9 Feb

El Paso High Tigers of Old Speak Their Minds

Posted by EL PASO SPORTS in El Paso Sports. Tagged: .

Imageby Ray Sanchez 02.02.14

Recently I wrote that one of the nicest things about being a writer, especially of books, is that you get to hear from people out of the past. I had two more such experiences in the space of a couple of days last week.

The first contact was from Ramon Orona, who was the post man on one of the greatest high school basketball teams ever to come out of El Paso. That was the 1947 “Flying Tigers” from El PasoHigh School that won the state championship. They were dubbed the “Flying Tigers” by Bob Ingram, who was sports editor of the El Paso Herald-Post at the time, because it was the first high school team to fly to the state tournament in Austin and at the same time honored the American squadron that became famous during World War II and was also named “The Flying Tigers.”.

 

PERHAPS ORONA, now 84 years old and living in East Texas, had just read my book, “The Good, the Bad and the Funny of El Paso Sports History,” or maybe had been reading about happenings at his alma mater, El Paso High School. Whatever, he called me on the phone and said he wanted me to write something that had been bothering him for decades and wanted to get it off his chest.

“Bobby Parra and Robert Mena on our 1947 team never got the credit they deserved,” he said.

Orona and Jose “Pepe” Palafox made the all-tournament team but Orona says, “Bobby and Robert were key players on the team. Whenever I got a rebound I knew exactly where they were going to be and they were always there for me to get the ball to them. They set the tone for our team. I returned the following year but they had graduated and I really missed them. I had been wanting to tell you this for many years and I’m glad I’m finally doing it today.”

I could almost hear a sigh of relief.

 

OTHER MEMBERS of the 1947 Flying Tigers, coached by C. D. Jarvis, were Pete Gonzales, George Mengel, Stanley Blaugrund, Morgan Broaddus, Ray Esquivel, Eddy Jabolie, Robert Avina and Richard “Chief” Montoya. They finished the season with a 22-1 record.

I had just returned from service in the Army and lived through that memorable season. Its catchy nickname seemed to make the team a little extra special.

I’m happy to give voice to one of its greatest members.

 

SOON AFTER Orona’s call I got an email from the daughter of the editor of the El Paso Herald-Post during Orona’s time, Ed Pooley.

Ann Pooley Boylan, EPHS class of 1951, wrote:

“I’ve read two lengthy columns about the EPHS (centennial) celebration and have yet to find out how to donate/buy, etc. something for the event!  Maybe it has shown up somewhere else, as I’ve been out of town a good bit lately. I would like to support my (also) Alma Mater in some way if you’d let me know, or put it in another column before it’s too late.  Congratulations on your award. I hope to see the book soon.”

 

OOPS. SORRY for the omission, Ann. I’ve been told by the folks handling the centennial celebration to direct people to their website, http://www.tigerptsa.org/.  It has all the details for this project on it.

I can’t express what a thrill it was hearing from Ann. After all, her father took a big chance on approving my hiring as the Herald-Post’s first full time Hispanic writer in 1949.

I still regard him as one of the greatest editors in the history of El Paso newspapers. He was tough as nails, never backed off from anyone and always stood up for the little guy.

Keep those calls and emails coming, folks.

9 Feb

Athletic Hall of Fame Is In Good Hands Again

Posted by EL PASO SPORTS in El Paso Sports. Tagged: .

Imageby Ray Sanchez 01.19.14

The El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame, which had its beginning in 1955, has had many outstanding presidents. They’ve come from practically every profession, every sport, every business and all willing to give of their time and effort to honor El Paso’s athletic finest.

No one exemplifies the type of person that’s served as president more than this year’s president, Ernest Barnard Polk.

A gentlemanly, soft-spoken man, he exudes class. He graduated from AustinHigh School in 1966 as valedictorian then graduated from UTEP in 1977 with a degree in pre-law and sociology and made the dean’s list

He has participated in baseball, softball, volleyball and bowling and has always been involved in community affairs.

 

THIS WILL BE his second stint as president, having served as El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame president in 1995.

I don’t remember his ever having missed a meeting of the Hall since he joined it more than 20 years ago. Along the way, he has also served as vice-president, secretary, historian and parliamentarian.

So, yes, the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame is in good hands again this year.

 

THE FIRST meeting of the board of directors this year was held last Monday and there was Mr. Polk full of enthusiasm again, telling us that the he hopes we will attend meetings, take advantage of our opportunity to vote and attend the banquet that honors the inductees.

And he told us to encourage other El Pasoans to join us. After all, the board of directors is open to the public.

He also announced a proposed change in the by-laws. Anyone can nominate a person for induction, but beginning this year the biographies of those nominated must be submitted at the time of nomination. And starting next year, photos of the nominees will be required at nomination time, too.

It’s a good move. The board of directors too often in the past had to scrounge around at the last moment to get the bios and the photos. They somehow always made it, but it was too often in panic mode. After all, in the short time between when the selections are made and the induction banquet is held, programs have to be put together and sent to the printer and plaques of the inductees and their awards have to be made. It’s no easy job.

 

AS ONE WHO helped start the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame, let me add one thing. Don’t just ask a member of the board to nominate someone for you. If you think someone really deserves to be nominated, get up the biography and photo of that person yourself, attend meetings and present the person yourself.

I have a list a mile long, figuratively speaking, of persons other people have asked me to nominate. It would take me years to nominate them all. I’m sure the same is true of other board members. Don’t “let George do it.” Do it yourself if you really feel deeply about someone being inducted.

 

OTHER MEETINGS of the board will be held Feb. 3, 17 and March 3 and 17 at 5:15 p.m. in the Carroll Hall of First Christian Church, 901 Arizona Avenue. All of those dates are on Monday.

Voting will be held on March 17 so you should get your nomination in on one of the first three meetings named here.

Mr. Polk also announced that the induction banquet will be held this year on April 30 in the Signature Room at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.

As usual, it’ll be a happy occasion. It has been for the past 59 years.

9 Feb

El Paso High Already Prettying Up For Its 100th

Posted by EL PASO SPORTS in El Paso Sports.

Imageby Ray Sanchez 01.19.14

While UTEP is celebrating its 100th year of existence this year El Paso High School is already getting ready to celebrate its centennial two years hence.

The El Paso High School Parents Teachers Students Association has launched a grand beautification project and one can already see some of the results along the Schuster Street entrance and on the corner of Schuster and Virginia streets. Members are also concentrating on selling tables, benches and trees for the campus.

Sports are not forgotten. “We are hoping to place the benches and trees in the front by the stadium and around the campus so that students have more places to congregate and there are better seating areas for the sporting events,” Patricia Jay, who is chairman of the project, known as “EPHS 100,” says.

 

OTHERS HEADING the project are PTSA President Monica Henschel, who has been actively involved with the project, and Ileana Kim, who is leading the student group which will work on beautifying the campus grounds.

Ms Jay adds, “The tables and benches will only be sold at present prices until March 1.  We are trying to place orders to have the initial installation for this spring. The order form has a March 1 date but people don’t seem to notice that. We are planning to continue selling benches and tables until 2016 but we just don’t know at what price.  We are worried about the shipping costs rising for the concrete tables and benches. The shipping is very expensive and we don’t want people to think that they can buy tables and benches next year at these same prices if we see a huge rise in shipping costs.”

 

AS YOU KNOW, El Paso High School has been recognized as an architectural marvel ever since it opened in 1916. It cost $500,000 to build, an astronomical sum at that time.

As a proud El Paso Highs ex, I’m willing to help. Are you?

 

TRIVIA QUESTION: Which team won the World Series in both 1975 and 1976? Answer at end.

 

LAST WEEK I told you about the father/son success story of Cliff and Casey Lambert at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. There’s another father/son combination that’s warming the heart there.

J. D. Barton raised and developed Bold Ego, the thoroughbred who went on to compete in Triple Crown races in 1981 and finished second in the Preakness. Now his son, Dallas Barton, is developing, or one could say has already developed, into one of the best trainers not only at Sunland Park Racetrack but throughout the Southwest.

Listen to this: A horse trainer is considered outstanding if he has a .15 win percentage. Going into this week Dallas Barton had won 223 races in 1040 starts for a .22 win percentage. Wow.

 

ONE OF THE nicest things about writing a book about history is hearing from people from the past. Following is the latest email. It’s from Mark Haarmann:

“I hope you remember me.  I worked at KTSM covering sports from 1987-1990. My sister-in-law gave me a copy of your book, ‘(The Good, the Bad and the Funny of) El Paso Sports History’, for Christmas.  I wanted to tell you how much I thoroughly enjoyed it!  The sections that covered the late 80’s and early 90’s brought back many, many great memories of the time I had in El Paso!

“I think that outside of the late 60’s, that time may have been a true Golden Age for El Paso sports, and I was privileged to be a part of it. Thank you for allowing my wife and me to re-live those days. I hope all is well with you and my adopted hometown.”

Of course, I remember Mark Haarmann very well, and it’s responses like his that make all the hard work of writing a book worthwhile. Thanks, Mark.

ANSWER to trivia question: The Cincinnati Reds.

 

9 Feb

This Has Been A Great Season For Football Fans

Posted by EL PASO SPORTS in El Paso Sports. Tagged: .

by Ray Sanchez 01.12.14

El Paso’s two favorite teams, the UTEP Miners and the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t fare well, but overall this is one of the most enjoyable football seasons I’ve ever experienced. So many great games, so many improbable upsets, so many incredible finishes.

And what a spectacular finish to the college season last Monday. Florida State’s 34-31 victory over Auburn University in the Rose Bowl had all the elements mentioned above: A great game, what looked like an improbable upset in the making and an incredible finish. And to top it off, a winning touchdown pass in the last few seconds by no less than the Heisman Trophy winner, James Winston.

The National Football League has been as exciting as the college campaign. It, too, has had great games, improbable upsets and incredible finishes.

Can Super Bowl XLV111 on Feb. 2 in New Jersey be as exciting as the college championship game?  I wouldn’t bet against it.

 

TRIVIA QUESTION: What were the first names of the two Joe DiMaggio brothers who also played Major League baseball? Answer at end.

 

KICKING UTEP basketball players McKenzie Moore, Jalen Ragland and Justin Crosgile not just off the team but all the way out of school for allegedly betting on sports seems a bit harsh. But what else could UTEP officials do? Little bad habits can turn into big bad habits.

The three players are just kids, and we all have done foolish things when young. I feel some sympathy for them and wish them better luck in the future.

 

CLIFF LAMBERT has many things to be proud of in horse racing. He rode Galobar  to victory in the very first All-American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack in 1959. He won riding titles at Los Alamitos and Bay Meadows in California. After retiring from riding he turned to training, and became an immediate success. As a matter of fact, he was the first trainer of Bold Ego and helped develop the local thoroughbred  into a Triple Crown contender that finished second in the Preakness.

And now, at the age of 77,  he has something else to be proud of: He has been inducted into the Ruidoso Downs Racing Hall of Fame.

 

HIS INDUCTION was announced on Dec. 24, which turned out to be a nice Christmas gift. One could say it caps an outstanding career in the horse racing business. Or rather, one could say that if Cliff Lambert were ready to retire. But not so. He is still training and turning out winners in New Mexico, including, of course, Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.

His son, Casey, has been following in his father’s  footsteps as a jockey and, at the age of 49, Casey might be thinking of following in his father’s footsteps as a trainer, too. Casey suffered a serious injury in October and has been on the sidelines since then. He had been winning races at an outstanding percentage.

 

JOE RUIZ, a fellow golfer, came up and shook my hand. He seemed excited. “I found a great deal for golf,” he said. “Painted Dunes Golf Course is offering all the golf you can play any time including weekends for $1500 a year. That even includes a golf cart.”

“You’re kidding,” I said.

“No, no, it’s true,” he replied.

I thought I’d better check it out and called the Painted Dunes clubhouse. Sure enough, it’s true. But you’d better hurry if you’re interested. I was told the offer will only hold until the first 40 people sign up.

 

ANSWER to trivia question: Dom and Vince.

9 Feb

D. Joe Williams Deserves More Recognition

Posted by EL PASO SPORTS in El Paso Sports. Tagged: .

Imageby Ray Sanchez  01.05.14

The year 2013 was sad in one respect: So many of our former sports heroes passed away during the year. One of the most recent who passed away and who perhaps never got the recognition he deserved was D. Joe Williams.

UTEP has been credited with being the first university in Texas to recruit a black athlete. And it is so – for a major university. But D. Joe Williams was actually the first black athlete to be recruited by a Texas college, period.

Basketball player Charley Brown entered what was then known as Texas Western College in 1956 but Pan American College enrolled  D. Joe Will   iams to play baseball two years earlier, in 1954.

Williams lived with the cloud of not being recognized as the first Texas black college player all his life.

 

BUT WILLIAMS was anything but a rabble rouser. He went about trying to convince others that he was indeed the first in his usual polite, soft-spoken, mild-mannered way. He had little success.

Still, D. Joe Williams deserves to be called a legend in Texas lore.

In 1954 he participated on the Pan Am cross country, baseball and track teams, took third place in the Big State Conference in the 880 run and sixth in the mile and batted .265 in baseball.

 

WILLIAMS MOVED to El Paso in 1970 and lived and taught school in the El Paso area.  Highly educated, he taught science and coached at such local schools as Fabens, Montwood and Tornillo.

At Fabens, Williams’ 1973 cross country team won second in the state. During his five year tenure as head coach, his teams won district titles three years.

Williams was also a successful freshman and junior varsity football coach at Fabens and Socorro.

He died on Dec. 15 in an ambulance which was taking him to the hospital after suffering a stroke. He had suffered from heart, leukemia and other problems for some time.

Williams has been inducted into the El Paso Baseball Hall of Fame, the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame and The Lower Valley All Sports Hall of Fame in Edinburg.

Perhaps the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame will get around to inducting him, too, this year. He would be so grateful. Politely, of course.

 

TRIVIA QUESTION: Who won the British Open both in 1971 and 1972? Answer at end.

 

SPEAKING OF the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame, start getting resumes ready for anyone you may want to nominate for induction. Meetings of the board of directors will begin this month .

Another person I’d like to see inducted this year is Gene Semko. The Burges High and UTEP grad is one of the most highly respected football officials in the nation. He has worked some of the most important games in college football, including a BCS championship contest.

And this past week, as Dr. Paul Huchton of El Paso noted in a letter to this writer, there was Semko working the Rose Bowl game between Stanford and Michigan State.

Semko has been nominated for induction into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame several times but has been passed over.

 

THE DRAWER in which I keep my crystal ball was rattling. I opened it and out popped the obnoxious orb. “I told you, I told you,” it gushed. “You’ve been criticizing me for picking the UTEP football team to have a winning season and didn’t but you’ve said nothing about how I predicted how the Dallas Cowboys would do.”

I shuddered. “Okay, go ahead and brag..”

It cleared it’s throat. “ I told you there’s something wrong with that organization, that as usual they would make a lot of noise, win some games, lose the crucial ones and flop at the end of the regular season. And that’s exactly what happened.”

I was in no mood to hear anymore. I picked it up, put it back in its drawer and slammed it shut.

 

ANSWER to trivia question: Lee Trevino.

1 Jan

Ledford, Taylor Top Best in El Paso Sports

Posted by EL PASO SPORTS in El Paso Sports.

by Ray Sanchez 12.30.13

alanledfordbtaylorHere are the Best in Sports in El Paso for 2013. Five members of the El Paso sports media in addition to this writer contributed to the following selections.

SPORTS PERSONS of the Year – President Alan Ledford and general manager Brad Taylor of the El Paso Chihuahuas. Not only have they done an outstanding job of organizing El Paso’s first Triple A baseball team, they have deflected complaints of the nickname of the team in such a cool and understanding manner it has won many people over.

College Coach of the Year – Keitha Adams, coach of the UTEP women’s basketball team. Who else? She has brightened the UTEP sports scene with outstanding success.

High School Coach of the Year — Bruce Reichman of Del Valle High School. He’s won two state soccer championships and almost won another this year, losing 1-0 to Waco in the state title game.

College Athlete of the Year – Aaron Jones, UTEP. The former Burges High school running back was a big star for the Miners.

High School Athlete of the Year – Devin Vasquez, Eastwood state wrestling champion.

Sports Writer of the Year – Felix Chavez of the El Paso Times. Formerly a highly regarded sports writer in New Mexico, he joined the El Paso Times and when he was asked to work the high school beat he went to it with gusto and his excellent writing skills. With so many high schools in the El Paso area the high school beat is probably the hardest beat of all at a newspaper. He’s handled it like the professional that he is. He’s also a horse racing authority.

Radio Sportscaster of the Year – Steve Kaplowitz of KROD Radio. How can one not pick one of the most knowledgeable and talented sports show hosts El Paso has ever had? He also writes a sports column for the weekly “What’s Up?”

TV Sportscaster of the Year – Beau Bagley of KTSM-TV. He continues to do an excellent job of local sports coverage while sports director Fred Albers is off covering PGA events and Bagley goes about it in such a pleasant manner it’s a joy to see him work..

Sports Photographer of the Year – Ruben Ramirez, chief photographer of the El Paso Times. He not only directs an excellent photo staff but gets into the action himself with his customary uncanny talent. He’s become a legend in the business.

HONORABLE MENTION

Following are others who were nominated for the above honors:

Sports Person of the Year – Bernie Olivas, Sun Bowl director; Wayne Thornton, El Paso Recreation Department.

High School Coach of the Year – Raul Lawrence, Coronado volleyball; Robert Padilla, Bowie football;

Scott Brooks, Canutillo football.

College Athlete of the Year – Azia Nicholson, UTEP soccer; Kayla Thornton, UTEP basketball.

High School Athlete of the Year – Jenny Chiu, Franklin soccer; Seth Gonzalez, Chapin football; KeAndre Bates, Burges track; Joe Brown, Eastwood swimmer; Eddie Senegal, Andress football; LeDerrick Wilson, El Dorado football.

Sports Writer of the Year – Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times; Bill Knight, El Paso Times.

Radio Sportscaster of the Year – Chad Middleton, KROD; Jon Teicher, UTEP.

TV Sportscaster of the Year – Asher Wildman, KVIA-TV; Aaron Rich, KTSM-TV.

Photographer of the Year – Melody Parra, El Paso Inc.; Victor Calzada, El Paso Times; Mark Lambie, El Paso Times.

1 Jan

Here’s What Santa Should Not Bring El Pasoans.

Posted by EL PASO SPORTS in El Paso Sports.

by Ray Sanchez 12.23.13
santaphotoAs followers of this column know, each year at Christmas I ask Santa Claus what not to bring to people in sports. I see no sense in asking Santa to bring folks something they already have.

UTEP will receive most of this year’s non-gifts and, as you’ll see, for good reason. Following is what

Santa should not bring El Pasoans this Christmas:

UTEP – A new president. Santa, Dr. Diana Natalicio has improved the university to heights never before imagined, not only in physical structures but in quality of education. UTEP was ranked as high as seventh in the country this year by at least one publication.

UTEP – A new athletic director. Yes, I know. The football team had a disastrous season but what Mr. Stull has done for sports at the university as a whole is amazing, Santa. He has improved not only facilities but graduation rates of athletes. And really, his hiring of coaches has been outstanding. Every coach he’s hired for the two biggest sports, football and basketball, has been hailed at the time of their hiring by fans and the general population as a whole. That some of them haven’t delivered is not his fault, Santa.

UTEP – A new women’s basketball coach. Keitha Adams has raised that team to levels never seen before, Santa, and we certainly don’t want to see her replaced or whisked away by some other school.

UTEP – Another losing football season. Gosh, we’ve had so many it’s hard to remember the last winning season. But we’re not blaming coach Sean Kugler, who took over the reins this year. Not yet, Santa. Many successful coaches have had losing first seasons while they rebuild and then become successful so we’re waiting to see what happens. We wish him the best.

THE CITY OF EL PASO – A Triple A baseball team. We finally got one this year, Santa, and we can’t wait to see it in action. Yes, I said, Triple A, Santa. Who would have thought we’d ever see it? Oh, yes, and we got a big, beautiful new stadium to go with it, too, Santa. I’m still shaking my head in wonder.

GOLFERS – A course on the west side of El Paso where folks in that area of the city can play for a decent price in a friendly place, especially since Santa Teresa Country Club closed, Santa. We found one at Dos Lagos Golf Course just a few minutes up the valley, and it’s become so busy it can afford to make itself even more inviting.

SUNLAND PARK Racetrack and Casino – A new general manager. It got a new one in Rick Baugh this year, Santa, and like with Kugler, we’re waiting to see how he does. He has had a lot of experience at other New Mexico racetracks and we wish him the best, too, Santa.

THE SUN BOWL – A new media relations director. It’s got a dandy in Ana Chavez, Santa. She was formerly at UTEP. If there was any doubt that such a pretty young lady could step in and handle such a difficult position it was quickly put to rest. Things have been running just as smooth as silk, and with a softer touch.

THE CHIHUAHAS – See Sun Bowl. El Paso’s Triple A baseball team also hired itself a young lady to handle marketing, community relations and public relations and Angela Olivas has filled the spot just as competently as Ms Chavez has filled hers. After dealing with only men in those positions for decades, it’s been a pleasant change, Santa.

1 Jan

Sun Bowl Comes Up With Another Great Matchup

Posted by EL PASO SPORTS in El Paso Sports.

by Ray Sanchez 12.15.13
sunlogoAmazing. Officials of the Hyundai Sun Bowl have come up with another doozie of a matchup.

Excuse the word doozie, but I’m excited. Since its inception in 1935 the folks in charge have come up with some great games This year is no exception.

I mean, Virginia Tech and UCLA will be coming to town with good records from opposite sides of the continent, and, as Sun Bowl media relations director Ana Chavez puts it, “Coach Jim Mora has re-established UCLA as a power in the PAC-12 and Coach Frank Beamer always has Virginia Tech in a position to compete for championships in the ACC. “

Not only that, this is East vs. West, a 9-3 record (UCLA) vs. an 8-4 record (Virginia Tech).

THIS WILL BE Sun Bowl game No. 80. I’ve watched most of them. In fact, a team from Virginia was in the first one I saw. My brother Ralph, who was several years older than me, took me to see West Virginia vs. Texas Tech as a 10-year-old in 1938. West Virginia won 7-6.

I was too young to remember anything about the game but I remember a lot about the weather. It rained throughout the game and I sat there shivering. I remember saying I never wanted to see another football game.

How wrong I was. I became a sports writer and have watched and written about scores of Sun Bowls. And loved them all.

Yes, I plan to be there Tuesday, Dec. 31at noon and loving every minute of it.

I just hope it doesn’t rain.

TRIVIA QUESTION: Can you name the first black quarterback in the National Football League and when it happened? Answer at end.

IT WAS a happy opening of the live horse racing season at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino last weekend. Fans, horse owners, trainers and jockeys mingled and talked and smiled with gusto After all, they were back at the jewel of New Mexico racetracks. Sunland Park is not just the most attractive racetrack in New Mexico but also has the biggest thoroughbred purses.

But there was a sad note. Casey Lambert was not on hand.

THE LAMBERT family has been prominent at the upper valley track since its opening in 1959. Cliff Lambert, Casey’s father, has won several trainer championships. His son has carried on the tradition of success as a jockey and has become one of the most successful and popular riders in the history of the track.

Last October Casey, 48, was working out a horse at Zia Park in Hobbs when the horse broke a leg. Casey tried to stay on but the horse leaned heavily and broke another leg and Casey hit the ground.

Casey wound up with a broken neck. For the third time.

Because of his age, his parents and wife Brandi believed it would end Casey’s riding career. Three broken necks is more than enough reason.

But Casey is recovering and showing signs that he wants to ride again.

It’s said that pound for pound, jockeys are the toughest athletes in sports. Those who follow horse racing closely know it is so.

WILLIE VASQUEZ, who was injured in a horrific automobile accident that took the life of his wife, Alma Belinda, and their son in law, Hector Perales, came as a shock to the El Paso sports community.

Big, strong and fast, Willie was a star in football, baseball and track at Austin High School and a star in football at UTEP, then known as Texas Western College. He played fullback, linebacker, corner back and did the punting for the Miners. It helped them win one of only two conference championships the Miners have ever won. That was in 1956 in the Border Conference. His wife, a former Miss LULAC and Queen of the Fiesta De Las Flores, also attended Texas Western and was involved in many community affairs. Just this week, one of Willie’s legs had to be amputated. We mourn the passing of Alma Belinda and Hector Perales and pray for Willie’s recovery as well as others involved in the accident.

ANSWER to trivia question: Willie Thrower of the Chicago Bears in 1953.

1 Jan

Women’s Basketball Brightens Up UTEP Sports

Posted by EL PASO SPORTS in El Paso Sports, Ray Sanchez.

by Ray Sanchez 12.01.13
keithadamsThank goodness for UTEP coach Keitha Adams and her women’s basketball team.

These are dark days for football and men’s basketball at my alma mater. Football was a disaster – and now the basketball team goes and drops two games in a row to, of all people, the New Mexico State Aggies.

Now don’t get me wrong. I love the Aggies. I root for them whenever they’re not playing the Miners. But really, it’s always been standard policy that if a coach wants to keep his job at UTEP he should not lose to the Aggies.

I know that’s sort of a snobbish policy, and I’m not saying Miners basketball coach Tim Floyd is in any kind of trouble. But doggone it, no matter how good the Aggies are the Miners aren’t supposed to lose two in a row to our New Mexico neighbors. It hurts too much.

AH, BUT let’s look at the bright side. The Lady Miners — oops, I’m not supposed to call them that anymore. I mean the Miners’ women’s basketball team this season seems to be not just a good team but a super one. What coach Adams has done, and is doing, ranks close to the phenomenal.

The Miners won their first four games for a third straight year, aided by back-to-back wins of at least 45 points for the first time in school history.

As outstanding El Paso sports statistician/analyst Charles Hill puts it, “The Lady Miners have a very good basketball team and could easily make the NCAA Tournament if they can remain healthy. Please encourage your readers to support the team. The team deserves good crowds but regularly plays before the same 1000-1500 fans. People would get hooked if they would come to one game and watch the team play.”

BUT DON’T GIVE up on the men’s team yet. Hill adds:

“I see your crystal ball is back at it. I like the orb’s optimism and hope it is right about the playoffs. I got out my basketball magazine and looked at each of UTEP’s remaining games. I can see a 22-9 regular season record but the schedule is so weak that a 22-9 record won’t get them any place. Upsets against Tennessee and Iowa/Xavier would certainly help if UTEP wants to make the NCAA’s.

“I can see anywhere from a second to fifth place finish in C-USA. Southern Miss, UAB, Charlotte, and LA Tech are the main contenders. I think the only way UTEP gets to the NCAA’s is to win the C-USA Tournament. There’s a good chance of that since the tourney is in El Paso. Hopefully UTEP gets more production out of its guards as the season progresses.”

TRIVIA QUESTION: Two brothers were on El Paso High School teams that won a state basketball championship in different years. Can you name the brothers? Answer at end of column.

WANT TO HEAR a really wild rumor? One fellow golfer says he heard Lee Trevino is interested in returning to, and renovating, Santa Teresa Country Club. Stay tuned.

FLIP LYLE, like old man river, just keeps on rolling, or rather running, along. He’s won another senior marathon title. Amazing.

TALKING ABOUT amazing, I found a great way to get my new book, “The Good, the Bad and the Funny of El Paso Sports History,” to anyone interested . Mesa Publishing has an agreement where if you go to Amazon.com and purchase it, Amazon notifies Mesa immediately, I autograph it and you’ll have it in your hands the next day. Now that’s service.

ANSWER TO trivia question: Mario Palafox helped El Paso High School win the state title in 1941 and his brother, Jose “Pepe” Palafox , helped the Tigers win the state crown in 1947. Both were named to the All-State team and both became doctors of medicine.

1 Jan

Miners Have the Height, May Make the Playoffs

Posted by EL PASO SPORTS in El Paso Sports.

by Ray Sanchez 11.25.13
crystalballI don’t believe it. Readers are still clamoring for my crystal ball’s predictions on UTEP basketball despite its disastrous prediction about the Miners’ football team. It predicted the Miners would win nine games and they’ll be lucky if they wind up with three.
I didn’t want anything to do with the obnoxious orb anymore but what could I do? I can’t disappoint its followers so I hesitantly opened the drawer and took it out.

NATURALLY it greeted me with its customary snarl. “What took you so long?” it said. “Basketball is already underway.”
I decided I wouldn’t let it get away with anymore gruff. “Listen,” I said, “you’re lucky I’m talking to you at all after what you predicted for the UTEP football team. That was the most horrible prediction I’ve ever heard.”
Boy, did the orb straighten up. It said, “What are you talking about? Can’t a crystal ball make a mistake now and then? How about all the great predictions I’ve given you in past years? Man, I’ve been right on the button year after year then just one little goof and you jump on me.”

I RETORTED, “Little? That was a gigantic mistake. I mean, it might even be a world record.”
“Hey, if it was, I wasn’t alone.” it replied. “I saw you take a survey of other oracles and nearly all of them said the Miners were going to have a winning season, too. Only that fellow called Charles Hill predicted the Miners would have a lousy season.”
Then, believe it or not, it actually sobbed as if it was going to cry. I almost felt sorry for it. I said almost.
Anyway, I changed the subject. “Okay, okay. Tell me about the UTEP basketball team. How is it going to do this season? And please be a little more careful about what you say. Don’t get so doggone outlandish.’

THE ORB seemed to relax. “Okay, here it goes. I was about to get excited about the Miners basketball team but darn I it, they go and lose to New Mexico State. Yeah, yeah, I know the Aggies have had a good team the last two seasons but hey, I thought the Miners were going to put up a better battle.
“Not that I’m giving up on the Miners. Boy do they have height. That Matt Willms is 7 feet 1 and shows a lot of potential. And John Bohannon at 6 feet 11 has shown more improvement. They have another promising 6 foot 11 player and with an assortment of other shorter but fine players, especially Julian Washburn, well, they could very well get to the playoffs.”

MY EYEBROWS raised about an inch. “You’re predicting the Miners will make the playoffs? There you go again, blowing your mind.”
It said, “Why not? We’ve been expecting a lot from coach Tim Floyd and I think he’ll deliver this season.”
I didn’t pressure it anymore. I’d given it enough of a hard time. I picked it up and put it back in its drawer.

TRIVIA QUESTION: When did UTEP play University of Texas at Austin for the first time in football and what was the score? Answer at end.

OUR DEEPEST condolences to Armando Gutierrez, former coach and El Paso Independent School District athletic director. His beloved wife, Elvira, passed away this past week. She was a lovely person in every way. She’ll be welcomed in heaven with open arms.

ANSWER to trivia question: 1930 at Austin. The Longhorns won, 28-0. It was the Miners’ only loss that season. They finished 7-1-1.

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