by Ray Sanchez 10.25.15
In 
It gave the impression that I personally think it’s a seasonal job. I should have written that “some people think it’s a lot of money for what they consider a seasonal job.”
I certainly don’t think it’s seasonal. It requires a year-long commitment. As Nolan Richardson stated in a question and answer article in last week’s El Paso Inc., “The biggest thing about coaching is recruiting. That’s travel. That’s work. It never stops. It’s constant. I don’t miss that part.”
Readers were quick to go to Kugler’s defense. I got several emails but the one that nailed it best was one from Alton Setliff, a true-blue El Paso sports fan. He wrote:
“I don’t see how anyone in today’s mega collegiate sports scene can call the head coach at any Division One school a seasonal job. His task is to win games, have players graduate at a good rate and raise money for the school by creating a program so it matters to El Paso. That is a monumental job anywhere, especially here (El Paso).”
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who were the first blacks to win Most Valuable Player honors in each of the two Major Leagues? Answer at end of column.
EMAILS FROM readers were especially heavy this week not only because of my column on UTEP but because of the question and answer article I wrote for El Paso Inc. on former basketball coach Nolan Richardson. Here’s a nice email on that subject from El Pasoan Jay Tavarez, who addressed it directly to Richardson:
“Our junior high coach would take us to watch Texas Western College play when the games were played at the coliseum and you (Richardson) were our favorite player. In one game, you were submarined and landed on your head and all of us thought you were seriously hurt, but after they tended to you, you got back on the floor and continued having an excellent game! You were not only a great athlete, you were the toughest one we had seen! Thanks for giving so much back to your communities!!!!!”
THEN THERE’S Ben Moffitt from Las Cruces. He’s been working on the history of New Mexico basketball for some time now. He writes:
“I love it that you are on the Basketball in New Mexico Group, Ray. I created it a few years ago with about 10 people and it has been a big success. I can remember you from my Albuquerque Journal sports writing days with LeRoy Bearman and Frank Maestas.
“Would it be helpful or not if I highlighted your column and invited the 1300 members on the Basketball in New Mexico Group to join?”
I told him I’d be honored.
AND THEN there’s this from Rita Aguilar Lacey, who has been working so hard to revive the El Paso Golf Hall of Fame: “This year’s (induction) banquet is on!
”PGA Tour winner Rich Beem, PGA professional Manny Martinez, Jr. and veteran golf coach Kim Smith will be inducted during a banquet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 17. at Coronado Country Club.
“New for the banquet this year is that we will have a couple of auction items to help raise money. The featured item which was secured by Fred Albers (former KTSM-TV sports director and now a commentator on the PGA Tour) is a US Open Chambers Bay flag signed by Jordan Spieth.”
Now that’s an item worth bidding on.
ANSWER TO trivia question: Jackie Robinson in the National League in 1949 and Elton Howard in the American League in 1963.