The Prospector 04 02 2024

Fine tuning festival planning

My experience with music festivals has been slim, for example, the Crossroads Guitar Festival was one I had been wanting to go to since I first learned about it ten years ago and it was one of my best experiences to date.

I’ve never been to a music festival, and the 2023 Crossroads Guitar Festival was a good first. Featuring artists like Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, and John Mayer, it proved to be a memorable experience as I not only saw my favorite artists, but it taught me many things about planning for a music festival in the future.

True music buffs know the origins of music festivals date back to the 1960s, although they were likely rooted in the traveling shows of the 1950s that featured major artists of the era. In some instances, The Chicago Times says these traveling shows gave artists their big breaks, bringing artists further popularity and fame in a time when YouTube and other social media platforms were nonexistent.

Three major music festivals of the 20th century stand apart from what has come before or since: the Newport Jazz Festival, the Monterey Pop Festival, and Woodstock. Some say these concerts stood as defining mo-

ments in the careers of artists like Jimi Hendrix and jump-started the careers of others like Carlos Santana.

Today, festivals like Austin City Limits, Coachella, and Lollapalooza are among the most popular music festivals, drawing large crowds every year with even larger headliners. These festivals have a combination of both new and old artists. The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Paul McCartney have both headlined Austin City Limits in recent years; Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and The Weeknd headlined Coachella two years ago. SZA and Blink-182 will be the 2024 Lollapalooza headliners.

Going to festivals is an exciting experience, especially when there are multiple stages to see with many different artists and genres. However, it is important to remember to stay safe and be aware of yourself and your surroundings.

Leaving with a plan is a major step in alleviating some of the stress that may come with going to a festival. Doing the research ahead of time can save you the headache of showing up and being unable to use certain bags or having difficulty finding parking.

Wearing comfortable clothing can also play a major role in your enjoyment of the festival, especially when it comes to footwear. Seating is not always guaranteed at festivals, so being prepared to stand for hours at a time is important for both comfort and minimizing the pain that can result from being on your feet.

The most important tip for festivals is to take care of yourself. Especially with outdoor festivals

where the sun is beaming down, hydration and sunscreen are crucial to keep the good times going. Both could have harmful effects on you, varying from light headaches to losing consciousness.

It is important to keep in mind that some of these festivals are the perfect places for thieves to take advantage as well. Keeping track of your belongings, including anything you may have purchased from the festival, is important so you don’t lose your festival essentials.

Keeping this in mind, going to a music festival takes planning; if you plan ahead and have a basic idea as to what to do, you can almost be guaranteed to have an enjoyable experience seeing your favorite artists.

Nicholas Maes is the sports editor and may be reached atnemaes@miners.utep.edu

Music Festival Checklist

Research the festival you want to go to.

Wear comfortable clothing and sunscreen.

Make sure to bring water and essentials.

Be determined and resilient, you will soon reach your ambitious goals.

Be innovative and visionary, be the inspiring change in the world.

Pisces Aries

Navigate life with compassion and continue manifesting your dreams.

Fearlessly embrace new beginnings and conquer challenges with passion.

Attract abundance effortlessly and trust in the flow of life.

Adapt easily and communicate with clarity and charm.

Trust your intuition and create loving harmony around yourself.

Shine brightly, inspiring others with your confidence and creativity.

Recognize your true potential and you will find happiness in life.

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Seek balance and harmony, fostering peace and understanding will get you far.

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Embrace life’s journey all while being adventurous and optimistic.

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COMIC BY MAYA ALVARADO

SPORTS

Jaguars Gold Club stripped down

Jaguars Gold Club, a well-known strip club on the east side has been permanently closed after a lawsuit was filed with the County Attorney’s Office. The club, located at 11377 Gateway Blvd W. received a temporary restraining order Feb. 22, from the City of El Paso due to suspicions and accusations of illegal activity.

The County Attorney’s Office filed a civil lawsuit Feb. 23 against RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc., and managers of the business Angel Richard “Ricco” Torres, Donnell Lee James, and Javier Diaz for allegedly violating the Sexually Oriented Business Ordinances under Title 5 of the city code.

According to city officials, over 25 alleged violations of the Sexually Oriented Business Ordinance were cited.

“These alleged violations include issues such as failure to have a business license, unauthorized sale of beer/alcohol, prostitution, illicit drug use, drug trafficking, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and more,” city officials said in a news release. El Paso and state investigators say they found evidence that the business had become a center for illegal activity. More than 750 calls to authorities were made from January 2018 to Dec. 31, 2023. These calls concerned reports of the discharge of firearms, prostitution, assault, drug delivery and more.

Hundreds of migrants breached the razor wire barrier alongside the Texas-Mexico border in El Paso March 21 in hopes of surrendering themselves to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents to get processed.

According to the El Paso Times, some migrants had been camping out for up to three days while the Texas National Guard patrolled the area.

As the migrants overcame the barrier Thursday morning, the National Guard was not able to hold them back. Migrants told El Paso Times that the National Guard soldiers were forcefully pushing them back behind the barbed wire which caused fights to break out between migrants and soldiers.

By the afternoon, the National Guard was able to get the situation under control and CBP moved all migrants from the site.

Following the breach, Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement on X, addressing the situation.

“About the surge of illegal immigrants in El Paso: The TX National Guard & Dept. of Public Safety quickly regained control & are redoubling the razor wire barriers. DPS is instructed to arrest every illegal immigrant involved for criminal trespass & destruction of property,” Abbott said.

Spectrum News 1 shared a statement from CBP as they addressed

a settlement agreement on March 19. A new business can open at the same location under strict restrictions set forth by the settlement. The business cannot use “Jaguars Gold Club,” or any variation of the name and cannot operate as a Sexually Oriented Business. In addition, any new business located at 11377 Gateway Blvd W. may not include the word “strip”

in advertisements or promotions. Before a new establishment opens, new owners must apply for a license or permit to sell and serve alcohol and the previous owners of the club will no longer be employed.

Increased security measures, lighting, and a mandatory closing time of 2:15 a.m. are required. Also, the company has to pay a $5,000 bond to the county and a $446 court fee before a new business opens, as stated by the 41st District Court documents.

Although concerns about the establishment were temporarily relieved, many El Paso community members are now worried about another club opening in place of Jaguars Gold Club.

how it would not have been possible to arrest the migrants before they breached the wire and how there must be consequences for such actions.

“There are consequences to crossing the border illegally, and CBP continues to enforce United States immigration laws. Individuals and families without a legal basis to remain in the U.S. are subject to removal and are subject to a minimum five-year bar on reapplying for admission and potential criminal prosecution if they subsequently re-enter without authorization,” CBP said.

U.S. Border Patrol continues to monitor the situation and has increased patrols in the area.

The breach comes amidst the ongoing border crisis with many of the migrants being from Venezuela and seeking asylum in the U.S. with The United Nations Refugee Agency reporting that 500,000 have reached the U.S. so far.

In a report released by the city of El Paso in 2022, the migrant crisis in El Paso began in 2018 with the surge starting August 2022 which saw up to 1,000 migrants released into the city per day. The city provides a Migrant Situational Awareness Dashboard which states that the daily community release is currently at 822 migrants and CBP has a daily average of 1,134 migrant encounters.

“I don’t think there’s a problem with stripping if that’s what a woman chooses to do with her body,”

Betty Kilcrease, an El Pasoan said.

“As long as the place is a licensed place, is following the rules and the law, and is not within school or family areas.”

Other El Pasoans said they aren’t surprised by the shutdown and only

hope for safer spaces for the public and the workers. “As someone who grew up around Jaguars being talked about by older role models, you realize that places that promote adult content often promote other illegal activities,” UTEP student Victor Ramos said. “Of course there will always be better alternatives to an entertainment bar, but I also understand

that it’s on the owner if they wish to steer in that direction. I would just wish that it becomes a place where people can be safe, and workers can be protected.”

As of now, the city has made no further comments regarding the opening of a new club in place of Jaguars.

Alyda Muela is a contributor and may be reached at armuela2@miners.utep.edu; @aly.rose.photos on Instagram.

Ongoing border crisis heightened after migrant breach

@ElPasoStreetcar

El Paso and state investigators found evidence that the Jaguars Gold Club had become a center for illegal

UP ‘ROAR’: City cuts ties with El Paso Zoological Society

The El Paso Zoo may be facing major changes in the upcoming months after the city’s decision to end its partnership with the El Paso Zoological Society. The city called it quits with the non-profit Feb 26., ending a partnership that has been active since 1963. The Zoo Society contributed towards the zoo including organizing events, education programs, and giving gross revenue of zoo memberships.

Family-friendly events such as “Rock-N-Roar,” “Wild at Heart,” and “Roaring Roulette” are a few examples of projects that were either partially or completely funded by the Zoo Society. Additionally, the Zoo Society helped with funding projects like the Digital X-Ray Equipment in the Clinic and the McKee Giraffe Shade Structure and more.

The Zoo Society is hopeful to have another contract with the city. On their website, the Zoo Society states that with the 60-year-long partnership, the city is not open to renegotiate with them.

“After realigning objectives, we look forward to working with the

City Manager to develop a new agreement and relationship,” the Zoo Society said. “(However) the Society has communicated honestly and openly with city leadership, expressing its interest and commitment to our zoo and community. So far, no success.”

Upon receiving the news that the contract ended by email Feb. 26, Zoological Society board president Pamela Agullo told media that the support the Zoo Society provides for the zoo cannot be handled by the city alone.

“Over the last seven years, we’ve provided over ten million dollars in support in addition to the 25 percent memberships revenue that we hand over to the zoo as a support fund,” Agullo said. “There is no municipal zoo in the nation that operates without a nonprofit support entity. Because the city cannot withhold the financial burden that operating a zoo represents.”

The city and the Zoological Society’s contract had been up in air since December 2022. After extensions, the city decided to end the contract in late February. In the email, Agullo said the Zoological Society had until March 17 to leave the vicinity.

However, in response to the uproar, Deputy City Manager Dionne Mack told the media that the contract between the city and the Zoological Society was not equally beneficial. Because the nonprofit receives most of the membership revenue, many city representatives agreed they would instead want the entire revenue. Mack says the contract ending was also partly due to the fact the Zoo Society failed to finish several projects.

“We are ending this contract because it isn’t one hundred percent

beneficial to the zoological society and city equally,” Mack said. “Per contract, in 2018, required (the Zoo Society) to raise $7.5 million dollars that was subsidy for our master plan. It was 11 projects, only four of those are complete.”

The city also conducted an audit, where several issues were found in the El Paso Zoological Society. According to CBS 4 local news some of those issues were the Zoo Society raised membership prices or offered discounts without approval from the zoo director. As well how the Zoo

Society failed to submit financial statements on time or did not over the years.

The contributions the nonprofit has to the zoo is undeniable by many, prompting many zoo-goers to question what the city will do in place of it. Big changes are bound to come to the zoo and in the future, because of the loss of funding from the Zoo Society. Soon, families will experience them, and deduce whether these changes are for the better or worse.

Sofia Sierra is the web and copy editor and may be reached at sdsierra2@miners.utep.edu

CASS

AIM

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The Zoological society, a non-profi t organization in El Paso that raises funds and provides volunteers for the El Paso Zoo, lost its long-time contract with the city. Photo by Jose G. Saldana/The Prospector

Arts & Culture

Avery Escamilla-Wendell, editor

BACK TO BLACK: The gothic resurrection

Black lace traces down as large silver jewelry with spikes and stones glimmers, gothic fashion is back in style. Dating back to the Victorian era, gothic fashion, and its aesthetics have been seen as bad to some people as it has been associated with evil.

From romantic goth, and cyber goth to Victorian goth there are many elements of goth styles that go unheard.

Goth is influenced by art, music, literature and style that comes from the Victorian era.

According to Goth Style Guide: Evolution of Goth Outfits

Throughout the Years by PSYLO, “While the scene was developed mainly in the 1980s by fans of bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, Bauhaus and other Gothic rock, as a dark aesthetic, it is rooted in gothic art and architecture from the mid-12th to 16th centuries.”

El Pasoan Maliah Armendariz, takes part in goth fashion which was inspired by art.

“It started off with, my emo phase, and then I stuck to dark clothing and I was just inspired by art and started looking into music videos and I was like, huh, that kind of looks cool, I think that would look good on me,” Armendariz said.

Gothic fashion and style call for the use of creativity and eccentric taste to create a feeling of freedom.

“You can experiment with different things, but with gothic fashion, there is no definitive way to

dress,” Armendariz said. “Gothic you can play around with it, you can look silly and still feel good; just do whatever feels good to you.” In goth fashion, incorporating individual taste, personality and use of dark clothing helps people put their own unique style to it. El Pasoan Finn Smith found their way to gothic fashion through goth music.

“I was always more into alternative fashion, but getting into more goth music, my mom helped show me a lot of goth music,” Smith said. “There’s a pretty vibrant local goth scene here and just getting involved in there, kind of inspired me to bring elements of that into my own fashion sense.”

Goth music is a large chunk of what makes goth fashion today. Smith believes that gothic fashion is rooted in its music.

“Goth itself is a music-based sub. Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division and all that post-Punk, 80s stuff, really brought it to the mainstream,” Smith said. “I try to bring those into my style, those traditional gothic roots while still trying to bring in some more modern styles of gothic fashion, more like layering different accessories, lots of crosses and stuff.”

When it comes to gothic fashion, makeup also plays a large part in a goth look. Cosette Galloway, brings the makeup to their gothic fashion and looks.

“I slowly started experimenting mainly with makeup, but more so with fashion and got more into it through friends and just the community mainly,” Galloway said.

In the past, gothic fashion was seen as weird or was harshly criticized by some people. However, goth is expanding to new horizons and is seen in a better light with different generations of people.

“We’re finally within that year to accept what it actually is (gothic fashion) and respect it for what it was rather than just being like it ew it’s lame of that’s the losers that are goth,” Galloway said.

To those who may feel anxious or scared to try gothic fashion, starting out small with accessories, makeup or music may help out with the process. “Do it even if it scares you,” Armendariz said. “You may get criticized for it, but just do it. You’ll never know if you’ll like it until you try it.” Avery

The details of Gothic Fashion; lace, corset, velvet, laces and makeup. Photo by Dominique Macias/ The Prospector

Goth is a style influenced by art, music and literature.

Photo by Dominique Macias/The Prospector

Fashion for all bodies and sizes

made of to find their way online to see.”

The hassling process of finding clothes can be eliminated simply by designers including sizes for plus sized people. The reason designers may not be open to these ideas is simple: money. “There’s going to be a team that designs for two to 14 and then theres going to be a team that’s 14 and above.”

Ramirez believes that the extra amount of work and fabric should not be an excuse in this industry, instead another reason for the lack of inclusitivty is known as “fantasy”.

“They don’t have any knowledge of fabric content,” Ramirez said. “They can only go back to their last piece that they thought fit them so well and look at the label and see what it’s

Vanessa Ramirez, El Paso Community College (EPCC) fashion technology instructor and coordinator of the on-campus fashion lab, says she recognizes the lack of inclusivity in the fashion industry. She says she wants everyone to be able to wake up in the morning and put something on that they feel great in.

“So, fashion being about fantasy wouldn’t make sense for a plus size person to be on the runway because when people go and look on the runway, theoretically, they want to see how they would look and fantasize about how they could look,” Ramirez said.

pated in the downtown “Strutting your Stuff” fashion show.

When designing plus size clothes, sizing is not the only thing a designer must take into consideration but also body type and shape. Ramirez says designers do not take this into account when creating designs, therefore, people are being limited to clothing that they want and can wear comfortable.

that’s what could be missing; is the thoughtfulness of, plus size people have irradiance zones, too, that want to be shown.”

Ramirez says that plus size people need to be taken into full consideration. She remembers being reached out to by a man who needed a shirt hemmed because it was the only one that fit him, wearing it every day.

Past and present students now have businesses such as, PillBoxed and Brown Rabbit Couture which partici-

“The designer wants to cover me up or the retailer puts me in something that’s so covered up. I want to show my bustline. I want to show my legs.” Ramirez said. “I want to do these things, you know, and I feel like in our city, directly,

Jose D’Saenz designer and technical coordinator of the EPCC fashion lab, hopes the fashion industry takes notice of the potential with this aspect of the industry.

“It’s not where it is supposed to be yet, I hope that it can be more

available for plus sized women, because as of right now we only design for thinner taller women,” D’Saenz said. “As of now, plus size clothing is rising at a slow pace, designers like Brown Rabbit Couture local to El Paso and the EPCC fashion lab teaching and students who are investing their time. These designers mark a new beginning in the fashion industry for all bodies to be seen, heard and given access to clothes that hug them in all the right places.

Adam Regalado is the multimedia editor at The Prospector and may be reached at anregalado@miners. utep.edu

MULTIMEDIA

Designers use forms to help structure their piece while adding finishing touches. Photo by Adam Regalado/ The Prospector

students now Body forms allow designers to see how their design would look on someone. Photo by Adam Regalado/The Prospector

Sports

Nicholas Maes, editor

UTEP softball plays hard against Jax State in Easter weekend games

UTEP Softball played three games at home in the Helen of Troy Softball Complex March 2830 against Jax State, ultimately incurring a win and two losses against the Gamecocks ahead of Easter Sunday. The Gamecocks flipped the script on the Miners as UTEP won the first game on Thursday but incurred two losses going into the Easter weekend.

Game One

UTEP brought their record to 18-9, C-USA 4-3 with their win over Jax State, who fell to 12-21, C-USA 2-6 March 28. Jax State held the lead early on, scoring three runs via a bases-loaded walk and a

However, this did not deter UTEP as the Miners recovered, with junior Ajia Richard scoring one run in the fourth inning. The Miners carried the momentum into the sixth inning, when senior Anna Sample scored a grand slam over the scoreboard with loaded bases, giving the Miners four points and the lead over Jax State.

The Gamecocks would score two runs in the seventh inning, but they could not overcome graduate student Zaylie Calderon’s pitches, as she secured the strikeouts necessary for the Miners to win the game by one point (5-6).

Game Two

Although extra innings were played, the Miners succumbed to Jax State, this time losing by a point (3-2). Despite the loss, senior Ashlynn Allen was a crucial player in

the game, as she scored a two-run homer early in the game, allowing Sample to run the bases.

Jax State fought UTEP late in the game, tying the game up with an RBI-double in the sixth inning and an RBI-single in the seventh inning.

Jax State, looking to gain the edge over UTEP, swapped out pitchers, bringing the game into the eighth inning. The Gamecocks earned a solo home run in the game, taking the lead and ultimately the win over

the Miners Friday March 29.

Game ree

On Saturday March 30, the stadium had a sold-out crowd in attendance; however, the Miners were unable to put points on the scoreboard over the Gamecocks. Jax State came out strong from the very beginning, scoring a home run with the first pitch of the game. Both teams pushed on through five more innings before the Gamecocks put up a two RBI-single in

the seventh inning, ending the game 3-0 over the Miners, who are now 18-11, C-USA 4-5. This game brings the Gamecocks to a 14-21, C-USA 4-5 record.

Despite the loss dealt to UTEP, the game featured an Easter egg hunt for the kids, in celebration of the upcoming holiday.

UTEP softball will be heading away to Miami to face Florida International University April 5-7.

Nicholas Maes is the sports editor and can be reached at nemaes@miners.utep.edu.

UTEP Track and Field strikes gold in multiple meets

The UTEP Track and Field team recently competed in three meets:

one at the Texas Relays meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas, one at The Stanford Invitational at Cobb Track and Angell Field in Stanford, California, and at the Texas State Track and Field complex in San Marcos, Texas for the Bobcat Invitational.

UTEP Track and Field had a busy weekend, but was able to make a few notable highlights, especially freshman pole vaulter Alla Parnov, who set a school record with her leap at the Texas Relays.

Day One

Parnov brought the house down that afternoon, garneringa school record of 4.25 meters (13-11.25) in the Women’s Pole Vault event.

Parnov went into the weekend ranked No one on the Conference USA performance list, breaking her previous total and school best of 4.15 meters.

Junior Loubna Benhadja placed seventh in sprints/hurdles with 58.21 in the 400-meter hurdles prelims, beating Jax State’s Hailey Tucker’s C-USA-best. Junior multis Jalen Cadet leaped his best in San Marcos, Texas with 7.54 meters (24-9) and finished first in the men’s long jump.

Freshman distance runner Brenda

Jerop finished the afternoon in Austin with a 41:25:96 time in the women’s 10,000-meter event, topping Jax State’s Sierra Wainer, who went into the weekend as the C-USA Leader.

Day Two

UTEP Women’s 4x100-meter relay team, made up of seniors Niesha Burgher, and Zani Meaders, junior Marissa Simspon, and freshman Rejoice Sule, started the competition, clocking in at 44.78 seconds in the first round.

For Simpson, the first 100-meter hurdles event of the outdoor season, made a time of 13.05, topping LA Tech’s Tonie-Ann Forbes. Then junior Jordani Woodley in sprints/ hurdles, clocked in a time of 13.59 seconds in the men’s 110-meter hurdles prelim. Burgher made a highlight by posting her personal best of 11.12 seconds in the women’s 100-meter dash, her first 100-m event of the season. Senior thrower Arianne Morais, made a C-USA/season best with a 54.18-meter toss in women‘s javelin, ranking first that weekend. At the Stanford Invitational, senior distance runner Kenneth Talavera clocked a 3:54.75 time in men’s 1500-meter run section two, ranking him in the top five in C-USA.

Day ree

In the men’s 110-meter hurdles, Woodley clocked in at 13.44 (+2.4)

and third overall. Burgher clocked in at 22.85 seconds (+2.3) in the women’s 200-meter dash invitational, finishing fourth out of 15 runners. Simpson then clocked at 12.95 seconds (+2.7), finishing second overall in the women’s 100-meter final.

The UTEP women’s 4x100 meter relay team finished with a time of 44.40 seconds, making fifth place. In San Marcos sophomore sprinter Mathew Polk clocked in a time of 47.05 seconds in the men’s 400-meter dash, placing him sixth out of 58 runners. Polk did his best, running

10.88 in the men‘s 100-meter dash.

UTEP Track and Felid will be traveling again for a pair of meets at the Beach Invitational (Long Beach State) and the Bryan Clay Invitational (Azusa Pacific) on April 11-13.

Catching Marginot is a contributor and can be reached at hcmarginot@miner.utep.edu

UTEP track and field competed in three matches from Thursday through Saturday in Austin, Texas, San Marcos, Texas and Stanford, California. Photo courtesy of UTEP Athletics

Outfielder Autumn Scott taps the ball with her bat during a game against Jax State, March 30. Photo by Joel Molina/The Prospector

Utility Bri Garcia catches the ball and attempts to tap out the opposing Sul Ross player. Photo by Joel Molina/The Prospector

UTEP tennis serves 7-0 loss to junior college, falls to C-USA rival

The UTEP women’s tennis team hosted two teams Easter weekend in hopes of bouncing back from a series of losses. The team is currently 4-12 and winless in conference play following the Friday and Saturday matchups at the El Paso Tennis Club.

Friday’s first team match pitted the Miners against Seward County Community College (11-2), 7-0.

All singles matches saw the Miners dominate the junior college athletes. The only close match was the head-to-head between freshman Hanna Telzynska and Seward freshman Alejandra Ramirez Botella which saw both sets end in a 7-5 score.

Pairs matchups provided more competition for UTEP as all matches ended within three sets of each other.

The first match in this phase featured UTEP’s junior Zuzanna Szczepanska and senior Veronika Lebisova and Seward’s freshman Emma Petton and freshman Polya Nikolova. The final score favored the Miners 6-3.

Junior Carlotta Mencaglia and Telzynska would follow up with a win of their own against Seward’s freshman Lara Torres Baron and Botella which ended in a 7-5

match. This match was the longest of the day with 12 sets played between the two pairs.

To round out the afternoon, senior Elena Dibattista and freshman DeCora Antoine notched a 6-4 win over sophomore Camila Corrales and freshman Anna Verevska. The Miners would head into Saturday’s match up versus Middle Tennessee with a 7-0 result.

UTEP would lose three singles matches at the hands of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and both finished matches in the pairs phase

of the afternoon.

Saturday’s only victory for the Miners belonged to the senior Veronika Lebisova defeating junior Ilaria Sposetti in two matches.

UTEP ended Saturday down 4-1 against Middle Tennessee. Up next for the Miners is a road trip to UTSA on April 6. The next home match will see the Miners face off against another junior college team in Weatherford College Wednesday, April 10.

Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela Armendariz is a contributor and may be reached at erivas7@utep.edu: @rivasemmanuel2 on Instagram.

Dodgers’ Ohtani embroiled in gambling controversy

ference March 25.

Almost a week has passed since Shohei Ohtani addressed rumors and speculation that he was involved in gambling, which some say is baseball’s greatest sin, after his interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Dodgers for his connections to a bookmaker someone who handles bets and money gambling for sports betting.

Mizuhara has a long history with Ohtani, whom he met back in 2013 while working for the Japanese baseball league’s Nippon Ham Fighters, Ohtani’s first professional team, and has become more than just an interpreter for the star.

The scandal involves 4.5 million dollars worth of gambling debt Mizuhara allegedly accumulated with a Southern California bookmaking operation. Ohtani’s name appears on two separate wire transactions totaling one million dollars to the supposed leader of the bookmaking operation, Mathew Bowyer, according to ESPN.

ESPN later reported that initially, a spokesperson for Ohtani, Nez Balelo, at the time claimed that Mizuhara had come clean, and that Ohtani told Balelo that he had been covering the gambling debt in increments of five hundred thousand dollars at a time. A story that Ohtani denied in his press con-

Ohtani, now in the middle of a scandal, did not describe the situation as he spoke through a interpreter, Will Ireton. Ireton had been working for the Dodgers and, most recently, was the interpreter for another Japanese-born Dodger, Kenta Maeda.

“In conclusion, I do want to make it clear that I never bet on sports or willfully sent money to the bookmaker,” Ohtani said through his new interpreter.

As questions came up, fans found themselves drawing comparisons to baseball’s all-time hits leader, Pete Rose, who carries a lifetime ban from the sport after it was discovered he had been betting on football, basketball, and horse racing while playing and managing the Cincinnati Reds during his career. Rose’s betting on baseball was just a rumor until he came clean in 2004 when he admitted to betting on baseball games, including games that the Reds were playing. Rose also stated that he never bet against his team.

Professional sports players and stars like Wayne Rooney, Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan have all had their fair share of issues with gambling in the past like Rose.

For Ohtani, being linked to the greats in such a way is likely not what he had in mind.

Read MORE at theprospectordaily.com

The UTEP tennis team fell to Middle Tennessee Saturday, March 30.

Photo by Emmanuel Rivas Valenzuela/The Prospector

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