june 24, 2010

7
The walk to any remote parking is a scenic one, filled with empty lots, old houses and of course, illegally parked cars on grassy spaces with fines attached to their windshield wipers. All three of these things won’t be there for long if UTPA is able to complete its expansion program, replacing unsightly relics with long-awaited parking spots. Starting in 2002, the University began acquiring significant portions of land on the north and west sides of campus, totaling about 65 homes according to Mark Saenz, assistant to the vice president of business affairs. Those 65 homes, of widely varying price and lot size, make up 85 percent of the property UTPA initially set out to buy; 350 new parking spaces were to be added in the process. The process is a slow one though, with UTPA only purchasing when the owners of the houses are willing to sell. “We aren’t in the business of removing people,” said Marvin Boland, director of facilities, planning and construction. “We try to give people good value for their homes.” That process involves three separate appraisals per house, with the University offering to buy at the median price. After the house is acquired it is torn down to avoid squatters. This wasn’t always the case though, as certain UTPA faculty used to live in acquired houses. This policy, however, is no longer in place. The future of this expansion is now in question with recent budget cuts. “For now things are alright because certain transactions have been set for a while now,” said Saenz, who is in charge of real estate. “But we’re still waiting on new acts due the budget cuts and what our new vice president says.” THE PAN AMERICAN Volume 66, No. 29 June 24, 2010 SEE CANDIDATES || PAGE 3 UTPA strives for a little elbow room The University of Texas-Pan American has announced the newly appointed deans of the recently split College of Science and Engineering. Both deans begin their tenure at UTPA on Aug 1, replacing Edwin Lemaster, who is in his 40th year at the college. John M. Trant, associate vice president of academic affairs at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute in Baltimore, has been selected as the new dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. David H. Allen, currently the dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, will take the position as the leader of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Allen, who describes himself a “guy always building things,” attained his doctorate in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University in 1980. “I was the guy building models, I was the guy in the backyard building a tree house, I was making a sled in the winter,” Allen said. “It was second nature to me.” UTPA President Robert Nelsen also noted the Dallas native was anxious to return to the Lone Star State. “Dr. Allen has had tremendous success at Nebraska-Lincoln moving the university 61 places up in ranking,” the president said. “I know he is definitely looking forward to moving back to Texas.” Allen has been active in implementing new international engineering education programs for students at Nebraska, including an international engineering minor. Undergraduate enrollment in the college increased by seven percent New deans excited for action in Lone Star state By Roxann Garcia The Pan American Daniel Flores/THE PAN AMERICAN Graphic by Ashlynn Biel & Jennifer Tate WHEN? - Signs on and around campus mark university property lines. The university planned to expand on the land north of the baseball stadium within the next 10 years, but the project is now uncertain. LOOKING AHEAD - Future maps of the university include plans to add new parking lots and build athletic fields, including a football stadium. UTPA TOONS: FIFA games excite students ALLY training unites attendees Mission coffee bar hosts first summer Art Walk UTPA Aquatics program makes a splash with local children Third annual STARS party draws a variety of visitors By Benny Salinas The Pan American Current Baseball Stadium In the fall the department of business affairs will announce a new VP, with James R. Langabeer leaving the office in August. The new administrator’s decisions could have great impact on expansion. Despite potential funding cuts for new land, many remain optimistic about future plans. In his office, Boland pointed to a football stadium behind the baseball stadium on a map of the future campus. “It’s a long way off but you never know,” he mused. Before any football field though, many are anticipating a scenic walk to remote parking to turn into a walk past added parking lots. Future land development still in question due to financial woes David H. Allen Next Issue Part 2: Residents’ reactions

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Page 1: June 24, 2010

The walk to any remote parking is a scenic one,

fi lled with empty lots, old houses and of course, illegally

parked cars on grassy spaces with fi nes attached

to their windshield wipers. All three of these things won’t be there for long if UTPA is able to complete its expansion program, replacing unsightly relics with long-awaited

parking spots.Starting in 2002,

the University began acquiring signifi cant portions of land on the north and west sides of campus, totaling about 65 homes according to Mark Saenz, assistant to the vice president of business affairs. Those 65 homes, of widely varying price

and lot size, make up 85 percent of the property UTPA initially set out to buy; 350 new parking spaces were to be added in the process.

The process is a slow one though, with UTPA only purchasing when the owners

of the houses are willing to sell.

“We aren’t in the business of removing people,” said Marvin Boland, director of facilities, planning and construction. “We try to give people good value for their homes.”

That process involves three separate appraisals per house, with the University offering to buy at the median price. After the house is acquired it is torn down to avoid squatters. This wasn’t always the case though, as certain UTPA faculty used to live in acquired houses. This policy, however, is no longer in place.

The future of this expansion is now in question with recent budget cuts.

“For now things are alright because certain transactions have been set for a while now,” said Saenz, who is in charge of real estate. “But we’re still waiting on new acts due the budget cuts and what our new vice president says.”

THE PAN AMERICANVolume 66, No. 29 June 24, 2010

SEE CANDIDATES || PAGE 3

UTPA strives for a little elbow room

The University of Texas-Pan American has announced the newly appointed deans of the recently split College of Science and Engineering. Both deans begin their tenure at UTPA on Aug 1, replacing Edwin Lemaster, who is in his 40th year at the college.

John M. Trant, associate vice

president of academic affairs at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute in Baltimore, has been selected as the new dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. David H. Allen, currently the dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-

Lincoln, will take the position as the leader of the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Allen, who describes himself a “guy always building things,” attained his doctorate in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University in 1980.

“I was the guy building

models, I was the guy in the backyard building a tree house, I was making a sled in the winter,” Allen said. “It was second nature to me.”

UTPA President Robert Nelsen also noted the Dallas native was anxious to return to the Lone Star State.

“Dr. Allen has had tremendous success at Nebraska-Lincoln moving the university 61 places up in ranking,” the president said. “I know he is

defi nitely looking forward to moving back to Texas.”

Allen has been active in implementing new international engineering education programs for students at Nebraska, including an international engineering minor. Undergraduate enrollment in the college increased by seven percent

New deans excited for action in Lone Star state By Roxann GarciaThe Pan American

Daniel Flores/THE PAN AMERICAN

Graphic by Ashlynn Biel & Jennifer Tate

WHEN? - Signs on and around campus mark university property lines. The university planned to expand on the land north of the baseball stadium within the next 10 years, but the project is now uncertain.

LOOKING AHEAD - Future maps of the university include plans to add new parking lots and build athletic fi elds, including a football stadium.

UTPA TOONS: FIFA games excite students

ALLY training unites attendees

Mission coffee bar hosts fi rst summer Art Walk

UTPA Aquatics program makes a splash with local

children

Third annual STARS party draws a variety of visitors

By Benny SalinasThe Pan American

The walk to any remote parking is a scenic one,

fi lled with empty lots, old houses and of

The Pan American

course, illegally parked cars on grassy

spaces with fi nes attached to their windshield wipers.

The walk to any remote parking is a scenic one,

fi lled with empty lots, old houses and of

The Pan American

parking spots.

Saenz, assistant to the vice president of business affairs. Those 65 homes, of

relics with long-awaited

Starting in 2002, the University began acquiring signifi cant portions of land on the north and west sides of campus, totaling about 65 homes according to Mark

the University began acquiring signifi cant portions of land on the north and west sides of campus, totaling about 65 homes according to Mark Saenz, assistant to the vice president of business affairs. Those 65 homes, of

Current

Baseball

Stadium In the fall the department of business affairs will announce a new VP, with James R. Langabeer leaving the office in August. The new administrator’s decisions could have great impact on expansion.

Despite potential funding cuts for new land, many remain optimistic about future plans. In his office, Boland pointed to a football stadium behind the baseball stadium on a map of the future campus.

“It’s a long way off but you never know,” he mused.

Before any football field though, many are anticipating a scenic walk to remote parking to turn into a walk past added parking lots.

Future land development still in question due to fi nancial woes

David H. Allen

Next IssuePart 2: Residents’

reactions

Page 2: June 24, 2010

Illustrated Commentary

June 24, 2010 2

Elias Moran/The Pan American

The Pan American accepts letters of 300 words or less from students, staff and faculty regarding recent newspaper content, campus concerns or current events. We reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar and length. We cannot publish anonymous letters or submissions containing hate speech or gratuitous personal attacks. Please send all story ideas to [email protected].

Individuals with disabilities wishing to acquire this publication in an alternative format or needing assistance to attend any event listed can contact The Pan American for more details.

The Pan American is the offi cial student newspaper of The University of Texas-Pan American. Views presented are those of the writers and do not necessarily refl ect those of the paper or university.

Letters to the Editor

DeliveryThursday at noon

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539Phone: (956) 381-2541

Fax: (956) 316-7122

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Kristen Cabrera [email protected]

NEWS EDITOR: Roxann Garcia [email protected]

ONLINE/SPANISH EDITOR: Denisse Salinas [email protected]

ARTS & LIFE EDITOR: Victor [email protected]

SPORTS EDITOR: Sara Hernandez [email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Alma E. Hernandez [email protected]

SENIOR DESIGNER: Jennifer Tate [email protected]

DESIGNERS: Alexis [email protected]

Ashlynn Biel [email protected]

ADVISER: Dr. Greg [email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE: Anita Reyes [email protected]

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Mariel [email protected]

WEBMASTER: Jose Villarreal [email protected]

Since April, Arizona and the rest of the United States have been in a heated debate over a pending immigration law known as SB 1070, which would allow local law enforcements to ask for documentation of detained indi-viduals suspected of illegal sta-tus given reasonable suspicion of that status. Arizona governor Jan Brewer is continuously de-fending the measure as vital to the state’s security; it is set to take effect July 29.

“We will (be) fighting for the people of Arizona and for the people of America,” said Brew-er on “On the Record,” aired on FOX News June 16. “This is unconscionable what Arizona is facing. We are certainly under attack by the drug cartels and by the drug smugglers, the human smugglers. It’s out of control. It’s totally out of control.”

Texas, also a border state, faces the same fear of influx of immi-grants as well as lingering drug cartel violence, but Chad Richard-son, professor of sociology at the

University, said Texas would be unlikely to pass a similar law.

“Texas does about 10 times the business with Mexico than does any other state including California,” said Richardson, who’s been at UTPA since 1977. “The economic conservatives in Texas - for example, Chamber of Commerce types - are opposed to such laws because of the damage it would do in our relation with Mexico and because they benefit from the cheaper labor of undocu-mented residents.”

Although it may be unlikely, it has not stopped Texas House of Repre-sentative Debbie Riddle, from plan-ning to suggest a similar bill in the upcoming January legislative session.

Among the dissenters from Arizona’s decision are numerous academics.

Jessica Lavariega Monforti, pro-fessor of political science at UTPA, said, “Arizona’s attempt to deal with the issue of undocumented immigrant is, for lack of a better word, pointless. It is a lose-lose proposition in that it will not stop or slow immigrants from coming to the U.S. without proper documen-tation, and it violates civil liberties

and creates additional racial and ethnic tension and hostility.”

Additionally, boycotts are be-ing planned by cities who oppose the law, which could potentially harm Arizona’s economic sys-tem. Denver and Chicago have cancelled all travel to conven-tions in Arizona. There is also a movement afoot to boycott this summer’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Phoenix.

Damian S. Damianov, a profes-sor in the UTPA economics depart-ment, said if boycotts were to hap-pen, they would affect commerce in other states besides Arizona.

“I don’t know how exactly how something like this could hap-pen,” said Damianov with a bit of skepticism. “And looking back at history, I haven’t seen something like this happen. Probably back in the ‘60s when African Ameri-cans and Mexican Americans were protesting the segregation laws…consequences were enor-mous… but I’m not convinced that something like this is pos-sible because you cannot draw parallels on what is going on now with this law and then (protests of the ‘60s). There’s a difference.”

Damianov further clarified that it is difficult to successfully boycott when the majority is not in favor of such a stance. Most public opinion polls show sup-port for the Arizona law.

Students at UTPA have also joined the debate. Abraham Sil-via, junior broadcast major, said he does not find the law racist, as some have charged.

“Under regular circumstances that may seem bad to people but the violence across the border is only escalating and is crossing over to the U.S.,” Silvia noted. “It would be more sad to have to put up with illegal Mexicans coming over to commit their crimes and have people killed on U.S. soil than to have stopped them when you had the chance. It’s a preventative measure by the government.”

THE PAN AMERICANImmigration bill debated Vol. 66, No. 29

FOR MORE NEWS VISIT US AT:

WWW.PANAMERICANONLINE.COM

By Pamela MoralesThe Pan American

UTPA professors say similar bill in Texas unlikely

Page 3: June 24, 2010

Former University of Texas-Pan American professor Brian S. Butler was sentenced to 70 months in prison for child pornography charges June 10. Upon release, he will remain on parole for five years and be required to register as a sex offender for life.

The investigation into Butler began much like an episode of Dateline: To Catch a Predator; the FBI set up undercover sting operations where agents posed as child pornography dealers. In 2007, Butler, who at the time was a professor of history and philosophy, took the bait, launching a full investigation.

Ex colleague Juanita Garza worked with Butler for seven years.

“No one would have thought he could commit this crime,” she commented. “Students liked him, and he was a very good professor who has worked at the university since 2000. He was really good in class. What was going on in his mind, only God knows.”

After searching his McAllen home, agents discovered child pornography including more than 6,000 images and 200 video clips which depicted children engaging in sexual activity with adults. In the face of such overwhelming evidence, Butler was immediately arrested and detained without bail on Feb. 28, 2007.

Garza believes Butler’s sentencing is fair and she is optimistic he will respond positively to treatment.

“He probably can recover from this since he wasn’t an active pedophile. Brian was looking; he wasn’t doing it (committing the sexual act),” said Garza, a history department adviser.

However, Diana Rodriguez, a junior studying business marketing, fears the offense committed is a serious matter, which will only lead to more severe future crimes.

“I see sexual offenders as a hazard to society,” Rodriguez said. “When people leave jail they have more issues than when they went into jail. This type of person cannot recover; he will need 24-hour supervision.”

Best and brightest attends George C. Marshall Seminar

The best and brightest shined at the 33rd annual U.S. Army Cadet Command George C. Marshall ROTC Awards and Leadership Seminar.

The event was held April 13-16 in Lexington, Virg., and honored ROTC Cadet Battalion Commander, Andrew Paulson, 23, with the coveted chance to attend. The event was established to preserve the principles developed by George C. Marshall, a former General of the Army, U.S. Secretary of State during World War II, and Noble Peace Prize winner.

Paulson, who was chosen as the best and brightest member of the ROTC at The University of Texas-Pan American by Professor of Military Science, Lt. Col. Maricela Alvarado, appreciated every minute of his recognition.

“I felt honored to represent our school and our program,” he said.

Paulson’s is part of the Bronc Program Alfa Company, which works in conjunction with the

Scorpion Brownsville Troop to form the Bronc Batallion, which has been at the University since 1982. Paulson was considered for recognition out of 75 cadets.

At the seminar, Paulson was granted the special privilege of participating in a round table discussion with some of the most respected Army offi cials, such as U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. The subject at hand was all things global, including national security, ethics, leadership, global terrorism, and even foreign/military affairs in Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf region, and Africa.

“There were many resourceful, knowledgeable people there, it was very interesting,” Paulson exclaimed.

One of the more interesting parts of the discussion, Paulson recounted, was having the privilege to participate in an exercise that dealt with confl ict resolution between platoon leaders and non-commissioned offi cers. During the session cadets were asked to voice their opinion about solutions to a given scenario and were coached on how to properly resolve confl ict.

The event featured a full-dress

parade enacted by the VMI Corps of Cadets and offered valuable commentary from respected Army leaders such as Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, commanding general, U.S. Army Accessions Command; Maj. Gen. Art Bartell, commanding general, U.S. Army Cadet Command; Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver, U.S. Army Chief of Chaplains; Brig. Gen. Anthony Crutchfield, director, Joint Center for Operational Analysis; and retired Maj. Gen. Robert Wagner, former Cadet Command commander. After listening to the lectures, Paulson was inspired to take his future into his own hands.

“The most important thing that I got out of the seminar is that, the thing that determines your future is you,” he said.

Armed with this mentality, Paulson has recently gained commission and is currently serving as a second lieutenant of the Medical Service Corps. Paulson graduated from UTPAwith a bachelor’s degree in business administration and after this recent honor, he continues to look toward the future.

“In the future I hope to be a platoon leader for the National Guard,” he said

By Belinda Munoz� e Pan American

Former UTPA prof gets 70 months in child porn case

Courtesy of Maricela Alvarado of UTPA ROTC

WHAT IF? - ROTC Cadet Battalion Commander, Andrew Paulson at the 33rd annual U.S. Army Cadet Command George C. Marshall ROTC Awards and Leadership Seminar.

ROTC cadet attends esteemed event

By Erin Menendez� e Pan American

engineering education programs for students at Nebraska, including an international engineering minor. Undergraduate enrollment in the college increased by seven percent under his watch.

Trant significantly impacted UMBI’s diversity efforts as co-principle investigator for the Living Marine Resources Cooperative Research Center grant from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while also enhancing the research capacity of four Minority-Serving Institutes to conduct fundable research in the study of marine sciences. He has supported minority student achievement of doctoral degrees congruent with the role of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

“Our biology department is one of our largest with well over 2,000 students. With his

experience [Trant], he’ll be able to come in and work well with our field biologists,” Nelsen said.

The biologist earned his

bachelor’s degree in biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, his master’s in biology from Texas

A&M University, and his Ph.D. in zoology from The University of Texas at Austin.

“I grew up right on the water and my interests started there with aquariums, scuba diving and it kept on going,” the Virginia Beach native said.

Nelsen also mentioned Trant’s aquatic tendencies, noting the biologist is very familiar with fish and will be interested in the work of UTPA’s Coastal Lab studies.

As head of a new college, Trant’s immediate goal is to work with faculty, chairs and others to determine what direction it should move in.

Allen also noted that having the opportunity to build a new college is

what first attracted him to UTPA. The newly appointed

dean is interested in fashioning a college “that fits the needs of the community.”

June 24, 2010 3

CANDIDATEScontinued from Page 1

John M. Trant

Page 4: June 24, 2010

THE PAN AMERICANTHE PAN AMERICAN June 24, 2010 June 24, 2010 Page 5Page 4

There is an arguable presence among the Rio Grande Valley’s youth that blinds them from seeing anything good in their hometowns, but one doesn’t have look far to discover Valley-bred talent finding success.

Indie rock group Dignan from McAllen has received public praise from established rock acts like Thrice and Paramore’s Hayley Williams. Armed with an Etch A Sketch, teenager Maria Quiroga represented Donna and the Valley at the South by Southwest Film Festival with her animated short fi lm “Bon Vivant” earlier in the year. And what story about Valley fame goes without mentioning actors Valente Rodriguez, Kris Kristofferson, and Nick Stahl from Elsa, Brownsville, and Harlingen, respectively.

Edinburg resident Charlie Vela is one of those who might give Valleyites even more to brag about. Vela, a senior marketing major at The University of Texas-Pan American, is wrapping up a project with his most popular client to date.

The 26-year-old is a recording engineer who works mostly from home, but recently spent fi ve weeks in a house on the Oregon coast recording 21 tracks for the latest release from Indie pop rock duo consisting of Meg and Dia Frampton. Their musical act is simply known as Meg & Dia.

The Frampton sisters began performing together in 2004, but it wasn’t until 2005 that they

released their fi rst album. After several tours, two albums, support from MySpace, and a stint on the Warped Tour, Meg & Dia signed onto Warner Bros. Records in 2009.

The gals found themselves in Tillamook, Ore., with Vela after manager Mike Kaminsky contacted him out of the blue. The two had worked together previously on music from Vela’s old band and kept in touch over the years. Recently, Kaminsky has been managing artists.

“I got a call from him one day asking him if I could just send some songs I worked on. I didn’t think anything of it,” Vela recalled. “About four weeks later, I got a call from him asking if I would be willing to do this project. They defi nitely had their pick of people to do it so I was pretty excited and pretty honored to do it.”

Typically, Vela explains, bands send him rough versions of songs and he’ll try to get an idea of what the band is hoping to accomplish before agreeing to work with them.

They begin by recording individual tracks and begin building up the song. Along the way, they’ll exchange ideas about changing various parts or using different instruments or changing arrangements.

“Once we’ve fi nished building up the songs, then that’s the mixing phase of the process where we take all of the individual tracks we’ve recorded and we mix them into a stereo track that can be played on a stereo system,” Vela explained. “We record anywhere between eight and

1 0 0 tracks on a song. A CD player and an iPod can only play two tracks, which are the left speaker and the right speaker.”

V e l a b e g a n r e c o r d i n g f r i e n d s ’ music at the tender age of 16. Over the course of 10 years, he has worked with several bands from the Valley, around Texas, and out of state. He also spent time in Kansas and Atlanta recording regional bands.

“When the music is interesting or different is like getting to work in a job where it’s constantly changing. I did a Spanish language rock album earlier this year that was a lot of fun,” Vela said. “This project I’m working on now is completely different from all those and equally as rewarding.”

He mentioned they made instruments out of objects found around the house and the nearby beach.

“Sometimes you work with bands where people have a lot of ego attached to what they play in a song,” he commented. “I don’t see that at all with this band. They’re really about just making something that sounds good. If that means one person plays one note in the entire song, they’re going to play the hell out of that note.”

At the moment, the album has no name or release date and the band is still deciding what label to release it on. Regardless, Vela said Meg & Dia fans should expect a much more stripped down, acoustic-based album than previous work.

“They have been used to doing records in a very regimented way where they come in from this time to this time and they’re there to record everything that was written. Here, they’re actually writing quite a bit while they’re out here, coming up with songs as we go,” he said. “I’m just trying to help them make an album that’s really true to themselves. It’s kind of coming out a little more raw in a really cool way.”

By Victor Ituarte the pan american

Photos courtesy of Charlie Vela

Design by Al exis Carranzathe pan american

4. Lead guitarist Carlo Gimenez stops for a photo before recording on a lap steel guitar.

1. The full band tracks a song together live

in the studio set up in the living room of

their rented Tillamook, Ore. home.

2. Dia Frampton records vocals on the front porch.

3. Producer/recording engineer Charlie Vela and bassist Jonathan Snyder take a walk on the nearby beach with the rest of the band to clear their heads. A portion of ‘80s fi lm “The Goonies” was shot here.

5. Snyder plucks on a homemade bass guitar he bought at a local music shop in Tillamook, Ore. The group nicknamed it “the plank” and it was used for a couple of songs.

Page 5: June 24, 2010

ADVERTISEMENTS Page 6June 24, 2010

Page 6: June 24, 2010

June 24, 2010 7

Beautiful. I told myself I wasn’t going to write anything personal about the FIFA World Cup even though I had, in fact, been counting

down the days to June 11, 2010 for a good while. Yet I couldn’t help it, but this time it’s not about my beloved Mexican team’s performance, rules or offi cials; it’s not about what the game is, but what the game does.

The World Cup is what everybody is talking about, and one can pretty much pick up a conversation with anyone, anywhere by asking if they saw the morning’s game. The morning’s game. I haven’t seen so many people wake up before 7 a.m. for so many days straight.

Some have a favorite team they follow religiously, others always root for the winning team, we have the ones that go for the underdogs, and some others that follow all matches just for the love of the game. But everybody’s watching, and no one wants to be left out.

As I already said, I follow Mexico. Religiously? Maybe. After three games I feel like the number of people I’ve felt connected with has increased match by match. I saw the fi rst game with my regular crowd. Then, the crowd was invited to a friend’s house for the second one (yes, when we beat France).

It was nice to watch the game with a family that stopped its regular routine to check it out, just like mine does. This family adopted six individuals with green shirts for two hours and even invited us to barbecue after the match, just like mine would do. See the connection?

I had to watch part of the third game at the Student Union Theater because I decided not to miss class as I am a woman of faith, I said, and will save my absences for the “big games.” Well, I couldn’t fi nd a seat and once I was settled I shared the game’s emotions with about 200 people. I, again, felt connected.

But most importantly, over the last couple of weeks I’ve noticed the relationship between fans of different teams has increased. So if you like the U.S. you have to hate Mexico and vice versa, right? I thought so too.

I’ve seen American people express their solidarity with Mexico fans; things don’t always have to be hostile between parties and Fair Play goes beyond the playing fi eld, crosses barriers and can strengthen bonds between people when they truthfully hope for the best to win.

I can just imagine how different the world would be if relationships between disparate groups were as simple to fi x, and if there was a factor that could bring people together globally for longer than one month…forever. For now, I’m just happy to have proven what the late John Paul II once said, that “amongst all unimportant subjects, football is by far the most important.”

By Sara HernandezThe Pan American

Hocott wins summer tourney‘Waka Waka’ good for cultural unity

Brothers play for opposing teams, make WC history

In yesterday’s match between Germany and Ghana, where the European team beat the Africans 1-0 and qualifi ed to the round of 16, brothers faced each other as members of different national teams for the fi rst time in the championship.

Jerome and Kevin-Prince Boateng have the same father, but were raised by different mothers, both in their native city of Berlin. Jerome chose to play for Germany and Kevin Prince picked his father’s native country.

The brothers played for the same club, Hertha BSC, as amateurs. Now, Jerome, 21, plays for Hanburg SV and Kevin-Prince, 23, plays for Parthsmouth in England’s Premier League.

Megan Johnson/THE PAN AMERICAN

GOOOOOOOL! - A crowd of Mexico fans celebrate a goal in the Student Union as they gathered to watch the 2010 World Cup opening game June 11. Mexico faced the host, South Africa, in an encounter that fi nished 1-1.

Online Exclusives - UTPA Aquatics and Beau Bernstein: Capital One Bank/Southland Conference Men’s Tennis Student-Athlete of the Year at panamericanonline.com

For the majority of the students attending the University of Texas-Pan American, the summer means time off from school and athletics to rest and relax.

UTPA student-athlete Haley Hocott, on the other hand, chose this summer to put her athletic talent and family pedigree to the test—and it paid off extremely well. Hocott claimed the Great San Antonio Women’s Championship June 6 at the Riverside Golf Course in San Antonio.

She was very ecstatic about the event, saying, “It felt great to win (the tournament). I have been playing well all spring, fi nishing second in my last two tournaments, so to win this one means a lot.”

The tournament ended in dramatic fashion, with Hocott fi nishing only three strokes ahead of defending champion Shelly Martinez.

Her three-day tournament combined score was 219 (+3 overall). Hocott went into the fi nal round trailing Martinez by a single stroke, but would string together three straight birdies at the back end of the front nine and obtain a commanding four-stroke lead.

Despite some trouble on the back nine, Hocott managed to hold off Martinez by maintaining a sizeable margin over the defending champ.

Martinez had several opportunities yet failed to capitalize off her competitor’s mistakes, including a fi ve-hole stretch where Hocott recorded a couple of bogies for a 4-stroke loss.

Hocott, who comes from a long line of excellent linksters, credited her experience as the key to maintaining control of the lead and ultimately a victory.

“Shelly is a really good competitor, and I trailed her going into the last round,” she explained. “But I was also behind in my last two conference tournaments, so I have had some experience. I wanted to play well and put some pressure on her. I made three birdies and she made two

bogies putting me ahead by four with nine holes left.

“That’s when my dad (who was caddying for me) told me to just relax, make some pars and have some fun, and that’s what I did.”

GENETICS IN PLAYWhat might be even more

extraordinary than the way Hocott pulled off the GSA title is the family history ties to this tournament. Haley’s mother Brenda (at the time of victory Brenda Goldsmith) is a four-time champion. Haley’s sister, Natalie, claimed the crown in 2005.

The buck does not stop there. UTPA’s Director of Men’s and W o m e n ’ s Golf Ofelia Lopez also won the title in 2004, meaning that without a doubt Hocott is surrounded by talent at home as well as within the women’s golf program.

Hocott blissfully shared a perspective on her family’s winning ways.

“Yes, there is a lot of tradition in my family and I absolutely love it,” she said. “Ever since my sister and I started playing in the city tournaments, I wanted to win one

just like my mother did. I was able to experience my sister winning - I was her caddy because I wasn’t old enough to compete in the tournament yet. Sharing that experience with her was awesome; I wanted to win it (the tournament) as well. I just had to wait for my time, and that’s exactly what I did.”

Martinez, who is a University of Texas-San Antonio graduate, fi nished with a fi nal tally of 222 (+6 overall) for second place, followed by Sam Houston State’s Jessica Borth with 224 (+8) in third. Rounding out the top fi ve were former Warren High School and current St. Edward’s

standout Allison Kinser with 225 (+9) and Baylor senior Jordan Rhodes with 226 (+10).

Hocott will begin her senior season for the Lady Broncs in the fall. The victory at the GSA tournament will instill momentum and confi dence in her quest for the

Great West Conference title. “Everything I do during the break

periods will prepare me for the next season,” she explained. “I really just wanted to play in some tournaments this summer to stay competitive and have some momentum going into the fall. I also need to work on my swing and try to hit the ball farther and stay sharp.”

IN HER BLOOD - Haley Hocott won a tourney that her mother and sister captured in the past.

Daniel Flores/THE PAN AMERICAN “There is a lot of

tradition in my family

and I absolutely love it.”

Haley HocottSenior

By Roderick DorseyThe Pan American

Page 7: June 24, 2010

the pan american June 24, 2010Page 8