Reggie Helps Regain Respect for Aggies

It’s the kind of story that Disney movies are made of.

And with his previous acting experience, NMSU Men’s Basketball coach Reggie Theus could star as himself.

Aggie basketball was a lost cause a few years ago. Games were fun, but the Pan American Center in Las Cruces rarely roared and Aggies didn’t bleed maroon the way they should. It would take a miracle to breath life back into the basketball program in Southern New Mexico. But, if Disney has taught us anything, it’s that miracles are more than possible, especially in sports. And in a word, our miracle was Reggie.

The press jumped all over Reggie Theus’ decision to coach such a bleak team, but in 2005-2006, Theus's first year as a head coach, the team “tied for the fifth-best turnaround in all of Division I basketball and the best single-season improvement of any NMSU squad since the 1985-1986 season,” according to a New Mexico State University press release.

Basketball coach legend Lou Henson had just retired and NMSU had a laughable 6-24 season before Reggie made his way to the Southwest. Now the numbers are reversed, as the Aggies just finished the season 25-9.

NMSU hosted the 2007 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) tournament earlier this March. As the first conference hosted by NMSU, the pressure was on, but the Aggies rose to the occasion as they clinched the WAC tournament and won an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The 72-70 win over Utah State certainly gave the “Panamaniacs*” something to celebrate.

*As nicknamed by Dick Vitale about the NMSU fans at Las Cruces’s Pan American Center.

The packed out stadium rushed the court and with that, it was obvious NMSU basketball was back in action. It’s often unfair to place all the glory or blame on the shoulders of one man, but the kudos goes to Theus, the coach that earns louder chants from the crowd than the team itself. He walks down the steps of the Pan American Center with that gleam of earned arrogance and pride, while the team runs through the tunnel to get to the court.

The moment Theus stepped foot in Las Cruces he has been playing the PR game. Weekly radio shows at the former Johnny Carino's and now at Farley’s. A local television program through PBS/KRWG-TV aptly named “The Reggie Theus Show.” And now with a winning season under his belt, he doesn’t need much more to earn the respect of New Mexicans.

But Theus isn’t just seeking respect, he’s seeking a higher paycheck as well. This season Reggie racked in $355,000, but he's looking for more to quench his monetary satisfaction, though it’s already a well-known fact around the LC he’s a high roller for the area. But in the realm of sports, he has a point.

Theus wasn't quite the hot item two years ago like he is now, ESPN reported. It took ages for Theus to snag a gig as a head coach. He was an NBA player, analyst, broadcaster, actor, and then went on to coach a 17-and-under AAU team…not the star-studded glitz and glamour job he was hoping for, I’m sure. He then took a position as an assistant coach under Rick Pitino of Louisville, which helped pave the way to Aggie basketball.

And if you’re thinking he looks familiar, think back to his television days. I’m not talking when he was an NBA analyst or his brief cameo in “Forget Paris,” I’m talking “Hang Time,” the tNBC morning show watched by millions of kids nationwide.

Theus played “Coach Bill Fuller,” and though this always gets a shout out in the press, the fact that current college kids all recognize him from his “Hang Time” days is never played up the way it should be. His stint on this ridiculously cheesy, yet awesome, tween show has given Theus the edge with college students at NMSU. The shirts say it all: Reggie Nation.

Theus is proud of his “Hang Time” roots (well, tolerant anyway), saying in a press conference earlier this year when asked how he liked the crowd at a University of New Mexico game: “It was great, except for the guy who said he didn’t like ‘Hang Time.’ Come on, who didn’t like Hang Time?”

He poses a good question.

Reggie Theus is a good sport and is helping Aggie basketball become another good sport, like it once was. Here’s hoping he keeps it going and sticks around Las Cruces. He not only turned the team around, but he added flavor back into being a fan.

And maybe one day--if we're lucky--we’ll be seeing him on the big screen again.

Las Cruces: Where Food Bites Back

Spice up your daily cuisine routine and head to Las Cruces, New Mexico to heat up your taste buds and try the best Mexican food your tongue will ever savor.

There are great debates concerning the best Mexican comida, but the L.C. cannot be beat in terms of mom and pop restaurants offering foods from below the border, above the border.

Out-of-towners should resist the disgraceful temptation of Taco Bell and hunt around for those hard-to-find, holes in the wall. Atmosphere might be lacking, décor a bit lackluster, but the better Mexican restaurants often come in ugly, brown packages. They can't all be Casa Bonita.

Green chili, sometimes red, is the way of the world in the land of enchantment. If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the state. But if you are willing to experience the explosive tang, order up some smothered enchiladas to knock your socks off.

If you want the green chili “whole enchilada” without the actual enchilada, try a chili relleno. It’s deep-fried goodness wrapped around a cheese-stuffed green chili. Chances are if you’re dining in Cruces, the chili is locally grown, most likely from Hatch, 20 minutes north of the city.

Seeking something crunchy opposed to the typical soggy serve-up? Flautas are the way to roll. A corn tortilla formed into a cylinder-shape, flautas can be full of chicken, beef, or cheese.

So as for where to get the aforementioned tasty chow in Las Cruces, check out my top ten Mexican joints in the area. It has taken years for me to craft this list into perfection, so take note of my sincerity when I say, these places will rock your world.

1. Cha-Chi's. 2460 South Locust Street.
The attentive staff, cheap food, and delicious entrees will keep you craving this place days after.

2. Andele’s. 2184 South Highway 28.
A salsa bar is definitely as cool as it sounds and a quaint patio in the back makes Andele’s on the edge of Mesilla a great stop. Don’t let the dirt parking lot deter you.

3. LJ’s/ Mi Rinconcito. 1605 South Solano Drive.
For years my generation has been calling this restaurant LJ’s and for the life of me, I have no idea why, but nevertheless, the $3.50 student special is the cheapest lunch deal in town. Chips, salsa, drink, taco, and a smothered burrito are your best bet.

4. Chilitos. 405 South Valley Drive.
Two locales, one worth frequenting. With a hint of garlic, their salsa is by far the best in the city.

5. Twisters. 800 South Telshor Blvd.
It looks tacky, fast-foody, and empty, but for take away, Twisters offers a great selection for parties. The $50 green chili chicken party enchiladas are a staple at Harben family events, without fail.

6. La Posta. 2410 Calle De San Albino.
This Mesilla restaurant right off the square has fish in aquariums and birds in cages, not to mention gigantic plates of food for dinner. About $10 per plate for the combo meals, La Posta has the size, taste, and atmosphere all on its side.

7. El Sombrero. 363 South Espina Street.
Talk about cheap and delicious, El Sombrero is good for lunch or dinner, especially if you sit on the enclosed patio.

8. Roberto’s. 908 East Amador Avenue.
This place used to be higher up in the rankings, but has subsequently dropped due to poorer service and failing multiple health inspections, but it still ranks at numero 8 because of history and loyalty.

9. Bravo’s Café. 3205 South Main Street.
Three words: chili relleno burritos. Only reason to go and get it take-away.

10. Ranchway Barbeque. 604 North Valley Drive.
It’s on this list as a favor to my brother, because it ranks in his thanks to the brisket inserted in the flautas. Worth a try.

Don't agree? Leave a comment with your picks.

Bill Fits the Bill: Richardson 2008

Don’t let the bollo tie distract you…Richardson’s the man.

Last week New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced a strong interest in running for the 2008 presidential election on the democratic ticket. Setting him against hard-hitting players like Sen. Hilary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, Bill will have his work cut out for him if he’s looking to make any national headway. But he not only has experience on his side, he also has New Mexico.

Richardson has already put New Mexico on the map with his fierce involvement with immigration and role in the current border problems facing both the U.S. and Mexico. After declaring a state of emergency and requesting federal assistance in 2005 due to the immigration problems facing the state, Richardson stood in the national spotlight after taking such a drastic move toward securing both the border and the plights of immigrants.

“The region has been devastated by the ravages and terror of human smuggling, drug smuggling, kidnapping, murder, destruction of property and the death of livestock,” Richardson said when he declared the state of emergency. “[It] is in an extreme state of disrepair and is inadequately funded or safeguarded to protect the lives and property of New Mexican citizens."

This strong statement brought attention to the woes of the Southwest and its proximity to Mexico. With New Mexico sharing 180 miles with the country to the south, it is a key state in the border battle. And Richardson is right in the middle of this debate.

Well-rounded and seemingly everywhere, Richardson always has his nose in foreign policy and is a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Also, after serving as the Secretary of Energy, you can often see Richardson on the news whenever there’s an energy crisis at hand.

In 2006, Richardson traveled to Darfur and helped exclusively to negotiate a ceasefire between the rebels and the Sudan government. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s also a favorite among the North Koreans, who specifically request speaking to Bill on several matters, such as their nuclear weapons program.

Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995, 1997, 2000 and 2001, Richardson has successfully garnered the release of prisoners and hostages in Iraq, Cuba, the Sudan and North Korea.

But one of his greatest strengths—being active in foreign affairs— might be a potential downfall, as some New Mexicans feel as though Bill doesn’t spend enough time in his home state. There are also irritated rumblings about a private jet and frivolous spending, but what modern politician doesn’t fall under this category? And there’s always his alleged claim to fame that he was selected for baseball’s minor league draft.

But despite those claims, Richardson’s road to the White House might last longer than some anticipate. As the media latches onto the Obama and Clinton bandwagon, Richardson may slide by unnoticed until we find he’s the democratic name on the final November 2008 ballot.

Richardson has done right by New Mexico on many fronts and could do the same for the United States if given the opportunity. For one, Richardson has propelled the New Mexico film industry beyond our wildest dreams.

“We are producing an average of one film per month,” he said in a speech given in 2004. “Our film-related revenue grew 1,000 percent last year, and it's growing even faster this year.”

According to a press release from the Governor’s office, Richardson allotted $1 million for “the purchase of a ‘mobile’ film equipment package” to be used in film classes for students in New Mexico, which will put them ahead of the film game.

He also helped students at New Mexico State University understand government last year when he headed up a seminar course every other week for an entire semester. In what other state can undergrads take a class with the governor of their state?

Richardson has also looked far beyond the borderline, and even beyond this world, to space. He is a big supporter of the private aerospace industry. New Mexico has just become the number one spot for the future of space tourism and we can tip our caps to Bill for this accomplished feat.

Between his involvement and propinquity to the U.S./Mexico border, his evident political prowess, and progressive focus on the future, this Spanish-speaking Democrat might just be the man to beat.

And if not, he’ll at least have his position in the Guinness Book of World Records for shaking 13,392 hands in an eight-hour period while campaigning in Albuquerque, beating President Theodore Roosevelt's record. And of course, he'll always have his bollo tie.

For more information on Richardson, check out his biography.
Or his Web site.
Or the ever-reliable Wikipedia.




Thanks to www.unm.edu for the use of the photo.

New Mexico 101: Welcome to the Land of Enchantment

This state will capture your imagination. Though many don’t think it’s even part of the United States, it’s probably because New Mexico has a flavor all its own.

I stumbled upon New Mexico years ago when my parents decided they needed a vacation from the harsh winters of upstate New York. From snow-capped mountains in Taos ski-valley to the southern comfort of dry summers across the state, the “Land of Enchantment” is an undiscovered cove of culture. With a helping of traditional Mexico, a dash of Native American customs, and the zest of the American way of life, this state is unlike any other in the Southwest.

The first thing you need to know upon entering New Mexico is the answer to the most frequently asked question: red or green? Referring to chile, most restaurants offer this spicy addition to meals. Most locals have their favorite, but if you ask for the Christmas tree option you can get the best of both worlds.

Known primarily for aliens, hot-air balloons, and Billy the Kid, New Mexico lives up to the typecast and thrives off of these points. The 1947 crash outside of Roswell put eastern N.M. on the map. Albuquerque is home to the annual hot-air balloon fiesta in October. And Billy the Kid is venerated in the southern part of the state, where you can find most souvenirs with his name on it.

The capital of New Mexico is Santa Fe, the arty cultural center of NM. Based around a bustling plaza, there is an art gallery and cobblestone alley around every corner. With a rich history involving Spanish explorers and Mexican conquerors, Santa Fe was founded in 1610.

Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico Lobos and a thriving youth culture. A busy city with a plethora of job opportunities, Albuquerque is the largest city in the state. The 'burque is always a good destination for a road trip.

In Southern New Mexico one will find 350 days of sunshine and Las Cruces, a college-town with about 100,000 residents. New Mexico State University resides in the L.C. and so do miles of cotton, chile, and pecan orchards.

Beyond the pleasant aesthetics, New Mexico is also a hotbed of controversy and emerging political stories revolving around the border and immigration. In 2005 Governor Bill Richardson declared a state of emergency due to illegal immigration and the lack of aide from the federal government.

After going to high school in Las Cruces, I’ve learned the way of New Mexican life and keep track of the happenings in my home state. This blog will explore border issues going on in NM and the surrounding areas; from the asinine wall being built along Mexico to the teenage obsession with Juarez. Stay tuned, controversy is bound to explode.

For a map of New Mexico, check it out here.