february Issue.qxp - Our Lady of the Lake University

spor tsnews
6
Houston may not be
ready for No. 1 Owls
FEBRUARY
2004
Raising money for the children
By Tom Carpenter
THE DAILY COUGAR
(U-WIRE) HOUSTON - The
scowl on the face of University of
Houston baseball coach Rayner
Noble was clearly visible when he
stepped out from the visitors'
locker room at Reckling Stadium
last week.
“We've got to start getting
our act together on the mound,”
Noble said. “We pitched poorly.
When you pitch poorly you're not
going to win many games.”
The defending national
champion and No. 1 ranked Owls
epitomize quality baseball. The
Cougars stand 3-11 against the
Owls since 2002, and the Owls
knocked the Cougars out of a trip
to Omaha in 2003.
Houston's starting pitcher
for the game, junior Garrett
Mock, cruised into the fifth
inning with a 3-2 lead.
A bad-hop single turned
into a leadoff triple for the Owls'
Austin Davis. A walk and a hit
batter loaded the bases and the
Owls' Adam Rodgers walked to
force in the tying run. Rice took
the lead for good when Adam
Morris was walked to force in
another run.
A single, a Cougar error and
a Morris home run gave Rice a 73 lead.
When the Cougars threatened with base runners in the
eighth, Rice coach Wayne
Graham called on his ace pitcher,
Wade Townsend, to shut down
the Cougars.
Townsend fired three 90plus mph fastballs past Cougar
third baseman Nick Bott to end
the eighth and then pitched a
three-up, three-down ninth to
preserve the win.
Houston out-hit Rice 10-8,
but the costly errors and pitching
breakdown put the game out of
reach.
Jose A. Garcia
LAKE REPORTER
The sisters of Epsilon
Sigma Alpha have been
hosting their annual St.
Jude's basketball tournament for over a year raising
as much as they can to help
out children who are in need.
The St. Jude's Children's
Research Hospital helps families with terminally ill children
pay for medical bills; however
they also find new developments in drugs and discover
new cures for diseases such as
cancer.
Without donations and
funding doctors at St. Jude's would not be able to continue their
research, but one organization on campus is helping make a difference
any way they can.
“We wanted to hold an event that would be fun and also involve the community around San Antonio to come out and exercise,” Abbie Munoz, sister and coordinator of the basketball tournament, said. “We also wanted the community to
learn more about what St. Jude's does for the children.”
Last year, Epsilon Sigma Alpha had nine teams compete, from all over the city
of San Antonio, at Our Lady of the Lake University. The university also showed its
support of Epsilon Sigma Alpha's cause by having a team in the event. The Lakers
got to the second round of the tournament before losing in the double elimination
tournament, while San Antonio College walked away with the championship.
“The basketball tournament is a good way to have different universities and
colleges to come together and help out a good cause.” Munoz said.
Overall, all the teams came out and had fun, but when all the money had been
calculated Epsilon Sigma Alpha raised $500 for the St. Jude's Children's Research
Hospital.
Compared to last year's
efforts, the recognized student
organization is trying to better
their success surpassing last
year's total donation to the St.
Jude's hospital. One way
Epsilon Sigma Alpha is trying
to accomplish this goal is by
getting more recognized
student
organizations
involved with promotions.
“One of our biggest
goals is that we want to have
more community involvement and more participation from recognized student organizations on the
campus,” Munoz said.
“Hopefully, with all their
help we can have more teams involved in the tournament and raise
more money for the St. Jude's Hospital.”
Founded in 1991, Epsilon Sigma Alpha has been a leadership and service
organization that brings good people together to pursue programs and projects
that make a difference locally. Not only does the organization give its time and
effort to the St. Jude's hospital, but Epsilon Sigma Alpha is very active with the
Boys and Girls Club of San Antonio.
The deadline to enter the 2nd Annual ESA Basketball Tournament benefiting
St. Jude's Children Hospital is Friday, March 26, 2004. Any team consisting of 10
players is eligible to play in the local tournament as long as you have a valid driver's license. All games will be played on Saturday, April 3 and all players receive a
T-shirt for playing in the tournament.
If you want any additional information about the 2nd Annual Epsilon Sigma
Alpha basketball tournament benefiting St. Jude's Children Hospital, you can contact Abbie Munoz at (210) 831-2015.
PHOTO BY JOSE GARCIA
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS BURRELL
EPSILON SIGMA ALPHA RAISED OVER
$400
FOR THE ST. JUDE’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT LAST YEAR. THIS WILL BE THEIR SECOND YEAR HOSTING THE
TOURNAMENT, WHICH BENEFITS CHILDREN IN NEED WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
A&M baseball
starts off 3-0
By Kyle Davoust
THE BATTALION (TEXAS A&M U.)
(U-WIRE) COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- A primary lesson
from childhood: When your little
brother steps up to challenge
you, knock him back down. This
weekend, the Texas A&M baseball team applied this lesson by
sweeping, Texas A&M-Corpus
Christi in a three-game series by
a combined run total of 29-8.
Besides calling a great game
for his pitcher, catcher Craig
Stenson also helped carry the
offense by going three-for-four
and knocking in six runs.
The second game of the
series proved to be more difficult
for the Aggies, as they needed 10
innings to escape with a 4-3 win.
For nine innings, Corpus Christi
pitchers junior Mike Hatfield
and senior Jorge Huerta slowed
the Aggie bats, allowing just five
hits before the 10th.
In the bottom of the 10th,
however, sophomore first baseman Coby Mavroulis, who had
already homered and driven in
two runs, nailed the ball to the
right field fence, scoring sophomore shortstop Cliff Pennington
from third to win the game.
Pennington had led off the
inning with a single and
advanced to second on senior
outfielder Cory Patton's single.
Both runners then advanced on a
wild pitch, setting up Mavroulis'
game-winning hit.
“He threw me a down-andin fastball, the same pitch that I
hit a home run on earlier in the
game, and I was just lucky
enough to get enough of the bat
on it to get it over (the right fielder's) head,” Mavroulis said.
Mavroulis, who redshirted last
year due to a back injury, finished the game three-for-four
with a home run and three runs
batted in.
Corpus Christi then fought
back, making the score as close
as 6-5 in top of the sixth when
left fielder Mark Schlekewy hit a
RBI double off the right field
fence. But that's as close as the
Islanders got, losing eventually
by a score of 10-5. The Aggies
was distanced for good by scoring two runs in the bottom of that
same inning.
The Lakers prove that they’re all heart
Jose A. Garcia
LAKE REPORTER
It doesn't have to always be
about winning. It is about loving
the game, and that's what this
men's club basketball team has to
offer fans who attend.
After being blown out in
their season opening game, 10352 against Texas State, Lakers’
team members didn't look discouraged or throw their jerseys
out into the stands. They simply
gathered in a circle after the game
was over and told each other,
“We tried our hardest.”
That is what makes this team
better from what it was a year ago.
This team's lineup is not filled
with high caliber athletes from
the university, but it is filled with
guys who just want to come out
and play the game.
The team from a year ago
would get technical fouls for
throwing the ball at the wall out of
frustration, try to cause fights
with other players, or give up during the closing minutes of the
game. Not with this team.
The new basketball team
goes out every game with their
minds determined never to give
up on each other, and they do just
that.
Plain and simple.
Not once did this team give
up when they were down by 30
points at the end of the first half.
Not once did a player get
upset at the referees for not calling
a foul, nor did an individual try to
cause a fight between the opposing
team. This team that played their
hearts out until the final buzzer
sounded.
So what is this team trying to
improve on?
It's called team unity.
There is no “I” in team. That's
what the basketball team from a
year ago needed to learn in order
to win basketball games, but failed.
And in doing so, they gave up on
themselves and the basketball
team. That's why this year only a
couple members of the basketball
team returned to practice.
Players
like
Desmond
DeLeon have not given up on the
basketball team, and just wants to
play because he loves the game of
basketball.
DeLeon not only scores
points for his team, but he never
gives up unlike his former teammates.
This situation is not a negative for this year's basketball team
it is a little step forward. Why?
Because rather than having a
coach waste his breathe on an
already losing team, he was given a
fresh start with a whole new team.
“This team is filled with guys
that just want to come out and do
something that they love to do, and
that is playing basketball. I wouldn't say that we are a better team
from the one last year, but these
guys have the motivation and dedication,” assistant coach Joey
Ramos said.
This team might have a winning season in the end, but neither
did the “star studded” basketball
team a year ago.
So, what's the difference
between the team from the past
and the present basketball team?
This team has heart.
spor tsnews
FEBRUARY 2004
7
Lack of participation leaves women's
ACCD basketball team benched
Jesse Blanchard
LAKE REPORTER
Despite an enrollment of 2,454
females, this semester will continue without
a women's basketball team. The team was
forced to withdraw from the Alamo
Community College District (ACCD) League
due to a lack of participants.
Only days before the start of the season, coordinator of Campus Recreation, Ben
Rivers, pulled the team from the league.
Rivers declared a lack of commitment from
enough students and the rising costs of
playing in the league as the major factors in
his decision.
“It is very disappointing, I am a very
big fan of women's basketball,” said Rivers.
“We just did not have enough players committed to playing in this league.”
Nine players initially signed up to play
for the spring semester, however, the number dwindled as the season approached.
Without a steady roster, a handful of disappointed female students will now sit the season out on the sidelines. For the seniors, it
will be the first time the school cannot offer
them a chance to play.
Two days before the first game of the
season, the women's team traveled to
Uvalde for a scrimmage; with only three
players. The team competed in Uvalde only
after Southwest Junior College loaned The
Lake some of their players.
“It's especially disappointing because
this is such a female dominated university,”
said Amanda Concha, a junior who missed
the game in Uvalde due to illness and class
work.
“There are at least four girls that were
always out here. We show up to practices,
games,” said Marlene Cano, a senior who
has played since her freshman year. “We
can't do it alone.”
Costs also played a major role in cutting the women's basketball team. Last
semester, the entry fee for the ACCD League
was $160 per team. Each member of the
team was asked to pay $6, while the university paid for a little more than half the fee.
To date, only one member from that team
has paid the fee.
The women's season was cancelled
nearly a month after Lake Front Reporter,
Jose Garcia's controversial column called
out female students for their lack of involvement in campus sports and recreation activities.
The column, which asks “Where have
all the female athletes gone,” angered some
for its classifications of females and sparked
some feedback. However, a few people
agree with one of the points made.
“I think it is true that some of the
girls sit in their room and don't do anything.
We've been trying to put together a girl's
soccer team and can only manage like eight
people,” said Maria Graciano, a soccer player in her fourth year. “It's frustrating.”
Frustrations from the lack of female
involvement and opportunities are not limited to club sports, as girls have ignored
intramurals as well.
Currently, the intramural basketball
season is taking place, with the men playing
every Wednesday night. The basketball season had been planned for co-ed teams, but
those plans were cancelled when only one
team of girls showed up.
“Girls should come out and participate.
To see the men's basketball intramural
teams, and only have four girls, that is
incredible to me,” says Graciano.
Ben Rivers is still looking for students
to join the women's team in hopes of organizing a new league at a later date. Anyone
interested in playing in organized games, or
simply learning how to play, should contact
the Recreational Sports Office in the UWAC.
“As far as I am concerned, I still have a
women's basketball team,” said Rivers. “I
just don't have a league to put them in.”
Saints and Lady Saints victorious against Eagles
Jose A. Garcia
LAKE REPORTER
On Jan. 31, the boys and
girls basketball teams played a
double header against St. Phillip
of Jesus Eagles at St. Martin's
Hall.
In an exhibition game, the
Saints welcomed back eighthgrader Josh Montez to the starting lineup.
In a low-scoring game, the
Saints took a 14-8 lead going into
halftime. Montez came out firing
as he scored half of the Saints
points. Point guard Mauro
Rodriguez
followed
behind
Montez scoring four points and
two steals.
“With Josh playing this
game it gives our guys the confidence they need,” Saints coach
Rick Sendejo said. “We just need
to keep on scoring and have a
solid defense.”
In the second half, the Saints
“We won the game, but I
know that we could have
done things better.”
Khadi Parvenas
LADY SAINTS
CENTER
kept the momentum from the
first half led by centers Andy
Gomez and Greg Hernandez.
Gomez and Hernandez combined
for a total of 10 rebounds and two
points to give the Saints a 19-10
lead at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter,
Montez and Rodriguez took the
game into their own hands by
pressuring the Eagles offense and
causing them to force turnovers.
With the pressure of the Saints
defense, St. Phillip of Jesus had
10 turnovers in just the fourth
quarter.
“I wanted to put more pressure on the offense, so that they
wouldn't get easy looks at the basket.” Sendejo said.
Montez and Rodriguez combined for a total of 12 steals in the
fourth quarter. As time winded
down this forced the Eagles to
foul and take low percentage
shots from the floor.
In the end, the Saints defeated the Eagles 23-18. The Saints
finished their season 3-3 in district just one game shy of making
the playoffs. One of the Saints key
losses was the game against St.
John Berchman on Jan. 21, where
the Saints fell short in a 38-35
loss.
“I wish we could've made the
playoffs, but one game makes a
difference in this league,” Sendejo
said. “It feels good just to have
this team end on a winning note
rather than a losing one.”
In the second game of the
double header, the Lady Saints
took the court against the Lady
Eagles of St. Phillip of Jesus try-
ing to hold on to a winning record
in district and make the playoffs.
Early in the first quarter of the
game the Eagles started out strong
as they jumped out to take an 11-7
lead into the second quarter.
Eighth-grader
Stephanie
McGlothlen scored four of the
Lady Saints seven first quarter
points trailing the Lady Eagles.
However, the Lady Saints quickly
shuttered the early jitters as they
came out shooting in the second
quarter.
Lady Saints center Khadi
Parvenas led the offense with
eight points, five rebounds, and
two steals in the second quarter to
give the Lady Saints a 23-15 lead
over the Lady Eagles going into
halftime.
“I think we're playing a pretty good game right now,” Lady
Saints coach Mario Gonzales said.
In the third quarter things
seemed to change from offensive
to defensive as the Lady Saints
and Lady Eagles scored only five
points. In a defensive battle
Parvenas held her ground as she
grabbed three rebounds and one
block hold the Lady Saints lead
over the Lady Eagles 26-17.
In the fourth quarter, the
Lady Saints closed off any chances
of the Lady Eagles hopes of a
comeback as Serena Vadervort
scored six points. Parvenas contributed as well with six points of
her own as the Lady Saints were
victorious over the Lady Eagles
34-21.
Parvenas led the Saints in
scoring and rebounds with 14
points and 12 rebounds while
McGlothlen led the team with 6
steals.
“We won the game, but I
know that we could have done
things better,” Parvenas said.
The Lady Saints ended their
season with a 4-2 record in district
and wait to see who they will face
in the post-season.
Local team wins TCAL state basketball tournament
Jose A. Garcia
LAKE REPORTER
It was a time for redemption
for the Sunnybrook Lions as they
rolled on to beat the Houston Life
Christian Eagles in the TCAL Class
2A state basketball tournament
59-43. After being ousted the past
two years in state finals, the Lions
had set their minds and goals to
coming back and winning the state
championship.
“We set the goal at the beginning of the season to get here,”
Sunnybrook
coach
Caesar
Cervantes said. “When we lost to
Salem Sayers earlier in the season
that refocused us. That game made
us realize that we are beatable.”
Not only did Sunnybrook
walk away with a state championship in their grasp, but players
like George Soto, Kaleb Munoz
and Jeremy Martinez walked away
with tournament honors. Soto and
Martinez were named to the TCAL
all-state team, while Munoz
grabbed the TCAL state tournament's most valuable player award
for his performances throughout
the tournament and the championship game.
In their first game against
Central Christian, the Lions
jumped out to a quick 33-20 lead
into halftime. Soto could not be
stopped as he scored over half of
his total points in the paint. The
Lions kept their momentum and
their lead throughout the game as
they defeated Central Christian
57-43. Soto led the team in points
with 23, while Munoz and
Martinez combined for 22 points
of their own.
In the championship game,
Sunnybrook's trio of Soto, Munoz,
and Martinez took the court
against Houston Life Christian.
Munoz and Martinez chipped in 17
points and came up with key baskets in the second half. One of the
key baskets that Munoz had was
when he connected on a 3-pointer
before the end of the third period
to put the Lions up 39-32.
However, Christian Life
would not go away so easily. They
came within 39-34 in the fourth
period, but then Munoz stepped
up again and scored five consecutive points. One basket was a 3pointer and the other was a jump
shot inside the paint to give the
Lions a 10-point lead with 6:50 left
in the game.
Soto added five points of his
own in the fourth period, while
Martinez hit a key 3-pointer to
give Sunnybrook a secure win late
in the fourth period as the Lions
had a 17-point lead, 53-36.
“I wanted this one, so I came
out and played my hardest,”
Munoz said. “I am just thankful
that I got another opportunity to
play in the state championship.
Hopefully, we can get another one
before I graduate next year.”
Munoz averaged a total of 17
points a game throughout the
tournament while Soto averaged
20 points a game, and Martinez
averaged 15 points a game to help
them roll over their opponents.
Sunnybrook won its seventh
title in school history and its' first
in four years. Some of the other
winners in the 2004 TCAL State
Basketball Tournament was
Temple, who won Boys Class 3A,
and Salem Sayers, who won the
Boys Class 1A.
2300 N. St. Mary’s (@ Josephine)
(210) 736-2
2060
Open Daily
8:00am -1
10:00pm
U. Colorado
parents want
football
coach back
By Bronson Hilliard
COLORADO DAILY (U. COLORADO)
(U-WIRE)
BOULDER,
Colo. -- Parents of University of
Colorado football players said
Sunday they want CU head coach
Gary Barnett reinstated and the
public to realize that not all CU
football players should be tarred
with the same negative brush of
bad publicity, as seen in recent
weeks.
Forty parents of CU players
gathered at Boulder, Colo.'s
Millennium Harvest House
Hotel at mid-day Sunday to
make
that
case.
Parent
spokesman Bob Creighton of
Niwot, whose son Paul is a redshirt freshman tight end on the
Buffs, read a statement of support for the coach.
“The University of Colorado
Football program teaches and
demonstrates dedication, discipline, loyalty and commitment,
all key to the accomplishment of
goals in their future ... We all
deplore the endless events
described daily that have forever
changed so many lives. We stand
united in our support of all victims of all crimes and pray
together for healing knowing it
must start with the truth,” the
statement read.
“In summation, it has been
our experience that Coach
Barnett is a man of utmost
integrity and has our wholehearted support. We are proud to
have our sons be a part of the
football
program
at
the
University of Colorado,” the
statement concluded.
It was punctuated with
“GIVE US BACK OUR COACH”
in capital letters.
Creighton, in an interview
with the Colorado Daily after the
event, said he and other local
parents had “networked nationally” with parents as far away as
Houston, Chicago and San
Francisco and were “amazed and
overwhelmed” by the support
they received for moving ahead
with a press conference to support their children and Barnett.
Creighton said the parents
group recognized a CU investigation of recruiting practices was
underway, but that nonetheless
the group was stalwart in its support of CU coaches.
“We're extremely confident
there's nothing of substance to
the issues at hand ... Gary
Barnett and his staff do not promote alcoholic parties and sex
parties to encourage studentathletes to attend this institution
-- that is absurd,” Creighton said.
Creighton said the accusation that Barnett and his staff
should have known about offthe-field incidents and football
parties was also “absurd” and
gave an analogy that he said
proved his point.
“There are 70 sexual
assaults a year on the Boulder
campus. Of those students (who
committed sexual assaults) that
were members of the business
school, did the business school
dean know those students committed those crimes? It's ridiculous that he (Barnett) should be
aware of every behavior of every
player.”
Creighton said Barnett's
team handbook of conduct, given
to every player, “makes CU the
only Division I school in the
country that requires the deportment that he (Barnett) has
required.”
He said that athletes had
higher-than-average moral character when compared to rankand-file CU students.
“If you lined up 90 student
athletes on campus, the distribution of kids who are getting good
grades and doing things in the
community -- the distribution
would be equal or even higher
(than for non-athletes),”
“If there were 500 sexual
assaults (since 1997) and only
five were traced to student-athletes, isn't that a higher standard?” Creighton added.
Creighton said he and other
parents were preparing to meet
to discuss what actions might
come later.
enter tainmentnews
8
Chesney
tries a little
Caribbean
flavor
FEBRUARY 2004
Boot-scootin' banjos and
bikinis? The new face of
the country clubbin’ scene
Leticia Russi
LAKE REPORTER
Melissa Gonzalez
LAKE REPORTER
Kenny
Chesney
goes
Caribbean in his newest CD
release “When the Sun Goes
Down.”
A newly made-over cowboy in linen pants, Chesney
lays the simplicities of life out
on a beautiful palette of colorful melodies. While traditional
country music is filled with
melancholy and loss, this
album is filled with hope and
remembrance.
The title song, “When the
Sun Goes Down” is a duet with
Chesney and Uncle Kracker.
Chesney attributes this song to
happy memories of a girl
whom he was too afraid to ask
out.
Working on the Caribbean
sound of steel drums and slide
guitar the song sounds idyllic
and relaxing. With lyrics like
“when the sun goes down/we'll
be groovin'/when the sun
goes/we'll be feelin' alright,” it
makes one want to grab a pina
colada and enjoy the sunset.
The CD starts with the
slow “There Goes My Life.”
Unbelievably this song is about
transition, especially the transition that comes with marriage and family responsibility
--dreams deferred or postponed due to the unpredictability that is thrown one’s
way.
Chesney makes the song
completely lovable and emotional with acoustic basics and
twangy guitar solos. For such
a sweet song, it plays excessively long. It only serves as an
introduction to what is about
to be a journal of memories for
Chesney.
The CD does have sad
moments
like
that
of
“Anything But Mine.” After a
memorable evening of cavorting with a girl, Chesney recalls
how the girl he loves must
leave. This song is too conventional to be memorable. The
song itself could sound just
like every other country ballad.
“Being Drunk's A Lot Like
Loving You” supports the
melancholy cowboy theme
with the comparison to love
and hangovers.
The originality comes in
the lyrics that take an emotional twist from drinking to loving. “Now I know about drinking/so I know one things
true/being drunks a lot like
loving you/ cause I loved till I
stumbled/ I loved till I fell
when the loving was over/it
hurt me like hell/now I know
what it takes/of the wrong love
can do.” The singer is a glutton
for punishment but it sounds
almost too much like Garth
Brooks “I've Got Friends in
Low Places.”
“Keg in the Closet” is an
anthem to fraternity college
life. It is upbeat and singable.
Serenity can be found, according to this song, in a keg in the
closet. The idea might be
ridiculous but certainly relatable to the college student.
The CD as a whole is well
done with a few minor set
backs such as slowed down sad
songs but what country album
would be complete without
them.
The general theme is a
happy one and keeps the listener's mind going with familiar memories.
The Caribbean feel is a
nice touch but does not keep
consistent throughout the
album. For the most part a
great addition to a country
fans library.
Stereotypically, when one thinks of country clubbing, the mental picture of fiddlers, tight Wranglers,
shiny belt buckles, and an old-fashioned country hoedown comes to mind a little too easily.
Although, the country music scene has changed subtly over the past decade, the wild country spirit is still in
full effect.
Do not worry. Stetson hats and Shepler boots have
not lost their popularity, even though a more sophisticated country style is beginning to emerge at country clubs.
This new fad is definitely responsible for drawing in
more pop oriented clubbers, which are in return giving
country music a must needed makeover.
Achieving popularity in the late 1960s, country
music slowly crept its way into popular culture.
Live bands consisting of fiddles, harmonicas, and
steel guitars played small, humid venues but would crank
out hit after hit of toe tapping beats and boot scooting
rhythms for country enthusiasts to line dance the night
away.
In the early 1990s, country recruit, Billy Ray Cyrus,
gave country music a shove into the limelight. His insatiable 1992 hit, "Achy Breaky Heart" sent pop fans into a
western frenzy. Suddenly country was reborn.
Line dancing was now in. The origins of this infectious dance craze could be dated back to the Old West.
When cowboys would want to dance, but would have no
dance partner.
Therefore, the lonesome dancers would dance in a
line alone instead.
According to www.tulsashuffle.com, line dancing
can burn up to 300 calories, so dust off your boots and hit
the dance floor.
If line dancing is not for you, there are alternatives.
Country waltzing, 2-Stepping and good old square dancing could be substituted. The vital component to a decent
country clubbing experience is music.
Country music has found its way onto pop music
charts and multimillion-dollar commercials, invading
pop culture with a coy attitude.
Though country music gives the impression of
cheesy, honky tonk tones with sappy lyrics, pop fans have
often found themselves humming to trendy melodies
from LeAnn Rimes, Shania Twain, and Faith Hill heard
on their top 100 stations.
Even pop princesses Madonna and Britney Spears
have embraced the country scene by slipping on faded
denim and cowboy boots for music videos, sparking a
rugged trend for fashion designers alike.
Country music is going through a metamorphosis,
but the raw, unbridled style veterans Alan Jackson,
Brooks and Dunn, and Willie Nelson embrace have
refused to change for rookies such as Toby Keith and the
infamous Dixie Chicks.
Although techno and Top 100 hits are in full rotation at clubs worldwide, country has not lost its club
alliance.
Texas, notoriously known for all things western
related is certainly a haven for country clubbing. With
great, Texas-sized rustic venues such as Midnight Rodeo
and Cowboy's Far West Rodeo, western clubbing is certainly on the rise.
The recently renamed, Cowboy's Far West Rodeo
has definitely caught country music fan's attention.
Located at 3030 N.E. Loop 410, Cowboy's Far West
Rodeo is over 90,000 sq. ft. of western attitude. Special
features include a mechanical bull, pro bull riding competitions, and billiards.
Cowboy's Far West Rodeo marketing director,
Kristin Koether was extremely enthusiastic when detailing how Cowboy's Far West Rodeo bucks the competition out the rodeo ring. "We have the best national
artists around perform, a 20,000 square foot
indoor rodeo arena, and we're 90,000 square
feet! We could fit 2 Midnight Rodeos in our
building," Koether said
Cowboy's Far West Rodeo will continue to
bring the highest-quality entertainers play the
best in live country.
The handsome, Rodney Atkins will come to
Cowboy's Far West Rodeo February 26th at 10:00
pm surely breaking cowgirl hearts all night long.
Other upcoming events consist of none other than country legend, Merle Haggard on March 26th at 10:00 pm.
For further information on upcoming events log on to
Cowboy's Far West Rodeo, at www.thefarwestrodeo.com.
Although Cowboy's Far West Rodeo has more space
than Midnight Rodeo, it lacks the popularity that
Midnight Rodeo has made by a legendary reputation as
one of the best country clubs in the state.
Located at 12260 Nacogdoches Road, Midnight
Rodeo has been bringing San Antonio the best in live
country music, drink specials, and bikini contests
Wednesday through Sunday for over 20 years.
The Midnight Rodeo is over 25,000 square feet of
dance room, patented with a racetrack dance floor, which
appeals to all age groups where the motto is:
“An Acre of Dancin' and Glancin'.”
For more information on upcoming events and photos, visit the Midnight Rodeo Eeb site at www.themidniterodeosanantonio.com
PHOTO BY KRYSTAL CORRAL
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS BURRELL
Cinefestival to offer a taste of film, culture
Leticia Russi
LAKE REPORTER
The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
will host a conference in correlation with
its 27th annual Cinefestival this March 5 at
Our Lady of the Lake University.
Cinefestival is the oldest and longestrunning Chicano film festival in the country.
The festival highlights new and
upcoming filmmakers and emphasizes a
theme every year to its participants. This
year's theme is “Many roads, un destino.”
The theme is a focus on American immigration and its impact on culture.
The center offers an open call to filmmakers around the country to participate
in the festival. The films are given to a
panel of five judges who take two days to go
over the submission. This year there were
over 80 entries.
One of the highlights of the festival is a
film called “Farmingville.” Just coming out
of the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, the
film highlights Mexican immigration in the
Long Island town of Farmingville, N.Y.
The film is directed by Catherine
Tambini and Carlos Sandoval. This will be
the premiere of “Farmingville” for Texas
and the Southwest.
The conference being held here at the
university will spotlight immigration in the
media. Issues will be addressed such as
“The festival offers a critique of
how the media affects individuals
and their view of immigration.”
Catherine Herrera
FILM DIRECTOR
media portrayals of immigration and
minorities. It will also feature multiple
filmmakers from across the country including “Sixth Section” director Alex Rivera,
Oscar-nominated Carlos Bolado, and
female directors Mylene Moreno and Eren
McGinnis.
Catherine Herrera, from San Jose,
Calif., is orchestrating the event for the
Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center and is a
director herself.
“I think that if you are bicultural, there
is going to come a point where you want to
tackle these issues,” said Herrera. “The
festival offers a critique of how the media
affects individuals and their view of immigration.”
According to Herrera, there is a need
for change in the film industry. Students at
universities taking film courses offer that
kind of change which in turn is a valuable
asset to the festival.
Herrera described some of the qualities needed to be a filmmaker in this festival as “a love for film, an interest for seeing, looking for, and finding new filmmak-
ers, and understanding of Chicano film.”
The festival is from March 3-6 and will
feature the premieres of some of the awardwinning films.
The festival arrives during President
Bush's scheduled visit with Mexican
President Vicente Fox in Crawford, Texas,
on March 5. This works well since the conference and festival will also highlight
immigration and its relationship to Mexico.
Students are encouraged to attend the
conference on March 5 at the Sueltenfuss
Library from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Students will be able to talk to a panel
of leading Hispanic directors and writers.
Panelists include: Carlos Sandoval,
Catherine Tambini (“Farmingville”), Carlos
Bolado (“La Linea Imaginaria”), Alex
Rivera, (“The Sixth Section”), Mylene
Moreno (“Recalling Orange County”), Lalo
Lopez (“La Cucaracha” comic strip), and
Eren McGinnis (“Beyond the Border”).
For more information on the art center and this event, log onto www.guadalupeculturalarts.org.
As some advice to filmmakers and students alike, Herrera says, “It can often be a
long road to getting a film made and it can
be a tough road trying to get your message
across. Stick to your vision and stick to
your dreams.”
RATING SCALE
Do Not Bother
Mediocre
Decent
Worth Your $
Classic
‘Eurotrip’
OK despite
being inane
By Sarah Ohmer
THE DAILY COUGAR (U. HOUSTON)
(U-WIRE) HOUSTON -- The
producers made a satisfying profit
from “Road Trip” and “Old
School,” so they couldn't resist the
temptation to force “Eurotrip” on
the masses. And it worked just as
well. A full house laughed its heart
away at the stereotypical
Europeans and clapped for more
erotic adventures.
The movie follows the consistently simple “American Pie”
recipe -- a hot chick, a horny precollege student, and a random
objective for the sake of the plot.
“Eurotrip” bursts with the
favorite Spring Break flavors -beer, butts and boobs. And what
better location than Europe .
The film features young stars
Jacob Pitts, Scott Mechlowitz and
Michelle Trachtenberg.
From Internet romance to
nudist Frenchmen, “Eurotrip”
coaxes a satisfied grin out of many
audience members, but will leave
a bitter taste in the mouths of educated film watchers.
fr omthevault
FEBRUARY 2004
rue
C
otley
M
a look at:
9
Punky
Brewster
1988
The movie:
Alfredo Valenzuela
CO-EDITOR
the stage in the opening credits; “it is a time of dread. Seers have foretold the birth of a child who will bring about the downfall of the powerful Queen Bavmorda. Seizing pregnant woman in the realm, the evil
A tale of fantasy, magic and adventure, “Willow,” was written queen vows to destroy the child when it is born.”
and produced by George Lucas. Lucas takes you along on the voyage
of Willow Efgood (Warwick Davis), a Nelwyn (little person) who has Rating 1988:
Rating 2004:
to cross rough terrain in order to return an orphaned Daikini baby (person of average height) who drifted into his village.
On his voyage Efgood battles trolls, befriends two brownies,
defeats the evil Queen Bavmorda and practices his sorcery while protecting Elora Dannon, the Daikini baby, at the same time.
“Willow” is so well written it is merely impossible to discuss
every single aspect of the plot. Through out “Willow” numerous
events occur which are indescribable, from the comedy sparked by
the brownies (Kevin Pollack, Rick Overton) to the fairy tale feel
of an evil queen and the eternal battle between good and evil.
What would a magical film be without a love story?
Mad Martigan (Val Kilmer), a Daikini who befriends
Efgood, falls in love with Sorsha (Joanne Whalley), Queen
Bavmorda's only daughter. By the end of the movie, Sorsha and
Mad Martigan adopt Elora Dannon, Queen Bavmorda is dead, and
Efgood is able to go back to his family.
The plot is somewhat predictable, however “Willow” is
still a classis. Ron Howard did an incredible job directing.
“Willow” was the first collaboration between Lucas and Howard.
Whether you are a Lucas fan, or just like fairy tales,
“Willow” is a must-see. Be sure not to miss these words, as it sets
PHOTO COURTESY OF LUCAS FILMS
Willow Egood (Warwick Davis) consoles Elora Dannon on their voyage to
the Daikini realm.
The music:
Alfredo Valenzuela
CO-EDITOR
The '80s were filled with glitz, glam and tons of hair metal bands that
played songs with the same old raunchy riffs and dirty lyrics. For those
who had a little something different in mind, let us take a look back into
1988, the year Metallica unleashed its monster of an album, “…and justice for all.”
With such hits as “Blackened,” “Harvester of Sorrow,” and of course
the war epic “One,” “…and justice for all” is a must have for true metal
fans. “…And justice for all” was set free in August of '88, and quickly
climbed the charts to its peak position at No. 6. This was a remarkable
feat, especially after the unexpected death of original bassist, Cliff Burton.
Though “…and justice for all” stays true to Metallica's early formula of fast paced guitar licks and brilliant lyrics, one song stands out.
“To live is to die,” is the longest track on the album coming in at nine minutes and 49 seconds short, and is the only song which still has Burton's
magic touch.
As the song opens and the volume increases, a calm and melodious
riff repeats itself, quickly jumping into a heavier, crunchier verse. This
PHOTO COURTESY OF METALLICA
song stands out not only because of its neverending length but as well for
its exceptional lyrics, which is only five short sentences. With such short
Though many critics frown on Metallica's latest choice of musical
lyrics one would think why even include them, but Burton's words com- style, Metallica will remain in the hearts of true metal fanatics. “And juspliment the tone of the song.
tice for all” is an exceptional album, and a timeless masterpiece.
James Hetfield's lyrics give the album an overall dark feel. Covering
subjects such as sanity, child abuse, death, war and justice, “…and justice Rating 1988:
Rating 2004:
for all” might not be the best album for your toddler to listen to, but it still
deserves much praise and recognition.
Pontiac
Trans Am
m ov i e n e w s
50firstdates
10
The restaurant owner
soon informs the understanding, marine veterinarian Roth
From Director Peter on Whitmore's bizarre synSegal (“Anger Management,” drome. He is more deter“Black Sheep” and “Tommy mined to win Whitmore's
Boy”) comes the lighthearted heart again even if he has
Hawaiian comedy, “50 First devise romantic tactics to reDates,”
starring
Adam introduce himself every sinSandler, Drew Barrymore gle day.
and Rob Schneider.
After making a video tape
When veteran womaniz- that informs Whitmore of her
ing bachelor Henry Roth syndrome, she falls in love
(Sandler) unexpectedly meets with Roth for the first of
the woman of his dreams, many times. With the help of
over an unusual waffle break- his sea friends/patients,
fast, he will not let her get Whitmore falls in love with
away or run from commit- Roth on a daily basis, but in
ment.
different ways every time.
Although the couple
When traditionally pickstarts on the right foot, Roth ing a birthday pineapple with
uncovers his Hawaiian dream her father, a stray cow on the
girl's secret. Due to a terrible road caused a major accident
car accident the previous resulting
in
Whitmore
year, the softhearted art obtaining a serious head
teacher Lucy Whitmore injury affecting her memory.
(Barrymore), lost her short- She now believes that everyterm memory. Every evening day is her father's birthday.
during sleep, Whitmore's
Whitmore's compassiondaily memory is wiped clean. ate father, Marlin (Blake
Subsequent to making Clark) and protective brother,
plans for another date the fol- Doug (Sean Astin) shield her
lowing day, Roth meets from reality by re-enacting
Whitmore witty and as the devastating day that
insightful
as
ever. occurred over one year ago,
Unfortunately, his heart and day after day.
hopes will be broken into a
The defending duo will
million pieces as Whitmore attempt to guard Whitmore
fails to remember him.
from the unyielding eye of
Melissa Gonzalez
LAKE REPORTER
Roth, known for being the
ultimate
Hawaiian
bachelor.
With further
guidance from
his beach bum, best
friend, Ula (Rob
Schneider) Roth will
disregard Marlin's and
Doug's warnings and continue dating Whitmore, even if
she may try her hardest to
resist.
Sandler
played
an
mediocre character, which he
does best i.e. “Mr. Deeds” and
“The Wedding Singer.” His
lines were not as humorous
as in past films, but he managed to make his character's
intentions as clear as the
O`ahu waves.
Sandler's boyish charms
certainly shined through, but
needed a little more to completely separate himself from
his past 80's character
“Robbie Hart.”Barrymore's
character was not especially
different from her role in
“The Wedding Singer.” She
played her traditional cute,
bright-eyed character that
unsuspectingly breaks male
hearts right and left as soon
as she opens her mouth.
Female audiences fell in
love with Sandler's romantic
determination, but male
FEBRUARY 2004
audiences fell for the sheer
tank tops Barrymore wore
during a passionate kiss in
the rain.
Schneider's
character
was definitely the main lifeline for comic relief. His
wacky, pot smoking, surfing
manner absolutely left audiences in stitches. Sandler
needs to follow his co-star's
style and find a unique character for every role he plays.
Sandler continued to
attach his cohorts into supporting roles in “50 First
Dates.” Sandler veterans,
Alan Covert and Peter Dante
made their theatrical presence as a hospital patient and
security guard.
Although they had minimal screen time, the cameo
definitely branded Sandler's
name all over the screen.
“50 First Dates” is entirely a date movie, with its
release date just one day shy
of Valentine's Day, appropriate marketing strategies were
unquestionably
involved.
Upon
the first weekend of release,
“50 First Dates”
grossed a box
office total of
$41
million
k n o c k i n g
“Barbershop
2:
Back in Business”
out of the No. 1
spot.
Although some
supporting characters' lines seemed
stressed, “50 First
Dates” had just enough
to keep audiences entertained as well giggling
like schoolgirls in between
perverted jokes. “50 First
Dates” is definitely a cure
for boredom, but can easily
be replaced with more
humorous Sandler films.
Rating:
PHOTO COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS BURRELL