Yet, the media relations director is usually stuck in a little office way in the back of a building or some hole in the wall in a stadium. At least, that’s been the practice at UTEP.
Until now.
I went to pick up this season’s media football credentials last week and couldn’t find media relations director Jeff Darby in his old office in the back of the athletic department building. I was told his office had been moved to the front and went looking for him.
I COULDN’T believe my eyes. There he was in a big, spacious office – right next to athletic director Bob Stull’s office. And there was a sign on the door designating Darby now as “Assistant Athletic Director.”
I was so happy for him I could have done backward somersaults – uh, as if I could.
UTEP has been lucky to have had some great media relations directors. That includes the ones I’ve worked with — Eddie Mullens, Trent Hilburn and now Darby. I’ve admired all of them.
It takes a special type of person to hold that position. Dedication is too soft a word. You have to be thick-skinned yet available, a dogged researcher, a good writer and a producer of endless copy.
Darby will continue as head of the media relations department but it’s good to see the position finally get its due at UTEP. Put another feather in athletic director Bob Stull’s cap for recognizing its importance.
TRIVIA question: What was the score of the very first Super Bowl? Okay, we know the New York Jets upset the Baltimore Colts as quarterback Joe Namath predicted but can you remember the final tally? Answer at end.
MANNY ZULOAGA, longtime El Paso golfer, is a happy grandpa these days. His grandson, 6-foot-3, 205-pound left-handed pitcher Scott Zuloaga of the Greensville Astros has been promoted to the Class AAA team in New York.
RED HAWK Golf Club in Las Cruces keeps coming up with gimmicks to attract El Paso golfers. The latest: A charity two-man scramble this week in which only nine clubs are allowed. Not nine clubs per golfer, but nine clubs for both players. Another new gimmick: Weekend memberships where golfers can play unlimited rounds with a golf cart for $175 a month.
SPEAKING of golf, here’s the latest rumor about Santa Teresa Country Club. You’ve probably heard the one about El Paso businessman Paul Foster taking over the course. Now there’s a rumor that owners of Juarez Country Club may take it over. The story has it that since El Paso golfers aren’t going to Juarez Country Club anymore, Juarez Country Club will come to El Paso. It will supposedly close the Santa Teresa club for a few months to restore its previous beauty.
THE DALLAS Cowboys still have some loyal fans. Richard Barraza writes: ”Much to their (non-Cowboys fans’) chagrin, the Cowboys remain America’s team and Texas’ team. I have been reading your columns for what seems 100 years and I still recall when you referenced a bumper sticker that I sent you for a headline. The bumper sticker I produced said ‘Tom Landry for President.’ Jerry Jones may have not used the best tactic to replace Tom Landry, but he was correct that change was needed. Unfortunately the years have produced evidence that Jerry Jones’ ego is his downfall, and thus the Cowboys’. Next time you see a Sun Bowl full of Cowboy fans for a scrimmage, you can be reminded that the Cowboys are also El Paso’s team. Go Cowboys.”
ANSWER TO trivia question: New York Jets 16, Baltimore 7.