Yesterday and today were prime examples of why it is so hard to be a Miner fan. Aside from the Cubbies fans out there, I think UTEP has misery cornered. The worst part is, it doesn't even matter how much paint and lacquer that Bob Stull puts all over the athletics department, it is still UTEP. Beautiful Larry K. Durham Center, Helen of Troy Softball Complex as well as Soccer field, a new video board at Kidd Field, it doesn't matter because it is still UTEP. Even the groundbreaking for the new Foster and Stevens Complex can't cover it up, it is still UTEP.
Braxton Amy was expected to take over for Quintin Demps (the most talented player) and Jeremy Jones (the leader) on the defensive side of the ball. He was going to invent the 'Miner' position, the safety-linebacker hybrid in Osia Lewis' brand new 3-3-5. A torn ACL later, Amy is slated to miss the entire '08 season. Little is known about the depth at the position, because before this spring IT DIDN'T EVEN EXIST. This is a huge blow to the bowl hopes for next year's Miners.
That didn't even have a chance to register before the whole Stefon Jackson dilemma broke. Jackson has since been arrested and charged with hindering apprehension, as police believe that he aided his cousin Willie Harden, Jr who was sought on six felony couts, including two attempted murder charges.
With Amy and Jackson's future up in the air, arguable the two best players in the two marquee sports, this fall could be very difficult and nowhere near as successful as both Mike Price and Tony Barbee would have thought a week ago. Luckily, they will both have months until the fall to try to plan for life without their two stars, if that is the case, but is still underscores the fact UTEP always seems to be snakebitten.
Always has been, maybe always will be. Scrape away all the paint and lacquer and UTEP is still UTEP.