Prof ratings now free ■ MyEdu, formerly Pick-aProf opens basic access to all users
thebattalion the battalion ● friday,
september 3, 2010
texas a&m since 1893
anew Texas A&M vs. Stephen F. Austin 6 p.m. at Kyle Field
Got a story for ya, Ags Midnight Yell is a must to get you excited about beating the hell outta SFA. Bringing a date is always a good idea too, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, just a lighter.
Inside It’s go time The 2010 season will shape
the direction of the football program for Mike Sherman’s tenure Bigger things Lionel Smith weathers life’s storms to emerge where he is — a cog in what fans hope is a rebuilt Aggie defense
See myEdu on page 2
Students serve AGS ■ On-campus organization raises funds for struggling Aggies
Five Keys Things to watch for against the Lumberjacks
sports | 5
See AGS on page 2
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Born and bred Rachel
Tailgating Everybody wants to talk about how it’s opening weekend. Including Ol’ Ags who might just offer you barbecue and, ahem, adult beverages. Disclaimer: minors can and have been arrested at tailgates. Fishies, you have been warned.
Shipley follows a line of Aggies to the school and the team of her dreams
sports | 3
Adrian Calcaneo - THE BATTALION
The not-so-fun part Most parking for student permit holders is in the boonies of campus, but visit the Transportation Services website for the football parking map. A more practical solution is taking an A&M bus or the Game Day shuttle, which takes off from Post Oak Mall beginning three hours before kick-off. Transportation Services — and anyone can vouch for this — advises you wait to exit campus at least 30 to 45 minutes.
Megan Ryan
The Battalion Students might be suffering from an intense class load, an uncooperative roommate or dogs that eat their homework, and some may bear financial burdens as well. Aggies Giving Selflessly, AGS, is a student-led initiative to raise awareness and support for students in need. “The purpose [of AGS] is to raise money to be given to the students assistance fund that is managed by the Vice President of Student,Affairs,” said Chris Tucker, senior University studies — leadership major and AGS director of programming. The fund “benefits current students who are in immediate need of financial assistance who have exhausted their financial aid,” he said. The organization was inspired by a similar one at Kansas State University – K-State Proud. Former students Mark Gold, Andrew Witky and Karthik Venkatragh started the organization before they gradu-
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2010 student media
It begins
Amber Jaura
The Battalion While add/drop week rolls on and students tweak schedules, myEdu.com has opened the door to valuable college information by making its online services free. Originally known as PickA-Prof, the company has transformed its website and is now allowing access to information regarding professors and classes for free to over 700 universities. Chris Chilek and John Cunningham, both class of 1999, started Pick-A-Prof in 2000. Over the past 10 years Pick-AProf has spread from the A&M campus to about 1,000 universities and helped more than 2 million students. Chilek said the company’s goal was always to provide the services for free for students. “We wanted to make services as free as possible for students, but with gathering data from so many universities there were always costs that needed to be taken care of,” Chilek said. “As of about August 15, we were able to make professor grades, reviews and booklists free to all schools.” Senior recreation, parks and tourism studies major Madeline Brieger said she’s been using the site and is glad students can now access such priceless infor-
● serving
Compiled by Jill Beathard, lifestyles editor
Mays professor dispenses words of wisdom to grads Victoria Daughtery
Q&A
to find jobs. At their weekly meetings, they will recognize any new Aggie graduates, and so many jobs have been facilitated through this Aggie network. Whatever city you go to, see if there is an A&M club that you can tap into. Circulate your resume by attending their lunches or happy hours with lawyers, investment bankers, doctors, etc. To locate A&M clubs, go to the Association of Former Students website, and search A&M clubs in your area.
Special to The Battalion Graduating senior? Fear not. Professor Ben Welch of the Mays Business school department of management has advice on the post-grad life. “He is by far one of the best professors I’ve ever had, and I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t agree. He to find a group to plug into, such as is loved by all,” said Meghan Hillary, a graduate student in the professional the Houston A&M club. These clubs program for accounting. consist of working professionals who Q: What is a must do after you graduate? graduated from A&M, who are willQ: Do you have any advice on mortgages? A: I would encourage individuals ing to help with networking for Aggies A: If you take out a home mort-
gage, try to make it a twice a month payment. These biweekly payments, result in making an additional payment each year, and can cut down your mortgage as much as seven to 12 years. If someone can swing doing a 15-year mortgage that is even better because you have a complete property paid for by the time you are 40 years old. Q: What is your advice on investments for Aggies after college? A: As soon as possible find an investSee Welch on page 2
9/2/10 8:02 PM
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Bill Engvall will be the headline entertainer for First Yell 2010. Other Texas A&M student groups will be performing. The 12th annual event will be held at 8:00 p.m. today in Reed Arena.
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Today 40% chance of thunderstorms
MSC Open House is the largest student organization recruiting event. The open house is from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday in Reed Arena.
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Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
A University Police office engraves a student’s cell phone Thursday in the lobby of the Zachry Engineering Building. The University Police Department offers free engraving of personal property as part of Operation ID, a nationwide program to prevent property theft and burglary.
Welch Continued from page 1
ment, whether that be a patio home, a town home — anything where you are building equity. If you pay $1,000 in rent each month, at the end of the year you will have paid $12,000. Instead, make an investment and built credit. If you will be doing a shorter-term assignment or potentially relocating — I wouldn’t advise investing in a house. Instead, purchase of a vehicle, or an investment in different types of securities markets. Find a certified financial planner, who can take care of everything from mutual funds stocks, bonds, mutual funds and 401Ks – all of which have potential for big pay offs. Q: For Aggies fresh on the business market, how does one succeed? A: New research is saying the number one reason that new employees lose jobs is because of their attitude. My sug-
myEdu Continued from page 1
mation without the price. With all the stress in college, she said having these resources easily accessible really helps. “Someone told me about it my freshman year and I’ve used it ever since� Brieger said. “It’s free and with the grade percentages and reviews I’m able to get a good idea of what to expect. I mean why not make things a little less stressful for yourself?� Chilek said that the website has been completely transformed with more information than ever. The older resources are now free for students who want to find the best professors, and new services for students who are serious about their credits and degree planning are available
AGS
gestion is to go into a job with a sense of humility and a sense of confidence. Be the hardest worker that has ever hit that company. Have a positive attitude and embrace change positively. Those who have a positive attitude will excel more quickly. It’s also important to be flexible. Many say “I want to be in London,� well don’t we all — but it’s a right of passage. If you go in with an attitude of ‘I’m here to serve, I’m here to prove my loyalty to you,’ that will absolutely sky rocket your career. It all comes down to attitude. Q: What are some mistakes to avoid in the workplace? A: Don’t be too assertive, or try too hard to be noticed. If possible, find opportunity to network with those at a higher level. There is a fear of position or of people in power; my encouragement would be to find any opportunity to network. Just stick out that hand and say, “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you.�
for paying members. “The applications which were on the old Pick-A-Prof website are now completely free to students at any university, all they have to do is like our page on Facebook,� Chilek said. The Facebook page gives students a means of comparing classes and sections with friends. Junior kinesiology major Rob Pipes said he recommends the website to new Aggies and friends because they provide specific information on all classes. “I find it is very useful when selecting instructors because they show the average grades the instructors use and what percent of people who drop the class� Pipes said. “It’s also very easy to use myEdu and now that many applications are free, we students should definitely use the site to our advantage.�
summer trying to establish what exactly we do,� Scoggins said. “They knew we had to raise money but they didn’t Continued from page 1 know how. We’ve been taking the rest from there.� ated in May. The group has been brainstorming “They approached me, and I applied and interviewed,� Tucker said. “It ideas all summer and managed to plan sounded like a great organization, and their big fundraiser for next spring. I couldn’t believe there wasn’t an orga“On Ring Day in the spring we will nization already on campus for that pur- hopefully be hosting a carnival and partpose. It resonated with me and luckily I nering with organizations on campus.� was selected, and now I’m the director Scoggins said the goal of the organiof programs. I’m looking forward to it.� zation is to raise $25,000. Robert Scoggins, a junior com“We are talking about having somemunication major, was selected to be thing at football games and trying to do a member of the organization and to help plan fundraisers for the upcoming some kind of raffle leading up to a big game at A&M,� said Matthew Messer, school year. a graduate student in economic devel“[The founders] personally selected members, and we’ve been working this opment and chair of the organization.
news for you texas White wants 1,250 more officer s to secure border HOUSTON — Democratic candidate for governor Bill White laid out his plan to secure the U.S.Mexico border Thursday, a job he said his opponent, Gov. Rick Perry, has failed to do in 10 years in ofďŹ ce. White said he would use Bill White federal grants, state money and forfeiture dollars from drug seizures to hire 1,000 new local law enforcement ofďŹ cers and 250 state troopers. White also promised to use state money more effectively, establish formal partnerships with local and federal law agencies and “revampâ€? the Texas Department of Public Safety. The former Houston mayor added that he would help local law enforcement adopt a federal program called Secure Communities, which he said he used in Houston to identify criminal illegal immigrants and get them turned over to federal authorities.
Pallbearer for slain Galveston man charged in death GALVESTON — A slain Galveston man’s best friend who was a pallbearer at his funeral has been charged in the 2007 apparent drug-related killing. Eric Calvert Kirby was in the Galveston County Jail on Thursday on a murder charge. Bond was $250,000 for Kirby, who was arrested Wednesday afternoon in the closet of his mother’s home. Electronic jail records had no listing for an attorney for Kirby. Galveston police say 45-year-old Tracey Dulaney Rawls was discovered strangled after a motorist ran over the body. Detective Fed Paige says Rawls had been dealing drugs. A police fugitive photo of Kirby had appeared Wednesday morning in The Galveston County Daily News. Marie Pines of Galveston told the Houston Chronicle that she’s “overwhelmed� to think her son’s best friend is charged with the death.
nation&world Court won’t force Calif officials to defend Prop 8 SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A California court has refused to order Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown to appeal a ruling that overturned the state’s gay marriage ban. The 3rd District Court of Appeal on Wednesday denied a conservative legal group’s request to force the ofďŹ cials to defend voter-approved Proposition 8. Presiding Justice Arthur Scotland did not explain why the appeals court turned down the request ďŹ led two days earlier by the PaciďŹ c Justice Institute. The institute now plans to take the matter to the California Supreme Court, Chief Counsel Kevin Snider said Thursday. “We are disappointed that the appellate court showed indecisiveness in trying to prevent a constitutional crisis,â€? Snider said. “They didn’t want to deal with it.â€?
Life to improve for some Wis. inmates
MADISON, Wis. — Life is getting better for some of Wisconsin’s most dangerous and worst-behaving prisoners. To settle lawsuits ďŹ led by inmates, state ofďŹ cials have agreed to make wide-ranging changes to the segregation unit at the maximum-security Waupun Correctional Institution to make it easier for them to sleep, exercise and communicate. The 180 inmates who are housed there because they violated prison rules or were deemed a security risk to the general population will be getting new windows, magazines and even Hacky Sacks, according to settlements signed last month and obtained by The Associated Press. Associated Press
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9/2/10 8:01 PM
volleyball
sports thebattalion 09.03.2010 page3
soccer
Born and bred Paul Mezier — THE BATTALION
The Aggie volleyball team scores against Sam Houston State Wednesday at Reed Arena.
Aggies travel to JQH Invitational tournament Mike Teague
The Battalion Making its first road trip of the season, the Texas A&M volleyball team will be in Springfield, Mo. this weekend to take on Missouri State, North Carolina and Ohio in the Missouri State JQH Invitational tournament. “We have our hands full,” said A&M Head Coach Laurie Corbelli. “There’s some teams that are really talented, there’s experience, there’s size, there’s a little bit of everything in all three teams. We’re the team that went the furthest last season so they’re all gunning for A&M. We have huge targets on our backs so it would be a huge accomplishment for us to come out 3-0. That’s what we’re going to for but it’s not going to be easy.” The Aggies are coming off a dominant win over Sam Houston Wednesday after falling twice last weekend in the Teas A&M Invitational tournament.
“It brings up our confidence so every time we get a win it’s always positive,” said sophomore middle blocker Stephanie Minnerly. “We had a few losses this past weekend, but we all knew that we’re better than that if we could just execute. When we go into this weekend we know what to work on. It’s just the beginning of the season and everybody has their losses. We’re just going to go into the next tournament fighting hard.” Facing off against three quality opponents will give Corbelli a chance to evaluate some of the Aggies’ talent. As the non-conference schedule quickly closes, playing time and starting positions will be determined by performance over the next two weeks. “Once the Big 12 hits, we’re looking for a group that has good chemistry and good timing together,” Corbelli said. “We typiSee Volleyball on page 4
April Baltensperger — THE BATTALION
Shipley: An Aggie through and through By Zach Papas | The Battalion
“T
ime management.” Those two words were preached by senior midfielder Rachel Shipley when asked how she juggles her successful athletic career and her stellar academic record.
“I know what’s important in my life,” Shipley said. “Soccer is extremely important, but school is also.” Shipley, a Dean’s List finance major, has a quiet, yet confident air about her, an indefatigable work ethic and a determined attitude that drives her on
the soccer field. No one understands Shipley’s importance to the team more than Head Coach G Guerrieri. “Her technical ability, her ability to play with her head up and find teammates and then her ability to either score
or set other people up to score are all incredibly valuable,” Guerrieri said. “As a leader, she’s not a rah-rah, Patton-style leader. She’s someone who’s in there and quietly goes about her business, and See Shipley on page 4
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sports
page 4 friday 9.3.2010
thebattalion
No. 7 Aggies take on Davidson Zach Papas
The Battalion The No. 7 Texas A&M soccer team is set to take on the Davidson Wildcats at 7 p.m. Friday at the Aggie Soccer Complex. Although the Wildcats aren’t ranked, Head Coach G Guerrieri knows the Aggies have a tough opponent ahead of them with a knack for winning. “Well they’re a team that’s accustomed to winning,” Guerrieri said. “They’re dangerous because they have some height, they have some good athletes and they play an attractive style of soccer. It’s one of those games that could be really scary. I think a lot of people who haven’t done their homework on them will overlook them. But those of us who know them are very concerned about the things they bring to the table.” Guerrieri also knows that the tournament-tested Wildcats will be amped to play in front of the famous Twelfth Man. “This is our fifth game of the season and also the fifth team that was in the NCAA Tournament last year,” Guerrieri said. “And they’re a team that will come in with a lot of excitement playing in front of our crowd and getting a chance to play a ranked team.”
Senior midfielder Nicole Ketchum races down the field during the Aggies’ 1-0 victory over Washington State Sunday. Tyler Hosea — THE BATTALION
However, the Wildcats won’t be the only ones anxiously awaiting the Aggie crowd. Senior midfielder Rachel Shipley is also ready for the enthusiasm the Twelfth Man brings. “Yeah it’s so exciting when the students are here,” Shipley said. “They’re just awesome, they’re crazy. It’s awesome for us, but [the other teams] hate it. The Twelfth Man helps us win, it really does.” Even though the Aggies have already played a couple games at home this year,
Shipley knows the atmosphere gets taken to a new level once class is in session. “I think we had two games before school started, and we had some pretty good crowds, but it’s just not the same as when the students are here,” Shipley said. “[The crowd] is a big part of our team. I’m so excited. We all love it.”” The Aggies are looking to improve to 5-1 on the year before starting a tough week-long road trip against three top-25 teams.
Shipley Continued from page 3
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the team notices, and they hold her at a higher level because of the type of top-notch person she is.” Shipley earned All-Big 12 first team and Academic All-Big 12 first team honors in 2009. However, her list of accomplishments doesn’t end there. She has also been selected to multiple preseason All-America teams and National Player of the Year award watch lists. But even in her finest hour, Shipley’s humility shines through. “It’s an honor and I’m thankful to get them,” Shipley said, “but at the same time, it’s just a testament to how good our team was last year.” During the offseason, Shipley was selected to play for the Under-23 National Team. “It was exciting and a great experience,” Shipley said. “ I was able to meet girls from all over the country. And the level of play there is amazing. There’s great soccer here, but once you get to the national and international level, it’s so fast and so intense, and it makes me a better player here.” But, despite the individual accolade and copious personal betterment the selection provided, Shipley used the experience to better Texas A&M. “I was just trying to use [the U-23 National Team] to make me a better player here for my senior year. [A&M] is ultimately what’s most important to me, and that was just practice. It was a great experience.” Like most players on the No. 7 A&M team, Shipley has lofty expectations for herself and her team. She’s out to prove the Aggies are not only the best team in the Big 12, but the nation as well. “The past two years we haven’t won a Big 12 Championship, and that’s something that we’re more than capable of doing,” Shipley said. “We know we can, we just have to do it. And we’re healthy and
Volleyball Continued from page 3
*
The Association is proud to support hundreds of student organizations. We encourage you to get involved and build your Aggie Network. MSC Fall Open House Reed Arena 9/5/10 • 1-5pm AggieNetwork.com
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cally use nine players, so we need to make sure we’ve gotten good looks at some of the kids who are new to our team. What they can do in competition is another big purpose for this weekend.” One of A&M’s biggest challenges this weekend will be the amount of action they will see in a short period of time. “Our three matches are all from start to finish within 24 hours,” Corbelli said. “That’s a lot of volleyball and a lot of high-level volleyball that we
Senior midfielder Rachel Shipley kicks a corner against Washington State Sunday at the Aggie Soccer Complex. A&M won the game 1-0. we have a great senior class. “We want to win a National Championship, too. There’s not a team in the country we can’t beat. We just have to play like we’re capable of playing and we’ll win. The first step is to win the Big 12, then the [Big 12] Tournament, and then step-by-step through NCAA Tournament. They’re lofty goals, but we’re so capable of accomplishing them.” Shipley is far from the first in her family to attend this University. Her grandfather, John J. Koldus, was the Vice President of Student Affairs for 20 years. Her uncle, Ray Childress, was a star defensive tackle for the Aggies, and her parents, Todd and Melissa, also attended Texas A&M. Suffice it to say, her path was chosen many years before she stepped foot in College Station. “It’s very neat,” Shipley said of her family lineage. “I’m blessed to have such a great family. I love this school so much. I’ve always wanted
to come here, so I’m just so thankful to be able to have the opportunity to play for the school that I love, and for my family who is so awesome and supportive. They’re diehard Aggies just like I am. They come to all the games and they love every minute of it.” With this being her final season in Aggie maroon, Shipley knows the ramifications of what she and her teammates do on the field. She knows to cherish each and every moment with her team and her fans. “It’s exciting,” Shipley said, “but at the same time, I have that thought in the back of my head, like, ‘This is my last time,’ and I want to enjoy every minute of it. “ Yet, she also knows that these four years have been an adventure she won’t soon forget. “I love this team and I love this school, and I’m making memories that will last a lifetime.”
need to be playing at that time. This may be one of the most challenging weekends we’ve had in a long, long time.” The impact of the heavy workload on the Aggies’ younger players will play a large role in how the team performs in their challenge away from the friendly confines of Reed Arena. Despite the added pressure, Corbelli has confidence in the composure of her young players. “They’ve done so much with their clubs in high school,” Corbelli said. “They travel around the country from January through May and they’re rarely home. I think they’re pretty used to big convention
centers and a lot of road trips.” Although the road adds more challenges to A&M’s plate, Corbelli is looking forward to the excursion as a tool to build team unity and cohesiveness. “When you’re together on a trip you get to know each other a little differently,” Corbelli said. “There’s new setting and new reasons for people to say stupid things and everybody starts to become who they are. I think it’s going to be important for us to laugh at the funny stuff and making sure that the leaders and older players keep the younger players understanding how we connect ourselves on the road.”
9/2/10 7:28 PM
Aggie gameday
thebattalion 09.03.2010 page5
texas a&m vs. stephen f. austin 6 p.m. Saturday kyle field
It’s go time
Bigger things
‘‘T
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Complacency
1Does anybody remember the
his is home.’’ Three syllables. Simply stated. Simply read. But when it pertains to the 2010 Texas A&M football team, it invokes a much deeper meaning than just the athletic department’s slogan. Because this is home, indeed; to a head coaches’ potential last stand. Home to a team with tremendously lofty goals. Home to a wavering fan base tired of irrelevance and grasping for a season to be revered. And home to the most important football season this program and University has seen in quite some time. Head Coach Mike Sherman knows it. He sees the conference’s preseason offensive and defensive players of the year on his roster. He’s David Harris cognoscente of senior economics his 10-15 overall major, sports record at A&M. editor He understands the Twelfth Man’s unbridled passion, and sometimes unusually high and unfounded expectations for their football team. The entire team knows it. Each and every player has stated time and again their concrete goals for the 2010 season. Just ask Jerrod Johnson. “We’re going into this year with a lot of steam and a lot of expectations. The sky is the limit for us. We feel we can beat anyone in the country…” Or Von Miller. “Our goal is to win the Big 12. Every team in the league has that goal and we have the same one. Personally I just want to win, and I want to be playing at Cowboys Stadium in December.” And Trent Hunter. “We’re going to shoot for the stars. We’re going for 12 [wins] and going for the BCS this year.” Every nuance this offseason — starting a true freshman at left tackle; every colorful, animated, frustrated outburst — Sherman at fall camp; every big decision – the hiring of Tim DeRuyter — points to this being the make or break year not only for the head coach but for the program as a whole. Think about it. The schedule sets up perfectly with Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Nebraska all at Kyle Field. The conference’s heavyweights – Texas and Oklahoma – are perceived to be on the verge of a down year. The departing talent on this roster is a veritable whose who of all-conference players. Next year, there will be no Johnson. No Miller. More than likely, no Jeff Fuller. And during an offseason where some energy and interest could’ve been injected into a seemingly disinterested fandom with a move east to the SEC, A&M stayed put in a watered-down version of the Big 12. It was an ostensibly audacious move by the University given the fact that now the only way to restore that unrivaled fervor is by winning – and winning big. Everything, all of it, adds up to this program needing a landmark, memorable, career-saving, Big 12 title contending season to set the program back on the path of righteousness – er, relevance. Think back to 1985. Following a six win 1984 campaign, Jackie Sherrill led A&M to a 10 win season and conference championship. The team then went on to win five of the next eight conference titles. Winning is contagious. Unfortunately, so is losing. See a program that hasn’t finished a season ranked in the past 10 years. A&M has 12 games and four months to awaken from this decade-long coma. It all starts Saturday. This is home. To a season that will map out the future of Texas A&M football.
5 things to look for debacle of Arkansas State? Sure, it says Stephen F. Austin on the schedule, but this is a team that won the Southland Conference in 2009 and is unanimously favored to do it again. If A&M comes out in the first quarter and plays complacent, then the Lumberjacks could take a lead. And if you let a team hang around long enough, anything can happen — see the aforementioned Arkansas State debacle.
Ruyter 2DeRoto New defensive
Courtesy photos
Junior cornerback Lionel Smith blocks during a 38-30 A&M victory over Utah State.
smith brings perspective to A&m secondary
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By Beau Holder | The Battalion
hen one looks at junior cornerback Lionel Smith, it’s hard to miss certain qualities he radiates. He has bright eyes, a big smile and an easy demeanor.
He stands six feet tall and weighs a bit under 200 pounds; he is affable and articulate and a pretty good football player to boot; he is a junior on a team littered with youth and helps round out a talented two-deep at the cornerback position. In 2009 he was a top special teams player on a unit that didn’t have much else to boast. That is what one sees in a glance. Lionel Smith has seen far bigger things. Most fans know that Hurricane Katrina forced Smith and his family out of New Orleans and into Houston. Most don’t know that when he left the devastation of the storm behind, he also left a team at St. Bernard High School that he quarterbacked just a year prior to its first Louisiana state playoff berth in 10 years. “It was really hard because…the hurricane hit and we got displaced and went to Houston and tried to get into Bellaire High School,” he recalled. “I couldn’t get into [Bellaire] because they already had too many students, so they transferred me to a school that was closer and still in Bellaire’s district…it allowed me to still play at Bellaire.” Smith played four games to end his senior season with the Cardinals, yet his ordeal was far from over. After receiving varied levels of interest from several teams and offers from Miami (Fla.) and Kansas State, he committed to Texas A&M’s Dennis Franchione and his staff, then prepared to arrive on campus in College Station in the summer of 2006. That is, sadly, what would have happened had some of his transcripts and documentation not been lost in the storm. He was forced to sweat out the process while the NCAA’s clearinghouse went about putting him through. Cleared at last in the spring, he participated in camp and redshirted during the 2007 season. Then the coach who brought him to Aggieland departed. “It was a lot different,” the redshirt junior said, speaking of the transition to coach Mike Sherman. “Coach Fran did a lot more things that Coach Sherman wouldn’t allow, like just things on the practice field, people not doing as much for Coach Fran as we would for Coach Sherman. I just feel like Coach Sherman is more of a player’s coach.
He’s going to help us out as much as he can rather just kind of going along.” Things finally settled down. While game action was scarce in 2008, he emerged on special teams in 2009, making 13 tackles during the season — 10 on kickoff or punt coverage, second on the team — and returning 18 kicks for 385 yards, racking up 153 against Arkansas. Smith said he never entertained the thought of transferring to a school closer to home once things died down. According to him, he’s happy in Aggieland. “I actually have family that live in Houston and get to come to the games and it’s only a six-hour drive for my parents,” he said. “They come up to every game. So this is the place for me to be.” The motorcycle enthusiast still returns to New Orleans, driving down on Fridays and returning Sunday, to visit family, including his younger brother, a sophomore at UNO. He said that he doesn’t ride like he used to because of his parents’ concerns and football, but that his brother owns one. His older brother is an engineer. Smith also cuts hair — including many of the players’ — and has roomed with junior linebacker Garrick Williams since his second year. Now 2010 comes barreling in, and Smith is ready to step up. “A lot of reps at corner,” Smith said of his personal goals. “Help the team, impact the team, do what I can to help the team.” He said he has improved his fluidity, coming out of breaks and backpedals, and that the competition at corner is fierce. “We all help each other, we all teach each other,” he added. “When we get out there, we all know we’re competing for the same job, so we have to try to outwork the next person to get that job. That’s what’s motivating us to continue to play hard and get out there and make plays. “We’re really getting some good work and we’re going to be ready for whatever team [the Aggies play], because we have some of the best wide receivers and they’re really pushing each other on the offensive side of the ball, which is also helping us on the defensive side of the ball. We’ve got to push ourselves to cover them, so we’re going to be
coordinator Tim DeRuyter debuts his 3-4 defense to the Twelfth Man who are starving for a competent Tim DeRuyter, defensive defense coordinator following 2009, when the unit finished 106th in the country. The question is whether or not he’ll throw the whole kitchen sink at the overmatched Lumberjacks or if he’ll play mostly base formations and save his tricky zone blitzes and formations for stronger teams.
motion 3Jerrod’s Senior quarterback Jerrod
Johnson has received copious amounts of praise this offseason, earning the Big 12’s preseason offensive player of the year award. But Johnson did overhaul his throwing motion during the offseason and the results in fall camp were mixed. Look to see if the football comes out of his hand wobbly and lacking zip.
nose 4The Junior nose
ready for whatever team defensivewise.” Smith is currently listed behind junior Terrence Frederick on the cornerback depth chart. Frederick and redshirt junior Coryell Judie will start with Smith and sophomore Dustin Harris as backups, but the entire secondary will play a major role in the switch to the 3-4 defense and the attempt to resurrect a defensive unit that ranked 105th in the nation in 2009. Brought in to direct the transformation was new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter. During an offseason littered with anticipation, the curiosity about his progress has come without end. Smith offered his opinion. “[DeRuyter]’s style of play… everything we do is about being the winner…not about taking licks, it’s more us giving licks on the defensive side of the ball,” he said. “Playing a lot faster. Everything’s just moving. It’s all working. Giving the quarterback confusion with different disguises, that’s really helping us out a lot too.” They’ll have to be fearless. Unusual hype, expectations, hopes and fears swirl around the 2010 Aggies, whose schedule includes No. 17 Arkansas, No. 7 Oklahoma, No. 8 Nebraska and No. 5 Texas. Running through such a lineup would be a daunting task for any team, much less one coming off of a 6-7 season and fighting to return to prominence. Lionel Smith has seen bigger things.
tackle Eddie Brown missed all of spring camp due to a shoulder injury but came into Eddie Brown, fall practices nose tackle and earned his spot as the starting nose tackle — the alimportant position in the 3-4 defense. His first step is very quick and he is great with his hands, but watch how he handles the double teams he will assuredly face.
5specialists Who will it be when the Aggie
offense stalls? Kicker Randy Bullock will be the starting placekicker but struggled through camp. Jared Jaroszewski, a transfer from Blinn, and Ken Wood have been battling it out all through fall camp and nobody has emerged as the favorite for the punting job. Regardless of who it is, the A&M special teams played a role in four of the team’s 2009 games and during practices, the punters were still a major issue. David Harris
Staff predictions david harris 49-14 A&M beau holder 52-13 A&M jill beathard 38-17 A&M kyle cunningham 48-7 A&M sean lester 66-14 A&M matt woolbright 45-7 A&M megan ryan 21-7 A&M zach papas 38-7 A&M
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MAILCALL From Jim Mayo, class of ‘66, Professor and Chair, School of Architecture, University of Kansas Since graduating from A&M, I have not lived in Texas for decades. I noticed the column on the ring ceremony, and for old time’s sake I decided to write a mail call for your newspaper. I rarely wear my A&M ring anymore, and I suspect that my values are shared by a number of A&M students and alumni. The Aggie ring is deďŹ ned too narrowly to embrace what the University has become. Let’s face it, the ring was a design for the Corps of Cadets. It is a military ring. The rie, cannon, American ag and the U.S. seal with the eagle is not an indigeneous set of symbols for Texas. A&M has broadened its student culture beyond the conďŹ nes of the Corps, and it is time for alumni and students
to become more pluralistic in the school’s symbolism. A&M needs another ring that speaks to the values of those who were never in the Corps of Cadets. Yes, the existing ring is a tradition, but its traditions are off the mark of what the University now represents. There is no reason to replace the current design. Rather, students who do not identify with the militarism embodied in the current ring could have a design alternative that better matches who they are and what they value. I am sure my position will draw the ire of Corps traditionalists, but they now represent a small minority, not the greater spectrum of students who pursue their studies at Texas A&M.
MAILCALL GUESTCOLUMNS Make your opinion known by submitting Mail Call or guest columns to The Battalion. Mail call must be fewer than 200 words and include the author’s name, classification, major and phone number. Guest columns must be fewer than 700 words. All submissions become property of The Battalion and are subject to editing. Direct all correspondence to: Editor in chief of The Battalion (979) 845-3315 | mailcall@thebatt.com
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A&M debate team to face PETA on meat ethics Katie White
The Battalion The Texas A&M Speech and Debate Team will face off with the vice president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Monday, to discuss the ethics of eating meat. Bruce Friedrich, vice president of policy for PETA, will be on campus at 3 p.m. Monday in the Harrington Education Center Complex room 207 to argue vegetarianism as an ethical imperative. Ryan Huling, senior college campaign coordinator with the youth division of PETA, said the debate was originally proposed to members from the Animal Science Department in May. “They never responded to our inquiries,” Huling said, “presumably because they had something to hide about unethical practices in the meat industry.” Friedrich said he contacted the school repeatedly, but was ignored. “The A&M debate team jumped at the opportunity, however,” he said. PETA has asked other university animal sciences departments across the country to engage in debates about the ethics of eating meat. No depart-
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Students from the Texas A&M Speech and Debate Team will discuss the ethics of eating meat Monday. ments followed up, but Huling said he is “pleased that all the debate teams have readily accepted our requests.” This debate is part of a series called “Is Eating Meat Ethical? ” put on by PETA across the country at different institutions, including the University of Texas at Austin and Yale University. Friedrich, who has led most of the debates in the series, just recently wrote a piece in The Huffington Post about the nationwide egg recall and the unethical treatment of chickens. Omar El-Halwagi, president
of the debate team, and treasurer Audrianne Doucet will represent the debate team. He said they would discuss the benefits of eating meat as well as debate the meaning of ethics. El-Halwagi said he and Doucet accepted PETA’s request for two reasons. “First of all, it was a fantastic opportunity to use our skills from debate in the real world,” El-Halwagi said. “Even more, is that we wanted to bring varying viewpoints to this topic in an educational environment. I think it is important to show both sides in every debate, and we wanted to bring that to our university.”
No sign of oil spill after Gulf platform fire NEW ORLEANS, La. — The Coast Guard is saying there are no immediate signs of a spill from an oil platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana coast. All 13 crew members were rescued from the water in the second such disaster in the Gulf in less than five months. The Coast Guard initially reported an oil sheen a mile long and 100 feet wide had begun to spread from the site of the fire, about 200 miles west of the site of BP’s massive spill. But officials said at a Thursday afternoon news conference that boats at the platform have not seen any oil sheen.
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