Where Texas Western Led, Others Followed — Miner’s New Book Chronicles UTEP’s Historic Stake in American Culture (April 2019)

Sixty years of living and football, plus two years of research and writing, just washed up on my doorstep today. A 5,213-pound package containing 1,500 copies of my baby. You may recognize it as my new release: Beyond The Big Shootout – 50 Years of Football’s Life Lessons, a historical account of the Arkansas – Texas game for football's national title, and what happened afterwards. Answer: Plenty.

No Plus for the Miners — What ESPN’s New Deal with the Big 12 Does for UTEP and Conference USA (April 2019)

In case you missed it, cable sports gorilla ESPN just drove a $40 million wedge between NCAA haves and have-nots. Specifically, the network signed an agreement, beginning this year, for ESPN+ to deliver Big 12 football and basketball games on its online subscription streaming service.

Faithful UTEP Stalwart on the Mend (March 2019)

Miners Are Forever: Always enjoy reading your thoughts, Mark. I had emergency back surgery on Feb. 19. Two vertebrae had twisted together and closed my spinal cord. Was in rehab for three weeks, and it will be a slow and long recovery, but I’m a little mobile with a walker. I need a good trainer! — Marilyn Cromeans, El Paso {Editor's … Continue reading Faithful UTEP Stalwart on the Mend (March 2019) →

Winchester Shoots His Own Ammo (March 2019)

In the mid-1960s, former Texas Western Coach Bum Phillips moved from the border to Port Neches-Grove High, where son Wade was a promising sophomore linebacker.

RIP. A Light Goes Out in Texas: Ed Puishes (January 2019)

We lost a good one when former wide receiver Ed Puishes died late this week in his Central Texas home after a long illness. He was 69. A three-year letterman at UTEP and one of the conference leaders in pass receptions, Puishes (rhymes with “bushes”) still ranks No. 8 in school history for total receptions … Continue reading RIP. A Light Goes Out in Texas: Ed Puishes (January 2019) →

Flush Mode: Winter Plumbing Job Will Help Fix UTEP Football Roster. Here’s why. (January 2019)

Signing Date for football, always circled on my calendar, is Feb. 5. For Miners fans, it could not come soon enough, as the coaching staff continues to scrub a roster that has won once in the last 24 games. Defensive end Trace Moscorro, an undersized but competitive starter, has transferred to Sam Houston State where … Continue reading Flush Mode: Winter Plumbing Job Will Help Fix UTEP Football Roster. Here’s why. (January 2019) →

UTEP Miners in the NFL — The coaching tie that binds (January 2019)

UTEP fans hardly raised an eyebrow recently when Texas Tech boxed up Kliff Kingsbury and shipped the former Red Raider quarterback out of Lubbock. No return postage required. So, again, we see universities have a way of eating their own young. We also see why most coaches strive to get along, at least to make … Continue reading UTEP Miners in the NFL — The coaching tie that binds (January 2019) →

Looking for Love – UTEP’s 2019 Football Sked (January 2019)

If UTEP football schedules had you wincing and peering between your fingers, take heart. The 2019 slate just released late last week is the most equitable, even-handed slate in years. The schedule features six home games, six road trips, with no meat grinder at Oklahoma for a quick payday. Look within the line items and … Continue reading Looking for Love – UTEP’s 2019 Football Sked (January 2019) →

Sports fan? History buff? Here’s a delicious double dip (January 2019)

Beyond The Big Shootout – 50 Years of Football’s Life Lessons by Mark S. McDonald, with illustrations by Bill DeOre, will be available by mid-April, 2019. More than 100 photos and color illustrations, in a classy 320-page hardcover “coffee table” presentation. Great gift idea as college football enters its 150th season. Order now, and you receive a … Continue reading Sports fan? History buff? Here’s a delicious double dip (January 2019) →

What Has Become of Sean Kugler? (January 2019)

The Denver Broncos, after their first back-to-back losing seasons in nearly 50 years, recently canned Head Coach Vance Joseph. While most assistant coaches in college and the NFL have their tin cans tied to the H.C., the Denver Postreports the Broncos are expected to retain most of Joseph’s staff. This would include a fellow named … Continue reading What Has Become of Sean Kugler? (January 2019) →