Texas A&M University-Kingsville is undergoing sev-eral renovations as the newschool year is underway.Although a lot of it is in-

volving construction, the pur-pose is expected to benefit thestudents in the near future.Dr. Terisa Remilius is ex-

cited about what is to becomeof this campus within theyear.

Over the summer she has provided studentswith several office newsletters to letting themknow about what is going on with the campus.“I am so excited about what we have in store

for the students,” Remilius said. “I think this stu-dents are going to like what we are doing with

this university.”One of the biggest changes happening right

now is the construction of a new dorm hall thatwill be complete with 600 private rooms and asuite style form of rooming.The project is estimated to cost $35 million and

is expected to be ready as soon as the 2009-2010season begins.Students are a main priority according to

Remilius, who is hoping for united communica-tion within all student organizations and shehopes the Student Government Association keepsclose ties with everyone.To help out with the group communication,

there will be an Advisory Board of Student Lead-ers beginning Sept. 13.“The meetings will be held on Mondays and it

is open to all of the students that can attend,”Remilius said. “It’s a good way for student lead-ers to collaborate and share their views withother student leaders.”

Another change that is on its way is tutoringin the dorms. There will be two tutors in each tohelp with math, chemistry, physics and biologyoffered to those who need it.In addition to all of the changes occurring on

campus, a secret shopper program will be en-forced soon.This can give students a chance to see if any

wrong-doing is happening around campus.Students will ask questions around campus

and see if the office they are at are getting the jobdone.“There will be some incentives given and I am

positive that we will be given great feedback,”Remilius said. “We may get some in our officesourselves because we are all equally deserving ofdeserving criticism.”Remilus is hoping that this year students will

realize that these changes occuring to the campuswill be a positive experience for not just the stu-dents, but the entire community.

The beginning of the fall se-mester is finally here. Studentsanxiously wait to return toclass never imagining the mas-sive improvements that havebeen unfolding throughout thesummer.From renovations, replace-

ments, upgrades, and evensidewalk repairs, the campustransformation projects arewell underway. The first stageof campus upgrading began in

the fall semester 2006. Thoseimprovements included the re-placement of campus benchesand trash bins.In December of 2007, Chan-

cellor Mike McKinney metwith David T. Standish, the ex-ecutive director for universityfacilities. McKinney talkedabout how the university cam-pus “needed new emphasis,”Standish said. McKinney envi-sioned the campus transforma-tion to include projects such asnew lighting, signage andlandscaping.

The signs are being placedboth on the campus and sur-rounding areas as a means ofdirecting people to the cam-pus.New lighting will be incor-

porated with the upgrading ofthe campus. “Dual lamps allalong University Boulevardwill be installed and singlelamps will be around the cam-pus,” said Standish.With the university’s trans-

formation, available parking

The South TexanTexas A&M University-Kingsville

LLoonnee pprreessiiddeennttiiaall ffiinnaalliisstt hhaass ppllaannssIt is apparent to everyone

on campus that somechanges are taking place.While some of thosechanges are right in front ofyou, that you would have tobe blind not to notice, othersare a bit less noticeable tothe common student.Texas A&M University-

Kingsville said good bye toour 17th president Dr.Rumaldo Z. Juarez on June

30 and welcomed Dr. Robert“Bob” Strawser as our in-terim president. After an ex-tensive search the TexasA&M University SystemBoard of Regents has se-lected Dr. Steven H. Tallantas the sole finalist to becomethe 19th president ofTAMUK.“Texas A&M University-

Kingsville has a proud past.It will not change. It is im-portant to remember whowe are and that can’tchange” Tallant said. “We

also have a promising futureto create global leaders;we’ve got to be competitive.We do need to grow, but thisis a manageable size wherewe can do that well.”Tallant is currently the

provost and vice chancellorfor academic affairs at theUniversity of Wisconsin-EauClaire since 2007. There hewas responsible for all un-dergraduate and graduateacademic programs. That in-cluded the direct supervi-

See Tallant Page 3

This Week’s Issue

TTAAMMUUKK ggeettss nneeww ssiiggnnaaggee

Many construction projects and renovations are underway on the Texas A&M Univer-sity-Kingsville campus as a new era starts for our university.

Graphic courtesy of David Standish

Gene Upshawdies at 63

See Construction Page 4

While the nation woke up to the news thatGene Upshaw had died in the morning ofWednesday, Aug.20, the news obviously hitharder around south Texas and especially thecampus of Texas A&M-Kingsville.Due to his position as executive director of

the National Football League Player’s Associa-tion, Upshaw was one of the most publiclyprominent, if not the most prominent, ofJavelina alumni.Upshaw played under legendary coach Gil

Steinke from 1963-66 when the school wasknown as Texas A&I.After being a first-round selection by the

Oakland Raiders in the 1967 American FootballLeague (AFL) draft, Upshaw still earned his de-gree from the university with his bachelor’s inscience.Despite a 15-year professional career in the

AFL and NFL that included three AFL champi-onships, two Super Bowl victories (XXI and XV)and seven Pro Bowl appearances, Upshaw’sbiggest contributions to the sporting worldcame off the field.Since 1983, Upshaw led the NFLPA and was

a leading figure in the NFL’s popularity boomwithin the last quarter-century.Compared to the three other major North

American sports (baseball, basketball andhockey), professional football has had the leastlabor strife during the years when Upshaw rep-resented the player’s union.Despite the relative lack of strife, Upshaw

See Upshaw Page 8

Remilus outlines plans for year

IINNDDEEXXPage 2 2

Campus News 3-4

Opinions 5

Feature 6

Sports 7-8

Kristie VelaThe South Texan

Yamira Gonzalez-MendiolaThe South Texan

Jaime GonzalezThe South Texan

Juan Carlos ReyesThe South Texan

Being an incoming freshmenat a major university is a toughtask to handle. Not knowingthat many people, not being tofamiliar with the campus, andbeing a little home sick doesn’thelp either. Luckily the univer-sity has freshmen gone wild anevent where freshmen studentsget a chance to interact with fel-low students, and the campus.

Page 2

Welcome Freshmen

football season has arrivedAtterberry has team prepped for North Dakota Pg. 8

Tuesday August 26, 2008 www.tamuk.edu/thesouthtexan VOLUME 83, Issue 2

Campus gets facelift for ‘08

Remelius

Lenders change for aid

As students gear up for thenew school year, they may finda few unsettling changes in thefinancial aid process—severalnationwide banks have de-cided to stop offering studentloans.When Texas A&M Univer-

sity-Kingsville students loginto the Blue and Gold Con-nection to select a lender forstudent loans, some local fa-vorites are no longer on thelist, including hometown bank,Kleberg Bank.

Page 3

Fallen heroes honored

Over 370 lives from the stateof Texas were taken in battle inthe wars in Iraq andAfghanistan. Of all of those, 20from the South Texas Area arebeing honored at the Ben Bai-ley Art Gallery at Texas A&MUniversity-Kingsville.Fallen Heroes, which de-

buted Saturday afternoon, is anexhibit that features hand-drawn portraits of those thatdied serving our country from2003 to 2007 created by artistDr. Arnold Gonzalez.

Page 4

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Hi: 90Lo: 7540%

Hi: 87Lo: 7440%

Hi: 86Lo: 7340%

Kingsville’s 3-Day Forecast

Courtesy of Weather.com

Contributed Photos / ��ee SSoouutthh TTeexxaann

Tallant is being interviewed at A&M-Kingsville’sradio station KTAI 91.1

Bo Atterberry,Head Football Coach

A new sign for a new era will greet TAMUKstudents and faculty and visitors this year

Page 2Page 2

By the Day

CCoouurrtteessyy TTAAMMUUKK PPuubblliicc AAffffaaiirrss

Texas A&M University-Kingsville willhost Freshman Convocation at 1 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 27, in Jones Auditorium towelcome new students tothe campus and to collegelife.

“The purpose of con-vocation is to welcomenew students to the uni-versity and while doingso, to introduce importanttraditions to the newestmembers of the campuscommunity,” said Dr. Dann Brown, dean ofUniversity College and chair of the convoca-tion committee.

“This year’s convocation committee in-tends to accomplish part of this task by pro-viding new students with the opportunity toobserve and better understand the impor-tance of traditions associated with higher ed-ucation.”

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. TaraRios Ybarra is the next state representativefor Texas District 43. The winner of the Dem-ocratic Primary Election, she is running un-opposed in the November General Election.

“Freshman Convocation is linked to ourstudent’s eventual graduation from A&M-Kingsville,” Brown said.

“This message, that the goal of obtaininga college degree is attainable on our welcom-ing campus, is conveyed symbolically as fac-ulty, staff, students, family and guestsparticipate in convocation.”

All students are invited to attend the con-vocation, and attendance is required forfreshmen enrolled for the first time in the fallsemester.

Parents and other family members alsoare invited.

Freshman togear up forconvocation

Wired . . .

Aug. 27 •Freshman Convocation, JonesAuditorium, 1 p.m.

Aug. 28-Sept. 8 •Permission from the adviser and professor to register or change classes.

Sept. 1 •Labor Day holiday.Sept. 5 •5 p.m. - Deadline for students

applying for graduation to complete the “Change of Name Request” form with the Office of the Registrar.

Sept. 8 5 p.m. -No registration beyond thispoint. Twelfth Class Day.

Sept. 12 5 p.m. - Last day for students completing graduation requirements in December to file Application for Candidacy forms with the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and to pay graduation fees.

FFFF OOOO CCCC UUUU SSSS OOOO NNNN UUUU SSSSSodexo worker Patricia Quinones helps train a new worker in theTejas Room gearing up for the start of school. Quinones said shelikes the likes the newest addition to the Sodexo uniform-- a blackberet.

Photo by Jaime Gonzalez

CCoouurrtteessyy UU--WWiirree

With more than 17.5 million studentsheaded to campus this fall, a recent an-nouncement by federal law enforcement of-ficials of an indictment related to an onlinetextbook selling scam stands as a timely re-minder of the risks students face when pur-chasing important items from an unknownsource.

In the fraud case, a Federal Grand Jury inHammond, IN, returned an indictmentagainst an individual for creating 568 fakeseller accounts and taking 100,000 orders bystudents on a major online site. The actionsallegedly resulted in defrauding buyers of$5.3 million.

"This case reinforces our contention thata student's local college store is the safestplace to purchase the educational tools theyneed to succeed," said Ed Schlichenmayer,Deputy CEO of the National Association ofCollege Stores.

“Meanwhile, students face real risks inpurchasing course materials from unknown,unidentifiable sellers - particularly online.They face bait-and-switch tactics, hiddenfees, and fraud. Bottom line: If the dealsounds too good to be true, it probably is!"

The South TexanJJuuaann CCaarrllooss RReeyyeess KKeeiioonnaa EE.. AAuussbbiiee MMiicchheell llee LLeeaall

Editor-in-chief Chief Photographer National and Regional Ad Rep.

JJaaiimmee GGoonnzzáálleezz CCaarrllooss AAllvvaarraaddoo RRoobbeerrtt PPeennaaManaging Editor Front Page Designer Web Designer

KKrriisstt iiee VVeellaa AAnnggeellaa PPaallaacciiooss AAddrriiaannaa TTaappiiaa--GGaarrzzaaAssociate Editor Features Editor Lab Assistant

MMaarryy BBeetthh CClleevveelliinn YYaammiirraa GGoonnzzáálleezz--MMeennddiioollaa DDrr.. MMaannuueell FFlloorreessChief Reporter Local Advertising Manager Faculty Adviser

2

Katrina AlejandroThe South Texan

CCORPUS CHRISTI - ORPUS CHRISTI - Coming outof a misty fog, early in the morn-ing, invisible to the eye, almost

like a ghost, the USS Lexington CV-16 hadthe most distinguished camouflage of anyother American carrier and holds manyunique stories to tell that very few of usknow.

The USS Lexington, CV-16 was featured inWorld War II as an aircraft carrier and hasserved our country longer than any other car-rier of naval aviation. Lexington Museum’sHistorian, Judith Whipple, said “The US shipserving our country the longest is still theUSS Constitution docked in Boston, Massa-chusetts."

Lady Lex, as some call the ship, was com-pleted in 1943 and brought to rest in the Cor-pus Christi Bay in 1991, having serve a totalof 48 years.

“The Lexington is the longest serving car-rier of the US Navy, no carrier has broken herrecord,” said Whipple. “She is still the car-rier that has had the most trap landings(493,248) than any other carrier.”

Many are puzzled when the names USSLexington, CV-2 and CV-16 are mentioned,but these are just two names of the five Lex-ington carriers.

Whipple explained that, “The very firstLexington was called The Wild Duck in early1776, the Navy later changed its name to Lex-ington. The second Lexington was a 127’sloop in 1826.

The third Lexington was a 177’ side wheelsteamer built in 1860 for the Civil War. Thefourth Lexington was the CV-2 which sunk atthe Battle of the Coral Sea. Lastly, the fifthLexington CV-16 is now a museum in CorpusChristi, TX.

The Lexington’s museum mentions thatthe “Lady Lex’s CV-16 planes destroyed 372enemy aircrafts in the air and 475 more onthe ground. She sank or destroyed 300,000tons of enemy cargo and damaged an addi-tional 600,000 tons.

Her guns shot down 15 planes and as-sisted in downing five more.”

As the exhibit shows, along with the Lex-

ington’s many names, she also had severalmascots to cheer up the crew. One was Tedthe bear, given to by someone in Washington.Another animal was an Ocelot (a spottedleopard-like cat). There was also Wags, Cap-tain Frederick C. Sherman’s cocker spaniel.

All of the mascots, like pets, have all comeand gone, but there is one which remained.“Eh, what’s up, Doc?” Yes, that same charac-ter whose cartoon was watched Saturdaymornings and brought smiles to thousands,Bugs Bunny, was born on the Blue Ghost.

According to the Lexington exhibit, BugsBunny was created by shipmate Donald“Don” Foster, who served in the CV-2 Lex-ington 6 years until it went down in the bat-tle of the Coral Sea, but Don survived, andwent to work as a cartoonist for Chuck Jonesat the Warner Brothers studio.

Director of Operations and Exhibits at theUSS Lexington, M. Charles “Rusty” Reustlesaid, “What ties Lexington CV-2 and CV-16together is that both carriers had Bugs Bunnypainted on them.”

Reustle would like to have Bugs Bunny re-

paint on the side of this Lexington to makeher “more visitor friendly for kids.” Reustlesaid.

The Lexington CV-16 was the fifth and lastLexington to cruise the seas. It was given thename Lexington to “go back and avenge theCV-2 that was sunk,” said Reustle.

After suffering the wounds of a torpedoand of kamikazes during WWII, Lady Lexsurvived the war and became a training car-rier until it retired.

The Lexington CV-16, also given the nick-named Minutemen, was renamed the “blueghost” by the Tokyo Rose during WWII.

This ghost was reported sunk a halfdozen times, and it kept coming back. Itsunique camouflage, due to the lack of time tofinish the paint job, made it invisible to theJapanese enemy. “Depending on how thelight hits her, she will appear blue-grey, per-fect camouflage,” Reustle included.

“All Lexington ships not only took on thename Lexington but also took on the motto‘Always Ready’ like the men during the Warof 1776, the men were always ready to ‘fightfor their cause’ which was freedom,” he said.

The USS Lexington CV-16 is much morethan a big boat and tourist attraction in theCorpus Christi bay.

When you see the Lady Lex lit up at nightremember the legacy, remember the memo-ries, and remember the heroic stories sheholds.

Courtesy Photo

The USS Lexington Museum on Corpus Christi Bay has become one of the area’s top tourists attractions. TheWorld War II aircraft carrier has also been the site of several movies.

CC Beach home to ‘Blue Ghost’Our South Texas - USS Lexington

Our South TexasA periodic feature in The South Texan printand online editions, designed to inform stu-dents about the diversity and beauty of thesurrounding area our university serves. Thisis our South Texas.

Gathering allows new students aglimpse at university traditions

Rios Ybarra

Beware of on-linetext book sales

While students havebeen trying to figure outwhere there classes are atand what books they need,they also have to get therenew student ID cards.Crowds of students re-

cently packed the facilitylocated inside the gameroom.With the new system

came a few snags, but tech-nology services coordinatorThomas Bingham says thatall of those hiccups havebeen fixed.“We had a slight snag

with the data card systemthat was updating thecards,” said Bingham.One of the main func-

tions that the card is hopingto provide in the near fu-ture is usage of the card inother places besides open-ing dorm halls and using itfor the meal plans.“We’re hoping to put the

ID cards in use for thebookstore and everywhereelse on campus,” Binghamsaid.“We also want to try to

use the card out into thecommunity, but that isgoing to depend on thebusinesses.”

The new ID’s are alreadybeing put into use on theupgraded newspaper binsaround campus.With just a simple swipe

to the card, students can re-ceive a free USA Today orCorpus Christi Caller-Times.Besides the problems

with the system, Binghamalso said that incomingfreshman who may nothave attended Hoggie Daysbefore the semester beganattributed to the crowdedhall in the Student UnionBuilding.“I don’t expect it to get

nearly as crowded as it waslast week,” said Bingham.

As students gear up for the newschool year, they may find afew unsettling changes in the

financial aid process—several nation-wide banks have decided to stop offeringstudent loans.When Texas A&M University-

Kingsville students log into the Blue andGold Connection to select a lender forstudent loans, some local favorites are nolonger on the list, including hometownbank, Kleberg Bank.“Just when I thought I had everything

taken care of, I had to shop around for anew lender because mine dropped out.It’s a huge hassle,” said senior educationmajor Priscilla Garcia.This year has been tumultuous for

banks across the country, with a handfulbeing shut down.With talk about a possible U.S. reces-

sion, borrowers are frequently unable topay back their debts.These financial woes have caused the

U.S. credit crisis to hit higher education.New federal regulations which make

it less lucrative for banks to participate instudent loan programs are another rea-son banks are thinking twice before

handing over the dough.TAMUK’s Department of Financial

Aid is assuring students there still areplenty of banks for student borrowers tochoose from. Approximately 2,000lenders are still loaning money to stu-dents.“When I found out some people were

having trouble finding loans, I was wor-ried that I would have to look for a newbank. I was relieved to find out WellsFargo was still in it,” said senior mechan-ical engineering major Klint Hoelscher.In response to the economic down-

turn, Congress recently upped theamount of money a student can borrowwith federal loans.Freshmen who are dependents can

take out up to $5,500 and sophomorescan borrow $1,000 more a year. Juniorsand seniors are allowed up to $7,500.Here, students trying to bridge the

gap between the Fall semester paymentdeadline and choosing a suitable lendercan apply for an emergency loan at theFinancial Aid office.The money from disbursement checks

goes to pay back the emergency loan.Approximately 45 percent of U.S. stu-

dents take out some sort of loan to helppay for tuition each year.

Campus NewsCampus News 3The South Texan - August 26, 2008

Some students forced to look to new lendersChanges in legislation, economic troubles force some lenders to pull out of the student loanbusiness; local Kleberg Bank is among those no longer offering loans to students

Mary Beth ClevelinThe South Texan

Student I.D.’s geta new makeover

sion of four academic deans and thedean of graduate studies.He previously served in a variety of

positions at the University of Wiscon-sin-Eau Claire including associate vicechancellor and director of graduate pro-grams, interim provost and vice chan-cellor, and associate vice chancellor foracademic affairs.He also provided leadership in sev-

eral restructuring initiatives, includingthe creation of the College of Education

and Human Sciences and the College ofNursing and Health Services.“This is a beautiful campus with ar-

chitectural integrity. Even during myfirst visit in 1969 I loved this campus”Tallant said during his recent visit dur-ing August 18 thru 22.“This is a university where people

deeply care about this university.TAMUK should be and will be the pre-mier university in South Texas.” Tallantworked at the Pentagon from 1991- 1994as the chief of Air Force Family Re-search, during that time he routinely

worked with congressional staffers andmembers of Congress in the develop-ment of budgetary issues relating tomilitary families.He retired from the military after 20

years of active service. As Texas A&M-Kingsville’s chief executive officer, Tal-lant will supervise more than 450 em-ployees, manage a $106.7- millionannual budget and provide vision for acomprehensive curriculum for morethan 6,500 students.“We’re here to make sure that faculty

can teach and students can learn. Stu-

dents concerns should be about learn-ing, not standing in lines. I plan to asksome serious questions.” said Tallant.“This will be a student friendly cam-pus.”Tallant may be appointed to the posi-

tion of president by the Board of Re-gents after the 21 days required by statelaw for public notice of the appointmentwith the Texas Secretary of State. As ofMonday, the TAMU System Board of Re-gents had failed to call a meeting to acton Tallant’s recommendation to be pres-ident of TAMUK>

Tallant from Page 1

of Santa Gertrudis and University willbe used for loading and unloading ofvisitors only. Occasional parking maybe allowed on the south bound lanewhen special events or banquets areheld at Founders’ Room, Standish said.Parking lot H behind Javelina Sta-

dium will be transformed into a newstudent recreation and fitness center re-sulting in a loss of parking space.“The construction of the new student

recreation/fitness center will eliminateapproximately 178 parking spaces.Ground breaking for the recreation cen-ter is anticipated for October 2008,”Standish said.Possible parking lots may be created

in what is now a caliche parking lot byLewis Hall. The university is also con-sidering other options when it comes tomaking sure sufficient parking is avail-able.

“Efforts to alleviate parking issuesinclude possibly paving the front ofstadium facing Corral Avenue,” Stan-dish said. Students are reminded toplan appropriately and ahead in resolv-ing parking issues to avoid any fines bythe university police department anddelays leading to class time.Currently TAMUK is understaffed

by one director, one assistant directorand two engineers and is unremittingin achieving it goal. Weather is the pri-mary obstacle to completing the cam-pus reconstruction.“TAMUK is undergoing approxi-

mately $ 27 million worth of projectsand is the most work and money al-lowed at one time,” Standish said.“Please excuse and pardon our con-

struction, but this is a new upgrade forstudents. Students are what make thisestablishment evolve. Everything isdone with them in mind,” said Stan-dish.

Construction from Page 1

Juan Carlos Reyes / SSoouutthh TTeexxaann

Juan Carlos ReyesThe South Texan

Tallant sees much potential in TAMUK campus

Students stand in line at the Financial Aid Office in the Memorial Student Union Build-ing to get the latest word on their loans and financial assistance. Many students had tofind new lending institutions.

Construction brings changes to campus

Campus NewsCampus News4 The South Texan - August 26, 2008

Ben Bailey Gallery honors the ‘Fallen’

Over 370 lives from the state ofTexas were taken in battle in thewars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ofall of those, 20 from the SouthTexas Area are being honored atthe Ben Bailey Art Gallery at TexasA&M University-Kingsville.Fallen Heroes, which debuted

Saturday afternoon, is an exhibitthat features hand-drawn portraitsof those that died serving ourcountry from 2003 to 2007 createdby artist Dr. Arnold Gonzalez.“I feel a lot of hurt when I look

at what I have created,” Gonzalezsaid. “It seems like I’ve knownthem and have talked to them atone point.”Gonzalez was inspired after he

was invited to Washington, D.C.by artist Annette Poland to do anexhibit called “America’s ArtistsHonors American’s Heroes.”From that inspiration Gonzalez

knew he wanted to make theFallen Heroes exhibit a travelingtour through South Texas.Already his portraits have been

featured in Sinton and CorpusChristi.He worked extra long to make

sure the portraits matched everyspecific detail of each soldier beingdrawn.“I invited the families to my

home to look at them,” Gonzalezsaid. “They were so generous and

they helped me make sure that Ihad everything correctly done toeach of the pictures.”In some cases, Gonzalez wanted

it to be so close to perfection thathe did some of them at least two tothree times.As freshman art student

Marcelino Pena walked into the ex-hibit, he was stunned when he sawthat one of the drawings was of hiscousin Sergeant Johnny JoePeralez, Jr. of Kingsville.Peralez died in fighting in Iraq

two years ago at the age of 25.As Pena looked at the exhibit,

he began to cry as he looked at hisfallen relative.“It’s good to see him being hon-

ored like that,” Pena said. “Seeingthe exhibit made me realize thatlife is too short and it is so hard tothink their lives were taken fromthem so early.”Another relative of one of the

fallen soldiers in the exhibit wasCliff Kesinger, father of SPC (Spe-cialist) James Kesinger of the U.S.Army who was killed almost threeyears ago. He was 32 from OrangeGrove.“[Gonzalez] did a fabulous job

on his picture,” Kesinger said. “Hehas done us proud honoring all ofthese heroes.”The exhibit will be displayed

from now until Sept. 26. Studentsand the general public are invitedto attend.Admission is free.

Juan Carlos ReyesThe South Texan

Bob Pena / ��ee SSoouutthh TTeexxaann

Freshman art major Marcelino Pena stands alone as he stares at those lives lost in battle. Includedon one of those portraits was his cousin, Johnny Joe Peralez, Jr. of Kingsville.

Oaxacan culture shown off at galleryCarlos AlvaradoThe South Texan

One Stop Shop set Thursday, Friday for studentsVarious offices from

across the Texas A&M Uni-versity-Kingsville campusprovided students a chanceto fulfill last minute require-ments before they beginclasses.With the collaboration of

the Business Office, Financial

Aid, Admissions, Register,Outreach and EnrollmentServices and University Col-lege the “One Stop Shop”was held Thursday Aug. 21and Friday Aug. 22 from 8:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room219 A&B in the MemorialStudent Union Building.“If a student needs to do

something in order to startclasses, they don’t have to go

to two or three different of-fices for the things theyneed,” Interim Director ofAdmissions George Weirsaid. Booths from the vari-ous offices were set up forwhoever sought help. “Whether it be seeking fi-

nancial aid, needing to regis-

ter for classes or whatever,everything is consolidatedfor the convenience of thestudent,” Weir said.Students had the opportu-

nity to obtain book loans andemergency loans as well asregister for classes, changemajors, receive academic ad-

vising from university col-lege, receive informationabout who their advisor isand obtain the answers totheir questions. “Yesterday was kind of

slow but we had a lot of stu-dents today,” Assistant Di-rector of financial aid BlancaSuarez said. “We’ve had a lit-tle bit of everybody.”The Business office also

conducted emergency loansfor tuition and fees throughMoney Connect.Students who missed the

“One Stop Shop” event andassistance with any of theservices, visit or contact thedesignated office or theTAMUK Information desk inthe SUB at 361-593-2111 to betransferred to the correct of-fice.

Angela PalaciosThe South Texan

The exchange programwith The Milagro Art Insti-tute came full circle when astudent from the School ofFine Arts of the AutonomousUniversity Benito Juarez ofOaxaca, Mexico returned toTexas A&M University-Kingsville as a professor andbrought five of her student toteach them college and cul-ture.This summer the artist

stayed for duration of twoweeks and had personallyartwork as well as two vastcanvases that they exhibit inthe Ben Bailey Art Gallery. The cultural mural’s

theme for the artist wasTexas early settlers; the twomain canvases both had adifferent style of Texas set-tling one emphasis the uni-versity and the otherconcentrated on the SouthTexas environment with in-

fluential settlers, includingthe late Irma Rangel. This year guest artist is

Maestra Nely Aide Cruz Es-pinoza, a former artist of theMilagro Art Institute, shecontacted Santa Barraza, as-sociate professor of art whooversees the project about re-turning here. “When I came in 2003 I

like the program and it wasdifferent because I am asculptor and the mediumwas paint.” Maestra NelyAide Cruz Espinoza said“ I brought my students

experience college life and tosee if college was right forthem.” Jose Hiram Martinez

Martinez is one of the stu-dent students involved inthis year’s Milagro Art Insti-tute. According to Martinezhe wants to graduate beforehe his 25 and pursue paint-ing, as well as, have accom-plish exhibits with fellowartist in Oaxaca. The other artist that par-

ticipated had to learnedabout South Texas cultureand history and then imple-ment it in their personallyartwork as well as the twomural. The two cultural murals

will be donated to BishopHall to be displayed for thefall semester and will standas a legacy of their work.

A moment of reflectionfor a ‘Fallen’ one

Bob Peña / �e South Texan

The students from Oaxaca joined art professor Santa Barraza to prepare muralswhich will be used in TAMUK buildings.

Need help? Get it now!

Juan Carlos Reyes / �e South TexanJavelina alumnus Arnold Gonzalez paid tribute to area servicemenwho had lost their life in combat with a series of art renderingsthat were displayed at the Ben Bailey Art Gallery on campus. Theexhibit was called “Fallen Heroes.”

“ I brought my students experience col-lege life and to see if college was rightfor them.”

Nelly Aide Cruz Espionoza

Another school year has begunfor the students of Texas A&MUniversity-Kingsville.What shocks me is that my last

year has finally come.What is more shocking is my

role as Editor-in-chief of the stu-dent newspaper and online edi-tion, The South Texan.When I was appointed last

spring I was honored and I alsothought, “What have I gotten my-self into?”Getting through my first issue

has been a learning experience forme, and holding this position issomething that I have to adjust toin my final year at A&M-Kingsville.But I’m not alone.The campus is also going

through a transition and this newchallenge for me fits right in withall the commotion going onaround TAMUK.For this first issue, it’s amazing

how many stories we have comeup with in just the short time thatwe have been here to start the2008-2009 year.That means things are happen-

ing on our campus and, as newsreporters, we welcome thatWe have a new look and some

new staff members as we try to re-port on vital information needednot just for the students, but to thecommunity of Kingsville as well.I know it’s going to be a little

hectic throughout the year, but wewelcome the challenge.And then,there are the same old

stories - lack of parking andwhere’s my financial aid.Many people will be complain-

ing about the lack of parking andthe same will be said about theconstruction, but there will be a lothappening to this campus alonethat will benefit the students in thenext few years.With so much happening

around here, there is definitely notgoing to be a shortage of stories forus here at The South Texan. One ofthe things we want to provide isbreaking news online.We will pro-vide that on our website -tamuk.edu/southtexan.Being a weekly, it’s not really an

advantage giving you news thathas happened several days before.Our website will take care of thatproblem. After last spring’s lock-out situation, we knew that wehad to find a better way to makethis news public quickly and accu-rately.I also look forward to continu-

ing something we started last se-mester called the 91 seconds ofnews on our radio station KTAI-FM 91.1.Staff members of the South

Texan provide daily updates forthe radio station that are playedevery hour-and-a-half for 91 sec-onds, to coincide with the station’sfrequency assignment.It’s another way to train our

journalists to be versatile in thisera of media convergence.The journalism program at

A&M-Kingsville has proved that itamong the most versatile in thestate and we are always lookingfor new ways to communicate tothe students.For instance, watch for Pod-

Casts in the future on our website.For now, we hope you enjoy ourfirst issue of the new school year.It’s a time of change and transi-

tion here, but it also makes thesetimes very exciting for all of us atThe South Texan and for our univer-sity.

OpinionsOpinions 5The South Texan - August 26, 2008

Column

Editorial

While the first day of schoolwas this past Thursday, manystudents had yet to settle intheir surroundings at TexasA&M University-Kingsville.Part of the reason is that

moving day was just two daysbefore the school year actuallybegan.Students that already live in

Kingsville usually have noproblem adjusting, but for thenew students and those thatlive in dorms it may have beena hassle.It’s easier for those that live

here because they did not haveto travel far and they are al-ready settled.It was easier for them to go

to the campus, head to the bookstore, find out which booksthey need and be ready to rollonce school starts.For those living in the

dorms, they have to rush forpractically anything.In 48 hours they have to

move everything in their dorm,get to know the roommate,head to the book store, find outwhat books they need, get anew student I.D. if needed andthen try to get themselves readyto go.Some students could not

even make it to campus untilthe next day, giving them just24 hours to do all of that.While students may com-

plain they did not have enoughtime to settle and get every-thing they needed by the firstday of school, the solution issimple.Moving day should occur a

week before school begins.This can easily solve the

problem of those that move into the dorm avoid the rush ofhaving to get everything theyneed to have before class starts.Think about the book store

and how it is immenselycrowded during the first fewdays of a semester. It’s a mess.If students were given extra

time to move in, there would bemore time for them to figureout what books they need andit may avoid the crowding situ-ation at the store.The same can be said for the

I.D. center.Plus, sometimes the student

may not have the money yet forthe books they need.With a few extra days, they

can know how much the bookscost and they can purchasethem.Though there were people

not enjoying the thought ofstarting school really late in theweek, the bigger problem wasmaking sure the students werefully prepared on campus.Extra time between moving

day and the first day of classcould change all of that.

‘MovingDay’ amilestone

JuanCarlosReyes

Editor-in-chief

Campus goingthrough majortransition

Column

The shocking death of Javelinafootball legend Eugene Upshaw topancreatic cancer last week has re-emphasized the fact that it is waypast due to honor this giant of aman.For years, Texas A&M-

Kingsville was the only major uni-versity south of San Antonio andis credited for giving manythroughout the region an opportu-nity to further their education.This was at time before that op-portunity for African-Americanswas not readily available at manyuniversities throughout the na-tion.With Upshaw’s passing late last

week, Texas A&M-Kingsville lostthe most prominent example of aperson who took advantage ofthose opportunities and rose froma poor South Texas background tothe top of their profession.Texas A&I’s and Texas A&M-

Kingsville loss is also the nation’sloss.While Upshaw first came to

prominence due to his athleticachievement, it was his off-field

accomplishments that highlightedhis example of what a student atTexas A&M-Kingsville can be-come.Even after being drafted in the

first round of the 1967 AmericanFootball League (AFL) draft, Up-shaw still earned his degree fromthe university.After his successful playing ca-

reer came to an end, when otherathletes simply retire and leavethe public spotlight, Upshaw ex-celled in leading the NationalFootball League Player’s Associa-tion(NFLPA) for 25 years.The Robstown native’s work as

executive director of NFLPA gaveanother generation of students atA&M-Kingsville an opportunity to

look up to his example of wherean education here can lead.On the gridiron, Upshaw was

one of the top lineman in historyof college and professional foot-ball, opening holes for his runningbacks for close to 20 years.On the negotiation table, he

opened up opportunities for hisfellow players economically.Most importantly, his success

and example of professionalismhas, and will continue to, opendoors for others in this small,south Texas university who arelooking to attain the top successesin their respective fields.This university should honor

Upshaw and it should do it now.The football team should dedicatethe season to this giant as it triesto regain the Javelinas winningtradition under Coach Bo Atter-berry. In addition, a building orstadium should be named in hishonor. Upshaw was a great exam-ple. His name was part of A&I andJavelina lore. We should not forgethim. It’s time to honor him.

Jaime O.Gonzalez

Managing Editor

thesouthtexan@yahoo.com

Upshaw had great influenceJeremy Martinez / The South Texan

Big-time purchasesusually require big-timethought. People often con-sider the ramifications ofthe money they are spend-ing on cars, homes orother big ticket items.However, many people

don’t tend to be nearly ascareful about their spend-ing on higher education,according to a study doneby Sallie Mae, a studentlender.The study found that

40 percent of familiesdon’t pick a college oruniversity based on howmuch it will cost.In the era we live in,

with tuition and other col-lege costs on a seeminglyconstant rise, it is surpris-ing this would not be afactor in the majority offamilies’ decisions.Obviously, there is a

difference between choos-ing a school and choosinga car.A car isn’t going to hin-

der or help you when you

go to apply for most jobs.

A Corvette or Ferrariwon’t better prepare youto succeed at that job thana Cavalier or a Geo Metrowould.However, there is a

point where your choiceof a better, yet more ex-pensive institution, canhinder your future asmuch as it helps.For instance, an aver-

age middle income stu-dent is more likely to relymore heavily on borrow-ing than on grants, schol-arships or savings andincome than a low or highincome family.If this prospective stu-

dent chooses a universitywithout considering costas a prohibiting factorthen the difference be-tween his or her debt fiveyears after graduationcould be tens of thou-sands of dollars.

Although that school

may also make it easierfor that student to find ahigher paying job, thelikelihood that it payswell enough to quicklyerase the difference indebt between an expen-sive private universityand a cheaper, yet still ex-pensive, public universityis at the very least astretch.Not to mention the fact

that your degree tends tomatter less after you havebeen working for severalyears after college. Com-panies, upon hiring work-ers, don’t care if you wentto Harvard or Harper toget your degree as long asyou do your job well.Whether students from

ritzier universities like itor not if they are outper-formed by someone froma “lesser” university,chances are they will be

farther down the list ofpeople to be promoted.The lesson? A degree

only lasts as long as youdon’t have a proper workresume.The minute a person

has enough work experi-ence to show they are acompetent worker is thetime businesses will stopstaring at a sheet of paperwith your name and thename of a university on it.The correlation be-

tween price spent on a carand price spent on a uni-versity is especially odd.Many families will

likely end up spendingupwards of $60,000 fortheir son or daughter toattend college for fouryears.At the same time, those

families will likely spendabout half of that on a carto use for between six and10 years.When it comes down to

it, college costs should beconsidered in the samevein as that car, even ifthey are seen in a slightlypricier light.

When finances don’t matterCourtesy of U WIre

Editorial

thesouthtexan@yahoo.com

A car isn’t going to hinder orhelp you when you go to apply

for most jobs.

Letters to theEditor

The South Texan welcomesyour letters. Please send lettersto our email address - thesouth-texan@yahoo.com or just drop byour office in MSUB 212. Lettersmust be signed. Emails will beverified. Please limit letters to250 words. Personal attacks willnot be printed. Our newspapersprimary purpose is to motivateand facility communication oncampus. The newspaper reservesthe right to reject all letters thatdo not adhere to conventionalEnglish and grammar rules andstandards. Letters in Spanishwill only run when Spanish sec-tions are scheduled.

FEATURESFEATURES6 The South Texan - August 26, 2008

TAMUK welcomes freshmen,TAMUK welcomes freshmen,class of 2012class of 2012

Jaime Gonzales / ��ee SSoouutthh TTeexxaann

New freshmen participate in a potato sack race while learning ways to prevent STDs through the Freshmen Gone Wild event sponsored by P.E.P. Talk.

Being an incoming freshman at TexasA&M University Kingsville can be a stressfultask to deal with for new students who arestill trying to become familiar with the cam-pus.

It is not an easy transition when you still

do not know a lot of people, and are startingto become a little home sick.

To help make that transition a bit morebearable TAMUK has an event called “Fresh-men Gone Wild” which was sponsored byThe Peer Education Program, also known as

P.E.P. Talk. At this event freshmen students had the

chance to interact with fellow classmates aswell as the campus.

P.E.P Talk helps dismiss the myths andurban legends that many people have aboutcollege life.

Seniors Chris Flores and Taylor Beth,president and vice president respectively ofP.E.P. Talk, put together activities that weregeared towards the freshmen.

The organization focuses on five main fac-tors of college life: nutrition, stress, sex edu-cation, drinking and fitness.

The workshops that were put togetherwere light interactive activities that helpedthe freshmen become familiar with theseareas of college life.

The nutrition workshop focused on eatingright and in adequate portions.

The stress workshop taught the kids re-sourceful ways to manage the workload of a15-hour schedule along with having a sociallife.

Sex education showed various waysSTD’s can be contracted and also focused onthe practice of safe sex.

The drinking portion focused on knowingyour limits and the dangers of binge drink-ing.

The fitness workshop showed fun andeasy ways students can stay active to keep

the dreaded “freshmen fifteen” off. Door prizes were given at the end of the

day to five students. Three students won start-up business

portfolios and the other two students wontwo hundred dollar gift cards to the univer-sity bookstore.

The university life and wellness center,the dean of students’ office and the univer-sity bookstore donated the door prizes.

Thanks to various organizations like P.E.P.Talk, being an incoming freshman and feel-ing like a fish out of water isn’t much of adilemma now.

An event like this proves to be a greatway to feel welcomed at TAMUK.

Jaime Gonzales / ��ee SSoouutthh TTeexxaann

TAMUK students sit in groups during a P.E.P. Talk activity where they learn tomake nutritional and healthy food choices.

Articlecontributed

by incomingfreshman

journalismmajor

Adrian Trevino

University makes new transition to college life easier

SportsSports 7The South Texan - August 26, 2008

Lone Star Conference Preseason Polls

Football

North Division TotalPoints1. Texas A&M-Commerce Lions (8) 822. Southeastern Oklahoma Savage Storm (4) 713. Southwestern Oklahoma Bulldogs (2) 584. Central Oklahoma Bronchos (2) 475. Northeastern State (Okla.) RiverHawks 436. East Central (Okla.) Tigers 35

South Division1. Abilene Christian Wildcats (8) 1132. West Texas A&M Buffaloes (10) 1113. Tarleton State Texans 914. Midwestern State Mustangs 755. Texas A&M Kingsville Javelinas 496. Angelo State Rams 437. Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds 22

Volleyball

1. West Texas A&M Lady Buffs (35) 5152. Central Oklahoma Bronchos (1) 4483. Midwestern State Mustangs (1) 4464. Abilene Christian Wildcats 3975. Texas Womanʼs Pioneers 3396. Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas 3057. Cameron (Okla.) Aggies 2798. Tarleton State TexAnns 2729. Angelo State Rambelles 20810. Southwestern Oklahoma Bulldogs 18911. Southeastern Oklahoma Savage Storm 16612. Texas A&M-Commerce Lions 15913. Eastern New Mexico Zias 9314. East Central (Okla.) Tigers 69

Cross Country

Men1. Abilene Christian Wildcats (18) 1622. East Central (Okla.) Tigers 1173. Tarleton State Texans 1164. Cameron (Okla.) Aggies 975. Texas A&M-Commerce Lions 916. Angelo State Rams 767. Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds 748. West Texas A&M Buffaloes 509. Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas 31

Women1. Abilene Christian Wildcats (26) 3122. Tarleton State TexAnns 2663. Central Oklahoma Bronchos 2314. West Texas A&M Lady Buffs 2245. Southwestern Oklahoma Bulldogs 1836. Angelo State Rambells 1747. East Central (Okla.) Tigers 1638. Midwestern State Mustangs 1249. Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas 11310. Eastern New Mexico Zias 10711. Texas A&M-Commerce Lions 8012. Southeastern Oklahoma Savage Storm 51

Numbers in parentheses indicate first-place votes.

Jav-A-Stats Tough first week for the LoneStar Conference begins Thursday

AMK Volleyball looking to return tothe Lone Star Conference postseason

Just like the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelina football team, theuniversity’s football team will begin their 2008 season later thisweek on the road.This year’s team was selected to finish sixth in the Lone Star

Conference (LSC) preseason poll after going 14-12 last season.Not only was the 14-12 mark the team had good enough to get

them into the LSC playoffs, but is was also the team’s first win-ning season since 1998.The team will be made up of eight returnees from last year’s

squad and six newcomers.The lone senior on the team will be Shaday Smith, who last

season earned All-LSC honorable mention honors.This will mark the second year in a row A&M-Kingsville will

have only one senior on their volleyball squad.Sha Tramble, who last season as a freshman earned All-LSC

first team and All-LSC tournament honors, along with the LSCFreshman of the Year award, leads a group of three returnees whorecorded over 200 kills last season.Tramble led the team with 345 kills, a school record for a fresh-

man, while junior Adina Gray and Smith round out the trio.Tramble ranked in the top 10 in the LSC by averaging 1.59 kills

per game and in service aces with 0.15 per game.Junior Kirby Krueger is the team’s top returning setter, ac-

counting for 466 assists last season.Fellow junior Tara Grier, who led the 2007 team in digs with

534, leads a group of five returning players who reached tripledigits in the category.

Grier’s average of 5.51 digs per game was good enough forfourth in the LSC.Five incoming freshmen and a junior college transfer will

round out this year’s team.Included in that group of newcomers is Amanda Waclawczyk

who played in four state championship matches at Poth HighSchool, winning three of them.Fellow Javelina Grier also played at Poth High School.The team will start off the season with a tournament in San

Antonio this upcoming weekend.The first home game will be September 10 when the team hosts

the St. Mary’s Rattlers and conference play begins September 18when the Angelo State Rambelles visit the Steinke Center.

BByy JJaaiimmee GGoonnzzaalleezzTThhee SSoouutthh TTeexxaann

Photo Courtesy of Sports InformationAfter earning All-LSC first team honors as afreshman, Sha Tramble is a top returnee to thisyear’s team. She also earned LSC Freshman ofthe Year honors and set a school record for digsas a freshman.

2008 Javelina Home Volleyball Schedule

Date Opponent TimeSeptember 10 St. Maryʼs 7 p.m.September 18 Angelo State* 7 p.m.September 20 Abilene Christian* 2 p.m.September 23 A&M-International 7 p.m.September 30 UT-Brownsville 7 p.m.October 6 St. Edwardʼs 7 p.m.October 9 Central Oklahoma* 7 p.m.October 11 Southwestern Oklahoma* 2 p.m.October 23 East Central (Okla.)* 7 p.m.October 25 Southeastrern Oklahoma* 2 p.m.*denotes Lone Star Conference match

The teams around the Lone Star Conference kick offtheir season in non-conference action this week.On, Thursday, Aug. 28, East Central, Northeastern

State (Okla.), Southeastern Oklahoma, SouthwesternOklahoma, West Texas A&M, Tarleton State all joinA&M-Kingsville in opening up their 2008 seasons.The first weekend of the season will be highlighted

by two matchups of Top 25 Division II teams, accord-ing to the American Football Coaches Association Di-vision II poll.On the opening Thursday, the LSC’s West Texas

A&M Buffaloes, ranked #10 nationally, head to Col-orado to meet the #23 Mesa State Mavericks.On Saturday, Aug. 30, a battle of top-10 teams takes

place when the LSC’s #8 Abilene Christian Wildcatsface the #3 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats.Three other LSC teams will also be on the road to

face Division I-AA teams.The East Central (Okla.) Tigers meet the Sam Hous-

ton State Bearkats, the Angelo State Rams take on theTexas State Bobcats and Texas A&M-Commerce Lionsface the Northwestern (La.) State Demons.With the beginning of the new season, a new en-

deavor has begun at The South Texan.Our sports staff will attempt to predict the winners

and scores of all LSC games this year.Anybody who wants to try their hand can e-mail

their predictions to thesouthtexan@yahoo.com (sub-ject: LSC picks).

BByy JJaaiimmee GGoonnzzaalleezzTThhee SSoouutthh TTeexxaann

Attempt to out-pick The South TexanWeek 1 Picks

Thursday, Aug. 28Winner LoserSam Houston St. East Central (Okla.)

Arkansas Tech Northeastern (Okla.)

Tarleton State Southeastern Okla.

Northwestern Okla. Southwestern (Okla.)

North Dakota Texas A&M-Kingsville

West Texas A&M Mesa (Colo.) State

Saturday, Aug. 30Winner LoserAbilene Christian Northwest Missouri

Texas State Angelo State

A&M-Commerce Northwestern (La.)

Pittsburg (Kan.) St. Central Oklahoma

Southern Nazarene Eastern New Mexico

While you were gone...Javelina Happenings over the summer

Over the past few months, a lothas changed in the world ofJavelina athletics.Ryan Dall has become the new

track & field/cross country coach,replacing the retired Glen Sefcik.Dall was formerly an assistant

coach at Duke (N.C.) and is agraduate of Miami (Fla.) Univer-sity.He was also an assistant coach

at Florida International for fouryears before serving five years atDuke.The Javelina baseball team,

fresh off their improbable LoneStar Conference championship,will also have a new coach thisyear.With former coach Russell

Stockton leaving to become an as-sistant at Houston, his alma mater,Jason Gonzales will now lead the

team.Gonzales is a native of Cuero

and is hoping to use his southTexan roots to improve recruitingplayers from the area.Gonzales was the head coach at

Skidmore-Tynan high school.He played collegiate baseball at

Louisiana-Lafayette and also hasexperience coaching at the colle-giate level.He coached two years at

Arkansas State and one season atWharton County Junior College.Along with those two additions

to the current Javelina landscape,

two former Javelinas achievedhonors this summer.Former defensive lineman John

Randle became the sixth formerA&M-Kingsville player to be in-ducted into the College FootballHall of Fame.Randle joined Gil Steinke,

Richard Ritchie, Darrell Green,Johnny Bailey and Dwayne Nix inthe College Football Hall of Fame,an amazing amount consideringthe school is Division II.One of the former Hogs that

Randle joined in that Hall alsoachieved another salute to his ath-letic career.Green became the first Javelina

to be inducted into both the Col-lege Football Hall of Fame andProfessional Football Hall ofFame in an emotional ceremonyearlier this month.Green joined Gene Upshaw as

the only two Javelinas to be en-shrined in Canton, Ohio.

BByy JJaaiimmee GGoonnzzaalleezzTThhee SSoouutthh TTeexxaann

Dall Gonzales

SportsSports8The South Texan - August 26, 2008

A 3-8 record for the second year in a row was not whatthe Javelina football team wanted last season.With three freshmen starting as quarterbacks, as well

as several freshmen at receiver, second-year head coachBo Atterberry is expecting all of those players to shake offthat season as a more experienced team is expected to hitthe field as the Javelinas head to the University of NorthDakota for the first game of the season as they face theFighting Sioux Thursday. Aug. 28, at the Alerus Center inGrand Forks, N.D.“We are very excited to head up there,” Atterberry

said.“It’s going to be quite an experience for these players

to be in an indoor environment and they have been look-ing forward to this since we scheduled it.”Like last season, Atterberry had a tough time pinpoint-

ing who would be the starting quarterback, but seniortransfer student Billy Garza from the University of Illi-nois helped make up his mind.“It’s tough having to make such a decision, but Billy

was the most consistent in practice,” Atterberry said.“The fun part about this decision was that I had three

other quarterbacks who also had experience playing col-lege football.”Last season, the Javelinas started three quarterbacks:

Kolten Thigpen, David Garza and Daniel Ramirez.Thigpen started two games and then was out for the

rest of the season after suffering a broken jaw against theWest Texas A&M Buffaloes.David Garza started eight games and threw for 1,410

yards and 11 touchdowns. But a season-ending injury tohis knee had him out for the final game of the season.

Ramirez started just two games last year, but he stoodout in the final game of the season throwing for 272 yardsand four touchdowns.This season Ramirez will be the backup behind Billy

Garza.“We have so much depth at quarterback because it’s

such an important position,” Atterberry said.“That’s why it’s good to have backups with college

football experience.On his door, Atterberry’s schedule has a sentence on

the bottom that reads, “The opponents and sites havebeen set for the 2008 championship season. Prepare towin.”“I’ve got a lot of confidence in this team,” Atterberry

said.“It takes a lot of work and everyone wants to win, but

there is a price to be paid to get it.”This season, the Javelinas will host five home games,

with the first game against the Central Oklahoma Bron-chos on Sept. 13.

Upshaw’s legacy felt at all levels

Atterberry optimistic in second season leading Javelinas

Timeline of Gene Upshawʼs Life and Career

Agugust 15, 1945: Born in Robstown

1963: Graduates from Robstown High School

1964: Joins Texas A&I Javelina football team

1967: Drafted in the first round of the American Foot-ball League draft by the Oakland Raiders

1968: Competes in Super Bowl II, the first of threeSuper Bowl appearances

1968: Earns his degree from Texas A&I

1977: Wins first Super Bowl (XI)

1981: Wins second Super Bowl championship (XV);becomes first player to play in a Super Bowl in threedifferent decades

1982: Retires from National Football League

1983: Named executive director of the National Foot-ball Leauge Playerʼs Association

1987: Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

Photo courtesy of Sports Information

Gene Upshaw in a publicity photo at Javelina Stadium during his days asan offensive lineman under coach Gil Steinke in the mid-1960’s.

BByy JJuuaann CCaarrllooss RReeyyeessTThhee SSoouutthh TTeexxaann

Clavens Charles / /e South TexanJavelina head coach Bo Atterberry, shown here at the Meet theJavelinas barbecue, feels good about his team’s chances on thefield this upcoming season. The Javelinas are picked to finishfifth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll. The teamopens the season on the road Thursday, Aug. 28, in NorthDakota against the Fighting Sioux.

2008 Javelina Home Football Schedule

Date Opponent TimeSeptember 13 Central Oklahoma 7 p.m.September 27 West Texas A&M* 7 p.m.October 11 A&M-Commerce* 7 p.m.October 18 Midwestern State* 7 p.m.November 1 Abilene Christian 7 p.m.

*denotes LSC South Division game

Team ready for big improvement with approach of new season

Robstown native, AMK alum succeeded in all endeavors he faced

Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com

Upshaw walks off the field in two Raider victories in his decade-and-a-half career with the team. While in the silver and black, Upshawappeared in 24 playoff games, starting in all 24, still second all-timefor playoff games started. Upshaw was also named to the All-Proteam five teams in his career.

“It is a sad day for theNFL, but Gene’s posi-tive impact andlegacy will love on fordecades to come.”

-Roger Goodell

Photo Courtesy of ESPN.comUpshaw gives a speech during his time as ex-ecutive director of the NFLPA. During his timeas head of the union, the NFL suffered theleast amount of labor strife of all four majorNorth American sports while becoming themost popular.

“Gene was a true pioneer as one of the few African Ameri-can leaders of a major union...Playing alongside of Genewas an honor and a privilege. He was a pillar of strengthand leadership for our great Raider teams.

-Art Shell

Photo Courtesy of ESPN.comUpshaw sits with his fellow Oakland lineman Henry Lawrence, #78, and Art Shell, #70, during a game. Upshaw and Shell formed one of the greatest guard-tackletandems in NFL history and have become linked forever in both Raider and NFLlore for their style of play.

“Gene Upshaw's careersuccesses as a profes-sional football playerand a union leader areunparalleled. He is asprominent a sportsmanas the world hasknown...We loved himand he loved us. Wewill miss him.”

-Al Davis