Hey everybody!!!

I just wanted to give everyone an update on one of the bands that many of us in Iota are involved with: Courtside! 

Every year, despite how our basketball teams our teams do in regular season play, we’re at least able to go to the Big XII tournament. However, this year both teams were doing so well, the Big XII tournament was just the beginning of March Madness. Being a 5th year senior, I’ve been on my fair share of tournament trips but this year was the first time I was able to go on the Big XII tournament! I was super excited because it was a last minute opportunity and would eventually be the last time I would get to play in Courtside as an undergrad. :( 

But anyway, the trip was so much fun and I would do it all over again. The tournament was in Kansas City, Missouri (which was a place I had never been to). Besides watching the games/playing pep rallies/playing during the game, we went to an outdoor mall and ate Kansas City barbecue. 

Since I was one of the few people that got to go on the tournament last minute, most of the games I attended as a fan and not a player in Courtside. Our seats for the Men’s games were pretty sweet. 

One of the things I like the most about tournaments is that a lot of us are able to grow closer as sisters because we’re pretty much seeing each other 24 hours a day for 3-4 days at a time. I was able to room with three other sisters (Jenny Bates, Leanna Mason, and Christina Griffin) and it was so much fun. 

Even though this trip ended up being my last time in Courtside, I had so much fun and it was just a great way to end my five years in Courtside. I was able to see the Lady Bears win the Big XII tournament, see the Man Bears beat Kansas (they had a home field advantage), eat awesome barbecue, and spend time with my amazing sisters. 

MLITB,
  Bekka Limón, Spring 2008

P.S. Here’s a picture of me with President Judge Ken Starr!

       Dr. Ricardo Espinosa is our wonderful sponsor and has been since August of 2008. Dr. Espinosa is also the sponsor the Kappa Kappa Psi chapter here at Baylor University.
      He has a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from California State University, Los Angeles and received his Doctorate of Music Arts from UCLA. His hometown is La Cañada, California.
      Dr. Espinosa was very involved in Drum Corps International as a member of the Santa Clara Vanguard for 6 years and a member of their visual staff for 1 year. 
      The Iota chapter is so truly blessed to have Dr. Espinosa as our sponsor! He is talented, fun, hard working, and very understanding of our problems and attentive to our needs. He also so passionate about what he does!

Here is a “mini interview” I had with Dr. Espinosa:

What do you teach in the Baylor School of Music?
I teach undergrad courses in Conducting. I am the Associate Director of the Golden Wave Band, I direct the Concert Band, and I am the director for the Courtside Players.

When did you become our sponsor?
In September of 2008. I received Honorary Membership on September 7, 2008.

What is your favorite thing about being the Iota sponsor?
There are a lot of things! Being your sponsor has actually forced me to be a grown up – which has been very beneficial. I also love all the free stuff you guys give me. I don’t even have to do anything, you just give me free shirts.

You are also the Kappa Kappa Psi sponsor for our chapter here, Beta Alpha. Is that challenging?
It is, and it was especially at first. I immediately realized that there needed to be a lot of changes made to the MEP, which was a challenge. But overall, I enjoy it!

Is there anything else about being our sponsor that is interesting?
I found it interesting that other TBS and KKPsi sponsors across the nation have the same problems that I do. I went to a symposium in Louisville, KY that was for sponsors for TBS and KKPsi a couple years ago and ended up leading the whole discussion because I had so many questions. It was a great learning experience. 


Dr. Espinosa is, again, a wonderful sponsor and Iota is so happy to have him. Thanks for all your hard work, Dr. E!

Love,
Iota