s I listened to the build up of the game I thought ‘Wow! I’d love to be sitting in the Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas right now for the "get revenge" rematch.” It would probably be the first sell-out of their new expanded 100,000+ seat stadium. That game will be an event. Instead I was heading to Las Cruces for the UTEP vs. NMSU game. So, this night would hopefully be a good night instead of the perfect night. But, I just couldn’t shake the thought that if I could somehow both, watch the Texas game and cover the NMSU/UTEP game, that would be pretty close to a great night.
The beautiful Mesilla Valley unfolded as I cruised up Hi-Way 28 past Chamberino, New Mexico. And now I was heading west as I just turned at the Vado, NM junction and was just a couple of miles east of La Mesa, New Mexico. La Mesa is the home of the world famous Chope’s Bar and as an extra, it has their family restaurant next door. The pull was strong as that great food called to me as I drove by. But, there was no time for those great enchiladas right tonight.
|
UTEP Miner fan flashing some shing gear but with a purple top to "hide" the colors.
Photo: Brax/VPC
|
Just north of La Mesa, I came upon the vast expanse of pecan orchards of the world famous Stahman's Farms that hugs the escarpment and hills of the west desert mesa for thousands of acres east past the Rio Grande River. The miles of shaded drive through the lush green canopy of almost darkness is truly a refreshing ecosystem. And on those hot June days with the thermometer way past 100 degrees, Stahmans is truly an oasis in the desert for those driving through the Mesilla Valley. This night, the great orchard was just another added treat to a great drive north.
I arrived to Las Cruces with 20 minutes to spare and the campus of New Mexico State University was abuzz with fans. But, the roads to the stadium parking lots were already blocked by the cops and I’d have to park all the way behind the shops on University Avenue.
Last chance. The Texas game was starting in a few minutes... hmmm. Heck, I didn’t even know what bar or restaurant would even be carrying the Texas game. I decided to get those photos at the UTEP and NMSU game and I began the long walk to stadium. I was sure that I would find some great photo-ops along the route past the PanAm Center.
|
Aggie fans were horrified to see this form of "child abuse". Ha ha! Making children wear Miner colors. My word!
Photo: Brax/VPC
|
I hop into the flow just like one of the ants and lo-and-behold I saw some adorable kids all decked out in school colors. I got some great photos of two tiny Miner fans all decked out in their orange and blue outfits. I also took some cool photos of grade school Aggie fans in maroon. I was thinking, ‘Do Miner fans consider parents who dress up their children in Aggie gear guilty of “Child Abuse”? But, it must be pretty cool to be part of family fanaticism. I got to the stadium and my Press Pass was waiting for me. Thanks Tyler. That's Tyler Dunkle from the NMSU AD’s media office.
Entering the stadium, I found myself in a sea of maroon and black as the Aggie fans were out in force for this great I-10 rivalry game. I was heading into the stadium with a few minutes to spare. But, I’d have to run all the way up to the press box to get my Press tag so that I would be allowed on the field.
|
Miner running back Donald Buckram finishing off the run as well as the first UTEP drive with a dive into the endzone.
Photo: Brax/VPC
|
As if on cue, I spotted a beautiful tall blond who was along with a couple of friends just ready to be photograhped. She was the first Aggie fan at the game so I decided to photograph the three of them. The three coeds loved the attention and gave me big smiles. Then the blond asked me where these photos would end up. I explained to her that this article would be in the Upper Valley Living and Mesilla Valley Living magazines and as I was talking to her... it hit me. Her photo would be the first photo of
Las Cruces ROX's
inaugural article and photo gallery. She and her friends were ‘totally’ thrilled.
But, before I could start photographing on the field, I had to began the long climb up the stadium stairs to get to the press box and wrap the tag around my leg. With that task completed, I had to sprint back down to get on the field as the game was just about to start. As I was taking in the full view of the stadium and the sea of black and maroon with only a little orange, I noticed that the clouds seemed to be moving toward Las Cruces. Still, without any rain nor high 90 degree temperature we would normally have at this time of year; the game started under perfect conditions. The question was, ‘Would it last’?
Unfortunately, for Aggie fans, NMSU didn’t sustain it was opening drive and the fans pleaded for their defense to step-up and stop the Miners. But, UTEP drove down the field like a knife through butter. I got some great photos of the Miners drive and their first touchdown. The soon to be sensational, Miner running back, Donald Buckram ran wide left and just got the ball across the goal line before it left his hand. Miner 7-0.
