Each year at this time columnists write about what Santa Claus should bring certain folks. I do it differently. I ask Santa what NOT to bring. I see no sense in someone getting something he or she already has.
This year I’m asking Santa what not to bring the following:
THE CITY OF EL PASO – A Triple A baseball team. El Pasoans stood up and voted for one along with a brand new stadium this year, Santa. It’s said that it’s going to improve the quality of life here and bring more tourists to our town. Please help it be so, Santa.
UTEP – A new football coach. The Miners seem to have landed a dandy, Santa, in Sean Kugler. He’s young and has traveled in high company as an assistant coach. Think of it, Santa, he can say to recruits, “I have contacts with the Pittsburgh Steelers.” That’s enough to make any young college player salivate.
UTEP – Gosh, Santa, I hate to ask for two non-gifts for the same school, but there is a special reason for it. Please don’t let any of the prospective players UTEP basketball coach Tim Floyd has rounded up to change their minds. Analysts unanimously agree that the Miners’ 2013 basketball recruiting class ranks among the nation’s best. HOOPSCOOP Online Editor and Publisher Clark Francis says UTEP has a top-10 class with two top-25 players. He rates Isaac Hamilton at No. 19 player and Vince Hunter at No. 21. He says, “When you sign two guys who are at that level, that’s what gets your class rated that high.”
FILM PRODUCERS – All of a sudden the El Paso area has become a Mecca for movies, Santa, and it can be nothing but good for us. A movie was produced about Socorro High School’s incredible run to the Texas state baseball championship and was released recently. And now Hollywood has finished filming a movie about Mine That Bird’s stunning upset in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and will be in theaters next year. You remember that Mine That Bird raced at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, Santa.
All that along with the movie “Glory Road” about UTEP’s national basketball championship team that hit the movie screens a few years ago is putting us on the map, Santa.
BOOKS ABOUT El Pasoans – Three were in the news this year, Santa. One was Joe Shepard’s “Shakin’ Down Irish Thunder” about legendary quarterback/coach Jim Wardy and Cathedral High School. Another was Gaines Baty’s soon to be published biography of his father, Buryl Baty, former Bowie High School coach who died such a tragic death in 1954. And then there was Pete G. Flores’ book about Bowie High School’s run to the State baseball championship in 1949 titled “And Then There Were Seven.” All great reading, Santa.
NOLAN RICHARDSON—Another snub by the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. El Paso native Richardson has done some incredible things in basketball. He’s the only coach in the entire nation to win a junior college, NIT and NCAA championship yet he keeps getting turned down. It’s not fair, Santa. Maybe you can get people around the state who do the voting to get on the ball.
SANTA TERESA Country Club – Less members. The club has lost a lot of them, Santa. One of its two golf courses is still open to its few members and the public and some of the dining facilities are still serving folks. It’s been such a great fun place, Santa, and we’d hate to see it close completely. As long as there’s a little life, there’s hope it can some day regain its past glory.
WISHING OUR readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – I’ll take care of that myself, Santa. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!!