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Famous fan
Courtesy Photo
Silver Taps to honor Briggs
november 3, 2009
among thousands Sam Smith — THE BATTALION
Visor Guy carries Aggie Spirit
Joaquin Villegas The Battalion Texas A&M University will honor the memory of Robert “Bobby” Davis Briggs, who died on Sept. 19. Briggs died due to a pulmonary infection caused by the H1N1 flu. University Police Department received a call about an unconscious person in Aston Hall about 3:45 p.m. Sept. 19. A&M Emergency Medical Services responded and found Briggs in his bed, authorities said. Bobby, 19, was a freshman environmental design major, who died in his sleep. Bobby grew up in Maple Valley, WASH where he graduated from Tahoma High School with honors. He was involved in the Cub Scouts and his favorite sports included basketball, softball and soccer. He was an avid Seattle Sounders fan. When the time came to look for colleges, Bobby wanted to pick a university with the top architectural program. His mother, Class of 1980, remembers his desire to become an architect.
David Harris | The Battalion
W
Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
See Briggs on page 7
hen students think of Kyle Field on a Saturday in the fall, there are many images that resonate: The Twelfth Man, a sea of maroon, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, the Corps Block, The War Hymn and Visor Guy. At section 426, row two, seat 10 in the Zone sits one of the more recognizable entities at Kyle Field, Visor Guy. Look to the northeast, and you’re sure to see him and his Twelfth Man towel in full force. His pounding of the stands elicits thousands of “Whoops.” And, his constant clamoring for noise from a student section has created a cult-like following. To everybody in the student section, he is and will always be known as Visor Guy. But, behind the visor is a family man by the name of Kevin Holley. Holley is a member of the Class of 1999. He met his wife Melanie at Texas A&M at Corpus Christi, and they have been married since 2003. He has two daughters—Kiera, 2 and Kathy, 6 months respectively.
Kevin Holley, known to many as Visor Guy, waves his 12th Man towel outside of Kyle Field Saturday.
See Visor Guy on page 7
Olsen Field renovation on the way Brad Cox Jonny Green — THE BATTALION
Chuck Norris signed books and exchanged handshakes with hundreds of fans Monday at in the Post Oak Mall.
Chuck Norris visits College Station College Station residents had the opportunity to meet Chuck Norris Monday as he promoted his new book, “The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book: 101 of Chuck’s Favorite Facts and Stories.” Norris was present at a book signing event from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Scripture Haven Bookstore in Post Oak Mall. Aggies and College Station residents lined up outside of the store and throughout the mall to wait to meet the television actor and martial arts legend. Among those in attendance were Aggies from the Corps of Cadets Delta Co., the veterans unit. “He’s been over there; we’ve been over there,” senior history major Colin Thacher said. “Chuck Norris is just amazing,” said Jeremy McGee, a junior forensic investigative science major. “I’m just excited about being here.” In “The Chuck Norris Fact Book,” Norris provides the many anecdotes from throughout his life that have fueled the spread of Norris Facts. Norris also expounds upon his five core values in his life: freedom, family, fitness, faith and fight. Melissa Appel, staff writer
pg1-11.3.09.indd 1
The Battalion The 12th Man Foundation’s Olsen Field renovation campaign is moving in a positive direction despite the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Miles Marks, president of the 12th Man Foundation, said Monday they hope to have $6 million in pledges and $4 million in cash by Dec. 31. “Although we started this project in the toughest of economic times we are still optimistic that it will be successful,” Marks said. “Aggies have been receptive to the message of the needs of Olsen Field renovation and, as the economy starts to strengthen, we see them starting to line up to help make this a reality.” Marks said the Foundation has almost $4 million of the $16 million goal planned for the first phase of the project with the biggest giving season yet to come. Stu Starner, senior vice president for major gifts for
12th Man Foundation
An artist rendition provided by the 12th Man Foundation of what Olsen Field might look like after the proposed renovation. the Foundation, said most of its gifts in December, when donors and their financial advisers are reviewing giving possibilities before the end of the taxable year. In order to start the project, the Foundation is required to have 75 percent of the funds pledged from donors, which is $12 million, and 50 percent in cash, which is $8 million. “As raising money for projects is not an exact science,
we generally say that we will begin a project just as soon as the targets for fundraising are met,” Marks said. Texas A&M Facilities Planning Group, in charge of final design, specifications, bidding and a construction plan will start when the foundation has the funds. Marks said construction would begin several months after the project starts. See Olsen Field on page 7
Engineers’ ‘Howdy Car’ wins fifth place in competition Travis Lawson The Battalion For the A&M Society of Automotive Engineers, building a racecar starts with the decision of what car to use, next comes the inspection and disassembly of the parts, then comes putting it back together to create the lightweight, balanced racecar with a strong engine designed to win. And this team did just that, placing fifth out of 58 teams in the 2009 Grassroots Motorsports Challenge. For the competition, teams attempt to build the best racecar on a set of guidelines. This was the first time the organization entered this competition, and Jake Sieverling, a sophomore engineering technology major and a
member of the organization, said receiving fifth place was something to be proud of. “To get fifth place in the company we were in was a huge honor as well as winning the Editor’s Choice Award,” Sieverling said. “The editors of the magazine were very impressed with the effort we put forth and that was very unexpected and humbling.” The challenge was not just for college universities; only A&M and Georgia Tech University provided a car for the contest. The idea to enter the “Grassroots Challenge” came about when members of the organization decided designing racecars was one thing, but building the racecar was another. The racing team created a plan to get students
hands-on experience by entering them in the contest. The team’s car for the challenge is a 1993 Honda Civic the A&M Racing team calls “The Howdy Car.” Eduardo Idarra, a senior engineering technology major and crew chief for the team, said they made a great showing this year and plan to return with the ‘The Howdy Car’ in peak performance condition. “We have a better idea about what the judges will be looking for in the competition,” Idarra said. “‘The Howdy Car’ is going to be going back because it did so well its first time out.” The organization will also be constructing another car for volunteers to work on while “The Howdy Car” is
Courtesy Photo
A&M Society of Automotive Engineers entered ‘The Howdy Car’ as a part of the 2009 Grassroots Motorsports Challenge. worked on. The automotive engineers is an organization run by students, and focuses on preparing students for careers working with automotives on an
engineering level. The organization puts an emphasis on the technical skills of building a racecar. See Racecar on page 7
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thebattalion THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893
Amanda Casanova, Editor in Chief THE BATTALION (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Periodicals Postage Paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, Texas A&M University, 1111 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1111. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. News ofďŹ ces are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3313; Fax: 979-845-2647; E-mail: metro@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising, call 979-845-2696. For classiďŹ ed advertising, call 979-845-0569. Advertising ofďŹ ces are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901, and ofďŹ ce hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 979-845-2678. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1. Mail subscriptions are $125 per school year. To charge by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, call 979-845-2613.
Natasha Sankovich — THE BATTALION
Workers continue the ongoing renovation of the Military Walk Monday. The restored Military Walk will be a key location for future academic processions. The project is expected to be complete by April 2010.
Please e-mail at editor@thebatt. com.
Gillispie pleads guilty to DUI charge
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LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — Former University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie pleaded guilty Monday to driving under the inuence of alcohol and apologized for what he called a mistake. Gillispie, wearing a dark suit and yellow tie at the hearing in Anderson County District Court, accepted a plea bargain, which included ďŹ nes and court costs of more than $1,000, a 30day suspension of his driver’s license and an agreement to complete an Alcohol Drivers Education Program. Gillispie was ďŹ red this year after a rocky two-year tenure with the Wildcats. He was arrested Aug. 27 in Lawrenceburg and charged with DUI after refusing sobriety tests during a trafďŹ c stop in which ofďŹ cers said they smelled alcohol on his breath. Associated Press
Coming Nov. 18: BonďŹ re collapse 10 years later This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the on-campus BonďŹ re tradition, if it had continued to burn. But 10 years ago on Nov. 18, the stack collapsed, killing 12 Aggies and injuring 27, and BonďŹ re has not burned on campus since.
Location, location, location In 1955, BonďŹ re was relocated from Simpson Drill Field to Duncan Field, where it took place for 37 years. The 1992 BonďŹ re marked the ďŹ rst year BonďŹ re was built at its ďŹ nal home on the Polo Fields.
Two hurt in chopper crash in Gulf off Galveston GALVESTON, Texas — Two people were injured when a helicopter crashed on takeoff from an offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico. A spokesman for Broussard, La.-based Rotorcraft Leasing Co., which serves the oil and gas industry, says the cause of the crash is being investigated. Operations director Gerry Golden says the accident site is about 75 miles southeast of Galveston. Golden says the helicopter was bound for another platform when it crashed on Sunday. He says the chopper’s oats deployed and a boat helped rescue the pilot and the passenger. A Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched to take the pair to the University of Texas Medical Branch. Golden says both men sustained non-life threatening injuries and remained hospitalized for observation.
Police shoot robbery suspect during chase FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth police shot a man suspected of robbing more than a dozen businesses. Dallas-Fort Worth television KDFW reports police responded to a robbery call at a U-Haul store Monday afternoon and saw a truck matching the description of the one used in several recent robberies. The driver didn’t stop when they tried to pull him over. An ofďŹ cer drew her gun and ďŹ red one bullet into the truck, hitting the suspect. He was arrested and taken to a hospital in critical but stable condition. Police haven’t released the suspect’s name. Associated Press
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Saving and investing Students interested in learning more about saving and investing may attend a seminar by Money Wise Aggie from 4 p.m. to5 p.m. today in room 236 of the Pavilion.
thebattalion 11.03.2009 page3
magicJack a new way to connect
Evan Andrews— THE BATTALION
Anthony Gerhart
“magicJack” proves to be an inexpensive local and long-distance calling device.
W
e live in a technologically advanced society that thrives on wireless communication; senders can get their message across to recipients through a myriad of means including instant messaging, e-mail, Facebook or the ever-popular cell phone. While most students in college have a cell phone plan paid for by the “Parents Credit Union,” it’s good to know there are cheaper alternatives for those not as fortunate. One such option is the “magicJack” that allows you to make telephone
calls from any computer with an Internet connection for a low yearly price. However, the practicality of purchasing the magicJack for a typical college student can be questioned, especially when you consider some of the features of its main competitor, Skype. The magicJack is a small, portable device that plugs into a USB port and connects to any landline phone. The process of setting up the software may vary across operating systems — some may install the client as soon as you plug in the magicJack while others may require you to visit magicJack’s Web site — but installation is relatively easy and takes a few minutes at most. After installing the software, you’ll register your account and have the option to be assigned a phone number or pay extra money to customize your phone number. (916-CALL-TURK, anyone?) While that feature will appeal to some, you’ll find registration also includes numerous other offers including extending your phone contract by five years, magicJack insurance, upgrading your service and another chance (in case you missed the first two) to extend your phone contract.
It honestly seems like dealing with pop-up ads or a relentless salesman. Fortunately, when registration ends, you’ll only be reminded to upgrade via a large banner on the left side of the program’s interface.
magicJack Features: ■ $39.95 per year ■ local US/Canada service and out of country calling to US/ Canada ■ Plugs into USB port ■ Connects to any landline phone
After installing and registering, you have free reign over your new telephone number and the magicJack features. Calling a number from the magicJack is as simple as picking up your phone and dialing, and the sound quality is comparable to that of a cell phone, if not better than one. You’re allowed to save phone numbers in a contact list for speed dial and information storage, which eliminates the pesky memorization factor regarding phone numbers and
e-mails. Voicemail is supported and customizable, and you can listen to your messages by calling your number and entering your passcode, or you can have messages sent to your e-mail in .wav format, which is one of the cooler and more convenient features of the service. MagicJack will cease to function if you turn your computer off, but voicemail can still be functional. Other features include caller ID, call waiting, directory assistance and free magicJack to magicJack calls. The magicJack will set you back $39.95 and includes one year of free U.S.-Canada service and out of country calling to U.S.-Canada. Buying an additional year of the same service will cost you $19.95, but that rate can be reduced by purchasing more years of service at once. The rate trumps Skype’s calling rate of $30 per year, but there’s no question that Skype’s features trump that of magicJack — aside from standard phone incompatibility — when you consider Skype can forward calls to your cell phone, send SMS messages, record calls and make video calls in addition to the features of its IM client such as messaging and screen sharing. That
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11/2/09 9:10 PM
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page 4 tuesday 11.3.2009
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sports thebattalion 11.03.2009 page5
What’s wrong with the Big 12
A
Jon Eilts— THE BATTALION
Texas A&M junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson drops back in the Aggies’ 35-10 victory against Iowa State Saturday at Kyle Field. The offensive line only allowed Johnson to be sacked one time in the game.
Protecting the pocket Criticized offensive line has found rhythm Brad Cox The Battalion The Texas A&M offensive line is one of the most often criticized aspects of the 2009 Aggie football team. False start penalties plagued the line in nonconference play and broken blocks contributed to a three-game losing streak which included a 62-14 stomping at Kansas State. That criticism changed when A&M Head Coach Mike Sherman found the winning combination, used in the Aggies’ past two games. “After the Kansas State game, we knew we needed to change something,” said senior lineman Kevin Matthews. “[We] came into practice that week with a different mindset.” With the new mindset, A&M’s rushing game exploded against Texas Tech on Oct. 24. Sophomore Cyrus Gray rushed for 131 yards and three touchdowns, and freshman Christine Michael had 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 52-30 win. The Aggies followed the victory against the rival Red Raiders with a 35-
10 win against Iowa State on Saturday. A&M established the running game for the second consecutive week as Gray ran for 119 yards, Michael had a touchdown and junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson also scored on the ground. The Aggies combined for nearly 600 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground in the two games. “I’ve always had a lot of confidence in those guys, it just comes down to execution,” Johnson said about the offensive linemen. “They all have the talent to do it they just have to execute and get the job done.” The added protection also allowed Johnson to pass for at least 230 yards in each game and toss three touchdowns against the Cyclones. “Really we’ve just pulled together as a unit,” said sophomore lineman Evan Eike. “We’re playing with confidence right now. We’ve done well. We’re trying to stack practices, stack games and keep it going.” Eike said establishing the run game makes the pass game a little bit easier because it slows down the opposing team’s pass rush.
Before the two most recent games, the A&M line was giving up an average of 2.67 sacks per game, which was inflated by the six sacks Kansas State recorded. Texas Tech and Iowa State each earned one sack against the Aggies. “Even when we do play games when we get a lot of pressure, I try not to think about it,” Johnson said. “If I start thinking about the offensive line, you change progressions and your timing gets off. No matter who we play or how the situation is going, I have to have faith in those guys and expect them to do their job.” Senior lineman Michael Shumard said the hard work the team has put into the line is finally starting to show results. Shumard started the season as a guard, but was moved to tackle while Sherman was looking for the correct combination. Shumard said he is better at the guard position, but he’ll take the trade off since A&M is winning. “We’ve always expected that we would play well,” Shumard said. “It’s just showing up lately because we’ve changed a little bit of the schemes, we’ve changed a little bit of everything, and the hard work is starting to pay off.”
t this time in 2008 the talk of the college football world centered around the Big 12. College Gameday was a mainstay on the conference’s campuses. Brent Musberger was going gaga over everything Texas. The Heisman race could’ve been renamed “Big 12’s MVP.” And it seemed like there was a primetime matchup almost every week involving Top 10 squads. After 10 weeks in 2008, the Big 12 had four teams (Texas Tech, Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State) residing in the Top 10. Missouri and Kansas were also ranked at the time. Now, flash forward to the present and notice how much has changed. Well, besides the fact Musberger still gets, um, excited whenever he sees burnt orange, but I digress. There are three Big 12 teams total that are ranked. Only one, Texas, is higher than No. 19 in the polls. Plainly, the Big 12 has one good team (Texas), two very unlucky teams (Oklahoma and Oklahoma State) and a lot of mediocrity (everyone else). In light of this conclusion, one must ask: What has happened to a conference set to establish itself as the best and most competitive a mere 12 months ago? Unfortunate injuries and suspensions have derailed promising seasons: Going into the season, both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State were supposed to challenge Texas for Big 12 supremacy. Now, both schools are clawing tooth and nail in hopes of staying among the Top 25. Oklahoma lost two of their best pro prospects, quarterback Sam Bradford and tight end Jermaine Gresham, by halftime of their season opening loss to BYU. And, the Cowboys saw their best player, and maybe the best player in the country Dez Bryant get suspended for lying to the NCAA. As a result, the already watered-down conference has been left with only one legitimate contender. The style of football doesn’t work: Call it the “Mike Leach effect.” As Texas Tech continually put up 60 and 70 points on defenseless teams, the spread offense began to catch on at a feverous pace. Now, everyone in the conference, with the exception of Ne-
David Harris
The Big 12 was on its way to becoming a power house, but now things are sliding into medocrity. braska, runs a variation of the spread. Sure, it produces fireworks on the scoreboard, but it is not conducive to championship football. Look to the SEC, winners of the last three national titles. In the Southeast Conference, winning is predicated on being able to run the football and being able to defend. For a good example, take a gander back at the battle between Florida and LSU, two Top 10 teams, a few weeks back. The intensity and speed on both sides of the ball was something to be admired. Sure, the 13-3 final score doesn’t exactly illicit thoughts of the “beautiful” football played in the Big 12, but newsflash, pretty and football aren’t synonymous. The SEC boasts five of the Top 25 rushing offenses in the country. In contrast, the Big 12 has two. The SEC has six defenses that rank in the Top 25 in total defense. The Big 12? Three. The numbers really do speak for themselves. In closing, let me state this simple fact. An SEC team will be holding the Sears Trophy come early January. And, if the Big 12 doesn’t undergo a serious transformation, they’ll continue to produce big numbers with minimal results. David Harris is a junior economics major.
What’s next Texas A&M (5-3) vs. Colorado (2-6) Boulder, Colorado Saturday 12:30 p.m. TV: Fox College Sports
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FOR RENT $375 pre-lease. 1/1, 2/1. Free Wi-Fi, On Northgate, on Shuttle. Short term leases ok. Call agent, Ardi. 979-422-5660. $900, Available Now, PRE-LEASE, 3, 4 bdrm. houses near TAMU, pets ok. Call Agent Ardi 979-422-5660. 1-3/bedroom apartments. Some with w/d, some near campus. $175-$600/mo. 979-696-2038. 2 bedroom Four-plex and Duplex, a couple of different floor plans to choose from. Some with wood floors, fireplace, fenced yard. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 2/1.5 with W/D connection, great location, with backyard. Near bus-stop. Water , lawn, & pest paid. $600/mo. 422-4296. 2bd 1bath University Terrace Apartments, $580/mo obo, lease ends May 2010, NEED TO SELL (512)739-8244. 2bdrm/2ba. duplex with huge back yard, privacy fencing, pets welcomed, ceramic tile floors, lawn care provided, 7min from campus. $700/mo. Available Now! 979-739-7717. 2bdrm/3ba duplexes. Great floorplans, fenced yards, w/d, tile floors, icemakers, alarm systems. 979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com 3/2 duplex. Prelease January. Very nice. 5mins to campus. W/D. Lawn care, security monitored. $900/mo. 979-691-0304, 979-571-6020. 3/2 House w/study-Wolf Pen Area! Close to shuttle, w/d conn, fenced w/ lawn care, www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 3/3 duplex. All appliances, fenced yard, large living areas, yard maintenance, available January. 979-204-2644 or clydie@elliscustomhomes.com 3/3 Duplexes, 1400sqft, fenced backyard, all appliances new, excellent specials, 979-694-0320. office@luxormanagement.com 3bd/2ba great floorplan, on shuttle route. Washer and dryer. Fans, stainless appliances. New, new, new. www.aggielandleasing.com www.southwoodplace.com 3bdrm/3ba duplexes. Great floorplans, fenced yards, w/d, tile floors, icemakers, alarm systems. 979-776-6079. www.aggielandleasing.com 4/3, 3/3 &3/2 Townhouses, Duplexes &Fourplexes, 1250-1700sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, extra storage, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing for 2010, excellent specials. 694-0320. office@luxormanagement.com Available now. 4/2/2 newly remodeled, pet-friendly, new carpet &paint. $1275/mo. 1208 North Ridgefield. Biking distance to campus. aggielandrentals.com 979-776-8984. Available now. Large 2bd/2ba condo. New carpet, paint, and wood miniblinds. Pool, water paid. Doubletree Condos. 979-777-9933. $700/mo. Balcones Apartments, only 2 left! 1/1 on bus route $475/mo. 703-8282. Beautiful duplex, many extras! Big fenced backyard, convenient to everything. One week free! 979-422-3427. Casa Verde town-home 2/2 W/D connection. Near bus stop. Pest, water, lawn paid $695/mo. 703-8282. House for rent, 3/1.5/1, 3-quarter acre, rural, fenced, $875/mo., $875/deposit. Available now. 979-696-1670.
Close to campus 2bd/2bth. Washer and dryer. Fenced yard. www.aggielandleasing.com www.southwoodplace.com Duplex for sublease, rent $650/mo. 2bd/1ba, fenced backyard. 832-330-1164. Duplexes available 3bd/2ba. $1050/mo. on bus route. Lawn control included. 832-724-3554.
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Midterm lease available! 3bd/2.5ba duplex, full size W&D, country setting, fenced yard, pets ok, flexible lease term, free lawn care. $999. (979)255-3280. CS. Northgate rent new. W/D connection. 1/1, 2/2, 3/3. Walk to campus. (979)255-5648. Pre-leasing Townhome Style Condos 2bd/2.5ba off Spring Loop and University Drive. River Ridge Townhomes. Close to campus on the bus route. Call 979-690-1504 or email Sieglipp@yahoo.com Quiet country setting 1.5 miles from campus. Nice 3/2 double-wide. Fireplace, deck, stalls available. $1000/mo. 979-846-5950. Roommates needed. 4bd/4bth $325/mo., washer/dryer. University Place on Southwest Parkway. 281-844-2090. Spacious 2bd/2ba, washer and dryer provided, shuttle route, curbside parking. www.aggielandleasing.com www.southwoodplace.com Spacious 3bd/3ba. Close to campus. Washer and dryer provided. www.aggielandleasing.com Spacious duplex. Many extras! Big fenced yard, convenient to everything. One week free! 979-422-3427.
HELP WANTED AgniTEK looking for part time employee- responsible for creation of websites using content management system, customer training, and development. Experience in Photoshop and Fireworks a plus. No programming experience required. Send resume and cover letter to work@agnitek.com Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day. No experience. 512-684-8296. photoguy@io.com Child Care- FT & PT shifts available. Some nights & Saturdays required. Apply in person at 3609 E. 29th St., Bryan. Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for appointment. Ft/Pt experienced pharmacy technician at college station HEB 543. Apply at www.workatheb.com. Local Ag businessman seeks aggressive self starting male students for 5 hours each Saturday. No selling, top pay. Call 979-696-0203, 8-10am only. Local Medical Technology Firm MEMdata is seeking part time/full time graphic designers/web designers/video blog editors for our growing business. Local, just minutes from campus. Flexible hours. Paid internship available if preferred. Email resumes to careers@memdata.com or fax to (979)695-1954. Part-time staff assistant needed for busy real estate office. Must be a detail- oriented people person with reliable transportation and have reasonable computer skills in MS Word and MS Excel. This position requires 20-25 hrs/wk beginning as soon as possible and to remain in this position at least through early December 2010. For job description and application, go to www.coventryglenrealty.net and click on Employment Opportunities. STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in College Station. 100% free to join. Click on surveys. Temporary work, earn extra money for the holidays! Student workers needed to distribute the 2009 Campus Directory to various offices on campus. Must be a TAMU student with a vehicle. Qualified applicants must have at least a three hour block of time available to work. We are especially looking for someone who can work: 1-5 on Monday and anytime on Tuesday and Thursday. If interested, please come by The Grove, Building 8901 and ask for JD or Selina.
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voices thebattalion 11.3.2009 page6
Weekend and holiday work in Houston installing holiday decorations, work is physically demanding. Pay starts at $10/hr, Email tmdi1@verizon.net
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PETS A+Teacup puppies: Maltese, Shorkies, Maltipoos, Yorkies &Poodles. $500 &up. 979-324-2866, linda_d_54@yahoo.com Adopt Pets: Dogs, Cats, Puppies, Kittens, Many purebreds. Brazos Animal Shelter, 979-775-5755, www.brazosanimalshelter.org Six 1/2 blueheeler 1/2 Australian Shepherd, dewormed, had shots, asking $150/obo. 940-357-9743 or tromhang@yahoo.com
REAL ESTATE Buy &Sell B/CS homes, condos, duplexes. RE/MAX. Nadia 979-693-1851. Michael 979-739-2035. www.bcsrealty.com
ROOMMATES 1 roomate needed. Spacious 2 story townhouse in Canyon Creek. Fully furnished. 4/2.5 $400/mo. +1/4 utilities. 713-823-9341. Female roommate needed. 2/2 in Enclave Apartments. Available for immediate move-in. $495 +electricity. Contact Ramey 903-521-9708. Female roommate needed. 3Bd/3Ba in Gateway Villas. Available for January move-in. $450/mo. plus utilities. Contact Ashleigh 512-773-1352.
TUTORS Domestic A&M alumni grad student in mechanical engineering for math/eng/phys tutoring. Email zachwalton2008@gmail.com with class information. Math tutor algebra through calculus. Over 45yrs. engineering experience. Grady (404)422-0989.
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Jonny Green — THE BATTALION
EDITORIAL
Red light cameras: the best way? A t select College Station traffic intersections, a yellow glow disappears, giving way to a burning red light. Then, a flash of a camera captures a vehicle speeding through. At least that’s what it’s supposed to do. With a growing student population, safety is a major concern. However, a better way to create safer streets, instead of the cameras, is to extend yellow light times and reengineer intersections to compensate for the increased load of drivers. A College Station voter education brochure for the cameras shows no red lightrelated crashes from January to September, down from 13 in 2006. However, according to a long-term study funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the use of red light cameras in North Carolina significantly increased the number of crashes across severity levels. The study looked at small urban communi-
ties similar in size to College Station and analyzed more communities and more intersections than the City of College Station study. The seven red light cameras locations are placed in mostly student-populated areas, such as near apartment complexes and townhouses. Data from the City of College Station shows the intersection at Harvey Road and Munson Avenue, where a camera is located, has never had a fatality crash. If these cameras are to remain, they should be placed at areas marked with high crash rates. With 48,000 students bustling around Aggieland and an increasing freshman enrollment rate, safety is an important issue. However, the best way to ensure both resident and student safety is to reexamine the effectiveness of red light cameras. Voting on the issue starts today.
EDITOR’SNOTE
TOSUBMIT
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of Texas A&M University, The Battalion or its staff.
Mail call must be fewer than 200 words and include the author’s name, classification, major and phone number. Staff and faculty must include title. Guest columns must be fewer than 700 words. All submissions should focus on issues not personalities, become property of The Battalion and are subject to editing for style, clarity and space concerns. Anonymous letters will be read, but not printed. The Battalion will print only one letter per author per month. No mail call will appear in The Battalion’s print or online editions before it is verified.
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STUDIES IN PROGRESS DO YOU HAVE FACIAL ACNE? We are looking for volunteers to participate in a twelve-week research study of an investigational topical medication for acne. Those who qualify will receive at no cost: • Study related medical evaluations by a dermatologist • Study related medication • Reimbursement for time and travel, up to $250. Participants must be 12-45 years of age. For more information please contact:
RED DRY SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN ATOPIC DERMATITIS STUDY (ECZEMA) Volunteers ages 18 - 64 needed to participate up to a 12 week long clinical research study with an investigational topical medication for atopic dermatitis (RED, DRY, SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN). Eligible volunteers will receive at no cost: • Study related medication • Physical Examination • Dermatological Assessments • Compensation up to $675.00 for time and travel For more information please contact:
J&S Studies, Inc. 979-774-5933 1710 Crescent Pointe Parkway, College Station, TX 77845 www.js-studies.com
4LTVYPLZ MHKL @LHYIVVRZ SHZ[ H 3PML[PTL Reserve your 2010 Aggieland yearbook (chronicling the 2009-2010 school year). Go to http://aggieland.tamu.edu or call 979.845.2613 to order by credit card.
AGGIELAND 2010
Texas A&M University’s 108th Yearbook
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thebattalion
Visor Guy Continued from page 1
Holley works in the Houston area as an insurance broker, and though his newfound recognition has made him synonymous with Kyle Field, Holley has stayed the same spirit-filled Aggie. “I think it’s great, really,� said his mother, Kathy. “I know he’s kind of embarrassed by it. He’s humbled by it. I’m proud that he’s an Aggie, and he’s carried that spirit on and has given it to his brother, sister and daughter.� Holley is doing his best to epitomize all that embodies the Twelfth Man. Rarely does he sit down and rarely do others make more noise. His actions have started to catch on with the fans around him in his section, they supplied him with a personalized yell leader costume. “There were two or three people who were iffy about what I was doing, but the people directly behind me, they’ve been great with it and they actually bang on the inside of the wall,� Holley said. “It’s a good group in 426, and everybody is into it. The usher was telling
me to stop banging so the rest of the section started banging.� The banging has not come without a little bit of blood and broken bones. Just three games ago, there was blood running down his hand. And there are some indentations from the wall on his arms. “Yes, my hand definitely hurts,� Holley said. “I’ve actually broken my thumb, and after the games you can see the stripes because I’ve destroyed the metal on the sides, and it cuts me.� Holley has missed three games since his days as a student because of an impending hurricane, a delayed flight and his brother’s ill-timed wedding. He is responsible for starting the “Light the Letters� campaign. What started as a simple thread on TexAgs, has blossomed into a campaign. The goal is to have the letters of Kyle Field lit by the beginning of the 2010 season. The process will take $150,000, and Holley is hoping a mixture of donations and funds from T-shirt sales will be able to bring back the lights. “I just remember those times coming in from out of town,� Holley said. “We’d be driving back, and as soon as you got by
the airport, you could see those lights standing out.� Holley is a proponent of “uncovering� during the national anthem and the “Spirit of Aggieland.� He’s never attempted to name his children “Reveille,� though he said Melanie had to veto his idea of naming the children “Kyle,� “Reed,� “Olsen� or a variation of the three. He said he is a fan of Head Coach Mike Sherman and the direction of the program. “I like Sherman,� he said. “I honestly think that he’s getting the guys that are going to produce on the field. The team is headed in the right direction, and he knows what it’s going to take to get it to the next level.� As the football team looks to restore the winning tradition prominent in the 1990s, Holley will continue to support them, screaming and willing the Twelfth Man on. And in 25 years, he’s hoping students will be able to look to the northeast and see Visor Guy (in a maroon sports coat) still going strong, broken thumbs and all. “I won’t change seats,� Holley said. “That is where I want to be every year for the rest of my life.�
The Texas A&M Pre-Law Society
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Briggs Continued from page 1
â&#x20AC;&#x153;He dreamed of becoming an architect,â&#x20AC;? said Patrice Briggs, Bobbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ever since he was 9, he would draw designs for cars and buildings.â&#x20AC;? Bobby attended a threeweek architecture program the summer before he came to A&M at the University of Maryland. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was the first time he was far away from home,â&#x20AC;? Patrice said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was really independent and happy because he was learning so much about what he loved.â&#x20AC;? In the month that Bobby spent in Texas A&M, he found many opportunities that matched his interests. He at-
Olsen Field Continued from page 1
The Foundation planned to send the project to the Facilities Planning Group in January 2010 and begin construction after the 2010 season, but now the Facilities Planning Group will have the project by summer 2010. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As to a construction start date, we hope to have something going in 2010,â&#x20AC;? Marks said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The good thing is that we are building around the current facility so we can do it at any time of the year and not affect the play of the team.â&#x20AC;? The focus of the first phase of the renovation is an $8 million student-athlete complex along the third base line, where the baseball offices and home locker room is now. The phase also consists of a complete renovation of the façade that would include extending the concourses 40 feet and building restrooms and concession stands. Inside the ballpark there will be four more rows of seats at
Racecar Continued from page 1
tended Fish Camp, where he found friendships that made him feel welcomed to the University, Patrice said. He also loved attending rallies with the Texas A&M Sports Car Club and playing pool in the Commons with friends. Surrounded by new friendships and independence, Bobbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s short-lived stay at A&M proved to be the happiest time of his life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We urge all students to take the H1N1 vaccine,â&#x20AC;? Patrice said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not only could it save your life, but also the lives of someone you love.â&#x20AC;? Briggs is survived by his parents, David and Patrice, brother Scott Briggs, sister Carley Briggs, grandparents Vernice Briggs, Dan and Yvonne Jones, aunts and uncles John
â&#x20AC;&#x153;
We urge all students to take the H1N1 vaccine. Not only could it save your life, but also the lives of someone you love.â&#x20AC;? ,UYVSS H[ HU` [PTL HUK OH]L \W [V H `LHY [V JVTWSL[L H JV\YZL
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Patrice Briggs Briggâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother
Briggs, Robert Briggs, Joan Piper, Davis Jones, Bob Lennox, Jenny Lennox, Class of 1977, and cousins Neil and Andrew Piper, Amanda McCabe, Class of 2004, and Dan and Mark Lennox.
*OLJR JSHZZLZ H[ ^[HT\ LK\ VJL VY JHSS the bottom of the first deck, the dugout will be lower and the seating in the lower deck will be redone. When the first phase is complete, the Foundation hopes to have an additional $8 million in donations to start a second phase which includes a club level, a press box and expanded seating and fan amenities. The initial design of the renovation is being handled by Dana Larson and Roubal and Associates, the DLR Group, which was responsible for the 2008 renovations of Texasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Disch-Falk Field and the 2001 construction of Nebraskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Haymarket Park. Because the construction will be funded by donations and will not be supplemented by ticket sales, the Foundation is using fundraising events across the state to drum up support. Marks said these small, oneon-one meetings with major donors will account for most of the funds. Once the Foundation reaches the 75 percent pledge, 50 percent cash goal, they plan to supplement the remainder of the funds by going public for smaller donations.
4 MORE DAYS to have your graduation portrait made for Texas A&M Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 108th yearbook
Dec â&#x20AC;&#x2122;09, May â&#x20AC;&#x2122;10, Aug â&#x20AC;&#x2122;10
GRADUATING
SENIORS and GRADUATE STUDENTS
Have your senior portrait taken in Training Room 027 of the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. To schedule your free portrait sitting, go to www.thorntonstudio.com
Go to School Portraits, Scheduling, click New User, complete with Login Password: tam Or, walk in 9 -1 & 2-5 todayâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Friday.
AGGIELAND 2010 Official yearbook of Texas A&M University
Animal Planet Star Coming to Rudder Auditorium!
Sam Craven, a senior engineering technology major, was the project manager for the competition and said not only will this organization provide a stage for students to display their technological skills, but it will also help guide students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My involvement with the Grassroots Challenge from build to competition has been the most rewarding of my college career,â&#x20AC;? Craven said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No experience is necessary. We teach you everything you need to know.â&#x20AC;? Meetings are at 7:30 p.m. the ďŹ rst Monday of every month in the Engineering Physics Building 202.
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