Pretty nice digs

Here's an anomaly, all right. UTEP basketball player Stefon Jackson has been living in some pretty nice digs, Camelot Townhomes at 4800 Stanton. It's one of those gated-community places. It's at the highest point of Stanton Street in the Franklin Mountain foothills.

I must have missed the episode on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

That's the address listed for Jackson upon his arrest by Sheriff's deputies April 15. He was charged with hindering an investigation amid authorities trying to locate his cousin, who was wanted on six felony warrants in Pennsylvania.

Anyway, don't college kids, even those on athletic scholarships, usually live in a regular college-kid apartment — and usually share the rent with a bunch of other guys just to make ends meet?

Camelot Townhomes is pretty nice digs for the usual college fare of beer cans, pizza cartons and "TURN DOWN THE MUSIC, I'M TRYING TO GET SOME SLEEP!"

Scholarship athletes can choose to live in a campus dorm, and have the athletic department pick up the bill. Or they can get the equivalent amount of cash from the athletic department and live off campus. It's common for two or more guys to live in the same place, share the rent and have spending money left over. Perfectly OK with the NCAA rulesbook.

But it's got to be your money. Better not be any booster stuff involved.

I'm thinking it will take the whole Miner basketball team to share a place in Camelot Townhomes, at the highest point of Stanton Street in the Franklin Mountain foothills.

And unless they stiff the guard at the entry gate at Christmas-present time time, they'll probably need half the track team living there, too.

This is a place where a knock on your door doesn't mean the super is hounding you for last month's rent. This is a place where a judge or a bank president knocks and asks if he can borrow your crepe pan.

Pretty nice digs, indeed.

Comments

[john franco]

Given the crowd DJ is obviously running with, I don't think he needs money from any boosters. I'm sure his "friends" take care of him just fine.

[CLEOFITZWITZ]

Surely this is not the first time Joe has had his eyes opened to the life a a D-1 college star. Nothing new here. Go to any University across the USA and that is what you'll find. In fact, Stefon may as well be living under one of El Paso's overpasses compared to some.

[Maven]

Maybe Stefon's family is paying for his nice digs or maybe he could have serious debt as a result of his lifestyle. As long as he isn't getting a little something extra from boosters, coaches or agents, then no problem.

I am a little disappointed that UTEP admin isn't staying ahead of this kind of revelation with its athletes. It's all probably legit, but it sure doesn't look good, especially given Stefon's recent issues with the law.

Joe has brought this to the attention of the public. Let's hope it ends on this blog.

[Who's your Mumme]

Maybe he has a job or even a roommate?

I won't critize the kid but, sounds like his place is MUCH better than the shack off Espina where I used to live!

If he's leaving here and driving a BMW, it's time to worry.
If not, "don't worry be happy."

[Monchis]

Typical Joe Muench rant and anti UTEP blather!
Joe, your attempt to discredit UTEP, is old and trite and meaningless!
How about "exposing", NMSU players currently living the life of Riley?
As CLEO said, Stefon isn't the only athlete across the country that's living well.
I'm sure players at Duke, Texas, N Carolina, Kentucky, etc. are living better than Stefon, and under questionable circumstances I might add, but who is investigating? NOBODY!

[Maven]

Monchis,

The problem isn't anyone investigating athletes because of where they live, per se, it's what happens when an athlete gets into trouble and details of their lives are made public. Certainly Joe, who is part of the media, wouldn't have brought this up except that Stefon's address became known because of his recent troubles. I'm a little surprised, well maybe not, that others didn't pick up on this. Guess we are lucky we live in a small town.

And once people start digging, watch out. Look at the stink that Reggie Bush's living arrangements have made for Southern Cal. There are folks looking closely at his past. It's a possibility that SC could end up vacating victories, which would mean losing those championships because of Bush.

I'm not suggesting that Stefon is doing anything wrong. It's just that this comes out at a particularly inopportune time.

[RJ]

hey muench, how about you do some real research ad find out if stephon delacred for the draft..I thought he had to declare yesterday. Anyone know whats up?

[Labeasty]

Hasn't the deadline come and gone for declaring for the draft? With the many high profile players going pro, and the other issue he has do deal with, Stefon should stay in school.

[Darryn]

Joe,

It amazes me how a washed up sports reporter tries to draw attention to himself by trying to discredit an athlete from UTEP. Why don't you try to get the facts before you start dropping hints of inappropriate housing. You should really just pack up and move to Las Cruces and cover YOUR team. Your routine is very overdone. I guess the simple truth is that Las Cruces wouldn't want you either. You would certainly have more material to use if you concentrated on New Mexico State athletes though. Please retire. Your negative opinions are old and tired like you.

Go away,

Darryn

[ShyMiner]

wow... next thing you know Joe is going to say DJ has royalties from Chicos...

[Monchis]

Joe Muench has to create controversy, that's what he gets paid for.
The controversy creates notoriety for Joe, thus he gets to keep his job.
His intent is to get bloggers angry and the results of that anger generate more bloggers, and his objective is complete. I wouldn't place too much credibility on what Joe writes because his posts spark interest that's all! No substance or facts, only rumor, personal opinions and innuendo. It makes for interesting reading and creates speculation that's all! Nice try Joe.

[Miner Fan]

At Arizona, Miles Simon and Mike Bibby lived at an apartment complex at the Starr Pass Country Club and drove a Mercedes Benz and a BMW respectively. The back up center, Eugene Edgerson lived on campus and drove a beat up hatchback. Nothing new here.

[Austin]

Joe, I really enjoy your writing and I truly believe you're the only person the El Paso Times employs that has any real talent for writing and I think many would agree with that.

However, I think this post is cheap and borderline libelous. Based solely off of an address, you are publishing an article that implies Mr. Jackson is committing an NCAA infraction. You have no sources to verify that he lives alone or whether he has roommates. You have no evidence that can adequately account for his financial status, living arrangements, or family wealth.

With the arrest on his shoulders right now, any rumors of NCAA violations could cost him his scholarship and possible future earnings as NBA and foreign teams will arguably draw a less favorable impression of him. UTEP may be subjected to NCAA scrutiny, and an investigation that could effect recruiting, and consequently attendance.

Without more than an address, I think you owe Mr. Jackson an apology and a full retraction of this post that implies he has committed NCAA violations by taking money from boosters or worse.

Without more evidence, this post may constitute a malicious personal attack and reckless disregard for the truth. This is a newspaper, not the National Enquirer.

[Monchis]

As I stated before, Joe thrives on rumor and inuendo, and seems hell bent on making things difficult for UTEP, always has, always will!
As Austin stated also, the implications reach farther than for Stefon. UTEP is also implicated by inuendo, that they are harboring and condoning illegal activities by players as they pertain to NCAA rules!
Have you no scruples, have you no shame, Joe?
Maybe UTEP and Stefon have
a case against Joe and the Times for slander and codswallop article written by Mr. Muench?

[Erick]

LoL I can tell you from speaking to some players in both basketball and football that they have inside deals with coaches friends. Players also are given secret advice as to what teachers they should take for an easy A, I know that for a fact since a few have told me and its been quite obvious.

UTEP and any school is corrupt when it comes to this.