El Paso Sports Columns by Ray Sanchez

Hope spring eternal, so here are my hopes for the new 2020 year: 

• That UTEP ends its three-year funk in football. The Miners have won only two games in the last three years. Now that’s what I call an exercise in futility. Not even a change in athletic director nor a change in football coach could change the Miners’ woes. When a malaise like that sets in it’s hard to change. It perhaps becomes psychological. Maybe what the Miners need is a psychiatrist. 
• That goes for UTEP basketball, too. The Miners have trouble winning road games. Julius Lowenberg, one of El Paso’s greatest high school coaches, used to tell his players, “It doesn’t matter where you are, it’s still 20 feet to the basket either on offense or defense.” Maybe the Miners will heed such advice. 
• That the Sun Bowl keeps getting us good teams. Under the direction of executive director Bernie Olivas, the Sun Bowl has blossomed. He even got us Notre Dame in 2010, for gosh sakes. 
• That El l Paso’s Chihuahuas continue their extraordinary success in baseball. They won the Triple A Pacific Coast League title in only their third year in the league and have been strong contenders ever since.  

• That Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino keeps giving us great horse racing. Golly, the Sunland Derby, with its big purse, has put the track on the map. Now, horsemen from all over the country are interested. I was surprised at the opening of the 2019-2020 season. The place was packed with fans. 
• That Locomotive FC, El Paso’s new entry in the nation-wide United Soccer League, which made the playoffs in its inaugural season, continues to make the post season. You can bet MountainStar Sports Group, which sponsors the team, will continue to strengthen the team. 
• That our high schools keep turning out great athletes.  There are so many athletes playing in colleges all over the country it’s hard to keep up with them. 
• That our Athlete Halls of Fame keep existing.  The El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame is the main one, but we have halls of fame for baseball, golf, boxing and karate and even softball. Getting into either hall is a badge of honor. 

TRIVIA QUESTION: When was the last times UTEP had a winning season in football? Answer at end of column. 

SPEAKING OF HALLS of Fame, nominations for the class of 2020 for the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame are now open. 

Check its web site at elpasobaseballhalloffame.org for details. 

Larry Hernandez, El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame president and 1999 inductee, says, “Baseball is ramping up this month and by April our coaches, umpires and baseball enthusiasts are in full swing with the season. The availability to submit starting now offers an opportunity to nominate a candidate before the baseball season gets hectic. We can help you with information or assistance before it gets to crunch time. Our deadlines and criteria remain firm so don’t delay.” 

TRIVIA ANSWER: The Miners went 7-6 in 2014 under coach Sean Kugler. 

Veteran sports journalist, historian and author Ray Sanchez welcomes suggestions for his column. Contact him at (915) 584-0626, by email at rayf358@yahoo.com or online at raysanchezbooks.com.