The Strelz goes off on the Times

I went to see my first-ever arena football game on Saturday evening. The El Paso Generals handily beat the Corpus Christi Hammerheads. The crowd was great and it was great to see some football during the summer.

One thing kind of took me by surprise, though. It seems Paul Strelzin, who is a play-by-play caller for the Generals was upset at what he thought was the El Paso Times' lack of coverage for the team. At one point he asked the crowd to call Times sports editor John Erfort and complain. During another rant, he used his microphone to ask if anyone from the Times was covering the game. When his question went unanswered (he was on the sidelines and the press box is at the top of the El Paso Coliseum), he told the crowd not to buy the paper on Sunday.

When the game ended, I approached Mayor John Cook who had been sitting on the front row of the coliseum near The Strelz. Cook pointed out to me that the Times had gotten a tough break all night long, and yelled down to Strelzin to let him know that someone from the Times was in attendance at the game, pointing to me. Strelzin used the mic to mention that the paper had gone to the game and that he expected a big article in the paper.

Perhaps The Strelz was still upset about a story the Times ran recently outlining a lucrative contract the El Paso Independent School District gave the former principal and radio show host to boost morale at several campuses. Still, the Strelz didn't call out any other media during his stint on Saturday.

By the way, to read Times sports writer Aaron Bracamontes' coverage of Saturday's Generals game go here.

Comments

[texball]

paul needs to grow up....he is robbing episd taxpayers of monies....

he is not a great motivational speaker.......just a loud one......

its all about him.....

it has never been the kids or the school....its all about him.....

he should donate the money recieved to charity

[biggyg]

You know what suprzies me that everbody talks about the strelz what kind of money hes getting from the episd . but i tell everbody about the millions of dollars spent wrongfully and no one does notting about it but me . so stop talking so much trash about mr. strelz and put your mouth to work where it needs to be at . so go down to the board meetings of the episd and start complaining to board menbers about all moneys they are spending wrongfully. on the first tuesday of each month at 5.pm at school dist office. so like the big G WOULD SAY EIRTHER PUT UP OR SHUT UP.......

[strelz]

hey gustavo is that you? no story in the print edition this morning but you can find it on line...that's what I am talking about. The Generals are an exciting team playing great indoor football...eight lines about them in saturdays paper and nothing in sundays print edition. the story on the net is great too bad it didn't make sundays print edition.

[sucio]

The Strelz is an awesome motivational speaker. He's motivating the Times. And no news is bad news when it comes to a newspaper. The Strelz is a Golden Ox!

[Jay Koester]

After checking my e-mail, I found one from the sports editor saying the story didn't make it into the newspaper because of early deadline issues.

So we posted it online, and it will run in the Monday newspaper.

[359]

strelz SUCKS !!!!!

[LisaD Fan]

Can't you guys find something of importance to write about?

The Strelz is a hard working 72 year old, who moved here what 40+ years ago to start a new life and family. He was the voice of numerous sports teams, a teacher, a principal, an educational consultant, radio host on just about every station in town.

Give the guy a break - he's earned it. When he gets loud just accept it as Strelz being Strelz.

Now that Lisa D is off the air I may even become a Strelz Fan and start going to General's Games!

[sucia]

what a joke, the strelz should quit taking the EPISD for a ride and give back the money or quit. the students are not motivated by some sports announcer yelling to "DO GOOD" just like he would when he is hosting an event. It is in bad taste to take his personal vendetta and use a sporting function to retaliate. If the manager of the Generals had any common sense he would make strelz cease and desist before they suffer a legal set back just like the other business entity did when Strelz called someone crazy. Using someone elses company to settle a score is not only bad taste but a perfect example of a "sore loser."

[Hey Baby]

Strelz is a loud mouth arrogant a.s.s. His loyal Streliznites brown nose and suck up to him. He thinks he deserves a radio show because five people have nothing else better to listen to! I've had more than enough of his New Yorker shtick. Go away and stay away!

[Hey Baby]

Sucia, I refuse to attend a Generals game while Loud Mouth is their public address announcer.

[blog head]

I WILL NOW attend Generals games now that I know Strelzin is their public address announcer! He is very entertaining!

[a fan]

Paul Strelzin was the Principal at Bowie High School where he motivated and inspired many during his time there. He lifted the morale of the whole student body by participating in school functions, being present in classrooms, talking to the students during lunch times, and building a team atmosphere where every student felt proud of going to school and say that "The Strelz" was their principal. I should know I'm a proud graduate of Bowie High School!
He knows how to push the right buttons to get things done. My hats off to "THE STRELZ".

[la fresca]

People forget that the Stelz was let go from EPISD and often engages in hyperpolic rants when he doesnt get his way. Also, why has every one forgoten about about his termination from a previous radio job for the alleged 'payola' from a past mayor (wanst it Cabarello??)...supposidly a non repayable loan to help pay for his daughters wedding. He doesnt care about kids - he cares about money and only money and lets us not forget...self promotion

[Boss]

Why don't you all get the facts regarding Strelzin, instead of listening to rumors and stupid comments. This man is a very special man, smart, and a "NUMBER ONE" administrator - He should be training all administrators with EPISD. He knows how to motivate and educate his employees, students, and parents. "RESPECT" - Get to know "The Strelz" EPISD is not wasting tax-payers money. Dr. Garcia did a wise choice. BEST ANNOUNCER IN TOWN.

[Araham Bejia]

Give the Strelz a mike and he'll get even with whomever.

AB

[junior]

With a city that's almost 40% under the age of 40, you would think the generals would get an announcer who could relate to that core audience. Arena Football in El Paso is a good thing, but an announcer who just yells out every one of the words that come out of his mouth is annoying. All it ends up being is nothing but a headache for all of us that have to hear them.

[Alfredo Gonzalez]

I'm glad somebody spoke up! The Times is always skipping out on our local sports teams. We finally have a good Indoor Football team and the coverage is terrible. I hope the Times start taking care of their local sports teams!

[LT]

I would expect better behavior from someone of his age. Guess not.

[Paydirt Pedro 13]

I had no idea the Strelz was the PA guy for the Generals, I am soooooo there the rest of this season!!

[RBSProds]

First, isn't it interesting that the person who wrote the sports article on the Generals was not at the game (Gustavo Reveles was at the game): maybe Paul's complaints embarrassed the Times into doing a full story. Shouldn't the writer be compelled to be actually AT the game? Or did the Times writer do the story from the final 'stat' sheet and a telephone interview? No crime to do that, but still......
Second, I went to the Times article on Strelzin and was shocked, so I did a little math: Strelzin got $23,800 and did the following according to the Times:
Bowie High:motivational speaker at about five assemblies, one faculty meeting, 15 individual meetings w/teachers and counselors and four professional learning committee meetings. He also had 40 meetings with administrators and assistant principals and made 100 classroom visits: a total of 165 activities at Bowie.
Austin HIgh: 11 motivational assemblies and pep rallies, 20 faculty meetings, and 12 individual meetings with teachers and counselors. He also made 80 classroom visits and attended 60 administrative meetings. A total of 183 activities at Austin: Grand Total-348 activities divided into $23,800=about $68 dollars per activity, not addressing the hours. Gotta admit the guy has been putting in the time and effort. That's barely lunch and gas money and a little 'pocket change' for Strelzin. LOL. For a man who is a successful principal, announcer and family man (Yeah, I don't like hearing about the family over and over either, but he's got a point: the wife and daughters are also very successful.) It took me 2 minutes to do this math and the money seems well spent for 'fresh eyes' on school problems, and it doesn't even address "time" spent. It also makes that $8,000 for work at Ross (average $45 per visit) look like 'chump' change, but Strelzin has always been a chump for the kids. Maybe we should complain about the predatory school district leaders who roam from district to district, failing each time and leaving with 'golden parachutes', only to reel in another district around the nation. Maybe it's time to try hiring locally. (BTW, I listen, but have never called his shows & have never met Paul Strelzin. I just evaluated the Times own 'reported' data.)

[Gustavo]

RBSProds:

I didn't write the Generals story. That was Aaron Bracamontes who wrote it. And, by the way, he was at the EP County Coliseum for the game. I ran into him during halftime.

[RBSProds]

I didn't say you wrote the story, Mr Reveles, I just evaluated your own words in your lead-off story which indicated you were the only Times reporter there: you didn't mention Aaron was there. Therefore, I stand corrected and apologize to Aaron Bracamontes and the Times. It was an excellent game recap written by an excellent reporter.

[Petro]

The Mouth of The South is the best, The Diablo games have never been the same without him. I hope he can get kicked out of a game here too. I love that the next generation of kids can grow up hearing him, he always made it a blast to go to the old Dudley Dome.
For all you Haters we don't want you at the games anyways!

[Frank]

Strelzin is nothing but loud noise. If you want to know why EPISD is so fouled up just look at this guy and that will be your 1st hint. He is a self important nothing whose time has passed but he doesn't realize it yet. Everything he's involved in seems to be on the shady side. I wonder if he has paid his property taxes for last year yet?

[Henry]

It seems that every single poster that attacks the Strelz is a Political Conservative, with an axe to grind because of Strelz's high profile ability to expose the Neo-Cons for what they are: rabid Idealogues that propagandize and attack the truth and spread their lies to try and influence political thought.