Well seeing that we sometimes post and talk about stuff other soccer and the Pat's, I thought I would follow the lead of the Chicago Fire forum at B**S***** , I'll start one here. You can post about anything you want in this thread.

I guess I'll start it off:

Well today was my first day of school at UTEP. I had 3 classes today; math, political science and economics. They went OK, but now I have to find cash to buy the books. I guess my bank account is going to take big hit. I already bought my Pol. Science, it set me back about 50 bucks. Tomorrow I only have one class - history. Hopefully the book for history (and economics) won't be so expensive.

Last week I was totally bored so I was on the computer practically 24/7. It was really boring until I started messing around with Microsoft Paint. I stayed entertained for quite a bit once I got the hang of it. I worked on a lot of graphics and logos, but I put most of my energy into coming up with a new logo for the Pat's. In the past I think I have not hidden the fact that I really don't like the Pat's cartoonish logo. I always wished they would change it to something more traditional. I came up with a couple badges, but these are the ones I have been able to up load so far.

#1


#2

Let me clarrify before I go any further, Those logos are just me using my imagination, they are not official.

Well I guess I should explain them so maybe they make some sense. My fav. of the two is the first one.



To come up with the logo, I looked at existing logos for inspiration. It is quite obvious that my inpiration came from none other than Barcelona.


Once I got the general feel for what logo I was going to draw, I though of what would be important to show in the logo. I went with the thought "What better represents the Patriots?". Well after thinking about it, I came up with the Patriots missile from the existing logo, the geography of El Paso and the Texas flag. Now let me explain why and what significance they have.

First, the Patriots missile was obvious, I mean the team is named in honor of the it. Second, the geography of El Paso. I wanted to put something into the logo that would represent the city of El Paso. It took me a while but I finally came up with it after coming across my ticket stub from the Sun Bowl game. I remebered that for the past couple years I have gotten the opportunity to talk to some of our out of town guests who come in for the football game. Practically everyone I talked to said that they loved El Paso's sunny weather and mountains. So right there, I decided I should put the mountains and the river. Then it occured to me, what else make EP unique? The Rio Grande. So I put that in as well, so thats how I came up with on part of the logo. Finally I remebered about the Pat's anniversary, and how much pride I felt in seeing the Pat's being one of only a few teams to have survived this long. Then I came up with, well we are the only A-League team in Texas, so why not put a flag in there? And that pretty much led me to put in the things that I did.

I forgot to mention that the stripes in the background of the Patriot missile also represent EP in a small way. The two red stripes represent the two countries (and it's cultures) that meet here in EP. I picked red since it is featured on both the American and Mexican flags. Then the blue stripes represent either one of two things; the cities that make up the region (EP, Las Cruces and Ciudad Juarez) or the 3 states (TX, New Mexico and Chihuahua).

The difference between the two logos is the display of the Patriots team name. #2 was the first one I finished. When I finished it, I decided that maybe I should make one with the Pat's team name on it, so I did. That's how #1 came to be. Like I said I used FC Barcelona as a starting point, so that is why you see yellow in the background of the team name on the first logo.

From looking at the logos, I can say I have already found the need to make a small change to them. On the part where the Mountains are, I should add a star so it can truly represent the Franklin mountains. For our non-El Pasoans, the Franklins are the name of the Mountains in EP. On one of the peaks, there is a huge star made out of lights. It is considered as one of the many unique features of EP.

Anyways if I had my way, I would have the Pats change their logo to one of these in an instant.

The off-season is way too long darnit!!

Damned impressive !

Nice work chuwy !

Chuy, your logo rocks!

I've thought the cartoon was a little too "minor-league" for an organization with any aspirations of bigger and better things. I wondered what an old-fashioned shield should look like -- and remembered Arsenal has a picture of a cannon on theirs, so why not the Patriot missile. But this!...takes it to a whole new level.

I'm voting we adopt that sucker as our official unofficial logo!

Thanks Dan & Duke. I'll try to get more logos uploaded so you guys can see them. Also wheneer I have a chance I'll work on new jerseys for the Pat's.

Can't wait to see what more you have up your sleeve...

In talking about generalities, I drove past the Dudley Dome today on my way to the Coliseum for Buzzards' practice and, lo and behold, the darn thing has a brand new coat of paint in Patriot blue! It stands out quite a bit. At least it shows they're working on this upcoming season. Hope that pitch is next!

It's funny, having followed Buzzards hockey around the south and southwest these last five seasons now, how well these guys are received by a core group of local fans. These people buy season tickets year in and year out. It makes me wonder why the Patriots don't have a similar following. They do have some real soccer fans who come to their games regardless of weather or record or whatever, but there doesn't seem to be as much passion amongst that group as exists for the hockey team.

It's very strange...You'd think with so many people who are so very familiar with soccer in this city, there'd be more people showing up for things like giving guys goodie bags when they go on the road, helping them buy the basics when they move to town like sheets and ironing boards and so forth. It would be difficult to show up for the odd road game (a charter bus to Odessa as opposed to buying a plane ticket to Vancouver), but there really doesn't seem to be a whole lot of fan involvement with the team like I see for the Buzz. You would be surprised how loyal and passionate these Buzzards fans are about their little Double-A level hockey franchise, and that's nothing compared to what I see in some of the old-line CHL franchises like San Antonio. (I've never had an opposing booster club make their team's opponents an after-game meal, win or lose, until the Buzz played the Iguanas in San Antonio for the first time ever. I think if a team like New Mexico tried it, though, I'd want a food taster just to make sure they didn't put ground glass in the meat sauce or something.) For being so far removed from the NHL, you'd be surprised by the amount of passion these local fans give their hockey teams.

Why not in soccer? Why not start a Patriots' fan club that has an association -- however minor -- with the front office to help incoming players find what they need and give some moral support?

Maybe there needs to be a soccer version of "Slapshot!" where fans can quote lines from the movie ("Trade me to Hampton Roads! Right f***ing now!") to get a little more "involved" with the soccer lifestyle.

Maybe the lack of a loveable, blue-collar, scruffy-dog image in soccer is what keeps the game from endearing itself to American fans, especially below MLS.

Maybe it's the lingering perception that soccer is "just a kids' sport".

All I know is that Patriots tickets are cheaper and easier to come by than Buzzards tickets, yet the Buzz are now just below the Patriots' season average in attendance, but over 32 home games as opposed to 14. Wassup?!

Oh well, meandering time is over...

Woo Hoo!!

I can feel it, things are starting to come around for the beginning of the soccer season. I too saw that Dudley was being repainted. I wonder what other changes will be made to the stadium to get it ready for the upcoming season. I wonder if they are trying to get the place ready in time for tryouts (they are supposed to be taking place sometime in February.) Out of curiosity, what happened to the Scorpions? Did they move out of Dudley or was the team disbanded?

I thought that the Patriots kinda had a sort of booster club like you mentioned Duke? I always saw Cervantes family as a sort of booster club for the team. You always see members of his family, including his father-in-law, at the games regardless. Also I was led to believe that they were around most of the time when the team had a carne asada or get togethers. Anyways I remember last year I got some e-mail from someone telling me how much they enjoyed what I was doing. I responded to him/she and also mentioned that maybe we could try to start up a supporter's club. I never got a response from him. Anyways, I think starting up a supporter's club like you describe Duke would not be that bad of an idea. It'd be cool to meet some Pat's fans in addition to getting more people on this forum.

You bring up some good points Duke. One would think that in a city of 700,000 there would be a willing and loyal few who would do something similar to what the Buzz's fans do. It's funny, but I get the feeling that El Pasoans don't see our current sports teams as viable sports teams. Do you know what I mean? (I will warn you, I do know what I am talking about, it is just that I am having a hard explaining it.) I mean they see the local sports teams not as professional but rather as amateurs who play in amateur organizations and leagues. They see these teams as a novelty. Many El Pasoans seem to think that you should only show support for major teams. Honestly, it pisses me off that many people in this city have that attitude. Some don't understand that the way we support our current teams might one day help us obtain that "major league" team in El Paso everyone always fantazises about. There is nothing wrong with supporting our local sports teams.

I have a bunch of stuff that I want to write about here concerning the support of teams here in El Paso. Speaking of the Buzz, you know I have never really been to any of their games. I went once during their 3rd season, but 15 or so minutes into the game I had to leave to take care of some family emergency. Since then, I have not come close to going back. I like hockey, but the trouble is finding someone else who likes it that can go with me. Gong to sporting events with someone else is usually more fun than going by yourself. My dad doesn't really understand it, so he isn't willing to go to the games. Also all my friend who like hockey go to school in Austin.

Anyways, how are the Buzz doing? I have not had the chance to keep up with the team like I have other seasons. I do know that there was a merger with the CHL in addition to the league changing it's name to the CHL. Also I do remember that the entire South Conference is made up off pure Texas city teams. Other than those things, I don't know much about the team. Mind filling me in Duke.

Ok I am late for class.

No problem, Chuy...

The Buzz are actually doing pretty well headed into the ol' "Rodeo Road Trip" where they play the next three weekends on the road as the County Coliseum makes room for the SW Livestock Show & Rodeo.

It's a hard-hitting team that Trent Eigner has put together. You should check it out -- maybe with a girl friend or your mom or (if you have one) sister. Not to stereotype here, but the ladies seem to enjoy the fights a lot -- at least mine does, anyway. It's a real in-your-face sport and one of my faves, plus the athletes are, for the most part, very good people. They really do draw a lot of loyalty to the team and the organization. The owner's a bit whacked, the team has money problems (hey, hockey's expensive!) but it's still a great sport and a great team for this area.

As for how El Paso perceives its sports teams, I think you have a real point about supporting franchises that have absolutely no stake in this city and could care less how many members of the Dallas Cowboys fan club we have here. It's sad that people stay away in droves if any of the city's franchises fails or loses.

The Diablos might be the one team different from the rest. They're more driven by giveaways and hot dog nights and the San Diego Chicken. I still think their change from local ownership to a conglomerate of sports teams hurts them more than their losing record, despite what people say.

The Miners -- It's a love-hate relationship. It's like an on-again, off-again love affair. One moment UTEP looks like some gorgeous babe you want to take to the party and show off. The next, she's Roseanne Barr and she's pirating the karaoke microphone to tell everyone that she's hot for your bod and she's got a little ditty to honor America by.

The Buzzards -- They have their pocket of fans, and attendance is way, way up this season, but El Paso's still going to have a hard time identifying with hockey.

The Patriots -- Don't but should have more support from the many, many soccer fans in this city. Maybe a more focused approach to local, grass roots stuff is going to help in the long run. But they're still going to have to find some place other than Dudley when it becomes Sissy the Elephant's new sandbox.

(I have no clue what's up with the Scorpions.)

This is the D3 Conneticut Wolves' new logo. I think it is pretty cool. Rather classy. Since the Patriots seem to be in the midst of becoming a "real" soccer club, they should start thinking about changing the logo to something more classy and serious. May suggest something similar to the one I came up with.