Posted on 11/18/2009 8:25:42 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
EL PASO, Texas -- The widespread violence in Juarez is affecting a lot of things in El Paso, including the UTEP athletic program.
The basis of UTEP's athletic teams are formed by recruiting student-athletes from across the state and country to study and play in El Paso.
And now many of them, especially their parents, are now expressing concern about what is going on across the border.
UTEP's campus is located just a few football fields away from Juarez, where thousands have been murdered this year, and that is not easy to hide.
"I just recruited a girl from Sweden and she knew about it," said women's golf coach Jere Pelletier. Pelletier said it is getting more and more difficult to convince student-athletes to come here.
"How is Juarez affecting El Paso, is the number one question," he said.
Pelletier said the concerns of potential UTEP student athletes and their parents are real. In fact, he had a talented recruit in town over the weekend that he thought he was going to sign, until her father saw a story about Juarez in the Sunday newspaper.
"It's in the back of their minds every time and it's something we have to battle with every recruit. Not just with golf, I think all the other sports are having the same issue," Pelletier said.
UTEP athletic director Bob Stull admitted Juarez has become a factor in recruiting.
"To be honest with you, I usually try and meet with all the recruits' parents and quite frankly, many times I bring it up rather than them."
Stull said that honesty allows him to explain the complete situation.
"El Paso is still the third safest city in the country and I bring up that there has been over 2,000 murders in Juarez, but I think around 10 in El Paso, a city of over 700,000."
Stull said they tell student-athletes who decide to come to UTEP not to go to Juarez. "El Paso is a great place to live and it's a very safe place ... But less than 500 yards across the river, it is not."
UTEP's assistant to the president Richard Adauto said it's important not to "overexaggerate" what is happening in Juarez, though he admitted it is making it more difficult to recruit student-athletes.
Betcha a gal from Westchester wouldn't have a clue, given the MSM blackout on the failed state next door.
Over 2000 murders this year in Juarez?
I’m late to this discussion, but why so many?
I’m assuming drugs, but is it pot, or meth?
“Over 2000 murders this year in Juarez?
I’m late to this discussion, but why so many?
I’m assuming drugs, but is it pot, or meth?”
It’s about POWER. Power that the cartels are establishing over the Mexican government....and ours.
...and cocaine. Drug lords have control over the city.
Juarez has been a dangerous place for years.
My brother lives in El Paso. I went there for his wedding and found the place really depressing. Nothing but dirt everywhere. I am from Dallas and I am just used to seeing trees and grass everywhere, not dust.
Mexican drug cartels fighting over turf. More civilians are getting killed this year! 7 year old boy got shot with his father last Friday.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386626/posts
Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
“UTEP’s campus is located just a few football fields away from Juarez, where thousands have been murdered this year, and that is not easy to hide.
“I just recruited a girl from Sweden and she knew about it,””
I’d bet half the people of this country know anything about it.
all the major border towns in mexico are a killing field war zone. Some places on the east coast of mexico too. Fighting between drug cartels for control of routes
25 years ago I came a hair away from taking a summer course at UTEP. Went to James Madison in VA instead.
This is sad....UTEP is really a nice campus. I know this from growing up in El Paso.
However, UTEP is just a stone throw away from one of the nastiest Colonias (ghetto) across the river in Cd. Juarez...and you can see that wretched Third World ghetto from the top of the Sun Bowl on Sun Bowl Drive. Detroit looks snazzy compared to that Colonia
And, it will get worse for UTEP if Illegal Alien Amnesty is passed, because it will be much easier for illegals and drug cartels to get across the border....as they will come in more en masse (especially with a pro-illegal President and DHS Secretary Napolitano.
Hopefully UTEP can resolve the issue...but with possible Illegal Alien Amnesty, and, continued push for bad trade deals (NAFTA-North American Union)....it will get worse for the Miner faithful
They call it the armpit of West Texas!
I thought we had conceeded El Paso to mexico....
OH, so they gave it back? lol
I wouldnt be suprised if stray rounds end up on campus/
Current Appleseed Schedule
El Paso, TX - Nov 21-22; Dec 19-20
http://www.appleseedinfo.org/as_schedule2.php
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