Jan. 31, 2019 by The East Texan

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Valentine’s Thoughts | Page 2 TAMUC’s #10YearChallenge | Page 5 Intramural Dodgeball Page 4

Women split spring games Page 8

Fueling El Fuego Todd Kleiboer Co-Editor Eloy Sanchez had always dreamed of owning his own boxing gym, and as of Jan. 21, he accomplished that dream by opening El Fuego Boxing Club in Cooper. “I’ve been coaching boxing since 2000,” Sanchez said. “I started off doing kickboxing back in the mid-90s.” Sanchez was introduced

to kickboxing after a grandmaster from a local kickboxing gym in Garland asked if he wanted to learn the art. “I was ranked number seven in Texas back in 1993, 1994 in kickboxing, but you can’t tell now,” Sanchez laughed. “I did that for four, five years, and I fought for the belt. I lost, but that’s okay.” After receiving two concussions during his time

kickboxing, Sanchez left the competitive world to coach first at Garland Police Boxing Gym and most recently at Texas Select Boxing in Garland. Both shaped how Sanchez wanted to operate his gym. “The Garland Police Boxing Gym made a program where they reached out to kids and showed them boxing

SEE EL FUEGO, PAGE 5

east texan photo | todd kleiboer Eloy Sanchez (left) watches as some young students take swings and jab at the punching bags.

Howling at the ‘super blood wolf moon’ Story on Page 4

Top: Earth’s shadow slowly swallowed the Moon until finally it shone a reddish or rusty color. Bottom Left: Red light bathed people and protected their night vision as they signed into the viewing. Well over 100 people turned out to the observatory, a surprise considering the freezing temperatures. Bottom Right: The total lunar eclipse lasted for about an hour until its signature red color faded away. TOP photo courtesy | cristo sanchez BL photo courtesy | kent montgomery BR east texan photo | todd kleiboer

Budget, civil rights, elections set first SGA agenda TAMUC Headcount (Certified Enrollment) 15000 12000 9000 6000 3000 0

Fall Fall Fall Fall Fall 2018 2014 2015 2016 2017 11,490 12,302 12,385 12,488 12,072

Todd Kleiboer Co-Editor The university budget, civil rights rules, and election board candidates were on the agenda at the first Student Government Association spring meeting Jan. 23. Vice President for Business and Administration Alicia Currin and Chief Budget Officer Tina Livingston gave the presentation of the A&MCommerce budget, fiscal year

ending in August 2019. Revenue totaled $187 million net or $213 million gross. Major sources included tuition and fees, which accounted for 45% or $95 million gross, state appropriations (25% or $53 million), student financial assistance such as the FAFSA or TAFSA (11% or about $23 million), and sales and services such as RLL or sport venues (10% or a little over $21 million).

Based on declining enrollment from 12,488 to 12,072 between the fall of 2017 and 2018, tuition and fees were projected to remain flat, according to Livingston, and a small decline in enrollment could mark millions of dollars lost for TAMUC. This would force another rethinking of the budget. “It’s about the balancing the budget and balancing our

SEE MEETING, PAGE 3

OPINION

PAGE 2

Valentine’s Day mythology

It’s more complicated than that

Feminism and connections to politics, “The Bachelor”

Meagan Hullet Contributor

Brianna Patt Web Editor Gloria Steinem once said, “A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of men and women.” That statement is my truth; my brand of feminism. I don’t subscribe to the belief that men are inherently dangerous, or that simply being a woman means that I’m more intelligent and civilized than men. I believe in the concept of true equality, the recognition that men can be gentle and kind, and that women can be cruel and harsh, that gender doesn’t necessarily determine behavior or how you should be treated. Despite the steps that have been made towards a more egalitarian society, gender double standards still unfortunately impact us. If anyone wants to know why I perceive gender inequality as being a reality, look to the judgment of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Since her election, she’s been subject to judgment for being too idealistic, for being too young, for her clothes, for a student film she made in college. She’s been criticized for the most inconsequential actions. I sincerely wish that this wasn’t because of her gender, and that her policies are what people are against, but the extent of the judgment she’s received shows something else. It points to this trend of judgment and media coverage depending on gender, not a person’s views. To be clear, I am not denying

Valentine’s Day is a holiday centered around the theme of love. There are quotes, and cards, and TV Specials, yet what does Valentine’s Day actually stand for? There are traditions that we all know well and there are others that we may not. The more well known traditions surrounding the holiday include exchanging gifts with loved ones. These traditions are adopted by people of all ages. School children often exchange cards and candies with one another on Valentine’s Day, young adults give their significant others gifts and adults go to a romantic dinner and maybe see a romantic movie. Yet the traditions that are not as wellknown are the most fascinating. Traditions of Valentine’s Day are spread far and wide throughout our world. The images and symbols of the holiday hold meanings that can be found in the most interesting places. Take the image of Cupid for example; in the Roman mythology, Cupid was the god of the passionate love. Being the son of Venus, the goddess

photo courtesy| pexels

that Alexandria OcasioCortez has been wrong in some of her statements or that she’s never right. I am however disputing that the treatment of her is the same treatment any male politician her age would receive. Female politicians aren’t the only victims to a society of double standards, it impacts men as well. The recent judgment of “The Bachelor” star Colton Underwood points to a society that still holds people to different, but equally silly standards. Colton has stated that he is a virgin, which has become a point of novelty, the source of bad jokes. But, why? Waiting to have sex can be for a religious purpose, or because that person isn’t ready for sex yet. So why is it so odd to see this take place? Why is masculinity associated with being crude, abrasive, watching porn and an obsession with sex? This doesn’t make me angry, it doesn’t make me want to participate in a protest, it just confuses me. The box that I got put into for thinking this way or just for calling myself a

JAN. 31, 2019

feminist outrages me. It could be argued that, if my ideas are based in the concept of equality, why not just call myself an egalitarian. Well, because both feminism and egalitarian hold the same definition, so it doesn’t really make a difference to me. As for the accusation that all feminists just want to get rid of men, that’s crap. I am all for the empowerment of other women in all professions and in all ways, but I also think that men are valuable. I just don’t buy that only women can be gentle, or that men must be tough. I believe that masculinity and femininity can exist in one being regardless of biological sex, that the extent of how far on that scale someone is can sometimes depend on that individual. I don’t think that a man being masculine is a problem, but the idea that harassment and misogyny are a part of “boys being boys,” is ridiculous. I’m not a feminist because I want to play the victim or wipe anyone out, I just want people to acknowledge sexism when they see it take place.

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From the Middle Ages to the over-commercialization of the holiday

Valentine’s Day has been celebrated on Feb. 14 since the end of the 5th century when Pope Gelasius declared it St. Valentine’s Day, but its romantic origins are shrouded in mystery. The Catholic Church recognizes three men as St. Valentine or Valentinus but there may only be two different men since one man may have been recognized twice. All three stories involve the man being martyred. The Roman festival of Lupercalia, celebrated on Feb. 15 may, or may not, be partially responsible for the date and/or the celebration of love. Valentine greetings became popular during the Middle Ages, 400-1400, when it was popularly thought Feb. 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season.

Written valentines appeared after 1400 with the oldest known valentine still in existence written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans. It consists of a poem to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt.

True love is an awesome expression of compassion that partners should express and experience throughout the year. I fail to see any resemblance of our modern celebration of love to these possible beginnings. Valentine’s Day ranks second only to Christmas in

the quantity of greeting cards sent, according to the Greeting Card Association, with women purchasing 85 percent of valentines. I think the day has become over-commercialized. Individuals seem to think that their expression of love requires purchases, the more the better. Valentine’s Day has become a competition between partners about who has spent more money and therefore loves the other one more. This leaves us with one day a year when money spent on cards, gifts, and meals becomes our true expression of love. The modern celebration might have nothing to do with the possible origins my research uncovered. Perhaps the day really started as a marketing ploy to get people to part with their hard-earned money. This makes sense of the celebration and the competition between partners

The East Texan, official student newspaper of Texas A&M University-Commerce, is published 4 times per semester during the Fall and Spring by students in reporting and editing classes. Content is solely the responsibility of the student editors and writers. The comments and views expressed in The East Texan do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of other students, staff, faculty, administration, or the Board of Trustees. The East Texan is located inside the Journalism building on the east side of campus in room 113. Single copies are available in Journalism 113 for an additional 25 cents. Letters to the editor are welcome and should be limited to 250 words. They will not be edited for spelling, grammar and libelous or malicious statements. We reserve the right to refuse publication. Letters should be typed or e-mailed and must include a signature, legal name, classification (grade level) and telephone number. Mailing address is The East Texan, P.O. Box 4104 Commerce, Texas 75428.

them in secret himself. After his death in 269 AD, St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers and in the Anglican and Lutheran churches, the guider of all young couples hoping to marry. While researching the story of St. Valentine, a quote by Father Frank O’Gara of Whitefriars Street Church in Dublin, Ireland stuck with me. “If Valentine were here today, he would say to married couples that there comes a time where you’re going to have to suffer. It’s not going to be easy to maintain your commitment and your vows in marriage. Don’t be surprised if the ‘gushing’ love that you have for someone changes to something less “gushing” but maybe much more mature. And the question is, is that young person ready for that?” Valentine’s Day as a holiday is surrounded by images and thoughts of love and romance. No matter what type of love that love may be, romantic, affectionate, or familial; Love lives on through Valentine’s Day and life, in this writer’s opinion, life needs love, no matter what form that love takes. Life needs Love.

photo courtesy| pexels

Valentine’s Day through the ages John Parsons Staff Reporter

of love, his image made a great connection to the holiday surrounded by romance. Another interesting connection for Cupid to this holiday is that the quiver of arrows and bow that he carries was believed to make those pierced by one of his arrows fall in love, thus he became a symbol of the holiday. Other places where the holiday connect with our world would be in both the Anglican and Lutheran church. Before the title was shortened to “Valentine’s Day” it was fully known as St. Valentine’s Day. As the story goes, St. Valentine lived during the time of the Roman emperor Claudias as a Roman Priest. Emperor Claudias had sent out an edict saying that no younger men could marry because he thought that unmarried men would fight better in his army. Though the Roman belief system allowed polygamy, some of the population seemed to be drawn to the Christian faith. These souls valued the sanctity of a marriage between one man and one woman, yet the law stated that they could not marry. Valentine not only encouraged these couples to want to marry, he married

to outspend each other in the unnecessary pursuit of the title “lover supreme” that can harm the relationship. After all, who wants to end up in second place in a contest of who loves whom more? What should individuals not in a relationship do; stay home, hide, pretend they do not care? There is nothing wrong with being single and unattached. Love is not a popularity contest. Love is the ultimate gift of one’s self we choose to share with another person. Love does not require the purchase of a card, candy, meal, or sexy lingerie on one day of the year. True love is an awesome expression of compassion that partners should express and experience throughout the year. This is healthier for the relationship and easier on the budget.

The East Tex an Established 1915

TODD KLEIBOER | CHRISTIAN ALEMAN

CO-EDITORS JOSEPH MILLER CRISTHIAN HERRERA OPINION EDITOR NEWS EDITOR TYLER MCDONOUGH SENIOR SPORTS REPORTER

BRIANNA PATT WEB EDITOR

Stop by one of our meetings! Thursday afternoons 4 p.m. in JOUR 113 We’re looking for: Writers Photographers Social media gurus Videographers Designers

FRED STEWART FACULTY ADVISER

fred_stewart@tamu-commerce.edu

theeasttexan@gmail.com

NEWS

JAN. 31, 2019

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Commerce construction nears completion Joseph Miller Opinion Editor The sidewalks along Maple Street and the south side of Live Oak Street in Commerce near completion. The sidewalks along the streets came from a grant in 2015, but the project was held and extended until a plan could be done with Toole Design Group (TDG). TDG was the design group behind the redesign of Sulphur Springs’ downtown square. TDG in partnership with A&M-Commerce put together a plan that is part of the Reimagine Commerce project and changing the city as a whole. The construction process experienced various hiccups

and setbacks along the way, as staffing and weather issues have caused delays. All of the demolition for the construction was done upfront, and all of the construction happened on Maple Street first. This caused Live Oak Street to lay fallow and await work while citizens wondered at the status. “Construction projects are always painful from a community standpoint. You are always in the way and interrupting business, but the contractor has done a good job at making sure that people have adequate access.” Commerce City Manager Darrek Ferrell said. Ferrell said that the new five-foot sidewalks, while being

compliant with the American with Disabilities Act, will increase the walkability of Commerce. Along with improving the sidewalks, the City of Commerce is trying to improve the quality of structures in the city. Over the past three years the city has torn down almost 300 substandard, vacant houses. “One really important aspect and battle we have been fighting as a city is making sure that the properties that students use to live off campus and rent are safe, clean and healthy.” Ferrell said. Ferrell said that the city knows that there are structures that are not up to standard. The city implemented a building standards commission and residential safety inspection to

help with this problem. Some landlords use loopholes in the system and offer to pay utilities to circumvent the process. “It is important for students to know before they movie in to make sure their residential safety inspection is done, even if they [proprietor] are offering to pay the utilities.” Ferrell said. Construction on the sidewalks is contracted to finish on March 14, and the plan is to focus next on internal streets and infrastructure. Ferrell said there may potentially be conversions between the city and the university about turning over some city streets where the university owns both sides of the street.

photo courtesy

| trianglereva via flickr

An image of a construction barrier put into place.

A look inside the city budget for 2018-19 City of Commerce Revenue FY 2019 Sales Tax $973,000 Other $2,427,059

Property Tax $1,899,437

Total Revenue: $5,276,213 east texan infographics

| todd

City of Commerce Expenses FY 2019 Parks & Recreation $433,011

Ci ty $4 Ma 33 na ,43 ge 9 r Gov ern me $53 ntal A 3,50 ffair s 0

Public Works $725,674

Police $1,462,962

Fire/Emergency Services Other $995,977 $952,491

Total Expenses: $5,536,964* The beginning balance of FY 2019 was $1,797,548

kleiboer

Meeting continued from page

priorities,” Livingston said. A decline in graduate enrollment would be particularly painful for the university because of the formula funding that Texas uses in higher education. In essence, universities are granted more money per graduate student than per undergraduate student. According to Dean of Student Dr. Thomas Newsom, “it could take six undergrads to match one grad student.” In an effort to increase retention to keep enrollment steady, TAMUC is looking at making the business side of education more studentfriendly and navigable by, according to Dr. Newsom, possibly employing a thirdparty company to offer 24/7 support. To increase graduate enrollment, an effort to provide more research opportunities may be made by the university according to Dr. Newsom. “We have to find a

happy medium between undergraduate and graduate enrollment,” Dr. Newsom said. After the budget presentation, Governance Associate James Vanbebber from the University Compliance Office detailed changes in the civil rights rules pertaining to the university. According to Vanbebber, the Texas A&M System had merged the rules of Title VI, VII, IX, and ADA into one, and TAMUC had to follow suit but with a few changes of their own. Vanbebber also noted that the system put into place “mandatory minimums” which the university adopted. This applies to students who are found responsible for violent sex acts, and they are suspended for one year from the campus. When they return, the student can no longer be a student leader on campus. After Vanbebber finished, the four election board

candidates, Karria Thurmon, Kelvin Hayes, Josh Vernon, and Addison Jones, stepped up to give their reasons on why they are capable on serving on the board. Thurmon relied on her previous experience in SGA as a senator serving during an election cycle. Hayes, a Regents Scholar, said that his outsider perspective would keep his decisions bias-free. Vernon, a current freshman senator, said that his work in SGA would allow him to run the election smoothly, and Jones, current SGA president who steps down in May, said that her two years in SGA and the fact that she had seen the election cycle from a candidate’s view would be of great help to the election board. After a lengthy deliberation, SGA, with Vernon and Jones recused, rejected Thurmon’s bid 1-13, Hayes’s bid 2-12, and Vernon’s bid 5-9. Jones was named to the board 11-3.

TAMUC FY 2019 Revenue Budget Total: $187,000,000 Other (4%) Higher Education Fund (5%) Sales and Services 10% Student Financial 11% Assistance

State Appropriations 25% east texan infographic

| todd

kleiboer

Tuition and Fees 45%

CAMPUS

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JAN. 31, 2019

Lions dodge, duck, dip, and dive

east texan photos

| john parsons

The intramural dodgeball tournament was held Jan. 22 and 23 in the Morris Recreation Center, and team Pike Exec and Friends were crowned the champions of the tournament.

Looking Back

A&M-Commerce observatory holds Snippets from the past lunar eclipse viewing for public Compiled by Todd Kleiboer

Ten Years Ago… “New director knighted” – Caleb Slinkard Accepting the position of program director at KETR was really a homecoming for Jerrod Knight. A native of Wolfe City, Knight grew up in Hunt County and graduated from the radio/ television program at Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2005. Knight’s connection to the university is strong. His mother works at A&MCommerce, and he held position on the housing maintenance team for three summers before attending the college. Knight worked with KETR as a student and the student radio station at A&MCommerce as well. “I love the fresh feel that A&M-Commerce has now,” Knight said. “The campus I walk now is not the same as the one I attended.” Twenty Years Ago… “Sign in Greenville offers pain and pride” – LaShawna Hill Can’t we all just…agree to disagree? A discussion of the various interpretations looming over the sign that hung across downtown Lee Street back in 1921 will require civility and objectivity of all Greenville citizens. The sign –“BLACKEST LAND – WHITEST PEOPLE”— and the quest for its most accurate translation could possibly create a definite racial divide amongst blacks and whites who live in Greenville. It is fair to me to share the fact that most of the blacks that I have talked to concerning the sign (including myself) find the sign to be racially offensive. Thirty Years Ago…

“Faculty Tenure” – Dante Ang Professors could be communists, advocates for apartheid, or radical conservatives at most American universities, including at East Texas State University, and be protected from being fired. Faculty tenure allows teachers freedom to express different views, even if they are unpopular. Tenure, however, is more than a soap box for philosophical discussion. It may also guarantee lifetime employment. Controversies about tenure don’t loom over the guarantee of academic freedom, which many contend is its primary purpose. Debates heat up on the by-product of the tenure deal – lifetime job security. Forty Years Ago… “Enrollment figures drop by 5.27 percent” Preliminary 12th class day enrollment dropped 5.27 percent from last spring to this spring. Fred Russell, director, Records Office, said. Total enrollment decreased to 8,685 students this semester. “This is preliminary enrollment,” Russel pointed out. “Even though this is after the 12th class day, there may some adjustments to individual classes. “It appears that we’re gaining more part-time students at the graduate level, therefore our overall enrollment in terms of full-time students hasn’t gained proportionally,” he said. Fifty Years Ago… “Commerce Street Improvements To Eliminate Oiled Dirt Use” – Drenda Williams The Commerce streets are going to be improved. Streets are going to be paved; repairs on presently paved streets are going to be made.

Todd Kleiboer Co-Editor Well over 100 people gathered at the A&MCommerce Observatory and withstood the cold to witness a total lunar eclipse, or “super blood wolf moon”, Jan. 20. “The turnout was a lot more than we expected,” Dr. Kurtis Williams, astronomy professor and attendee, said. “We thought the cold weather would keep many people away, but it didn’t.” A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow, blocking the sunlight that normally lights up its surface. Any light reaching the Earth’s atmosphere would

then be scattered, but red light manages to break through, creating a lunar eclipse’s signature reddish color. “As light from the Sun goes through Earth’s atmosphere, it gets bent, and red light has the easiest time going through Earth’s atmosphere,” Dr. Williams said. “If you were on the Moon looking back at the Earth during an eclipse, you’d be seeing every single sunrise and sunset at the same time, and since sunrise and sunset have an orange light, that colors the Moon orange.” Telescopes and binoculars set up around the observatory allowed attendees to get a closer look at the “super blood wolf moon”, the unofficial name

given to it by the public. The “blood” part comes from the red tinge. “This moon is sometimes referred to as a ‘super moon’ because as the Moon goes around the Earth, sometimes it’s slightly closer to Earth, sometimes slightly further away, and when it’s slightly closer, it looks larger,” Dr. Williams said, and he noted that the size difference is not significant. “Every moon during a calendar year has names assigned by ancient people or other cultures, and the first full moon of the year in some stories – I’m not sure which culture – is called the wolf moon,” Dr. Williams said. While this lunar eclipse

may have a first for some, that was the case for every attendee. Chase Miller, a TAMUC student, said even though this was not his first time observing an eclipse, it was his first time to observe an eclipse without outside interference. “The last time I watched an eclipse was in a very light polluted area,” Miller said. “Coming out here to the middle of nowhere basically, you get a much crisper view.” Miller encouraged others to experience a lunar eclipse, calling it “something you don’t see every day.” The next lunar eclipse that will be visible in Texas will occur May 26, 2021 in the early morning hours.

Free community dinner - 6 p.m. Sundays The Light contemporary worship service at 6:30 p.m. 1504 Lee St. Commerce, TX Between Los Mochis and Prairie Crossing

FEATURES

JAN. 31, 2019

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Students volunteer for MLK Day Joseph Miller Opinion Editor Sixteen students with A&M-Commerce’s Leadership Engagement and Development (L.E.A.D.) program went to Dallas on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to volunteer and reflect on the extraordinary leader. The program’s first MLK Day event began with the volunteers teaming up with FeedtheStreetz Outreach to serve the community of Dallas. The volunteers split into groups to feed the homeless and community and pass

out blessing bags that were comprised of donations from the A&M-Commerce community. “There was a group that was participating in the MLK Day Parade with FeedtheStreetz, and the parade hadn’t started yet, so a lot of the students got to be in the parade as well.” Assistant Director of L.E.A.D. Katy Williams said. The students concluded their service with lunch where they discussed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and read excerpts from his writings and speeches. “We talked about why Dr. King wrote or said what he

did and why it was important to give some context, and then read the excerpts.” Williams said. “Then the students opened a dialogue.” Williams said that based on the student evaluations of the event that the student volunteers enjoyed the component of reflecting on Dr. King, reading the excepts, and having a following dialogue. “I’m glad it was more than volunteering because the conversations were necessary,” one student evaluation said. Some of the student volunteers were from the area

and were able to offer unique insight and share experiences and reflections on growing up in the area and share with those unfamiliar. Williams said that the outlook for an event on next year’s MLK Day is looking good and that the students would like to do a community panel and would like to get out in front of the A&M-Commerce community more. L.E.A.D.’s next big planned event is Alternative Spring Break, where student volunteers will spend five days helping the community in Memphis, Tenn.

photos courtesy | katy williams A&M-Commerce students gave out food for the homeless and passed out blessing bags made from community donations.

A&M-Commerce’s #10YearChallenge

Then

Now

photos courtesy | tamuc marketing communications Top: A photo of Berry Hall from 2009. Bottom: A photo from the Student Center from 2009.

east texan photos | jennifer bussey Top: A photo of Berry Hall from 2019. Bottom: A photo from the Student Center from 2019.

El Fuego continued from page

skills,” Sanchez said. “At Texas Select, I was helping the lady running it, and I saw the way she was running her business, and I thought that if I ever get something like this, that’s the way I want to run it.” Sanchez moved to Cooper about a year ago and took a job at the Oaklawn cemetery, and he joined the Three Rusty Nails Church and plays in their band as a drummer. According to Sanchez, he was “trying to make living.” “It was in my heart to do something like this, but I didn’t think about doing it until a gym I’d worked for out there in Garland said I should start a gym in Cooper,” Sanchez said. “That was two months after we’d moved over here.” Sanchez said he talked about opening a boxing gym with some people in Cooper, including Mayor Darren Braddy, and had good reactions from them, and that set him on the path toward opening El Fuego Boxing Club. “I was talking to people, and they would say that, yeah, people need something like

this,” Sanchez said. “I had a building before, but it didn’t pass inspection. That bummed me out a little.” However, Sanchez soon rebounded and followed a suggestion that he hold practice in the city park. Sanchez said he would hang his punching bag out there and spread the word as much as he could out to people by using social media or word of mouth. After a while, another opportunity came up. “I talked with Carmen Chessher, and she said that she might have a place for me,” Sanchez said. “We shook hands on it, and they finished construction here in about October, November.” Other Delta County residents helped get El Fuego off its feet. Henry Erwin helped to set up the frame that the punching bags hang from, and Randy Morris of Ben Franklin donated the sign that now sits above the door to the gym. “A week before Christmas, Randy called me and said it was ready and wanted to drop it off at the gym and help me put it up,” Sanchez said. “We

unloaded it and put it up, and he started talking to me, said how he loves what I’m doing reaching out to kids. I told that I didn’t have the money right then, and he said, don’t worry about. This is my Christmas present to you.” Hollie Roberts runs a health and dieting program in El Fuego Boxing Club, and Lauren Casey of Cooper teaches boxing to women and holds women-only lesson for those that may feel more comfortable with a female instructor. “I was just driving by one day and saw the sign,” Casey said. “I had been in boxing, and I thought about getting back into it. I came up here and asked Eloy, and he said I could help.” Sanchez said that he is willing to work with anyone enthusiastic about learning the art of boxing. To learn more about El Fuego Boxing Club, contact them through Facebook, find them at 151 W. Dallas Ave. across from the Delta County Courthouse, or call Sanchez at (214) 881-2246.

east texan photo

| todd kleiboer

A student of Sanchez jabs at one of the four punching bags set up in El Fuego Boxing Club.

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ENTERTAINMENT

JAN. 31, 2019

Michael Newhouse returns to alma mater Michael Newhouse, an alumnus of A&M-Commerce, returned to campus for the reception at the Art Buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gallery where his work is currently on display. As a graphic designer running his own business in Bozeman, Montana, Newhouse creates mostly infographics and logos for other businesses that request his services. They range from the serious to the lighthearted, and Newhouse happily explained the stories behind his favorite or most unique works.

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JAN. 31, 2019

finalscore

hotshot

TAMUC Lady Lions set the LSC Women’s basketball season high for point total against Dallas Christian on December 29, 2018.

A&M-Commerce Reggie Reid’s 13 assists set the LSC game high mark on January 19, 2019.

128-33

Gaines makes historic heave count

Photo Courtesy / msumustangs.com

Trey Reed / MSU Athletic Communications Midwestern State freshman thrower Skyler Gaines set the standard in her first collegiate competition Saturday with the Mustangs splitting squads between the Central Oklahoma Open and Pittsburg State Invitational. Gaines’ historic heave of 41 feet, 5 inches in the shot put is the first for an MSU Texas student-athlete in indoor competition and placing her second in the UCO Open at the University of Oklahoma’s Mosier Indoor Track Facility. The distance would have been the sixth best in the

Lone Star Conference coming into the week and is just short of the NCAA Division II provisional mark of 44 feet and 8 inches. Only former NAIA AllAmerican Amy Estes owns better shot put performances including the school’s best outdoor mark of 45 feet, 1 inch set at the Tarleton Relays in 1992. Fellow thrower Hannah Ponder topped her previous best mark in the weight throw to take 15th overall in the UCO Open with a new school record of 38 feet, 4 3/4 inches. Sophomore Michelle Estrada boasted by the best

overall track finish of the take claiming fifth in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 11:15.85 followed by junior Mercy Yermo (11:33.52, 7th), senior Michelle Rieves (11:33.96, 9th), senior Sabrina DeSantiago (11:56.78, 12th) and freshman Katy Pfile (11:56.82/14th). Freshman Olivia Johnson claimed sixth in the 800-meter dash with a time of 2:32.00 followed by junior Maria Puente (2:37.99, 20th) and freshman Alexandra Feller (2:44.85). Puente led all efforts in the 1-mile run taking 11th with a time of 5:38.52 trailed

by Estrada (5:44.30/17th), Yermo (5:49.94/23rd), Johnson (5:51.10/25th), Pfile (5:56.74/30th), Rieves (5:57.92/32nd), DeSantiago (6:00.97/33rd), senior Kylee Gorney (6:01.34/34th) and Feller (6:07.77/40th). Junior Gemma Gonzalez finished 13th in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:05.65 and was joined by Puente, Johnson and junior Bridget Reilly in the 4x400-meter relay finishing 14th with a time of 4:30.77. Junior Sierra Stucky set a pair of personal bests at the Pittsburg State Invitational taking 13th in the

5,000-meter run (19:05.69) and 27th in the 1-mile run (5:28.85) at the Robert W. Plaster Center. Junior Jasmine Amo also claimed a pair of top times placing 27th in the 3,000-meter run (10:57.82) and 38th in the 800-meter dash (2:32.64). Senior April Pena finished 44th in the 400-meter dash (1:01.91) and 54th in the 200-meter dash (26.62). Midwestern State competes in the Lone Star Conference Indoor Championships on Feb. 16-17 at Texas Tech’s Sports Performance Center in Lubbock.

MSU Wins NCAA DII Award Of Excellence

Schedules Womens BB

January 31 TAMUC at TAMUK Tarleton State at Angelo State West Texas A&M at Midwestern State Eastern New Mexico at Cameron Texas Woman’s at UT Permian Basin February 2 West Texas A&M at Cameron Eastern New Mexico at Midwestern State TAMUC at Angelo State Tarleton State at TAMUK Texas Woman’s at Western New Mexico February 5 Angelo State at TAMUK February 7 Cameron at TAMUC Western New Mexico at West Texas A&M Midwestern State at Tarleton State UT Permian Basin at Eastern New Mexico TAMUK at Texas Woman’s February 9 UT Permian Basin at West Texas A&M Western New Mexico at Eastern New Mexico Midwestern State at TAMUC Angelo State at Texas Woman’s Cameron at Tarleton February 12 TAMUC at Tarleton State February 14 Cameron at UT Permian Basin Angelo State at West Texas A&M TAMUK at Eastern New Mexico Midwestern State at Western New Mexico TAMUC at Texas Woman’s February 16 TAMUK at West Texas A&M Midwestern State at UT Permian Basin Angelo State at Eastern New Mexico Cameron at Western New Mexico Tarleton State at Texas Woman’s

Mens BB

Photo Courtesy / lonestarconference.org

Courtesy of MSU Athletic Communications NCAA Division II presented Midwestern State with the 2019 Award of Excellence Saturday at the annual NCAA Convention. The Award of Excellence is an accolade recognizing campus and community engagement initiatives take on the in the past year. Division II honors its members each year for conducing events that

Softball

exemplify any of the six Division II attributes which include learning, balance, resourcefulness, sportsmanship, passing and service. The MSU Texas Athletics community spent a week honoring late student-athlete Robert Gray. Each athletic team completed various acts of kindness in Robert’s honor on the one-year anniversary of his death. A committee of athletics administrators determined

this year’s finalists, while the national Division II StudentAthlete Advisory Committee selected the winner. Midwestern State received $1,500 and a football game or a basketball doubleheader featured during the 201920 regular season media agreement. The first runnerup received $1,250, while the second runner-up received $1,000 and each finalist earned $500. All prize money is intended for future community

Standings

Women’s Basketball

engagement events. The 2019 finalists included: UC-San Diego (Adopt-AFamily); Goldey-Beacom (Veterans of the Summit); Barton (Team IMPACT); Roberts Wesleyan (King for a Day); Arkansas Tech (Tech-O-Ween/Tucker Treat); Michigan Tech (Copper Country Strong); Great Lakes Valley Conference (Someone to Listen); Walsh (Swipe to Give Back); Simon Fraser (Red Night Carnival); Montevallo

Men’s Basketball

(Halloween Spooktacular); Rogers State (Partner in Education); Missouri Western (Big Game); Virginia at Wise (Athletics Shoebox Packing Party); Pace (Pride Hoops Night); Southwest Minnesota State (Hy-Vee KidsFit); Georgia College (Tailgate Tour); Gannon (Friday Night Lights); Regis/Colorado School of Mines (Team IMPACT Christmas Carnival); Coker (Food Recovery Network).

Baseball

January 31 UT Permian Basin at Western New Mexico TAMUC at TAMUK Tarleton State at Angelo State West Texas A&M at Midwestern State Eastern New Mexico at Cameron February 2 West Texas A&M at Cameron Eastern New Mexico at Midwestern State TAMUC at Angelo State Tarleton State at TAMUK February 6 TAMUK at Texas A&M International February 7 Cameron at TAMUC Western New Mexico at West Texas A&M Midwestern State at Tarleton State UT Permian Basin at Eastern New Mexico February 9 UT Permian Basin at West Texas A&M Western New Mexico at Eastern New Mexico Midwestern State at TAMUC TAMUK at Angelo State Cameron at Tarleton February 14 TAMUC at Tarleton State Cameron at UT Permian Basin Angelo State at West Texas A&M TAMUK at Eastern New Mexico Midwestern State at Western New Mexico

For all sports sechedules visit lonestarconference.org

PAGE 8 Men’s Basketball

SPORTS

JAN. 31, 2019

Men rebound from offensive struggles Tyler McDonough Sports Editor

Reggie Reid (#1) Senior Guard from Harlem, Ga. Last 3 Games: 19 rebounds 23 assists 58 points 2018-19 so far: 16.1 PPG 4.9 rebounds per game 2017-18 season: 16.1 PPG 4 rebounds per game

With the new semester upon them, the Texas A&M University-Commerce men’s basketball team continues its quest for a Lone Star Conference championship. The A&M-Commerce Lions defeated the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds 11299 on the road in Portales, NM Jan. 19 in one of the strangest games ever seen at the Division II level (or even at any level). The Lions found themselves down big early on in the first half and were down as many as 19 points in that half. At the 11:57 minute mark, a scuffle broke out between A&M-Commerce and Eastern New Mexico, which lead to all but four Eastern New Mexico players being ejected after the Greyhounds had a majority of their bench enter the playing surface when the rule states players cannot step foot on the court during an altercation. With ENMU with only having four players, A&M-Commerce climbed and clawed their way back into the matchup and tied the score at 53 going into the break. Both teams traded baskets to start the second half, but ENMU slowly tired. The

Lions began to pull away as Willie Rooks torched the Greyhounds in the second half with 6 threes. Reggie Reid also recorded the first triple-double this season by any LSC player as he recorded 16 points, 13 assists, and 12 rebounds. Following the unusual game at ENMU, the Lions proceeded to travel back home to host the Mustangs of Western New Mexico at the fieldhouse Jan. 24. A game in which the Lions fell 74-73 in overtime. “This is a tough pill to swallow. We just didn’t play well. That is the worst offensive outing we have had. I don’t think it had anything to do with the shots we took, we just didn’t make shots. And we weren’t good enough defensively. We forced 22 turnovers, which helped a bunch and kept us in the game,” Head Coach Jaret Von Rosenburg said in an interview with Charlie Chitwood. “But we weren’t good enough defensively to withstand the woes we had shooting the basketball. They just played a little bit better than we did tonight. We give Western New Mexico a lot of credit for this one. We will bounce back. We are a resilient group with a lot of seniors.” Reggie Reid and Willie Rooks once

again led the Lions in the Tarleton matchup, both tallying 19 points. Reid led the way with 3 assists, and Rooks pulled down 9 rebounds. The Lions bounced back Jan. 26 as they defeated UT-Permian Basin 85-78 in a hard-fought win at the fieldhouse. Both teams traded baskets early on as there were 8 lead changes and seven ties in the first half. UTPB took a five-point lead late in the half, but Lions cut into that and trailed 39-37 going into halftime. The Lions shot 38 percent from three in the half, led by Reggie Reid who knocked down 5 threes for 15 points. After continues runs by both teams to start the second half, the Lions eventually took the lead at the 7:15 mark and never trailed again. UTPB never gave in as they cut a Lion lead from seven to four late in the second half, but the Lions defense clamped down late in the game as free throws sealed the victory for A&M-Commerce. The Lions find themselves sitting in second place with a 15-4 (7-2 LSC) record. A&M-Commerce will be back in action Jan. 31 as they travel to take on the A&MKingsville Javelinas at the Steinke Center.

east texan photo | joseph miller Deonta Terrell (21) and Srdan Budimir (4) outstretch their arms to block a shot from a UT-PB player.

Women’s Basketball

Women split four games, sit at fourth in LSC Jordan Ader Sports Reporter Texas A&M-Commerce women’s basketball began the spring semester 2-2 as they reached the halfway point in Lone Star Conference competition. The Lions started with two losses on a long road trip, visiting No. 14 West Texas A&M on Jan. 17 and Eastern New Mexico Jan. 19. They lost both games by 11, 81-70 to West Texas A&M and 90-79 to Eastern New Mexico. A&M-Commerce returned home for a 73-60 win over Western New Mexico Jan. 24 that lifted head coach Jason Burton into sole possession of fourth place in Lion history for games coached. The Lions carried that momentum into a resounding 92-58 home victory over UT-Permian Basin Jan. 26. Lion guard Princess Davis, a redshirt senior from Shreveport, Louisiana, led the team with 57 points and 22 assists in the four games. She became the school leader in games started and is only 86 points away from tying Artaejah Gay for third-most in program history. Forward Ekaterina Zhibareva grabbed

a team-high 31 rebounds and added 34 points while shooting 10-23 from the field. Against Western New Mexico, she had a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double on 83 percent shooting overall. Against West Texas A&M, the Lions had a rough night from the field as they only shot 38 percent overall and missed 13 free throws. However, they were not going down without a fight; down 24 in the fourth quarter, the Lions put together a run that cut the lead to 10 points, but ultimately fell short. The shooting woes continued for the Lions against Eastern New Mexico, making less than 30 percent of their shots. A&M-Commerce’s defense kept them in the game, scoring 21 points off 19 forced turnovers. Both teams started cold, but the Lions shot nearly 50 percent from the floor in the second half against Western New Mexico to bounce back from their tough road trip. Davis made the most of her school-record 102nd start with 18 points, six assists, and four rebounds, and Zhibareva earned her first double-double of the season. Guard Mykiel Burleson scored 21 points, a season-high, to fuel the Lions

past UT-Permian Basin, a game in which A&M-Commerce led from start to finish. Davis put in another great game with 14 points and 10 assists for her second doubledouble of the season. A&M-Commerce is now 12-6 overall and 7-3 in conference competition, good enough for the fourth spot in the Lone Star Conference standings. They stand one game behind West Texas A&M and Eastern New Mexico for second place, and only two games back from first-place Angelo State. A&M-Commerce faces another twogame road trip, this time traveling to A&MKingsville Jan. 31 and Angelo State Feb. 2. The Lions played both teams at home in the first half of conference play; they lost to Angelo State 70-64 Nov. 29 but hammered A&M-Kingsville 87-38 Dec. 1. A&M-Commerce lost their step early in the fourth quarter of their loss against No. 19 Angelo State, but still showed they had what it takes to beat the top team in the Lone Star Conference. The Lions had A&M-Kingsville in a vice grip when the teams first met, but Burton says the Javelinas have been playing well as of late and will be seeking revenge on their home court.

Maddison Glass (#4) Junior Guard from Missouri City, Texas Last 4 Games: 10 rebounds 7 assists 28 points

east texan photo | joseph miller Princess Davis (12) floats one over the top of UT-PB defenders and would finish with 14 points.

2018-19 so far: 3.2 rebounds per game .362 FG%