP saw off the Horns? BY ADRIAN BROADDUS The Prospector Short answer: There is a slight chance, but it would not surprise me. Long answer: the Miners raised eyebrows after their 38-22 victory over NMSU; therefore, this assertion on an upset can possibly be made. Below is my top five keys to the Miners standing a chance against the Longhorns on Saturday, Sept. 10, in Austin, Texas:
5. The Miners need balance in their offensive game
MICHAELA ROMÁN / THE PROSPECTOR UTEP head coach Sean Kugler and the Miners are hot off their first win and will take on the Texas Longhorns.
BY JASON GREEN The Prospector The UTEP football team will travel to Austin on Saturday, Sept. 10, to face the Texas Longhorns in the venerable Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. Both teams are coming off of emotional victories, as the Miners defeated rivals New Mexico State Aggies at home, 38-22, while the Longhorns bested the no. 10-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish in double overtime, 50-47. The Miners defeated NMSU rather soundly despite a late second-half surge aided by a UTEP turnover. That mishap turned into an easy Aggie touchdown. Running back Aaron Jones showed no ill effects from last season’s ankle injury as he ran wild over the NMSU defense aided by phenomenal blocking from a beefed up offensive line. Jones currently leads the nation in rushing following his 249-yard, two touchdown performance. The Brent Pease-led offense continued to run the football up the middle in the style of a Sean Kuglerled squad, but there were flashes of Pease as well. The repeated passes to the flat to Aaron Jones had the defense off guard, when Cole Freytag broke for the end zone on a 46yard pass from quarterback Zack Greenlee. Greenlee’s first game as a Miner was a spectacular one as he went 15-for-27 for 229 yards and three touchdowns.
On defense, the Miners all but shut down the Aggies’ running game with star running back Larry Rose III on the bench still recovering from hernia surgery. On the day, three running backs could not total 100 yards and the leading rusher was quarterback Tyler Rogers with 63 yards. Defensive captain Alvin Jones led the way with 12 tackles, one for a loss. The secondary made plays all evening when UTEP needed them by laying big hits on receivers to separate them from the ball. Cornerback Nik Needham and safety Brendan Royal each had three pass breakups. The game went entirely UTEP’s way—minus a late fumble by the Miners’ freshman running back Quadraiz Wadley. For the eighth year in a row, the team was able to defeat their rival from the north and keep the Shovel and Spittoon trophies in El Paso. After the game, running back Aaron Jones was emotional in talking to reporters and his teammates following his return to competitive football. In Austin, the Longhorns had an emotional win of their own as embattled head coach Charlie Strong was able to lead his team to victory over their highly ranked visitors Notre Dame. It took two overtimes and a Vince Young-like run by number two quarterback Tyrone Swoopes; but, in the end, the Longhorns prevailed and look like they could once again be a contender in the Big-12.
Like UTEP, Texas hired a new offensive coordinator in the offseason in Sterlin Gilbert; and Gilbert chose a new starting quarterback during fall camp in freshman Shane Buechele. Gilbert’s offense was very different from the Longhorn’s offense last season, which was often times stagnant. Buechele was given the freedom to gunsling, and the team was 16-for-26 with 280 yards and two touchdowns in his first game with the Longhorns. The Longhorns also had a good running game out of their junior running back D’Onta Foreman, who had 131 yards and a touchdown. The real rushing story, however, was in Texas’ usage of back-up quarterback Tyrone Swoopes as a power back. Much like the Miners will use quarterbacks Kavika Johnson and Ryan Metz during the season, Swoopes came in and ran the ball 13 times for 53 yards and scored three touchdowns. His most important contribution came in the second overtime, when Notre Dame had been stopped by the Texas defense and held to a field goal. Swoopes’ touchdown became the game winner that could vault the Longhorns into the top25 prior to their meeting with the Miners on Saturday. Jason Green may be reached at theprospectordaily. sports@gmail.com.
Head coach of the Miners, Sean Kugler, does not have to hide the fact that their offense primarily relies on running back Aaron Jones and the run game. However, a strong determining factor for Saturday’s matchup is if UTEP can catch the Horns off guard through a balanced air raid attack and effective run game. Against the Aggies, the Miners totaled 518 yards on offense, which included 229 yards through the air by junior transfer quarterback Zack Greenlee. Greenlee found the goal line three times through the air and completed 15-of-27 passes. The Longhorns allowed 238 passing yards against Notre Dame in their first week, but head coach Charlie Strong is expected to tweak his different faults on offense. They also allowed 444 total yards against the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame was able to effectively produce operative drives through the air and on the ground. Something to note is the fact that Greenlee played in only his first game with the Miners, and the playbook against NMSU did not show much. There is still much for the Miners to show through the depth of their playbook, and if the Miners find the end zone through a balanced attack, they might cause distress to the Horns.
4. The Longhorns coming in too overconfident
Yes, the Longhorns just upset the no. 10 team in the nation—Notre Dame. Yes, they defeated the Fighting Irish in their season opener at home. Nevertheless, Strong and his Horns must be feeling a little taller than before. The only thing UTEP can hope for is that come Saturday, the Longhorns enter the game thinking they are a goliath, but end up getting caught off guard and tricked by David. In their last matchup in 2009, the Longhorns had arguably one of the best Texas teams of all time, but the Miners caught them off guard early. While the game ended in a blowout in the Longhorns’ favor, the Miners did show some holes that the Longhorns had. This year, with a young burnt orange team, the Miners could catch the Horns off-guard early again. UT has a young quarterback, a young offensive line and a young receiving group, who all could make mistakes. The question is whether or not the Miners can actually keep it up for the entire game.
With a quick start, minimal mistakes, and scoring points early, the Miners could set themselves up for an actual ball game.
3. Stopping Texas’ momentum
During the crunch-time moments against the Fighting Irish, it was the fans that brought excitement, which energized the Longhorns to rally and win. These fans are the same group who seemed impatient with Strong time and time again. To start the season, the fans appeared to put the past behind them and trust in Strong’s third season with the team. They were the determining factor of the Longhorns’ 50-47 overtime victory. Kugler’s squad will have to slow down the pace and not allow the home team to catch heat or momentum. If the Horns create big plays, cause turnovers, or hold a long drive, the fans could respond with roaring background noise and cause trouble for the Miners’ momentum. The key to stopping the Horns’ momentum is keeping them from making big plays, whether it is on the ground or through the air. Also, the Miners need to create big plays of their own to qwell UT’s spirits. If they keep the roar of the stadium to a minimum, the Miners could have one less factor to deal with.
2. Enforcing the play of the linebackers
UTEP defensive coordinator Tom Mason’s new 3-4 scheme debuted for the first time against the Aggies on Sept. 3, and, despite minor faults, the defense showed promise. Eight Miners had four or more tackles against NMSU, and four of them were linebackers. On paper, the Miners’ linebacker core is at a high this season. With Alvin Jones leading the charge, the linebackers have the potential to wreak havoc for defenses. Jones led the NMSU game with 12 tackles, followed by fellow linebacker Nick Usher with seven. The strong part of the linebacker group is their ability to rush the pass and cause hurries, while still being able to cover successfully in the zone. If the linebackers can prevent the play from going beyond them and into the secondary, the Miners could see a strong defensive pursuit. They only have to hope for one thing—that the defense is not on the field longer than the offense; or the defense can at least rest for a substantial amount of time before being placed out on the gridiron. The linebackers could make or break the game for the Miners.
1. Who will win the day on the ground? Aaron Jones or D’Onta Foreman?
As the college polls roll in, one of the most impressive stat lines is Miners’ Aaron Jones leading the nation in rushing yards after his 249 field day versus the Aggies. He beat out college football greats such as Georgia’s Nick Chubb
see HORNS on page 15
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OUR VIEW
UTEP defeats NMSU in the Battle of I-10 for the eighth year in a row
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MICHAELA ROMĂ N / THE PROSPECTOR 1. Over 30,000 roaring fans cheer on for the annual Battle of I-10 rivalry. 2. An emotional Aaron Jones holds the Shovel and Spittoon trophy after the 38-22 victory over the Aggies. 3. Racing along the sideline, Jones stiff arms an Aggie defender and ends up in the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown run. 4. Tight end Hayden Plinke trots into the end zone for the touchdown.
THEPROSPECTOR SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
UTEP KEYS from page 13 (222 yards) and LSU’s Leonard Fournette (138 yards). Also, Aaron had two touchdowns—one for 37-yards and a beautiful 75-yard dash. Skepticism claims that Aaron and the Miners’ rushing core is not ready for a Big 12 school’s defense; however, Aaron has been notorious in showing up in big games against big teams, such as Texas Tech (2014 and 2015) and Arkansas (2015). Aaron is no stranger to the big time, and will be the defining factor for this game. On the Longhorns’ side, Foreman and his committee rushed all over the Fighting Irish. Foreman, the 250-pound tailback, combines elusiveness with power to make for a strong halfback. If the Miners stop him, then the Longhorns will have to rely on quarterback Tyrone Swoopes and running back Chris Warren III to lead the rushing group. Both sides’ defenses let substantial rushing yards get by. Texas and UTEP let 206 and 139 yards of rushing slip through, respectively, through week one of play. It will be up to whoever better adjusts for the run game on Saturday that will probably come out victorious. Expect a run-heavy game with big plays to make the determining factor of who comes out on top. Adrian Broaddus may be reached at theprospectordaily. sports@gmail.com.
Prospy Pick ‘ems
Each week for the UTEP football season, The Prospector editors and staff will chime in on their picks for the upcoming football game. Think you can predict the win and scores? Email your picks on theprospectordaily.sports@gmail.com for your chance for your pick to be featured in the paper. Javier Cortez Web Editor w UT 45 - UTEP 24 —Longhorns’ up-tempo offense is too hard to stop, but Aaron Jones will put up some points. Michaela Roman Editor in Chief w UT 42 - UTEP 10 —The Miners’ defense does not stand a chance against UT. But, I’ll be happy to see them make a touchdown against the Longhorns. Jason Green Sports Reporter w UT 46 - UTEP 22 —Aaron Jones will get his yards, but UTEP’s secondary will not be able to contain Texas’ passing game. Adrian Broaddus Sports Editor w UT 37 - UTEP 17 —My mind says 37-17, but my heart hopes for a 27-24 upset in the Miners’ favor. The game will be decided on the ground.
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Five things to anticpate for the Chihuahuas’ playoffs BY JAVIER CORTEZ The Prospector After another successful regular season, the El Paso Chihuahuas are back in the playoffs for the 2016 Pacific Coast League pennant. Now, the Chihuahuas’ road to the PCL title starts with the Tacoma Rainiers in the Pacific Conference Championship round. Game one of the best-of-five series starts Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 6:35 p.m. at Southwest University Park. For those who have been sleeping under a rock this season, here are five things to know heading into the playoffs:
1. It’s been a struggle as of late
The Chihuahuas clinched their division five days ago, but the last two months of the season have not been kind to the men in red and black. In August, the Chihuahuas went 12-18, at one point losing five straight games. Due to the late season slide, the Chihuahuas have the worst record of all four teams heading into the playoffs. Suffice it to say, they will not be the favorites heading into the playoffs. The perennial favorites are the Nashville Sounds, who currently sit 25 games over .500.
2. They play better at home
Southwest University Park has undoubtedly the best home field advantage in the PCL. With the highest attendance numbers since it opened in 2014, the downtown park has been a huge boost to the Chihuahuas. The noisy crowd makes it tough for the opposing team’s pitchers and the thin air makes the long ball all the more possible for the Chihuahua batters, one through four. If you get tickets for a game, be ready for some noise and the long ball.
3.Tacoma is a tough out
In 16 games played over four series against Tacoma, the Chihuahuas are 5-11. The Chihuahuas’ best series against the Rainiers came back in April when they split a fourgame series. The Chihuahuas get the first two games at home, which is vital if they want to advance to the PCL Championship game. Tacoma has the best home record in the PCL at 44-26.
4. Pitching is still struggling
The Achilles heel of the Chihuahuas has always been pitching. They struggled three years ago when their best pitcher was a former MLB right fielder (Jason Lane), and much hasn’t changed since. Bailed out by a power-hitting offense, which led the league in home runs and slugging percentage, the pitching staff has been up and down all season. After a horrendous start to the season, pitching coach Patrick Bronswell called a staff meeting in late May, which appeared to change things. The Chihuahuas had a strong June, but unraveled in mid-July. If the offense doesn’t produce runs, the Chihuahuas are going to be in trouble.
5. They survived Sept. 1st
For those who don’t know, Sept. 1 in professional baseball is when MLB rosters expand from a 25 to a 40-man
active roster. Every team calls up players to see what they can do in the last month of the season or to add some depth to their playoff roster. In the case of the San Diego Padres, they don’t have to worry about the playoffs because they’re not going. Nevertheless, the Padres’ front office opted to leave the Chihuahuas’ core group in El Paso to compete for a PCL title, and, more importantly, to gain some biggame experience. The core players still in El Paso include: PCL Rookie of the Year Carlos Asuaje, PCL MVP Hunter Renfroe, catcher Austin Hedges, and the Padres’ top prospect Manuel Margot. With the rookie of the year and league MVP still on the team, the bulk of the team’s talent is still intact. Unless the Padres change their mind, expect to see those four players in Chihuahuas uniforms for the remainder of the season. Javier Cortez may be reached at theprospectordaily. sports@gmail.com.
FILE PHOTO / THE PROSPECTOR Chihuahuas second basemen Carlos Asuaje and the squad anticipate their pennant run beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 7.