BEAUMONT — Don’t expect these Mustangs to ride off into the sunset anytime soon.

The gold and red clad Southeast Texas semi-professional basketball team has proved they’re about winning games, but an entire side-mission of their journey is to win over the hearts of local basketball fans and the community at large.

Mustangs’ co-owner and vice-president of operations Jason Apodaca opened Monday morning’s press conference at Ford Arena by declaring that the American Basketball Association team will not follow in the same suit as franchises who’ve come before them.

“Southeast Texas has seen two teams come and go,” Apodaca said.

“We certainly want people to understand that we’re not leaving at the end of the season — when the season ends, we’re here. We want the public to know this is their team. The Southeast Texas Mustangs signed a three-year deal with Jefferson County, so we’re not going anywhere.”

Jefferson County Judge Ron Walker gave praises to the team for becoming good role models with their professionalism during games and community presence off the court.

“I think the Mustangs are very important to this area,” Walker said. “Especially for the area youth. This is a great area for kids, boys and girls, to come out and become inspired about a sport that they love, that they play. “They’ll learn a lot.”

Walker then called on the community to show support for the Mustangs, who are a team, he says, that has worked hard to win their fans and become athletic role models for future on-court stars.

“I can’t think of a better place for our area’s high school athlete’s to go and receive the inspiration to become better athletes, better basketball players,” Walker said. “When they see these guys performing their professional art, they will leave here inspired.”

The Mustangs have only lost one game in their inaugural season so far, a one-point 93-94 heartbreaker, to the South Texas Showboats back in early December. Since then, the Mustangs have scored more than 100 points nine times in 10 wins, including a 137-77 trouncing of the Houston Takers.

Head Coach Steve Tucker has committed himself to ensuring a successful and winning program since day one, and would like the public to know he intends to keep things going in the right direction.

“I want people to see a hard working team, a team that’s going to be consistent and a team that’s going to represent well, on and off the floor,” Tucker said.

“I want fans to know they’re watching players who are extremely representative of our organization and our city, our community and area. Hopefully, they’ll see that and want to become involved.”

Tucker stressed how important it was for the team to be deeply involved in the community and aside from their on-court duties, the Mustangs have made strides to do just that.

“We have our players out speaking in the schools, speaking in area recreation centers — they’re out doing various projects with kids in different area organizations,” Tucker said.

“We’ve involved ourselves from the beginning, and we have many future plans to involve ourselves even more — we want this community to know that we’re reaching out and we want to be involved.”

Several familiar can be seen donning the Mustangs’ golden jerseys, such as former Lamar Cardinal standouts Currye Todd and Lamar Sanders.

“I’ve had some fans come out that followed me at Lamar,” Todd said. “I always appreciate them coming out to watch me and show support. Most every nights they can, they seem to come out and holler at me, they come out to the signings as well.”

Todd said he loves playing basketball in Southeast Texas, especially with so many fans who saw him perform in his college days at the Montagne Center. The 6’6 forward/guard who is said to be a leading candidate for ABA Rookie of the Year honors also acknowledged that it’s always good when you’re getting paid for doing what you love.

“It’s been good so far,” Todd said. “I love playing here.”

And of the classic ABA red, white, and blue colored basketball?

“It doesn’t bother me,” Todd laughed.

“It was kind of odd for me, at first,” Sanders said. “But it doesn’t affect my game.”

For more on the Southeast Texas Mustangs, players, coaches and schedules, visit their website at: www.setxmustangs.com. Tickets can also be purchased at: (409) 951-5500.

mtobias@panews.com