Veterans’ Day celebration todaySee Page 3

T h e S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Te x a s - P a n A m e r i c a n N o v e m b e r 1 1 , 2 0 0 4

THE

PAN AMERICANCardenas assumes power; creates new traditions for graduates

Presidential ceremonies to be held

It’s been 23 years since The University ofTexas-Pan American has seen an investiture.But with the recent instillation of the universi-ty’s seventh president, the community, facultyand students of UTPA will see various cere-monies honoring President Blandina Cardenas.

An investiture is a ceremony that honors anew president where they become endowedwith the powers and responsibilities that comealong with the office. It is a centuries-old aca-demic tradition held to recognize change in auniversity. Carol Rausch, assistant to the presi-dent and the co-chair of the investiture commit-tee explained the event's prestige.

“The investiture itself is a traditional cere-mony full of pomp and circumstance,” Rauschsaid. “This is an important exercise in highereducation that this university has not seen inover 23 years.”

Rausch, assistant to former UTPAPresident Miguel A. Nevarez, was present at thelast investiture, which took place in 1981. Theevent, she said, was one that she wouldn’t forgetand found the procession, where faculty mem-bers dress in the regalia, ceremonial gowns,especially moving.

“To see all of that brain power in one roomis just amazing,” Rausch said.

The ceremony begins Nov. 29 and contin-ues on Dec. 1-3 with several lunches and activ-

ities for students to herald the celebration of anew beginning and a new era of changeCardenas is expected to bring. The officialPresidential Investiture reception will be heldDec. 3 in the Fine Arts Auditorium at 2 p.m.

While the event includes a passing of thePresidential Medallion by The University ofTexas System Chancellor Mark. AYudof, whichis done to represent a new leader to begin theirtenure as the president, Rausch said the event isprimarily ceremonial.

“The chancellor confirms the authority—she has it right now, but this is just a ceremonialthing,” Rausch said.

According to Rausch, dignitaries fromacross the state and various colleges have beeninvited to attend the event.

Rausch said she encourages students toattend the event to see a ceremony that will benew to them. The Student Union will televisethe event live in case the Fine Arts Auditoriumexceeds capacity.

“I would encourage all students that can, toat least watch what goes on, it will be a movingevent for all who watch and participate,” Rauschsaid.

As the event draws near, Rausch saidCardenas is growing eager to attend the investi-ture. Cardenas, along with Rausch and severalother committee members, has been involved inthe process to make the event unique to both herpersonality and the personality of the Rio

Grande Valley. “It’s a real honor for her, and she’s excited

about it,” Rausch said. Also, with a new president comes new

ideas and even new traditions. Cardenas has

been president for a few months now and shehas approved a new tradition just in time for theDecember graduation.

A tradition that started at The University of

By EDWINA P. GARZAThe Pan American

See CEREMONY page 11

Nobel prize winner speaks on campus

With the prestige of pastspeakers at The University ofTexas-Pan American, such asMichael Dell, founder of DellComputers, and former PresidentGeorge Bush Sr., esteem is beingadded with a new well-knownpresenter on Monday.

Former President of CostaRica and 1987 Nobel PeaceLaureate Oscar Arias will appearat UTPA for The DistinguishedSpeaker Series on Monday at 7p.m. The event will be hosted in

the Student Union Auditoriumwith doors opening at 6:30 p.m.for UTPA students, faculty andstaff. Free admission for studentsrequires a validated UTPA ID.

The event was organized byuniversity administration, howev-er, the students of UTPA were theones to choose Arias to be theirDistinguished Speaker.

According to Sam Smith,director of the Student Union acommittee was set up to decidewhich speaker would be theappropriate person for the series.With nearly 100 different options,representatives from the Student

Government Association (SGA),the University Program Board(UPB) and other student organi-zations decided that Arias couldoffer the university community awell-informed and excitingevening.

“Students felt that he couldsay something that they couldrelate to,” Smith said. “Theylooked for someone who couldspeak on something that was notonly relevant to their life, but rel-evant to what is occurring rightnow in the world.”

Oscar Arias was born in1941. After studying in theUnited States, he read law andeconomics at the University ofCosta Rica in the capital, SanJose. As a student he engaged

actively in the work of theNational Liberation Party.

Arias holds internationalstature as a spokesperson for thedeveloping world. He has trav-eled with one message in mind:his message of peace and how toapply the lessons he acquired inworld issues.

Jose Llanes, educationalleadership professor, explainedthat the fee for Arias was fromstudent monies.

“Dr. Edwards and the stu-dent leadership are the personswho should get the credit forbringing him on campus,” Llanessaid.

This plays a major role as towhy the students were the ones

By CLARISSA MARTINEZThe Pan American

Former Costa Rican president willaddress students on his life’s success

See ARIAS page 11

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

NEW GARMENTS - Several events for students, faculty and staff will be held fromNov. 29 to Dec. 1 to herald UTPA President Blandina Cardenas in her investiture.These events will lead to the upcoming 2004 commencement ceremonies, where newtraditions will embark, commemorating a new beginning in UTPA history.

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Dear Editor:There was an article in The Pan

American newspaper that totally blew meaway. Entitled, “Bush Wins; AmericaLoses,” Arianna Vazquez describesPresident Bush’s re-election as a nationaltragedy. Granted, her article is an editori-al and she has the freedom to express heropinion, but I believe that no matter whatshe thinks, George W. Bush is still thepresident of the United States and shouldnot be spoken about in such a disrespect-

ful manner. To disagree and disrespect aretwo completely different things, and Ibelieve Vazquez completely crossed theline. She angrily refers to him as “thesame old conservative”; and predicts thathe will “kill more American soldiers inbattle,” as if that is his goal as President!Like it or not, he is our Commander inChief and there must be some people inthis country who like him, because he'sstill in office and still deserves the utmostrespect from the American people, despite

the differences many people may havewith him.

Jenny LaFaraFreshman,English major

1201 West University, CAS 170 Edinburg, Texas 78539

(956) 381-2541 Fax: (956) 316-7122

http://www.panam.edu/dept/panamerican

53rd Year – No. 12

The PANAMERICAN isthe official studentnewspaper of TheUniversity ofTexas-PanAmerican. Views presentedare those of thewriters and do notnecessarily reflectthose of theuniversity.

The Pan Americangladly acceptsletters fromstudents, staff andfaculty regardingnewspaper contentor current issues.The Pan Americanreserves the rightto edit submissionsfor grammar andlength. Please limitsubmission lengthto 300 words. ThePan Americancannot publishanonymous letters,or submissionscontaining hatespeech orgratuitous personalattacks. Letters areprinted at thediscretion of theeditor and mustinclude the writer’sname, class/titleand phone number.

Letters policy

November 11 2 0 0 4

Readers with dis-abilities mayrequest an alter-native format ofthis publication atThe Pan American

business office. For special assis-tance to attendany event listed inthis publication,contact the coor-dinator of theevent at least oneweek prior to theadvertised date.

OPINION l e t t e r s n e d i t o r i a l s n c a r t o o n sPAGE 2

EditorArianna Vazquezgareyjup@aol.com

News EditorClarissa Martinez

clarissa_utpa@hotmail.com

A & E EditorOmaira Galarza

omairang@yahoo.com

Sports EditorJoey Gomez

jgomez23@panam.edu

Graphics EditorsDägoberto Pérezbachur@mail.com

Ginmarie Mabryohnesie@yahoo.com

Photography EditorFranco Caballero

photomosaix@aol.com

Copy EditorDulce Gonzalezbluetinky10@aol.com

Graphic/Web Design

Eduardo Martinezemartinez23@panam.edu

Reporters

Angela Canales

Lylony Cazares

Cecilia Castaneda

Emma Clark

Edwina P. Garza

Daryl Gonzales

Christina Harris

Joey Hinojosa

Aaron Lozano

Photographer

Delisa Guadarrama

Joel de la Rosa

Melissa Martinez

SecretaryDiana Corpus Garza

AdviserDr. Greg Selber

THE

PAN AMERICAN

It has been aweek sincePresident GeorgeW. Bush was re-elected and he willofficially begin hissecond term aspresident inJanuary.

Some say it willbe a “historical presidency,” whileothers are still crying out that the UnitedStates need for a new beginning. Butdoes it really matter if a RepublicanParty candidate rose above a Democraticone?

The argument between the nation isn’tabout the parties because they willalways exist, no matter how bad of abeating one gets. Where the debate liesthough is in the deep-rooted belief of thedirection the people of the United Statesforsee and want their country to take.

There has been cries of those “crazyliberal elitists” and the “old-fashionedconservatives,” but when did the termsliberal and conservative become put-downs? Liberal isn’t about being elitist,but rather simply wanting a moreprogressive country. Conservatives don’twant stop evolution of a country, theywant to maintain a structured nation thatholds morals in high regard. No matterwhat definition, it is all aboutperception.

Perception is reality, and if someoneviews a person as liberal, that is whatthey are. If you consider yourselfconservative, that is how you will act.

But if we want to get technical,according to the Web sitedictionary.com, liberal is defined as: Notbeing limited to or by established,traditional, orthodox or authoritarianattitudes; free from bigotry.Conservative, on the other hand, means:Favoring traditional views and values;tending to oppose change. But we canalways argue that that is a biased Website.

Enough with the whole term talk.What really matters is that this electionhas represented two opposing forcesmeeting at one location and battling itout, metaphorically. Do the people ofthis nation want change? Apparently not.That is what is shocking to people whowanted to create progressive measuresfor this nation.

Although there was focus on the warin Iraq, the economy and such, it turnsout this election wasn’t about the issuesor the candidates’ platforms. To thepublic, it might have been aboutfighting. Fighting to either go change theway Americans live, or maintain thestatus that we have been experiencingfor the past four years.

Perhaps people are just over judgingwhat the nation really wants.

Although a traditionally Democraticarea, the Rio Grande Valley hadapproximately 45 percent of thepresidential votes go to Bush. We mayalso be one of the most conservativeareas, but wouldn’t other factors playinto the reason for wanting to change?

Perhaps not.

According to Thomas L. Friedman, anOpinion/Editorial Columnist for theNew York Times, he felt troubled by theelection because he believed that “thiselection was tipped because of anoutpouring of support for George Bushby people who don't just favor differentpolicies than I do - they favor a wholedifferent kind of America. We don't justdisagree on what America should bedoing; we disagree on what America is.”

Some people have the same questionsthat Friedman does. With Bush’s record,it might be something other than hisdecision-making skills that lead to hisre-election.

“Is it a country that does not intrudeinto people's sexual preferences and themarriage unions they want to make,”Friedman wrote. “Is it a country thatallows a woman to have control over herbody? And, most important, is it acountry whose president mobilizes itsdeep moral energies to unite us - insteadof dividing us from one another andfrom the world?”

Despite the fact that the country istaking two different stances, people justagree that this country is splitting. Eventhough Sen. John Kerry called out forunity in the nation in his concessionspeech, we still have not.

Despite that the country’s name is“The United States,” those living herewill not be united until the nationdecides where they want to takethemselves, on a personal level, and alevel that will also affect the way otherswant to live.

Backlash of America’s vote: A country divided?

Clarissa Martinez

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

CORRECTIONOn page one of the Nov. 4 issue of ThePan American, SGA President NathanSchwarz, was misquoted due to areporter’s error in “W wins: Kerry con-cedes presidential race keeping Bush ascommander-in-chief.”

Women, children and even men are all subject to domesticviolence. The trauma that this experience may cause can lead aperson out of their own home to find refuge in a place where theywill no longer be victims of this crime.

According to a survey conducted in 2002 by the Texas Councilon Family Violence, 74 percent of all Texans have eitherexperienced some form of domestic violence or have had a familymember or friend who has been through the ordeal.

The Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Councilon Family Violence has reported that in 2003, 185,299 domesticviolence incidents were reported with 153 incidents ending indeath.

The crisis center of Mujeres Unidas reported that in the Valley,their organization alone sheltered 233 women and 607 children in2003.

Jessica Martinez, community education coordinator forMujeres Unidas said the center provides different services to helpvictims and survivors of crimes such as domestic violence and

sexual assault.“We provide counseling to victims of domestic violence and

survivors of sexual assault,” Martinez said. “The counseling isfree and confidential [and] it isconducted one-to-one with thevictim by appointment. We alsoprovide group counseling forsexual assault survivors andtheir family members [we] donot provide marriagecounseling.”

Information by the TexasHealth and Human ServicesCommission stated that in 200311,545 adults received shelterfrom their abusive relationships,and 18,188 children receivedshelter in Texas.

Victims and survivors are not the only ones that need help indealing with these problems. The Mujeres Unidas also provideshelp for the perpetrators of the crimes that carries a registration feeof $35 and a $15 weekly fee that can add up to a total of $395.

“We provide anger management classes for abusers through ourBatterer Intervention and Prevention Program,” Martinez said.

“This program is available for both men and women. We offer a24-week program and a 10-week program, [however], themajority of those who attend are mandated by parole or probation

(98 percent), but anyone interested inattending may do so on a voluntarybasis.”

For the 2005 spring semester TheUniversity of Texas-Pan Americanwill offer a course titled DomesticViolence in Society that is open to allmajors and will be taught by assistantprofessor, William Beverly.

“[I suggest for students to take thisclass] to increase awareness aboutdomestic violence in our society,”Beverly said. “The prevalence, theimpact related policies like law,intervention modalities [will all be

taught].”Beverly said that there is a perception that domestic violence

perpetrators have all been victims or survivors of domesticviolence themselves. The course will talk about some of thesesuppositions, as well as facts correlated with those suppositions.

Celerino Castillo, a Vietnam Veteran, will be spending todayrecalling his personal memories of war and of family and friendswho passed away fighting for their country.

“I have an uncle who was killed in action in WWII, and everyVeterans Day I go out and put a new flag at his grave,” Castillosaid.

Castillo, who graduated from Pan American University in1976, speaks at several schools across the Valley, informingstudents of the Vietnam era and the importance of Veterans Day.He also spends the day with his father, who is also a WWIIVeteran.

“We try to attend the same ceremonies,” Castillo said. “Myfather will wear his suit with all the medals and I wear a Vietnamshirt.”

Veterans’Day, Nov. 11, is a day set aside to thank and honor allthose who have served honorably in the military during wartimeor peacetime including those who were killed in combat,

according to the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site. Like Castillo, many Veterans will be attending parades or

ceremonies in honor of their services this weekend.Sgt. Andy Molina, a UTPA ROTC member and Veteran, is part

of the National Guard and has participated in Veteran parades inpast years.

“I do believe Veterans’ Day is very important,” Molina said.“We need to remember those who have fought and died for ourcountry and to allow us to enjoy our freedom.”

Other Veterans take a more symbolic approach to honor thosewho passed away. Samuel Freeman, political science professor,simply wears a black armband in commemoration of his 58,236brothers and sisters who died in Vietnam.

“Veterans’ Day is a really sad day for me,” Freeman said. “It isa day of remembrance and a day of mourning.”

With the country still at war, this Veterans Day will also be aday to remember the military personnel still in Iraq.

Sam Arriaga, a Gulf War Veteran and UTPA student will beattending a Navajo Native American ceremony honoring

Veterans, but he wishes he was with the troops in Iraq.“I have pride in my country, and I’m proud of those who are

serving,” Arriaga said. “I want peace, but I will not run just to getout of this country, the mission has been set and we have a job todo.”

Castillo, feels differently about the war, but ultimately supportsthe military personnel and their efforts.

“I support the troops,” Castillo said. “Especially now as the waris going on we need to educate ourselves on why we are out there.Their country has asked them to serve and they are serving to thebest of their ability and some are paying the ultimate price.”

To honor all the Rio Grande Valley Veterans a flag-raisingceremony at 9:30 a.m. will be held at the Veterans of Foreign WarPost No. 2035 on Paredes Line Road in Brownsville. Sen. EddieA. Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville will address the Veterans at noon.

The Marine Military Academy will also be holding a Veterans‘Day Parade in downtown Harlingen at 4 p.m. today. Whiledowntown Pharr will hold their 10th Annual Veterans’Day Paradeon Sat. Nov. 13 at 10 a.m.

n Modern languages . . . . . . . . 4

n Teacher certification . . . . . . . . 5

n Bronc Olympics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6NEWSValley takes time to remember veterans

By LYLONY CAZARESThe Pan American

Local organizations provide shelter, education on domestic violence

By ANGELA I. CANALESThe Pan American

Faculty member will sharefield experience in course

PHYSICAL HARASSMENTEmergency Shelter Clients - 233 women and 607

children in 2003.McAllen Outreach Center Staff provided counseling,

parenting classes, advocacy, information and referralsfor 707 clients.

Rape Crisis Center - 276 female survivors 10 malesurvivors and 34 children survivors of incest receivedcounseling and, accompaniment to court or hospital.

Hotline Calls - the agency answered a total of 8,080calls in 2003.

Source: Mujeres Unidas Annual Report

World War I ended with theimplementation of an

armistice between the alliesand Germany at the eleventhhour of the eleventh day of

November 1918.

Congress passes legislation approving theestablishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in

Arlington National Cemetery. Congress declares Nov.11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who

participated in the war.

Congress adopts a resolutiondirecting the president to

issue an annual proclamationcalling on the observance

of Armistice Day.

World War II and the Korean Warcreate millions of additional war

veterans in addition to those of the First World War I already

honored by Armistice Day.

On June 1, PresidentEisenhower signs

legislation changingthe name of the legal

holiday from ArmisticeDay to Veteran’s Day.

The federal observanceof Veterans Day is heldon the fourth Monday of

October.

Legislation passed to return the Federal observance ofVeteran’s Day to November 11, based on popular support

throughout the nation. Since the change to the fourthMonday in October, 46 states had either continued to

commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to theoriginal date based on popular sentiment.

Veterans’ Dayobservance reverts to

Nov 11.

Eduardo Martinez/The Pan American

VeteransDay

history

Congress passes legislation on May 13, makingNov. 11 a legal federal holiday, Armistice Day. TheU.S. has no ‘actual’ national holidays because the

states retain the right to designate their ownholidays. But in practice the states almost alwaysfollow the federal lead in designation of holidays.

Source: http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/faq/vetsday/vetshist.htm

See DOMESTIC page 12

The University of Texas-Pan American. “PanAmerican” meaning a university of all theAmericas. But now, UTPA is not just spanningacross the Americas, but across the AtlanticOcean to Europe.

After a shortage of modern language classes,UTPA is now reinstating a German class,proposing a French major and developing aChinese class.

“This area is becoming more and more diverseand we want to tap into that," Edith Vandervoortsaid, associate professor for French and will teachthe upcoming German class. "We also want toprepare our students for the future and in order todo that we can’t assume that they are going tostay in the Valley. We want to expand theiropportunities by teaching them new languages.”

Isreal Serna, a junior majoring in mechanicalengineering, realized the importance ofexpanding opportunities through language. Hechose a French minor to give him an advantageover other engineering candidates.

“You’re more interesting to companies whenthey look at your resume and see somethingdifferent, like being able to speak in French,”Serna said. “They like to see that you have both

mathematical and language skill[s]. Not only canyou do the math, but you can communicate ittoo.”

Producing more competitive business andengineering students was also the intent of addinga German class to the modern languagesdepartment. German courses open doors ofopportunities in large German manufacturingcompanies for engineering students. Through thenew German course and educationalcollaboration with universities in Germany,students can study abroad in Germany and internwith a local company, which could lead toemployment opportunities.

“Germany is becoming an economical leaderin Europe,” Glenn Martinez said, associateprofessor of Spanish and the modern languagesdepartment chair. “So it is a real strategiclanguage for students to learn if they areinterested in business.”

Globalization is increasing the businessinteraction between foreign countries. Thismodern phenomenon is the connection ofcountries around the globe through newer andfaster methods such as the Internet. Universitiesaround the world, including UTPA, are preparingtheir students for a future of global businessunionization and requires more linguistic

competence.Globalization is also

bringing more German andFrench companies to the areaand Valley companies areincreasing their trade withtheir new foreign neighbors.Thus, international businessmajors benefit from speakingGerman or French,increasing their opportunitiesfor trade.

“Several FrenchMaquillas are settled acrossthe border,” Stella Beharsaid, associate professor forFrench. “Their humanresource people are veryhappy to find professionals that are trilingual,especially engineers and students of business.”

However, the German class is not limited tofuture engineers and businessmen. Since thenational science laboratories in the United Statesare collaborating with German laboratories,Vandervoort recommends German classes forstudents interested in physics and chemistry.

The German and French classes also helpgraduate students fulfill their requirement forfluency in one, two, or even three foreignlanguages. It can also prepare undergraduatestudents planning to attend graduate school tolearn a new language, according to Vandervoort.

"Most languages take seven to nine years foran adult to learn," Vandervoort said. "In graduateschool, students only have a semester to master a

foreign language. Taking German courses as anundergraduate can help them get ahead."

Vandervoort will be teaching the new languagecourse, German 1331.01, in the spring onMondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:45-12:35. The native German speaker has abachelor’s and master’s degree in Germanliterature from the University of Illinois-Chicagoand a Ph.D. in modern language with a major inGerman and a minor in French. Currently, theGerman course for the spring has decentenrollment numbers.

"We’ve had a very good reaction to the newGerman class," Martinez said. "A lot of studentsare excited."

Besides the new German course, the

November 11, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 4

UTPA department connects science with languageBy CECILIA CASTANEDAThe Pan American

A Spanish course usually seems like thebest and most obvious approach to learnSpanish. However, for Cherie Hodges,International Toastmasters has workedwonders for her.

Hodges, a pharmacist, attended aToastmasters meeting at the University ofTexas-Pan American Library on Tuesdayevening. The entire meeting was spoken inSpanish, with not even a single chirpallowed in English.

For more than an hour, Hodges,challenged herself to make sure onlySpanish words came out of her mouth. Shestruggled, she hesitated, she paused, but shedidn’t give up.

She even had to deliver an entire speechin Spanish. Hodges was poised and wellprepared. She spoke slowly and clearly asshe tried to pronounce each word correctly.However, just trying to think of the correctword to use was the biggest test.

“Just the idea of doing my speech wasscary. It was my first speech ever inSpanish,” said Hodges, who has been amember of Toastmasters for more than ayear. Her speech was on the differentsections of the brain and how people cancontrol their own thoughts.

That evening, not only did Hodgesovercome her fear of pubic speaking butalso her fear of doing it in Spanish. It wasn’tuntil 1997, when she spent eight weeks in

Cuernavaca, Mexico, that Hodges was firstimmersed into the Spanish language.

“The main reason I could do it wasbecause of the support I have,” Hodgessaid.

Everyone in the club is so encouragingand helpful, she added.

Toastmasters has 9,300 chaptersworldwide. The Grande Evening chapter ofToastmasters in Edinburg meets everyTuesday at 7p.m. in room 310 on the thirdfloor of the UTPA library. Every otherTuesday the meeting is done completely inSpanish. This chapter is the only one in theUnited States to hold its meetings inSpanish.

Toastmasters is geared to help peopleovercome their fear of public speaking. Atany meeting, the agenda always includestable topics, prepared speeches andevaluations.

For table topics, a member of the clubasks any attendee a random question, whichis to be answered within a time limit ofabout two minutes. This segment of themeeting puts all attendees on their toessince they do not know if they’ll be chosento speak.

Members also present prepared speechesto the audience and are then evaluated onthe deliverance and content of their speech.

“The meeting helps me express my ideasbetter. Helps me control my nerves whilespeaking,” said Alfredo Conde, sophomore

Brave new language: Meeting toovercome one of the biggest fearsBy JUANITA D. CANTUThe Pan American

See CULTURE page 12

COMMING SOON - Parallel to the growing diversity of ethnicities at UTPAand the Valley the Dept. of Modern Languages and Literature is proposingdevelopment and enrichment of the programs currently available. Flyershave been distributed to promote the reinstating of a German course for thespring semester.

Franco Caballero/The Pan American

See TOASTMASTERS page 12

NOVEMBER 11, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 5

Given a choice, what would you expectfrom your child’s teacher? Careful, yetdetermined? One who has a heart, but whois persistent at the same time?Motivational, and who has the ability toreach your child?

In other words, perfect?With teacher shortages across the nation

reaching an all time high, Texas officialsare questioning what they can do to easethe problem on the state’s children. Theanswer: the Alternative CertificationProgram (ACP) offered on collegecampus’ across the nation.

Designed to lure newly graduatedcollege students into the world ofteaching, ACP is described as an “earnwhile you learn” program. This means thatACP students are paid for the time spent inthe classroom, which starts immediately.

“Some, after they’ve graduated withtheir degree in engineering for example,they realize they’re going to have to moveto Houston or Dallas, and some aren’t ableto do that, to leave their family,” said DoraSalazar, program director for ACP atUTPA. “They tell me, ‘I need a jobimmediately, so I think I want to teach.’”

Salazar is firm in claiming that anycritic who states that the ACP is an easyride to fast cash after graduation ismistaken.

“No, it’s not easy, but it can beenjoyable,” she said. “You have to beorganized and understand the extremeamount of responsibility you have. It’salso about the content, you have to know

what you’re doing. It’s not like everyonewho walks through here will be certified.”

ACP student interns begin the processby application. Salazar and her team ofprofessors located in the EducationBuilding assess the application and lookclosely at the graduate’s transcript. Acumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher isrequired.

“If for example, they’re interested inteaching elementary, they have to have 24hours in the content: six hours in Math, sixhours in Science, six hours in English andsix hours in social studies. In middleschool, it’s 36 hours, and in high school

it’s 24 hours.” Salazar said.Additionally, five essential classes are

required which will, “teach them how toteach,” according to Salazar, herself a

former classroom teacher.Once completed, and a detailed

background check satisfies officials, ACPrecommends its interns for a license.Interns are not guaranteed a license at theend of the program, and must pass stateexaminations.

“Because they have a bachelor’salready, the state says that they canbecome a teacher, and they can be in theclassroom. The ACP helps to make thattransition because it’s on the job training,”Salazar said.

“Student-intern’s are not figuring it outfor four years, or three years or the last

two years of their college experience,” shesaid. “They’re getting training, they knowthe job, and are already getting paid.”

Salazar admitted that there is a greatneed for teachers all over the country, butespecially in the Rio Grande Valley, wherethe ratio is now one teacher to 22 students.This ratio increases throughout highschool.

Director of Personnel for McAllenIndependent School District, Steve Ellissaid that ACP student interns have to gothrough the process of application,selection and interviewing just like anyother candidate who has completed thetraditional four-year bachelor’s ineducation.

Salazar explained, ACP has no realdifference from the bachelors of educationdegree.

“For us in ACP, we require them to takethe five classes,” she said. “And then wedo a year-long internship. The onlydifference is ours is an abbreviated amountof classes that are geared only to how toteach. They’re not teaching the content.”

However Ellis said that ACP students dohave to sell themselves more.

“Student teaching on campus allowsthem to get to know the campus, theteachers, and so it’s possible that they willbe hired permanently,” Ellis said. “It givesthem an edge.”

The ACP was implemented as a directresult of the teacher shortage in Texas.

“The idea is how do we get moreteachers into the classrooms? The bigissue right now is, can anybody teach?”Salazar said.

She asked, just because a graduate wentto Yale, and has a 4.0 GPA, does this meanhe or she will be a good teacher? This is acritical issue for authorities, especiallywith President George W. Bush’s No ChildLeft Behind Act now firmly in place,requiring all teachers to be of a highstandard.

“It’s still a question about how childrenare being prepared. Who’s teaching them,”Salazar said. “I think our program tends tobe more respected because we do hold onto the UT label.”

Ultimately, the state decides who willget certified and licensed to teach, afterthe ACP training is complete. Salazarreminds parents that all teachers who standat the front of their child’s classroom hasgone through a criminal check.

“If there is any problem, even drunkdriving, they are not going to beapproved,” Salazar said.

So far, the success of the ACP programis yet to be determined. Reports by theNational Center for Education Information(NCEI) claim that 2.2 million teachers arerequired over the next 10 years.

The ACP program gives hope indecreasing that number, while Salazarclaimed that enrollment numbers in theprogram remain high. While she attended arecent conference about the ACP programshe said she was surprised at howadvanced UTPA’s program was, incomparison to other programs throughoutthe nation.

“Everyone that had sent in a proposalwas doing a break-out session, aworkshop, to explain what their programwas,” she said. “As I went to all of them, Irealized, we’re way ahead of everybody.”

Dr. C. Emily Feistritzer of NCEIconfirmed this in a speech she gave in1999, with Texas, New Jersey andCalifornia having the most successfulalternative certification programs forteachers.

Among the reasons for this, Salazarexplained that Texas involves the schooldistrict early on in the program, and thiswas something other states had not seenbefore.

“The last thing is, in connection with theNo Child Left Behind Act, and I don’tknow if this is a good thing or a badthing,” Salazar said. “The idea is thatTexas is ahead of having the examinationsalready in place. A lot of states don’t havethat. They’re still working out the system.”

“Because of programs like ACP, we areable to meet the needs of the profession.[The teacher shortage] is certainly lessthan it was before,” Ellis concluded.

ACP program counters teacher shortageBy EMMA CLARKThe Pan American

Education certification offers graduates immediate employment

THE NUMBERS ON EDUCATION* Of the estimated six million people in the U.S. with teaching qualifications onlyhalf are actually teaching.

* From 1994 – 1998 salaries for new graduates outside of education increased byover $6,000 (17 percent), for master’s degree holders outside of education theincrease was over $17,000 (32 percent). For teachers, the increase was just onepercent.

* One third of teachers leave the profession after three years. Forty percent leaveafter five years. In the 1999-2000 school year, 66 percent of teachers had a men-tor, and 87 percent found the mentors helpful.

* Nationally, 16 percent of teachers are minorities while the student population is40 percent minority. During the 1999-2000 school year, 38 percent of publicschools did not have a single teacher of color.

Source: National Education Association

APPLICATION AVAILABLE FOR

EDITOR POSITIONDEADLINE NOV. 23

THOSE INTERESTED PLEASE STOP

BY THE

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS OFFICE,

COAS 170.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT (956) 381-2541.

NOVEMBER 11, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 6

Today the University Program Board(UPB) will be hosting their annual BroncOlympics event from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. atthe Quad.

The event has become a tradition fororganizations that enjoy challenging eachother during relay races. The races that theteams will compete in today include gamessuch as: human fuse ball, wheel barrel races,balloon tag, tug-of-war and the entertainingmechanical bull ride. Participants in thisevent include students from organizationsand clubs around campus.

Each team will consist of six membersand two alternatives that will sponsor theirorganization. It is the event that UPB hopeswill bring a competitive spirit to thestudents in a positive manner. Participantswill also get to experience the heart of achampion, by winning the prizes that willalso be awarded to the winners such astrophies and not to mention bragging rights.

Last year the UPB Committee ChairmanOmar Jasso, a senior computer sciencemajor, hosted the event and had a successfulturnout due to student participation.

“I was thrilled to see the look on student’sfaces when they competed against eachother. My favorite moment was when thestudents would ride the mechanical bull, Ithought that was hilarious,” Jasso said.

According to Jasso, most studentsenjoyed themselves and it was a great wayto build friendships.

Unity is the primary goal for this eventhaving students come together for the solepurpose of keeping the Bronc spirit alive.

This year UPB Blenders CommitteeChairman, Lilly Montalvo, a sophomorenursing major, will be hosting the event.

“I am excited for all the teams who willbe participating this year. I hope this yearwill be a great turnout,” Montalvo said. “Iexpect for all participants and teams todevelop friendships amongst each other andfor good sportsmanship to happen betweenthe teams.”

Bronc Olympics createfriendly competitionBy JESSICA MUNIZThe Pan American

RAISING VOICES - (from left) Krystal Soto and Val Serna from the group The Call sing Tuesday nightat the University Center Circle. The event was sponsored by the World Mandate Student Organization.

Bronc Olympics

Nov. 114-8 p.m.

At the Quad

Sponsored by UPB

2004

Melissa Martinez/The Pan American

Daniel Garcia Ordaz is adding a bit of color to the Rio GrandeValley's literary world. The University of Texas-Pan Americangraduate turned freelance writer, photographer, painter and song-writer recently released “You Know What I'm Sayin'?”

It is a collection of poems and a short play dealing with issuessuch as racisms and affirmative action.

“Opportunity knocks on all classes of doors, for all masses. Idon’t need you to listen for me. I can hear it. I done open themdoors with my spirit. If Impossible’s got claws about you Now youknow how it feels to be not you,” is a line from Ordaz’s poem“Affirmative Action.”

Some of his poetry touches on issues people deal with now,while others are linked more to the past.

“In my poetry I try to tell the stories of the past,” Ordaz said.“Not to promote anger or bitterness, but rather to get truth out thereand then help people move on, and also appreciate the civil rightswe have gained.”

Ordaz, a Texas native, was born in Houston and raised inMission. He began writing in high school, and feels that his great-est influences include world-renowned prolific writer, LangstonHughes and author of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” MayaAngelou.

Ordaz has also found inspiration in the Harlem Renaissanceand the old rancheras, which are similar to country songs, hisfather taught him. Being raised in a Catholic home, and the intro-duction of rap and hip-hop in the 80s, has influenced his life. He

began writing short stories after his father passed away in 1997,two years later he began reading his work in public. He is co-founder of the non-profit organization Art That Heals, Inc., whichpromotes the arts and the use of art to help bring an end to AIDS.

Throughout his career, Ordaz has made several appearances atdifferent Valley high schools and universities including UTPA andthe University of Texas at Austin. Leeta Shands, an American liter-ature teacher at McAllen High School was impressed by his talentand invited him to her classroom in October.

“Ordaz's poetry is a beautifully varied and deeply meaningfulexample of the poetic expression from the area,” Shands said. “Mystudents were very impressed by his poetry, since they felt his poet-ry was so heartfelt and spoke about their lives and experiences.”

Shands wants to expose her students to cultural influencesthat promote self-expression.

“I'm always looking for someone who will inspire my stu-dents to become excited about their own regional culture,” Shandssaid. “Hopefully, by engaging them in the creative process, theywill be inspired to become involved in their own expression.”

A lecturer for the department of English at UTPA, BarbaraVielma, recently invited Ordaz to her introduction to literatureclass, and described Ordaz's poetry as simple, earthy, direct andplayful.

“So many of our students have been exposed to nothing butworld-renowned poems,” Vielma said. “They then feel that allpoetry is elusive and intimidating. I want my students to revel inwords and discover that poetry is accessible, understandable andfun!”

Ordaz's next public appearances include Jitterz Coffee Bar in

Mission on Nov. 12; Barnes and Noble in McAllen on Nov. 13,along with featured reader Jose Skinner; and Nov. 19 at the NarcisoMartinez Cultural Arts Center in San Benito for the "Border toBorder" Poetry Party. For more information on Ordaz, visitwww.angelfire.com/poetry/mariachi/index.html.

Online tickets . . . . . . . . . 8 & 9

Broadcast controversy . . . . . 10

Concert prices . . . . . . . . . . . .10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A&EBy AMANDA GARCIAThe Pan American

UTPA graduate recites poetry at local venues

ACTION - Daniel Garcia Ordaz brings his poetry to life. Hispoetry is inspired by famous poets, family members and his-torical movements.

Cou

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Dan

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Imagine hundreds of sweaty bodies pressed together swayingin a rhythmic motion; rows of spectators springing out of theirchairs to shout with excitement; true cow folk and non-cow folkalike two-stepping between tables in hats and wranglers; and afearsome circle of moshers are all images from concerts of differ-ent genres.

These are scenes that the general public could once enjoy ata modest price, but with the drastic price increases many concertshave become less attainable in recent years.

“My first concert [cost] $3 to see ‘Queen,’” said MarceloRodriguez, who has been a promoter for 16 years.

Now, spending $3 on a ticket for a big-name concert is a thingof the past. Ticket prices for the Nov. 13 Vincente Fernandez andAna Gabriel concert at the Dodge Arena range from $50 to $125.

According to Pollstar analysis of the top 50 tours throughJune, gross revenues were up 11 percent to $753.5 million, butticket sales were down 2 percent to 12.8 million, with ticket pricesup almost 13 percent. The analysis also showed that the averageprice of a ticket shot up from $26.05 in 1995 to $50.35 last year.

This price increase has not hindered all concertgoers frompurchasing tickets. Michael Gomez, a sophomore at South TexasCollege in McAllen, said that he has not noticed the change nordoes it affect his ticket-buying decision. However, he is aware ofthe difference between prices in the Valley and larger cities.

The cost of the same concert is often drastically different. TheGloria Estefan concert on July 30 at the Dodge Arena tickets were$51-$176, while the SBC Center in San Antonio priced ticketsfrom $49.50-$79.50.

“Actually, ticket prices are higher here in the Valley especial-ly in the Dodge Arena,” said Gomez, who has attended 20 con-certs, five of which were after June. “I understand why and that isbecause it is a smaller venue compared to places in bigger citieslike San Antonio or Houston.”

Rodriguez, who works with concert tour promotions andmarketing, explained this idea.

“Verizon Wireless in San Antonio holds up to 20,000 [and]the Dodge Arena holds 7,000. So lets say [an artist] charges$150,000,” Rodriguez said. “They have to divide that cost by thenumber of seats in order to be profitable.”

Now, the money that is generated from the ticket sales at eachvenue basically goes through a three-tier system: agencies, pro-moters and the artist. The agency’s role is to book the tour, thendifferent promoters in each city advertise and publicize the showwhere the artist performs. On average, the agency gets 15 percent,promoters get 10 percent and the artist gets 75 percent of the earn-ings in each city, according to Rodriguez.

These individuals reap the benefits of higher ticket prices, but

what constitutes the change in cost? Rodriguez said that the musicindustry is just that, it is a business making it inevitable that pricesrise with time.

However, Gerardo Vazquez, creative director of DisaRecords, an Univision Music Group Company, believes there aredifferent reasons.

“Perhaps one, and probably a very important reason, is thereare just too many acts going on every month almost everywhere inthe [United States] and Mexico,” Vazquez said. “With that inmind, the promoter’s marketing has to be more intensive, radioand [television] ads, press and local interviews. The investment fora certain campaign goes well into the several thousands of dol-lars.”

He also explained that prices have gone up to make up for thedeficit in revenue for low sales and extra expenses considered intours, such as gasoline for transportation. Gas prices are at recordhighs, and this affects groups that tour nationwide by bus.

Rodriguez who said that price changes “just happen,” didcredit another issue brought up in the last 10 years, which dealswith the technical and performance aspects of shows.

“Shows are bigger, they have more at risk,” Rodriguez said.The three big players, agencies, promoters and artists, poten-

tially face a great loss, but at the same token, they may experiencetremendous gain. The real losers tend to be the fans.

“[The price increase] is not good because a lot of people don’thave much money,” said Marcie Flores, employee of RodeoHouse Western Wear in Edinburg. “People will only be able to goto one, maybe two concerts.”

Flores said that the Rodeo House, which sells tickets for con-certs across the Valley including the Dodge Arena and La VillaReal Special Events Center, has seen a decline in the tickets pur-chased since prices have gone up. She said that this may be due tothe recent trends of online ticket purchases, but a lot of it has to dowith cost.

In the future, whether or not sales continue to go down is upto the fans, and their choice to buy tickets.

By OMAIRA GALARZAThe Pan American

Concerts: Ticket prices climb while sales decline

Eduardo Martinez/The Pan American

Why wait in line?

Go online!

November 11, 2004 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 9November 11, 2004 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 8

Opening weekend for apopular movie often meanslong lines, shoving for goodseats and sold out tickets.Now moviegoers avoid thecomplications that accom-pany a night at the cinema,and opt to buy their ticketsonline.

One of the more popular online and phone movie ticketing services isFandango.com, which sells to more than 1,000 theaters and 11,500 screens.According to the Web site, when Fandango was first created in March2000, the goal was to create a company that would make the movie-plan-ning and movie-going experience more convenient and fun for consumers.

However, moviegoers are questioning the practicality of purchasingmovie tickets online.

Angela Hausman, professor of marketing, teaches a consumer behav-ior course at The University of Texas-Pan American. She believes thatonline movie ticket purchases are not practical for consumers in the RioGrande Valley.

“One of the problems is that you pay a service charge,” Hausman said.“Movie tickets are already expensive, but if it was sold out I can see whya person wouldn’t mind paying the extra fee.”

Aside from the fee that the Web sites charge, Hausman believes that thebigger issue is the inevitability of waiting in line.

“I don’t understand why you still have to wait in line to get yourreceipt; to me that makes no sense,” Hausman said. “You can print out anairline boarding pass and it has a barcode on it so all you have to do is scanit in. I don’t understand why they can’t do that with movie tickets.”

Hector Casas, 22, from McAllen, said he does not buy tickets onlinebecause they are expensive and he still has to wait in line to pick up thetickets.

“If I’m going to have to wait in line anyway, I might as well pay lessfor my ticket,” Casas said.

According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, online ticket salesmade up 4.3 percent of total movie sales last year, tripling the percentageof sales from the three previous years. While the number is not still highenough to create a dramatic change, the number of ticket sales is predictedto grow, at least until 2008.

In bigger cities, like Austin, more people take advantage of the onlineticket system because they offer more features Valley theaters have yet tooffer, like in-theater ticket pick-up kiosks, which allow moviegoers tobypass the box office.

Lizette Salinas, 21, a student at the University of Texas at Austinprefers buying tickets at Fandango.com than in person at the theater boxoffice.

“I’d rather buy tickets online because I want to make sure I get thembefore they sell out,” Salinas said. “There is nothing worse than going to amovie and having to leave because they are sold out.”

Salinas emphasized that buying her tickets online is practical for herbecause it is quicker and easier.

“I also buy my tickets online out of sheer convenience because I canchoose my desired movie online and pay for it right there,” Salinas said.“It's a clean transaction. Good times. No lines.”

So although online ticket purchases may guarantee a movie pass, longlines and loss of blood when fighting for seats are still an issue, at least inthe Valley.

Technological advances continue to change the waysociety operates in certain situations, especially in therealm of entertainment. The high Internet populationhas resulted in a new market of online shoppers andcustomers who want instant gratification. Movie the-aters have joined in on the trend, will you?

See the movie you want when you want!

To Buy tickets online at Fandango.com: 1. Select a movie and date, then click on a red showtime at the theater of your choice. 2. Complete the "Purchase Tickets" section to buy tickets on our secure website. You will need to present the credit card you used for the purchase at most theaters. Other the-aters allow ticket pick up with a confirmation number.

To buy tickets over the phone at 1-800-FANDANGO: 1. Verify your location or enter a theater express code. 2. Say the movie you want to see, the theater where you want to see it (if you didn't enter theexpress code), and the showtime. 3. Follow the prompts to purchase your tickets. You will need to present the credit card youused for the purchase at most theaters. Other theaters allow ticket pick up with a confirmationnumber.

You can now pick up your tickets in one of three ways: 1. At the box office. 2. Bypass the box office line by picking up your tickets at a ticket kiosk near the theater lobbyentrance -- available at most theaters. 3. Or, at select theaters, print your tickets at home and go straight to the ticket taker.

Source: www.fandango.com

Story by Christina HarrisIllustration by Eduardo Martinez

November 11, 2004 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 9November 11, 2004 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 8

Opening weekend for apopular movie often meanslong lines, shoving for goodseats and sold out tickets.Now moviegoers avoid thecomplications that accom-pany a night at the cinema,and opt to buy their ticketsonline.

One of the more popular online and phone movie ticketing services isFandango.com, which sells to more than 1,000 theaters and 11,500 screens.According to the Web site, when Fandango was first created in March2000, the goal was to create a company that would make the movie-plan-ning and movie-going experience more convenient and fun for consumers.

However, moviegoers are questioning the practicality of purchasingmovie tickets online.

Angela Hausman, professor of marketing, teaches a consumer behav-ior course at The University of Texas-Pan American. She believes thatonline movie ticket purchases are not practical for consumers in the RioGrande Valley.

“One of the problems is that you pay a service charge,” Hausman said.“Movie tickets are already expensive, but if it was sold out I can see whya person wouldn’t mind paying the extra fee.”

Aside from the fee that the Web sites charge, Hausman believes that thebigger issue is the inevitability of waiting in line.

“I don’t understand why you still have to wait in line to get yourreceipt; to me that makes no sense,” Hausman said. “You can print out anairline boarding pass and it has a barcode on it so all you have to do is scanit in. I don’t understand why they can’t do that with movie tickets.”

Hector Casas, 22, from McAllen, said he does not buy tickets onlinebecause they are expensive and he still has to wait in line to pick up thetickets.

“If I’m going to have to wait in line anyway, I might as well pay lessfor my ticket,” Casas said.

According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, online ticket salesmade up 4.3 percent of total movie sales last year, tripling the percentageof sales from the three previous years. While the number is not still highenough to create a dramatic change, the number of ticket sales is predictedto grow, at least until 2008.

In bigger cities, like Austin, more people take advantage of the onlineticket system because they offer more features Valley theaters have yet tooffer, like in-theater ticket pick-up kiosks, which allow moviegoers tobypass the box office.

Lizette Salinas, 21, a student at the University of Texas at Austinprefers buying tickets at Fandango.com than in person at the theater boxoffice.

“I’d rather buy tickets online because I want to make sure I get thembefore they sell out,” Salinas said. “There is nothing worse than going to amovie and having to leave because they are sold out.”

Salinas emphasized that buying her tickets online is practical for herbecause it is quicker and easier.

“I also buy my tickets online out of sheer convenience because I canchoose my desired movie online and pay for it right there,” Salinas said.“It's a clean transaction. Good times. No lines.”

So although online ticket purchases may guarantee a movie pass, longlines and loss of blood when fighting for seats are still an issue, at least inthe Valley.

Technological advances continue to change the waysociety operates in certain situations, especially in therealm of entertainment. The high Internet populationhas resulted in a new market of online shoppers andcustomers who want instant gratification. Movie the-aters have joined in on the trend, will you?

See the movie you want when you want!

To Buy tickets online at Fandango.com: 1. Select a movie and date, then click on a red showtime at the theater of your choice. 2. Complete the "Purchase Tickets" section to buy tickets on our secure website. You will need to present the credit card you used for the purchase at most theaters. Other the-aters allow ticket pick up with a confirmation number.

To buy tickets over the phone at 1-800-FANDANGO: 1. Verify your location or enter a theater express code. 2. Say the movie you want to see, the theater where you want to see it (if you didn't enter theexpress code), and the showtime. 3. Follow the prompts to purchase your tickets. You will need to present the credit card youused for the purchase at most theaters. Other theaters allow ticket pick up with a confirmationnumber.

You can now pick up your tickets in one of three ways: 1. At the box office. 2. Bypass the box office line by picking up your tickets at a ticket kiosk near the theater lobbyentrance -- available at most theaters. 3. Or, at select theaters, print your tickets at home and go straight to the ticket taker.

Source: www.fandango.com

Story by Christina HarrisIllustration by Eduardo Martinez

LOS ANGELES - It was in the living room of their own homeduring the 11 p.m. nightly news in Los Angeles where RonaldLopez and his wife, Christina Zapata, felt attacked by what theycall, a racial slur.

“I am a Chicano from L.A., and I am 40 years old. I grewup with this type of stuff,” Lopez said. “I’m just sick of it.”

During the Los Angeles KNBC Channel 4, weather fore-cast, Fritz Coleman and other broadcast journalists laughed at aremark in which Coleman referred to a hypothetical umbrellavalet as “Jose.”

Sonnie Salinas, president of The University of Texas-PanAmerican’s Leading Interviewers and Video Excellence,L.I.V.E., defines a racial slur as a statement attacking a group ofminorities.

“A racial slur is stereotyping of any form, whether its racialor gender related, directed towards a group of people,” he said.“In this situation, if he works for the station, then the station andeveryone associated with the program is liable, because he’sspeaking for the station.”

Lopez claims that the statement made a week ago onMonday was highly offensive to him and his wife. He claims thateveryone responsible, even the group of journalists who laughedon air in response to the joke.

“My wife [Christina] and I were watching the 11 p.m. newson Channel 4 and heard a joke made about one of the announc-ers having an umbrella valet named 'Jose,’” Lopez stated in an e-mail.

At the time, Coleman thought it was an innocent joke whenhe mentioned that his colleague Fred, the sports reporter, mightneed an umbrella valet named “Jose” due to the amount of rainin Los Angeles. He said the remark was completely unintention-al, and a product of live broadcasting.

“It was totally a joke and misinterpreted and yes, a poorchoice of words,” Coleman said. “I want everyone to know thatit was a shot to the sportscaster and I didn’t mean to offend any-one else.”

Coleman has worked at KNBC for 23 years and suggeststhat his on air personality in front of a live camera is importantto his broadcast. According to the weatherman, he and the sports-caster have a friendly rivalry.

“Now, this is live television, and because I put personalityinto my forecast you don’t [consider] every word [in advance],although we ought to,” Coleman said. “Ask anyone that knowsme, I’m not the kind of person to suggest any kind of racial slur.”

Lopez, who has a Ph.D. in American history and teachesChicano studies at Chaffey Community College in RanchoCucamonga, Calif., was angered by the remark and e-mailed hisconcerns to his friends, a large group of Hispanics, Asians andAfrican-Americans. Lopez also allegedly sent a complaint toKNBC personnel demanding an on air apology.

Coleman refuses to apologize on air.“I’m not going to do an on air apology, it was innocent,”

Coleman said. “It will just reopen the wound and offend otherswho weren’t even aware of the remark to begin with.”

Coleman added that an on air apology would be appropriateif the remark was of a serious nature and an obvious racial slur.According to Coleman, there has not been a complaint about thesituation submitted by anyone, including Lopez. Colemanclaims that nobody at the station has received any concerns fromLopez about the statement.

“He’s trying to respond by representing the entire Latinocommunity and that’s nobody’s responsibility,” Coleman said.“In my personal opinion it’s an over reaction.”

When asked if Lopez received any feedback or a formalapology after he submitted a complaint, he claimed that all he gotwas a response telling him the e-mail would be forwarded to theappropriate KNBC officials.

“Sending an e-mail seems small, but I think this matter mer-its attention, and we have to respond in a very intelligent man-ner,” said Lopez, who plans to contact companies that advertisewith KNBC. “These are the things we have to think about strate-gically.”

According to Lopez, Latinos have a strong buying powerand boycotting stores that advertise with KNBC is a strategicway of handling the situation.

“We need to target one or two of the advertisers and boycottthem, and demand that they withdraw their advertising,” Lopezsaid. “We need to attack people in their pocketbooks when theyare being racist.”

Coleman said this was the first time KNBC had heard ofanyone being offended by the remark.

“I’ll be glad to apologize to Mr. Lopez over the phone, ifthere is a complaint, I will respond to it,” said Coleman, whowould like to speak personally with Lopez.

Lopez and his wife, who have still yet to hear from anyoneat the station regarding an apology, advise that minorities shouldnot allow these racial attacks, large or small, to go by unnoticed,but instead be dealt with accordingly every time they happen.

“We have to demand accountability and decent treatment,and when people act in a racist way, we have to demand a loudand unequivocal public apology,” Lopez said. “And in the wordsof Sam Gompers, ‘Reward our friends, punish our enemies.’”

By AARON LOZANOThe Pan American

L.A. broadcast personality accused of racial slur

Words to watch for:Slur/Race/Meaning

Mojo/Hispanics/Normally used amongHispanics toward other Hispanics. Mojoderives from mojado meaning "wet" i.e. wet-backs. Wanker/British/Implies that the addresser isaccusing the addressee of self-gratification.Fuji/Japanese/Japanese tourists tend towear cameras and take pictures at any givenmoment. Mount Fuji is a mountain inJapan, and the word is the name of a filmbrand.

Source: www.rsdb.org

*

*

*

November 11, 2004 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 10

California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) caught theeye of Monica Davis from the UniversityBookstore who read an article in a college mag-azine. The tradition is having each graduatewear a stole around their neck at the graduationceremony, and once the diplomas have beengiven out, the graduate approaches a facultymember, parent, relative, or friend that helpedthem get through college. The stole is given as agift to say thank you for any help given duringthe graduate’s academic career. UCSB calls it“The Stole of Gratitude.”

Lynda Lopez, public affairs specialist withthe office of the president, explained thatCardenas had been searching for something spe-cial to do at December’s graduation, whichwould be her first graduation ceremony as pres-ident of UTPA.

“Students from UTPA are not the typicalcollege graduate, the ceremony’s here are veryemotional,” Lopez said. “Kids here have hur-dles other kids don’t have, that’s why graduationhere is so much more special.”

The biggest concern about the graduationstoles is the issue of cost, according to Lopez.

“We don’t want to burden [students] withany more cost,” Lopez explained. “The underly-ing idea is beautiful, there was an interest, butconcern about cost.”

According to Davis, the stoles were listedin a magazine at the price of $19.95. Lopez saidthe office of the president is working on gettingthe cost lowered to about $15. Eventually,Lopez said, Cardenas would like to make thestole a part of a graduation packet.

“We think the graduates will embrace it,”Lopez said. “It’s not mandatory, but I think

when they see them they will be inspired to getone because they’re beautiful and they lookattractive with the gown.”

The sample stole circulating around theUniversity Bookstore and the office of the pres-ident is green with orange trim. The left side hasthe letters “UTPA” and the right side of the sam-ple has the year “2005,” but Lopez said the actu-al right side of the stole will have the presiden-tial seal.

Kinesiology major Cande Rivera is gradu-ating in December and finds “The Stole ofGratitude a nice way to thank loved ones.”

“That’s pretty cool,” Rivera said of thepresident’s idea. “It’s a good way of thankingsomeone in front of everyone. It’s a great way tosay ‘thank you for that help.’”

Rivera was among the dozens of UTPAseniors that began to purchase their cap andgown last week as the University Bookstorebegan its graduation sale.

“I bought that thank you certificate for myparents,” Rivera said. “I plan to buy one of thosestole’s, too.”

Davis said the idea of the stoles seemedlike the perfect way to welcome a new presidentwith new ideas.

“What a better time to start a new traditionthan with a new president,” Davis said. “We’rereally excited about it, it’s a nice tradition to startat the university. I think it will be well receivedby the students."

Cardenas along with 20 UTPA administra-tors and faculty will be traveling to CiudadVictoria, Tamulipas, Mexico (UATCV) to visitwith administrators at Universidad Autonomade Tamulipas, Ciudad Victoria to create stronger

ties with the university in order to arrange stu-dent exchange programs as well as facultyexchanges. Dean of the College of BusinessAdministration, John Emery, explained his rolein the trip.

“Having met many officials and facultyfrom their school last year, this return visit givesus an opportunity to follow-up and expand uponour earlier discussions,” Emery said.“Interaction with our Ph.D. program, facultyexchanges and joint research efforts, economicdevelopment, and similar topics were discussedbefore and may be productive areas for dis-course.”

According to Emery the two-day trip, Nov.10 - 11, will consist mainly of meetings withadministrators and said that he has seen the jointefforts of two universities work well.

“Several joint research projects and co-authorship already exist with this school,”Emery said. “We look for many more in thefuture. Also, I’ve seen arrangements work withschools in Russia and Eastern Europe whilewith another university...it is important that weestablish and maintain close working relation-ships with our neighboring universities.”

UTPA Provost Rodolfo Arevalo saidCardenas’ appearance at UATCV is vital to thetrip.

“The president is going there to discusspotential and continued articulation agreementswith the Universidad Autonoma de Tamulipas,which is eight campuses in that system, and thepresident will be signing a collaborative agree-ment with them,” Arevalo said.

The agreement, according to Arevalo, willstate that both universities will begin to look at

curriculum development between each other, aswell as develop student and faculty exchangeprograms and research possibilities.

UTPA also has collaborative agreementswith a university in South America and severalother universities in Mexico.

November 11, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 11

CEREMONY continued from page 1

who were able to choose who they couldhave as a Distinguished Speaker. Accordingto Smith, trying to find a speaker who couldmeet the expectations of the students and thebudget the university could afford was amajor task.

But why did the students choose Arias?“We live along a border, full of small

and big tensions, which at anytime coulderupt into conflict,” Llanes said. “Our futuredepends on being able to approach eachother in peace -as we have in the recent past-and offer collaboration and build importantreasons for retaining this peace.”

The changes the border is seeing canmirror the issues the nation and world aretackling as well. UTPA is committed tobringing news from the world to the stu-dents with events like International Week,which will be held next week from Nov. 15-18.

“The International Week which beginswith Dr. Arias speech, is devoted to Peace,two exhibits on campus celebrate Peace andthere will be a dozen speakers who willexplore the many dimensions of Peace andConflict Resolution,” Llanes said.

ARIAS continued from page 1

Despite the generalizations of whypeople commit domestic violence, Beverlyhopes that the students who take the classwill understand that the nature of a humanand their experiences is not only whatcauses abusive behavior.

“For example, there are a whole lot offolks that are exposed to domestic violencethat do not commit domestic violence,” hesaid. “So am I going to tell my students thatif you are a survivor of domestic violenceyou are going to commit it? No. But we aregoing to talk critically about the datarelated to it. We are also going to talk aboutthings like a person’s pre-disposition todomestic violence probably more so as amatter of their previous behavior versustheir upbringing.”

Beverly has spent a number of yearstraining people in Virginia and helpedwrite some of the curriculum for thecounseling offered there.

“I have spent a number of years doing

that in Virginia and also to the point whereI was actually training the people whowere doing the counseling,” he said. “Ihelped write part of the curriculum fordoing domestic violence counseling inVirginia, which Virginia is very similar toTexas legally.”

Beverly feels this type of course willeducate people who have not come face-to-face with domestic violence. Hebelieves his own experience in the fieldwill bring a certain reference to the class,and help people understand both sides tothe abuse.

“I have spent many years, over a decadetreating survivors and victims of domesticviolence and that includes spouses, maleand female, lovers, but more importantly itincludes children who have lived with it,”Beverly said. “I’ve also spent a few yearsworking with perpetrators, perpetrators arereferred by the courts to domestic violencegroups or individual counseling.”

department also proposed a new major in Frenchstudies this October. The French studies major willconsist of 30 credit hours in French and six hoursfrom another department.

“The student reaction to French major has beenexceptional,” Behar said. “In a survey we conducteda few months ago, a large number of students saidthey would be interested in majoring in French andnearly everyone agreed that UTPA should offer aB.A. in French.”

Currently, the modern languages department has a24-credit-hour minor in French that comes with ateacher certification. The minor includes basiclanguage classes, two composition courses andadvanced French literature classes. There are alsoseveral study abroad programs in Canada and Francethat students can participate in to sharpen theirFrench.

The French major is beneficial for studentsinterested in education, since the need for French

teachers in the Valley is high. “We discovered that 3,000 students are studying

French at Rio Grande Valley high schools,” Beharsaid. “We need good and well prepared teachers tomeet this demand.”

Chinese and Portuguese language courses are alsobeing developed. Currently, the department isworking with universities in China to offer studyabroad programs and is being assisted by Yong Lang,an English professor at UTPA. Lang also plans onteaching courses in Chinese.

While the Portuguese courses are further in thefuture, the modern languages department is currentlydeveloping a position for somebody to teach culturalstudies in Brazil and plans to collaborate withBrazilian universities to form study abroad programs.

“We’re trying to produce a more competitiveworkforce, Martinez said. “We want our students toknow more languages and be more multi-cultural Wewant students more ready to face the 21st century.”

November 11, 2004 NNEEWWSS Page 12

DOMESTIC continued from page 3 CULTURE continued from page 4

engineering major. Conde has been a member of the GrandeEvening club for about four months. From a very young age,he would accompany his father to the Toastmaster meetingsin Mexico. His father has been a member of Toastmasters inMexico for 15 years.

Conde was one of the chosen to speak during table topics.Even though his first language is Spanish, he was still a bitnervous and stiff when he had to go to the podium to speak.

“You’re always going to have butterflies fluttering in your

stomach. Toastmaster teaches you how to make them fly information,” said Gloria Calderon, Grande Evening clubpresident and International Toastmasters area governor.Calderon has been a member of Toastmasters for two years.Calderon has also worked for the social securityadministration as a technical expert.

The club meetings are open to the public. Meetings canhave as many as 30 attendees or as few as five.

“You’ll find people of all walks of life here,” Hodges said.

Students, professors, business people and housewives areamongst the different people that you meet at the meetings,added Hodges. Each individual leaves the meetings with astronger sense of security and confidence. Nobody in thatmeeting is a professional public speaker nor can they speakperfect Spanish. However, together they learn from eachother’s mistakes and help each other grow.

“It’s not just about public speaking but communicationoverall,” Hodges said.

TOASTMASTERS continued from page 4

FOR THE RECORD

UTPA men’s basketball set to host golf tournament this weekend

The University of Texas-Pan American men’s basketballthree-man scramble golf tournament is set to take place onNov. 13 at Los Lagos Golf Club in Edinburg. Registration andcheck-in begins at 7:30 a.m. with the action beginning at 8:30a.m.

The cost of entry into this tournament is $80 per person.This fundraiser is intended to raise money for the fifth-yearBronc Basketball Scholarship Fund and general fund.However, most of the entry fees will go to paying for the use ofthe golf course, carts and lunches. Prizes will be presented tothe top place three-man teams.

Bobby Cox and Buck Showalter named managers of the year

Major League Baseball managers Bobby Cox and BuckShowalter were announced National league (NL) and Americanleague (AL) managers of the year on Wednesday.

Atlanta Braves manager Cox was honored with the award forleading his squad to its thirteenth straight division title. Manydoubted his team’s chances at the beginning of the seasonbecause of the ace pitcher Greg Maddux, and sluggers GarySheffield, Javy Lopez and Vinny Castillo.

The Braves were 33-39 half way through the season when theywent on a 63-27 run to finish 10 games ahead of the second placePhillies in the NL East. Cox received 140 votes, and the nearestwas St. Louis manager Tony La Russa with 62, then Jim Tracy ofthe Los Angeles Dodgers in third with 52.

Cox is the only manager to be voted manager of the year inboth leagues. He was voted AL manager of the year while inToronto in 1985, and NL award recipient with the Braves in 1991,this time was the first time since they started the divisional titlestreak.

The 2004 AL Manager of the Year award went to BuckShowalter who turned around an organization that was ruled outafter losing their franchise player Alex Rodriquez to the New YorkYankees. The ranger’s team finished the last four seasons withoutMVP Alex Rodriguez, and many doubted they would finish any-where but last.

This past season the Ranger’s finished in third place in Al West,just three games out of first. This season the Ranger’s went 89-73, that was the most wins since their 1999 season.

Clemens wins seventh Cy Young Roger Clemens won his seventh Cy Young Award on Tuesday,

this last award puts him in a league of his own, as he is the oldestwinner of the award in MLB history.

This past season “The Rocket” decided to reverse his decisionto retire and came back to play with the Houston Astros. He ledthe Astros to just one he 32 votes, and game shy of making theWorld Series, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals.

The 42-year-old finished in a decisive first place with 23 of 32votes, and runner-up went to Arizona’s pitcher Randy Johnsonwho only received eight votes. Clemens started the season withnine straight wins, and finished the 2004 season 18-4.

Clemens recorded three Cy Youngs with Boston (1986-87,1991), two with Toronto (1997-98), and one with the Yankees(2001).

The big question that all Astros fans are asking is whether or nothe will return for another season or finally decide to retire from thegame. When asked by reporters in Japan whether he was goingto return or not, “The Rocket” said that he considered himself 99.9percent retired, but then again he said that same thing last year.

November 11, 2004 SPORTS Page 13

SPORTSCLIPBOARD

NFLWeek 9

Sunday, Nov. 7Buffalo 22, N.Y. Jets 17

Washington 17, Detroit 10

Arizona 24, Miami 23

Pttsburgh 27, Philadelphia 3

Tampa Bay 34, Kansas City 31

Cincinnati 26, Dallas 3

Oakland 27, Carolina 24

San Diego 43, New Orleans 17

Seattle 42, San Francisco 27

Chicago 28, N.Y. Giants 21

Denver 31, Houston 13

New England 40, St. Louis 22

Baltimore 27, Cleveland 13

Monday, Nov. 8Indianapolis 31, Minnesota 28

Week 10Sunday, Nov. 14

Kansas City at New Orleans, Noon

Detroit at Jacksonville, Noon

Houston at Indianapolis, Noon

Pittsburgh at Cleveland, Noon

Tampa Bay at Atlanta, Noon

Chicago at Tennessee, Noon

Seattle at St. Louis, Noon

Baltimore at N.Y. Jets, Noon

Cincinnati at Washington, 3:05 p.m.

Carolina at San Francisco, 3:15 p.m.

Minnesota at Green Bay, 3:15 p.m.

N.Y. Giants at Arizona, 3:15 p.m.

Buffalo at New England, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 1Philadelphia at Dallas, 8 p.m.

Note: All times central standard time

College FootballBCS STANDINGS

NOV. 9, 20041. USC

2. OKLAHOMA

3. AUBURN

4. CALIFORNIA

5. WISCONSIN

6. TEXAS

7. UTAH

8. GEORGIA

9. MICHIGAN

10. BOISE STATE

11. VIRGINIA

12. FLORIDA STATE

13. WEST VIRGINIA

14. LOUISVILLE

15. TENNESSEE

16. ARIZONA STATE

17. MIAMI

18. VIRGINIA TECH

19. LSU

20. IOWA

21. TEXAS A&M

22. OKLAHOMA STATE

23. BOSTON COLLEGE

24. UTEP

25. NOTRE DAME

UTPA SPORTS

BasketballMen’s Boxes

UTPA 96, Regiomontana 62UTPA

FG FT Reb

min M-A M-A O-T A Pts

East 28 6-9 0-1 3-5 1 12

Montalvo 21 4-7 4-4 1-2 4 13

Sanchez 25 6-10 0-0 1-3 6 16

Berry 19 4-7 0-0 0-2 3 11

Gedminas 26 5-10 1-2 7-17 1 11

Shankle 11 2-6 0-0 0-0 0 6

Fagan 13 3-5 2-3 2-4 3 8

Castillo 13 3-6 0-0 0-2 0 4

Trader 10 2-3 0-0 0-2 0 4

Lange 11 2-3 0-0 2-4 0 4

Puente 12 0-3 0-0 1-2 4 0

Sanders 9 1-5 0-0 1-2 1 2

Wells 1 0-0 0-0 1-1 0 0

Buck 1 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 0

totals 200 38-76 7-10 18-49 23 96

Percentages: FG .500, FT .700. 3-Point

goals: 13-28, .464 (Montalvo 1-3,

Sanchez 4-6, Berry 3-5, Shankle 2-5,

Castillo 3-5). Blocked shots: 1 (Berry 1).

Turnovers: 20 (East 2, Montalvo 4, Berry

3, Gedminas 5, Sanders 1, Fagan 3,

Castillo 1, Trader 1). Steals: 10 (Montalvo

3, Berry 1, Puente 2, Sanders 1, Shankle

2, Castillo 1). Personal Fouls: 23 (East 2,

Montalvo 3, Berry 3, Gedminas 3, Puente

2, Sanders 1, Wells 1, Shankle 1, Fagan

3, Trader 4).

UTPA............. 51 45 - 96

RegioMontana......23 39 - 62

Men’s Boxes

UTPA 78, ITESM 43UTPA

FG FT HJKGHJK Reb

min M-A M-A O-T A Pts

East. 26 5-10 0-0 3-14 0 11

Montalvo 20 0-3 4-4 0-1 4 4

Sanchez 28 2-9 0-0 0-3 6 5

Berry 20 5-7 2-2 4-6 0 14

Gedminas 24 4-6 3-4 2-13 0 11

Shankle 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0

Fagan 24 5-10 4-6 3-4 0 16

Castillo 13 3-6 2-2 0-1 0 11

Trader 11 1-1 0-0 0-2 0 2

Lange 18 0-1 0-0 0-2 0 0

Puente 11 0-2 2-2 0-1 2 2

Sanders 3 1-1 0-1 0-1 0 2

Wells 0+ 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0

Buck 0+ 0-0 0-0 0-1 0 0

totals 200 38-76 7-10 18-49 23 96

Percentages: FG .456, FT .810, 3-Point

goals: 9-23, .391 (East 1-2, Montalvo 0-1,

Sanchez 1-6, Fagan 2-4, Puente 0-2,

Berry 2-2, Castillo 3-6). Turnovers: 24

(East 1, Montalvo 3, Sanchez 3, Fagan 5,

Gedminas 4, Berry 4, Castillo 3, Lange 1).

Steals: 4 (East 1, Fagan 1,Puente 1,

Berry 1 ). Personal Fouls: 15 (East 2,

Montalvo 1, Sanchez 1, Fagan 1,

Gedminas 4, Puente 1, Berry 1, Castillo 2

Trader 2).

UTPA......................40 38 - 78

ITESM....................18 25 - 43

BasketballWomen’s Boxes

UTPA 58, St. Mary’s 56UTPA

FG FT Reb

min M-A M-A O-T A Pts

Guin 30 4-10 0-1 2-3 7 11

Reed. 31 3-12 1-1 0-1 0 8

Daniel 25 2-11 2-4 4-13 3 6

Montaque 34 5-7 0-0 1-4 1 13

Schamel 16 3-9 0-0 0-1 1 6

Wilson 5 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0

Roberts 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0

Piwonka 9 0-3 0-0 1-1 1 0

Pierce 9 0-5 2-2 0-2 0 2

Dawnne 12 2-2 0-0 1-1 0 4

Kneer 1 1-1 0-0 0-1 0 2

Ramirez 4 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0

Arriola 3 0-0 0-0 0-1 1 0

Gooden 19 3-5 0-0 1-3 2 6

totals 200 23-66 5-8 13-35 18 58

Percentages: FG .348, FT .625. 3-Point

goals: 7-16, .438 (Guin 3-7, Reed 1-4,

Montaque 3-5). Blocked shots: 4 (Reed 1,

Daniel 2, Gooden 1). Turnovers: 15 (Guin

3, Reed 2, Daniel 2, Montaque 2,

Schamel 2, Wilson 1, Pierce 1, Kneer 1,

Arriola 1). Steals: 13 (Guin 3, Reed 2,

Daniel 2, Montaque 1, Schamel 3,

Dawnne 1, Ramirez 1). Personal Fouls:

18 (Guin 1, Daniel 2, Motaque 1, Schamel

3, Roberts 1, Pierce 2, Dawnne 2,

Ramirez 1, Arriola 1, Gooden 4).

UTPA............. 34 24 - 58

St. Mary’s..............24 32 - 56

RGV FOOTBALL

Week 10Thursday, Nov. 4

District 31-5APSJA High 20, Edinburg North 16

District 32-4ABrownsville Lopez 35, Roma 21

Edcouch-Elsa 29, PSJA Memorial 22

Friday, Nov. 5

District 30-5ALa Joya 28, Rio Grande City 14

McAllen Rowe 45, McAllen High 28

District 31-5ADonna 24, Edinburg High 14

PSJA North 10, Edinburg Economedes 7

District 32-5ASan Benito 48, Brownsville Porter 7

Brownsville Rivera 33, Los Fresnos 27Harlingen High 42, Harlingen South 26

District 32-4AWeslaco East 28, Mercedes 15

Mission High 17, Mission Veterans 14

District 32-3ALyford 21, Hidalgo 7

La Feria 29, Raymondville 14Port Isabel 55, Progreso 7

District 32-2ASanta Rosa 27, La Villa 20

Saturday, Nov. 6

District 30-5ASharyland at McAllen Memorial

District 32-5ABrownsville Hanna at Brownsville Pace

Note: Playoff Schedule on page 14

November 11, 2004 SSPPOORRTTSS Page 14

Before the regular season ended lastweekend, some teams were unsure oftheir playoff futures. Some have alreadypacked up their equipment others aregoing back to the practice field. Othersmove on.

All of the playoff matchups have beenset and all of the playoff teams haveprepared all week for the big test Fridaynight in the second season of Texas highschool football. The Rio Grande Valleyhas over a dozen teams in the playoffsand there are going to be many greatgames all over the Valley and across therest of the state.

Some Valley teams are expected to bevery competitive this year in the playoffs,among them are undefeated Edcouch-Elsa and San Benito, both of whomcruised through much of the season. TheYellowjackets (10-0) take their unbeatenrecord and No.8 state ranking up to Alicewhere they will face a familiar Class 4Afoe in Corpus Christi Calallen. E-E iscoming off its toughest win of the seasonlast week against the PSJA MemorialWolverines, a 29-22 victory. The Jacketshave coasted through much of the regularseason, beating opponents by an averageof over 40 points.

However, they aren’t the only unbeatenValley team; the San Benito Greyhoundsare on the road this week and will facethe P-SJ-A North Raiders in a Class 5ADivision II bi-district game. TheGreyhounds have rolled past much of thecompetition in the Valley and areexpected to run past the Raiders, whomanaged to make the playoffs afterknocking off the Economedes Jaguars10-7 last week.

Other teams making the playoffs thisyear are Donna, Edinburg, La Joya,McAllen Rowe and Sharyland to name afew. Donna and Edinburg come off aphysical game that featured high stakesincluding a district title and a playoffspot. The Redskins managed to pull out avictory earning them a playoff spot andgave them a co-district championshipfrom 31-5A.

Donna will be on the road this week aswell as they now turn around and faceanother tradition rich power in theHarlingen Cardinals, who earned thesecond playoff spot in district 32-5Abehind San Benito. This contest figuresto be one of the best in the Valley, pittinga surging Donna team against a high-powered Cardinal offense. The Redskinshave been in the playoffs for two weeks,at least according to Donna coach DavidEvans

“We had our backs against the wall lastweek and this week it isn’t anydifferent,” said Evans.

On the other hand the EdinburgBobcats are trying to shake off a toughloss at home against Donna.The Bobcats

host the Brownsville Pace Vikings, whoare coming off a big victory that put themin the playoffs and knocked out theRivera Raiders.

Edinburg coach Robert Vela is takingfull credit for last week and is out to fixthings this week.

“I did a terrible job in preparing lastweek and I take responsibility for lastweek,” said Vela.

This week the “Cats” will be at homefor the showdown against the Vikingsand they’re hoping to turn things around.They will need to if they plan on movingon in the state playoffs. The Bobcatoffense will surely need to be at its best,because it will face a stellar Vikingdefense and a well balanced offense thatcan light up the scoreboard. Vela will notallow his team to roll over this week.After all this is nothing new for him.

“We have had some tremendouspractices so far and I expect these kids tobe ready,” said Vela, a veteran coach withover 10 playoff trips behind him atEdcouch-Elsa and Edinburg.

Another team making the playoffs yetagain is the La Joya Coyotes, who had an8-2 overall record and were the districtchampions in 30-5A. The Coyotes will beat home for the first round of theplayoffs, as they host Laredo United. LaJoya enters the game on a six-gamewinning streak that dates back to Sept. 6.Although the Coyotes struggled in thefirst half against Rio Grande City, afterbeing down by 14 points they scored 28unanswered points to put away theRattlers.

In the Lower Valley, who can forget thePort Isabel Tarpons, who finished theregular season with a 9-1 overall record.The Tarpons’ only loss came in theseason opener against Los Fresnos Aug.27 and it was a 16-13 loss against a 5Aopponent. Port Isabel will face OrangeGrove at home and is likely to run rightpast them. Orange Grove comes in witha 4-6 overall mark.

The playoffs are always exciting andthis season figures to be no different;after all this is a win-or-go-home deal.

“Losers stay home and winners go onto the next week,” said Vela.

It is also considered to be a privilegefor some to participate in the playoffsand many forget that sometimes goodteams are left out in the cold.Brownsville Rivera finished the seasonwith an 8-2 overall record, but didn’tqualify for the playoffs after losing twodistrict games. Other teams squeaked inand value the opportunity of playing inthe playoffs.

“We have the privilege of playing inthe playoffs,” said Evans.

However, in the second seasonanything can happen.

“We could be playing for one, two orthree weeks and maybe even a statetitle,” said Evans.

With season’s conclusion playoff picture unfoldsBy JACOB ALEGRIAThe Pan American

Class 5A Div. 1Laredo United (7-3) @La Joya (8-2) 7:30 p.m. Friday

Donna (6-4) @Harlingen (8-2) 7:30 p.m. Friday

Class 5A Div. 2Brownsville Pace (8-2) @Edinburg (6-4) 7:30 p.m. Friday

San Benito (10-0) @PSJA North (7-3) 7:30 p.m. Friday

Sharyland (6-4) @Laredo Nixon (8-2) 7:30 p.m. Friday

McAllen Rowe (6-4) @Laredo Alexander (5-5) 7:30 p.m. FridayClass 4A Div. 1

CC Flour Bluff (8-2) @PSJA Memorial (4-6) 7 p.m. Saturday

Class 4A Div. 2Edcouch Elsa (10-0) vs CCCalallen @Alice (7-3) 7:30 p.m. Friday

Mission Veterans (8-2) @Gregory Portland (10-0) 7:30 p.m. Friday

Class 3A Div. 1La Feria (6-2) vs Zapata (9-0) @ Mission’s Tom Landry Stadium7:30 p.m. Friday

Class 3A Div. 2Orange Grove (4-6) @Port Isabel (9-1) 7:30 p.m.Friday

Lyford (7-3) @CC West Oso (4-6) 7:30p.m. Friday

November 11, 2004 SSPPOORRTTSS Page 15

The final tournament of the fall golf season, TheLady Bronc Classic, was held this week at LosLagos Golf Club in Edinburg. The seven-school,two-day tournament was held on Nov. 8 and 9. TheLady Broncs finished in top form on the first day ofaction, breaking a team record by shooting under300 for the first time ever in program history, andfinally taking the tournament on an 11-stroke leadover North Texas on Tuesday. This also marks thefirst time the Lady Broncs have had consecutivetournament wins.

On Tuesday morning, the women lookedconfident and relaxed while taking practice swingson the driving range right before tee-off.

“We feel strong… I smell victory in the air.” saidCoach Barb Odale as she joked with the team beforetee-off.

In the off season Odale set out specific goals forher squad. The first was to break the 300 mark thisseason and the second was to get three tournamentwins. Odale and her team realized one of those goalson the first day of competition when the team shot acombined score of 299, and later came close toreaching the second goal by winning first ever back-to-back tournament wins.

Junior Stefanie Maynard was the standout in thistournament, recording her fourth career individualtitle eliminating Andra Lancaster of North Texas inthe sudden death round. Maynard shot a 72 and a74 on Monday and was in a tie for first on Tuesday

after a shooting a 76 on 18 holes. Maynard defeatedLancaster on the third hole of sudden death bysinking a five-foot put for par.

“We play a lot on this course and we know it verywell, we should finish strong here,” said NikkiBoychuk, junior out of Conroe, Texas. Boychukfinished seventh overall but helped put UTPA overthe top with a final score of 229. This is Boychuk’sfourth career top-ten finish.

Falling in line with their teammates, the rest ofthe team also recorded notable finishes.

Daniela Cortes, junior out of Aguascalientes,Mexico, shot a 231 overall and finished in the top 15for the fifth time in a row going back to last season.

Sophomore Elizabeth Rodriguez out ofKingsville shot a 234 while her teammate, seniorCrystal Frazier from Coolidge, Texas shot a 235 tofinish up the 13th and 14th hole.

This is also the first tournament since theNational Minority Golf Championship whichoccurred in May in Port St. Lucie, Fl. where allplayers have placed in the top 15.

Coach Odale was pleased with the results of thisthe last of tournament of the season,

“I am really proud of this group. We didn’t startoff real well but our girls responded as a team.” saidcoach Odale on College sports online about theLady Broncs, “As a team, we have looked strong allyear.”

Looking ahead to next semester, the Lady Broncsopen up the spring season on Feb. 28 and March 1in Bryan, Texas for the Mo-Morial Invitational.

Women’s golf, caps fall season victoriouslyBy ROY RAMIREZThe Pan American

Valley native Karen Lyons (McAllen,TX/McAllenMemorial) has been very consistent over the past twovolleyball seasons, contributing 656 assists to lead herteam last season. This year she has over 600 assists tolead her team and is looking to contribute more as theLady Broncs enter the final tournament of the season.

During her days at McAllen Memorial High Schoolshe was named first team all-district during her senioryear. Now at UTPA, she is averaging just a little overseven assists a game. The sophomore credits many forher success, but most of the credit goes to her family,who attends most home games at the UTPAFieldhouse.

“It helps when they’re there, they always cheer meon,” said Lyons, a libero. “It’s always nice to seepeople in the crowd, especially when they’re there foryou.”

Lyons found her way into the UTPA record bookswith her steady performance last year. She currentlysits ninth on the all-time assist leader board for asingle season, but more is expected from this youngand rising force.

“I just want to keep playing and try my hardest,”Lyons said.

The win-loss record doesn’t always show the wholepicture of a team; it’s been a season that hasn’t reallygone the Lady Broncs way. There is more to this teamthat meets the eye. Lyons said that other than hercoaches giving her encouragement, it is “Cathi” who

has always been the one to look up to. Lyons says thatCathi Netemeyer has always helped her out.

“No matter what, she always wants to play,” Lyonssaid. “Any time I’m down on or off the court, she’llcome to me and tell me that everyone needs me outthere.”

Lyons and the rest of the Lady Broncs excitedlyawait this weekend’s final tournament in the La QuintaIndependent Championships in Orem, Utah, Nov. 11-13. Coach Dave Thorn said that he expects everyone,especially the seniors, to help out and bring home thecrown.

“I’m hoping for big games from them,” Thorn said.“So I expect them to step it up this weekend.”

This tournament will be a closing for some seniorson the squad that have been key players in the past.Thorn anticipates great performances from his seniorsat this final tournament. He says that he doesn’t wantto accept anything but first place.

“Cathi Netemeyer has been playing great throughthe halfway point in the season,” Coach Thorn said.“Winker [Cruz, of Harlingen South H.S. fame] isstarting to round back into shape.”

This weekend, most of the teams the Lady Broncswill face are ones they have played earlier in theseason. Thorn said that his team should have someclue as to what to expect, saying that even though theyfell to some of these teams, this time around isdifferent.

“We were missing a few key players then,” Thornsaid. “I like our chances against them.

Bronc setter to begin Championship roarin’ By DARYL GONZALESThe Pan American

Karen Lyons and team set to bring home Independent Championship crown

Delisa Guadarrama/The Pan American

READY - Sophomore Karen Lyons and the volleyball squad travel toOrem, Utah for the La Quinta Independent Championship on Saturday.

Marcos Cervantes/The Pan American

TAKING CHARGE - Junior Nikki Boychuck chips onto the green at the LadyBronc Classic at Los Lagos Golf Club earlier this week.

Sports Clipboard . . . . . . . . 13

H.S. Football . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15SPORTSBig start for Bronc hoops

Last weekend, the UTPA men’s and women’s bas-ketball teams pulled off early wins in exhibition playthat enabled both Bronc teams to start with goodmomentum right out of the preseason.

Men’s roundball began on Saturday, Nov. 6, withUTPA defeating Monterrey Tech 78-43. The Broncsentered the contest with a unique lineup of freshmenand seniors combining first-game jitters, energy andenthusiasm, balanced with the experience of itsseven returning veterans.

Senior Chris Fagan finished with a game-high 16points and second year forward Matt Berry scored 14points (5-7) and shot (2-2) three-point goals. Seniorcenter Alvaidas Gedminas finished with 13rebounds, 11 defensively, and contributed 11 pointsincluding 4-6 shots from the floor and 3-4 attemptsfrom the free-throw line. Senior Ray Castillo, added11 points.

“The first game I thought we set out to do thethings we wanted to do,” Head Coach RobertDavenport said. “ [For] the second game we didsome teaching over the weekend over the things weneeded to work on and improve.”

In game two, Sergio Sanchez led the revolutionwith 16 total points, four goals behind the arc, andteam high six assists, to crush UniversidadRegiomontana 96-62. As a result, the Jaguars onlycame within 32 points of the Bronc’s lead.

UTPA was able to increase their lead to a marginof 26 points with 10 minutes remaining in the firstperiod. The Broncs took a 51-23 lead at the half.

Gedminas finished with a game high of 17rebounds, and 11 points, padding a stellar 30 reboundexhibition-game-total averaging 15.0 boards pergame. Berry added 11 points, and Derrick East ended

the game with 12 (6-9), Fagan added eight pointswith four rebounds and three assists. EricMontalvo completed 13 points with fourassists, three steals, and two rebounds.

The Lady Broncs held on against b-ballpowerhouse St. Mary’s University untilthe final buzzer squeezing by St. Mary’s58-56.

In what seemed to be a war for thelead,UTPA found themselves behindby 11 points at the start of the gamebefore engaging in a dead-heatwith St. Mary’s JulietteWilliams fighting UTPA in thepaint and tied at 49 with lessthan five minutes in the game.

Junior guard DominqueMontague led UTPA with 13points.It was Montague’srebound and last second put-back after freshman guardKathy Guin’s last three-pointattempt that gave UTPA thewin.

“We have an abundance ofnew talent,” Head Coach DeannCraft said. “[We have] a lot ofnew faces that people are going torecognize because they’re going tobe playing a lot of minutes.”

The Lady Broncs begin the seasonat the Marshall Thundering HerdTournament in Hunington, WV on Nov.19. The UTPA men’s team begins seasonplay on Nov. 23 against Texas A&MInternational at the Edinburg Fieldhouse.

By JOEY GOMEZThe Pan American

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The men’s and women’s runners traveled toCorpus Christi where they competed in theIndependent Championships, and they all fin-ished with high enough marks to qualify forthe regional championships Nov. 13 in Waco.

This past weekend couldn’t have finishedany better for junior Hector Gandara(Mission, TX/Pratt Community College) ashe placed first at the IndependentChampionships. Gandara transferred in thissemester and has had just a great season withtwo first-place finishes. This last race whereGandara took the crown was the second timethat his team and he raced this semester; thefirst time he placed a respectable fourth. Thistime around he took the course like a mad-man, setting a fast early pace as he raced to thehead of the pack where he stayed the entirerace.

“You could see that his work ethic was real-ly there to really be one of the top contenders,”Assistant Coach Peter Hess said. “Not only atthe championship level, but hopefully we willsee at the regional level too.”

Hess said that the men’s team looked a lot

better at this meet, but that they had to get a lit-tle more competitive early in the race. As forthe rest of the team, senior Aaron Castro(McAllen,TX/McAllen Memorial H.S.) fin-ished 14th while David Trevino (Brownsville,TX/Hanna H.S.) followed in 21st.

“All in all, we’re looking better,” Hess said.“Everyone’s pretty healthy and prepared torun well this next weekend.”

As for thewomen, whofinished

sixth outof seven

teams, they tooqualified for regionals this

coming weekend. As usual, freshman runnerBertha Castillo had the best time of the squadand finished ninth individually. The rest of theteam competed well as Ashley Perez(Falfurrias,TX/Falfurrias H.S.) crossed thefinish line for 28th place, followed closely in31st by Karla Hernandez (Edinburg,TX/Edinburg H.S.).Freshman MeganMcGuire (Grafton, OH/Avon Lake H.S.) was35th, running a respectable 19:02 andLorraine Garcia (Laredo, TX/Nixon H.S.) was

40th.“Everyone across the board improved by

average of about a minute,” Hess said. “It’snice to see improvements, and I think you willsee that carry over at the regional meet thisnext weekend.”

The Regional Championships, in Waco,will bring stiffer competition.

Last year the men’s group finished in eighthplace overall at this meet, but then they hadWesley Keating, who finished third individu-ally. He is currently sitting out this season dueto being red-shirted. Hess said that he hopesthat Gandara will take that role this time andhelp out the team.

“We hope that Hector is right up there inthat top group,” Hess said. “If the men couldget eighth, ninth, or tenth, that would be anoutstanding job.”

Hess said that everything is coming togeth-er the last couple of weeks, and that it’s nice tohave such a hardworking group. He addedthat as long as they continue to progress, theycan really be a solid team.

“I think Bertha has a goal of being in the toptwenty,” Hess noted. “If she would hit that, itwould be a great accomplishment.”

Cross country races to regionalsBy DARYL GONZALESThe Pan American

HARLINGEN - On Monday evening the Rio GrandeValley Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) pre-sented its inaugural fall “Continuing The Influence”banquet.

The keynote speaker of the event was Grant Teaff,former Baylor University head football coach, andcurrent executive director of the American FootballCoaches Association (AFCA).

Teaff has been working with the FCA for over 40years. He spoke to a room full of students, teachers,and FCA volunteers Monday night, encouraging themto stay active in their groups. He also wanted them torealize that they can impact their communities in pos-itive ways.

Several students from the Lower Rio Grande ValleyFCA affiliations shared some inspiring stories abouttheir involvement with the organization. The formerBaylor coach was pleased to hear these young peopletaking part in the FCA ministry.

“That is the joy of investing time in the FCA,” saidTeaff. “[Those students] ‘get it,’ and that’s why we arehere tonight. My question to you is, ‘do you get it?’”

Teaff shared some examples that he hoped wouldhelp them “get it.” The instances included Biblicalscriptures, family anecdotes, and references to hisdays coaching college football.

One of the important points Teaff wanted to getacross is that not everyone has to reach people by themillions. Instead, he encouraged people to stay activein their schools and communities.

The personal and touching speech from the decade-long executive director of the AFCA ended with theaudience giving a roaring applause of appreciation.

During Teaff’s time at Baylor he led the Bears to a128-105-6 record. This resulted in a .548 winning per-centage at BU, eight bowl game appearances, and twoSouthwest Conference championships.

The AFCA is an 82-year-old organization that listshigh school, college, and professional coaches asmembers. However, the group focuses mainly on col-lege athletics. The association is responsible for theADT National Championship Trophy that goes to thewinner of the college football national championshipgame each year, the Coaches’ Poll, and the Coach ofthe Year award.

“Basically, I guess you could say if it has to do withcollege football it comes through our office,” saidTeaff.

The 2001 College Football Hall of Fame inducteesaid he is satisfied with his 30 seasons of coachingcollege football, but said he continues to coach today.

“You know that’s what I do all day, every day,”said Teaff. “We have 12,000 coaches in our associa-tion and that’s what I just do all day. Honestly, grow-ing up all I ever wanted to do was coach.”

Teaff said he is most proud of his work in collegiateathletes’ health care. For two years now, new springtraining procedures have helped improve the lives ofplayers and greatly reduced the number of injuries,according to Teaff. He also feels that it is importantfor the athletes to remain college students as well.

“We’ve been heavily involved in student welfare,which refers to their safety and also the time that theyhave (outside football),” said Teaff. “We’ve been ableto limit the time they spend in football, so that theycan be students more.”

By JOEY HINOJOSAThe Pan American

Ex-Baylor Coach Teaffbrings positive message

PICTURED- Freshman Thomas Sanders