Bat 08 30 13

thebattalion

PAGE FIFTEEN

VOLLEYBALL

PAGE SIXTEEN

TAILGATING

KYLE FIELD INSIDER

8.30.13

PAGES EIGHT & NINE

THEY’RE READY. ARE YOU? PAGE FOUR

JOHNNY WILL PLAY (IN THE SECOND HALF) WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

““

NEW QB COACH JAKE SPAVITAL

“I’m not much of a yeller out there, because if a quarterback screws up, the whole stadium and the media knows he screwed up.”

PAGE SIX

PAGE TEN the battalion staff makes game picks (some knowledgeable) | PAGE ELEVEN (way too early) heisman watch

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8/29/13 9:43 PM

battasks

Q:

2

How do you plan to beat the gameday heat?

Tips to stay cool

“I plan to beat the heat by wearing a nice hat and a good pair of sunglasses.”

Eric Touma, freshman business administration major

With temperatures expected to reach over 100 degrees during this Saturday’s football game against Rice, the Athletic Department released the following tips to help beat the heat: 1. Arrive early, as the North gates will be congested due to G. Rollie construction.

2. Leave bags at home in order to quickly enter the stadium.

3. Hydrate before and throughout the game.

4. Bring plenty of sunscreen and a hat.

“Pretty much just going to surrender to the heat. I know I’m not winning, so I’m just giving into it.”

Thomas Salazar, freshman chemical engineering major

“I plan to put on sunscreen, and lots of it. It’s going to be a scorcher, so I don’t see how anyone can survive without it.”

thebattalion The IndependenT STudenT VoIce

of

TexaS a&M

SInce

Jake Walker, Editor in Chief The BaTTalion is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center.

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. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@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 979-845-2687.

For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com.

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.

BAT_08-30-13_A2.indd 1

Emre Yurttas, junior Political Science major

1893

“Making my girlfriend bring me water bottles.”

“My 12th man towel. I’m just going to put it on my head.”

Trevor Reichardt, freshman Blinn Team student

Kira Drenon, junior geography major Photos by Jenna Rabel — THE BATTALION Page one photos by Mark Doré and Jenna Rabel — THE BATTALION

8/29/13 10:56 PM

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8/29/13 2:26:29 PM

gamebreakdown

4

A&M reloads for SEC encore Suspensions, injuries sap starters from both units Michael Ayo The Battalion

W

ith quarterback Johnny Manziel in the fold, the No. 7 Aggies will look to put aside the offseason media attention and controversy when they take the field Saturday with hopes of their first national championship season since 1939.

Coming off the historic inaugural season in the SEC, the defending Cotton Bowl champions begin their 2013 campaign against the Rice Owls, with Manziel suspended for the first half after the conclusion of a month-long NCAA investigation into allegations that Manziel was paid for signing autographs.

Texas A&M will begin its quest with a backfield full of potential led by reigning Heisman Trophy-winner Johnny Manziel, the first freshman in NCAA history to win

the Heisman after he passed for 3,706 yards while rushing for 1,410 and accounting for 47 total touchdowns.

Senior Ben Malena and sophomore Trey Williams, who combined for 1,213 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2012, will accompany Manziel in the backfield. Alongside them will be sophomore transfers Brandon Williams and Tra Carson.

“I’ve been very pleased with the energy and the focus at practice,” said head coach Kevin Sumlin. “Ben Malena has been a leader for us before his senior year. He excelled last year and he’s become more vocal.”

The offensive line will be led by senior left tackle Jake Matthews, filling the void left by Luke Joeckel — who was drafted second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2013 NFL Draft. Matthews’ younger brother, sophomore Mike Matthews, assumes the starting center role from graduated center Patrick Lewis. Anchoring the right side of the line will be junior right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi,

Mark Doré — THE BATTALION

Senior tackle, Jake Matthews, takes over the leadership role on the offensive line. who shifted from the guard position he played last year.

“The offensive line can be as good as last year’s,” Mike Matthews said. “With the pieces in place, I’m confident in our ability. Traveling and watching Pat Lewis benefited me a lot.

It was a good deal to get a taste of the SEC.” On the defensive side of the ball, the Aggies will be without junior cornerback Deshazor Everett and junior safety Floyd Raven Sr., for the first half of the game, and senior defensive

lineman Kirby Ennis for the entire game due to suspensions resulting from off-the-field issues.

“In Raven and Everett’s absence, we will have younger guys step up, but they’ll be ready,” said senior defensive back Toney Hurd Jr. “Clay Honeycutt has come on strong and shown great consistency.”

Despite missing personnel, the Texas A&M defense looks to continue where they left off last season. During the 2012 season, the Aggies allowed an average of 22.5 points per game. The Rice Owls scored an average of 29 points per game during their 6-6 run through Conference USA last season.

Offensively, A&M averaged 44.8 points per game last season while the Owl’s defense allowed 31.3 points per game. Rice will be without two of its top defensive players from last season. Senior cornerback Phillip Gaines is suspended and senior linebacker Cameron Nwosu is out with a knee injury.

This will be the first time the Aggies and Owls meet since the Southwestern Conference split in 1996. Texas A&M leads the alltime series 50-27-2.

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8/29/13 7:41 PM

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8/29/13 5:07:55 PM

6

riceinsider

Q&A: Dan Ellege, senior psychology major at Rice and sports editor of The Rice Thresher THE BATTALION: What do you think of Johnny Manziel’s suspension and was it enough?

ELLEGE: It changes the dynamic of the game so much. You prepare for one quarterback in the first half if you’re Rice and for Johnny Football in the second half.

BAT_08-30-13_A6.indd 1

VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDELINE Rice and Texas A&M formerly met in the Southwest Conference yearly.

What do you expect of the game’s atmosphere?

What kind of momentum do you see carrying over from Rice’s winning season and bowl game victory a year ago?

This is why you play Division I football, for moments like this. The experience is going to be a major factor and I think that could keep Rice in the game. The fact that they have 23 seniors, 19 fifthyear, and bringing back 18 starters. It gives them the experience to handle Kyle Field, which is one of the most hostile environments in football.

Confidence should definitely be at an all-time high for these guys. Obviously those games were played months ago but you still have those memories of being 2-6 then rolling off win after win after win. Knowing that Manziel will miss the first half, they know to go for it and be aggressive to get an early lead and keep themselves in the ballgame.

What’s your prediction and final score of Saturday’s game?

I think Rice leads at halftime 13-10 but to be completely honest, when the Heisman Trophy winner steps back on the field, I see it being hard for us to contain him. So I see A&M winning 34-27. It’ll be a good game but it’ll be tough against A&M and the game being in Kyle Field.

8/29/13 8:22 PM

coachinginsider

7

yes, Sensei new assistant brings credibility, insight to Manziel’s QB position

““

Mark Doré — THE BATTALION

Quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital works with starter Johnny Manziel (left) and former backup Matt Davis during the final week of fall camp.

It’s not about experience, it’s about what type of experience you have.

— A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin

James Sullivan The Battalion

Jenna Rabel — THE BATTALION

BAT_08-30-13_A7.indd 1

ohnny Manziel had made his usual pre-snap checks during fall camp, but some slight pressure and no space to maneuver forced a telegraphed throw. Senior linebacker Steven Jenkins took quick advantage, jumping the pass and snaring the interception before bolting back the opposite way.

Manziel sulked to the sideline, head down as he played over his mistake, while A&M’s first-team defense celebrated behind him. The defending Heisman Trophy-winner was soon joined step for step by Jake Spavital — the Aggies’ new quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator — as he counseled his young charge, offering calm, levelheaded insight rather than harsh criticism.

“I’m not much of a yeller out there, because if a quarterback screws up, the whole stadium and the media knows he screwed up,” Spavital said. “I’ll tell him what I think and he’ll tell me what he thinks about certain things and we just try to work it out through there.”

For the 28-year-old assistant coach, it hasn’t been long since he once stood in 20-year-old Manziel’s position, taking his first reps under center at Missouri State just eight seasons ago.

Despite Spavital’s youthful disposition, his reputation around the college football community has skyrocketed during the past half decade, capturing the attention of many of the sport’s top offensive gurus.

Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin

said Spavital’s experience over the past five seasons granted him an immediate distinction from the Aggies’ two other coaching hires.

“He brings instant credibility, dealing with coaching Case Keenum and the number of guys they had at Oklahoma State and West Virginia,” Sumlin said. “[Also], being around [the current coaching staff] before, and the offense; he knows it like the back of his hand.”

In just five years of coaching, Spavital has spent extensive amounts of time with the who’s who of the spread and air raid offensive systems, ranging from Auburn’s Gus Malzahn to West Virginia’s Dana Holgorsen.

Yearlong stints with Tulsa, Houston and Oklahoma State, along with a two-year stay at West Virginia, allowed Spavital to work with many of college football’s top quarterbacks from the past five seasons, including Case Keenum, Brandon — A&M QB Weeden and Geno Smith.

Now add Johnny Manziel to the list and Spavital has many of college football’s most visibly successful quarterbacks of the past five years all with one interesting similarity — himself.

Less than a week following Texas A&M’s dominant Cotton Bowl victory over Oklahoma last January, Spavital found himself on Sumlin’s coaching roster replacing his former mentor, Kliff Kingsbury, who bolted Col-

““

lege Station for the vacant coaching position at his alma mater, Texas Tech.

While questions regarding Spavital’s age floated around the message boards, Sumlin’s long-time philosophy regarding the issue emerged as any supporter’s default response.

“A lot of people equate age with experience,” Sumlin said. “There’s some truth to that, but just because a guy is older doesn’t necessarily mean he’s better. It’s not about experience, it’s about what type of experience you have.”

Manziel said he and Savital have slowly begun to build a connection both on and off the field, a factor with potential to impact the Davey O’Brien Award-winner’s performance down the stretch during the season.

“It’s been good with Coach [Spavital] being there,” Manziel said. “We’ve been trying to bond together and create a really good relationship between him and me. He’s come in, he’s real easy to get along with, Johnny Manziel and he’s a brilliant

mind.”

During fall camp, Spavital spoke on Manziel’s ability to receive and process criticism, saying the young quarterback has a receptive attitude with a quick turnaround. “[Manziel] is very coachable,” Spavital continued. “He’s a smart kid. When you tell him one thing, [he can] take it out there and remember to do that and execute it.”

He’s real easy to get along with and he’s a brilliant mind.

8/29/13 10:49 PM

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8/29/13 10:31 PM

After a Heisman Trophy campaign and a tumultuous offseason, Johnny Manziel’s season will start a half late Saturday.

(

)

JOHNNY Mark Doré: An angry WILL Manziel wins games and Heismans. So strap in.

PLAY FOOTBALL

David Cohen — THE BATTALION

sportsopinion

I

want nothing more than to write about football — the real kind that happens between the sidelines, with the maroon and white, with towels, sweat and hoarse voices.

So you’ll have to forgive me for refraining from diving into the Olympic-sized pool of NCAA-related columns of the last day-plus, ever since a “joint statement” from the NCAA and Texas A&M slapped The Chosen One on the wrist for a violation of the “spirit” of some bylaw or another.

When we start talking about the “spirit” of anything the NCAA scrapes off its shoe, that’s my cue to leave.

The NCAA and ESPN lost and many others won but, really, only one entity walks away without the situation’s stink on its clothes: the 12th Man — you, me and those sophomores with the obnoxious wildcat. The game of the year, A&M-Alabama, is back on, and it’s coming to our Kyle Field living room. The world will watch and we’ll have the best seats in the house.

We have work to do, though. We’ve made College Station toxic for the Manziels. If Johnny doesn’t have a historic precedent, we as fans certainly don’t have one in Aggieland. We’re a win-starved, former Big 12 also-ran with a nutso-crazy fan base (of which I’m a part, I should add), then all of a sudden we’re in the SEC and I’m telling people I expect seven wins in 2012 and that sounds crazily optimistic and then HOLY CRAP IS THIS THE SAME GUY THAT GOT ARRESTED? We haven’t slowed down to catch our breath since.

Neither has he. Maybe that’s the problem.

I think he knowingly broke the rules and I know he hasn’t been the Tebow-esque altar boy you might have wanted, but he’s our quarterback. Give him room to breathe.

C.S. Lewis said this: “You must show that a man is wrong before you start explaining why he is wrong.”

Have we shown he is wrong? Slow down, A&M. You would be bored if Johnny wasn’t Johnny. When you mob-stomp him online, you risk scaring him off Twitter. And then we all lose.

If it turns out he’s just been a human being this whole time — rather than the super-villain he’s made out to be — and does again what this particular human being did last year (that is, make Verne Lundquist’s voice crack on the way to a mess of wins and a bigger mess of touchdowns), we’ll say he learned his lesson from his beer-and-skittles offseason. And future athletes will take a stab at emulating this guy.

The nation liked what A&M did last year so much it snapped up our resident five o’clock shadow, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

It drafted the best tackle in A&M history No. 2 overall in the NFL draft. And it caught onto the simple fact Aggies learned around week four last season: Johnny Manziel is the most interesting player we’ve ever seen, both on and off the field.

One season in the SEC made our coordinator a sex symbol and gave him a head-coaching job. It gave our head coach an honorary WWE championship belt and a (rumored) handful of head coaching offers at all levels.

And it made our wily little quarterback the most famous Mark Doré Managing Editor @Mark_Dore

amateur athlete in history.

What could this team do for an encore? It could win.

If A&M becomes what the voters are hinting at, with a beefier Manziel, a still-stout offensive line, leadership in the secondary and a platoon of scorching-fast running backs and receivers — that’s the best team in the country.

That team beats Alabama, goes to Death Valley at night and tops LSU and puts away Ole Miss in what every trendy analyst calls a “trap game.”

We might not see that team. There are questions, and Saturday won’t answer all of them. But cannons will fire and Kanye’s “Power” will lead our team onto the field (including, despite the odds, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner). That’s enough for me.

Manziel hasn’t had a chance to write his own headlines since the Cotton Bowl. He’s pissed, and a chip-on-theshoulder Manziel has never done anything but create must-see football.

Manziel and the University still need each other, despite what either camp might think. One season in the SEC doesn’t nail down recruiting powerhouse status. The NFL can and will overlook Johnny’s size, but if he enters the draft with character issues clouding his stock, he’ll slip.

He can’t afford that. As an undersized quarterback, his rookie contract could easily be his last.

It’s in the best interests of everyone with money in the pot (the networks, ESPN, A&M, the NFL, Manziel, the NCAA) for A&M to win football games with Manziel behind center.

And that’s great news for us here in Aggieland. We get to sit back and watch.

JAMES SULLIVAN: Manziel’s media magnetism isn’t a bad thing.

O

ver the past few months, the media siege on Texas A&M’s football program has been relentless. An unyielding dialogue centered on college football’s most polarizing figure — Johnny Football — has dominated national editorials and news cycles with seemingly no end in sight.

Excuse me, but when did this whole ordeal become — from a fan base perspective — a negative aspect?

Everywhere from online message boards to classroom conversations, I witness Aggies either defending Manziel or questioning his value to the University. Each time I’ve visited home within the past year, everyone from family members to former coworkers has grilled me on the 20-year-old quarterback.

What’s your take on the latest from Johnny?

Do you think he’s guilty? I bet you’re wishing by now Manziel could have bolted to the NFL after last season, aren’t you?

My simple answer: any press is good press.

Why? Because free advertising is every major college football program’s dream.

Outside of Manziel’s “Autograph-Gate,” which officially closed Wednesday following an agreement between Texas A&M and the NCAA to suspend the quarterback the first-half of the season-opener not a single one of his exploits was worthy of anything but news segments and editorials.

Not negative press, but rather plain-old,

down-home reporting of what adventures the college student experienced that weekend.

And what’s attached to every sportscenter update on Manziel, ranging from the Scooby-Doo photograph to his UT party expulsion?

The A&M logo, further propelling the rising program’s brand to every corner across the country. And that’s not even the best part — this is all for free, with not even a dime coming out of the University’s pocket.

A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin said the free press has created an atmosphere of relevancy around the formerly attention-starved program, helping the team gather steam heading into the daunting season.

“The increase in attention, in many ways, it’s been great,” Sumlin said. “We’ve worked very hard over the last 18 months to try and make this program be relevant and playing relevant and meaningful games on the big stage. We’ve had to manage the excitement from the beginning and I’m very pleased with how our players and coaches are handling it.”

Senior defensive back Toney Hurd Jr. conveyed a slightly different message than his head coach, saying the team has done more than just utilize the attention.

“I feel like the team has embraced all the media,” Hurd said. “The positive issues bring more attention to our program. As for the major stuff, the coaches and all the right people are handling it in the right way. We love the attention and we love being No. 6 in preseason polls but we

James Sullivan Sports Editor @jsully711

are fighting to be No. 1 in the country.”

Any press is good press, and right now, Texas A&M runs center on every printer and news hub from New York to Los Angeles.

I’ll close with one final thought.

Late last semester, I was having a conversation with Jason Cook, A&M’s senior associate athletic director for external affairs, during April’s live broadcast spring game when he pointed out a fact that has stuck with me throughout each of Manziel’s offseason antics.

Texas A&M University is a brand 137 years in the making. And Johnny Football?

Well, the “legend” hasn’t even reached its first birthday yet.

Despite what many perceive, Johnny Manziel does not define Texas A&M, but rather acted as a catalyst to the program’s massive rebranding effort over the course of the past year.

Rather, the superstar quarterback’s persona adds yet another unique aspect to the University’s identity, one positioned to not only last, but also thrive for the next 137 years and beyond.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT

Mark Doré — THE BATTALION

HOME

is

9

HEISMAN

the

heismaninsider

10

(WAY TOO EARLY)

HEISMAN WATCH JOHNNY

MANZIEL

TEXAS A&M (0-0) SO QB #2 6’1 - 210

Manziel can stay in the hunt with “Johnny Football”-esque performances against nationally relevant opponents and inflated statistics against Texas A&M’s non-conference slate.

BRAXTON

OHIO STATE (0-0) JR QB #5 6’2 - 215

MILLER

After leading the Buckeyes to an undefeated record last season, all eyes will be on Miller to see if the dual-threat quarterback can replicate his past results.

FILE PHOTO

Cody Cousino — The Lantern

TEDDY

BRIDGEWATER

LOUISVILLE (0-0) JR QB #5 6’3 - 196

With a weak schedule and dull conference slate a serious detractor, Bridgewater’s best chance to win over voters sits with an impressive stat line and an undefeated record.

JADEVEON

CLOWNEY

S. CAROLINA (1-0) JR DE #7 6’6 - 274

With ESPN’s SportsCenter still playing replays of Clowney’s “The Hit” from last January, expect the monster end to receive serious consideration from defensive junkies.

THE LOUISVILLE CARDINIAL

Lee Walker – THE DAILY GAMECOCK

FOOTBALL

GAMEDAY

2013

WHERE TO GO

Scan with your smartphone for more gameday info!

P

HOW TO GET THERE transport.tamu.edu/football

BAT_08-30-13_A10.indd 1

8/29/13 10:46 PM

staff insider

11

thebattalion

STAFF PICKS Week One

*neutral site

(7) Texas A&M vs.

Rice (1) Alabama *vs.

Virginia Tech

Jake Walker

Mark Doré

James Sullivan

Sean Lester

William Guerra

Jessica Smarr

Editor-in-Chief Record: 0-0

Managing Editor Record: 0-0

Sports Editor Record: 0-0

Sports Desk Asst.

Record: 0-0

Graphics Chief Record: 0-0

Copy Chief Record: 0-0

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Texas A&M

Don’t even question it

LOL JOHNNY FOOTBALL

The Aggies are loaded, & Rice can’t compete

Johnny will arrive riding on a maroon chariot

Man, I hope they go easy on us

I have the minimal amount of loyalty

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

V-Tech

I want V-Tech, but it won’t happen

Confirmed: Nick Saban is a robot

The Tide roll over a weak V-Tech squad

Virginia Tech can’t handle Saban’s wrath

Dont get used to it, Bama

Their mascot is a Hokie, & that’s special

(8) Clemson vs.

(5) Georgia

Georgia

Georgia

Georgia

Clemson

Clemson

Georgia

If Vegas says it, it must be true

In a coin flip, I always go SEC

QB Aaron Murray will put on a clinic

Prepared for Clemson to upset or be upset

Hoping for an exciting game

Their bulldog wears that little jersey

(12) LSU *vs.

(20) TCU

TCU

LSU

LSU

LSU

LSU

TCU

I have faith. Let’s go Ft. Worth

My brother went to TCU and I want him to hurt

The Bayou Bengals dominate on defense

The Frogs get close to gigging the Tigers

I don’t even kneaux

Horny toads shoot blood out of their eyes

OK State

Mississippi St.

OK State

OK State

Mississippi St.

The cowbells are dumb and shouldn’t exist

The Bulldogs’ offense pulls off the upset

The Big 12 will rejoice as the SEC falls

Mike Gundy will prove he is a man

The OSU mascot’s mustache is just creepy

Mississippi St. Mississippi St. *vs.

SEC all the way (13) Oklahoma St.

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8/29/13 10:49 PM

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4/3, 3/3 &3/2 Houses, Townhouses, Duplexes &Fourplexes, 1250-1700sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, extra storage, W/D, great amenities, marble and granite, on multiple bus routes, now pre-leasing, excellent specials.

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Duplex, CS, nice 2bd, 3-minutes from campus, W/D, remodeled, fenced front and backyard, beautiful with many extras, one week free, $570/mo, 832-646-2329.

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Overnight Bunkhouse.

Bed/kitchen available for football games. Sleeps four. Please contact 936.581.1699.

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HELP WANTED Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day. No experience. aggieresponse@gmail.com

Camp For All is looking for creative and energetic program staff who are interested in working with children and adults with challenging illnesses and special needs. These paid positions will be trained to lead activities for our campers on weekends. Please contact Jessicah Holloway at jholloway@campforall.org or visit our website at www.campforall.org

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HELP WANTED CiCi’s Pizza Now Hiring! Counter Staff/ Register/ Drive-thru personnel needed. No experience necessary, Evenings &weekends a must.

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Lawn crew member needed, $10/hr. Hrs Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-6, experience required. Students only.

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HELP WANTED The Corner now hiring all positions for all shifts. Come by in person to apply.

The Corner now hiring all positions for all shifts. Come by in person to apply. uRide is seeking reliable, customer service oriented individuals for professional driving positions. $10/hr, tips with flexible scheduling. Please contact itay@uride.net for details or visit uRideTAMU.com.

We are looking for Casino Dealers: Blackjack, Roulette, and Dice dealers. Events are normally nights and weekends. Apply in person Monday-Friday 9am-4pm: Party Time Rentals 1816 Ponderosa Dr College Station.

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volleyballinsider

13

Seniors, coaches prime infused youth Sean Lester

The Battalion xpectations aren’t just high for the Texas A&M volleyball team in 2013, they also come with a caution label.

Warning: Team contains an influx of young talent.

The Aggies graduated all five starting seniors, but that didn’t stop Southeastern Conference coaches this offseason from voting the team as co-favorites to repeat as SEC West champions.

“It’s kind of built in that it’s motivating to match last years success in the SEC and as well as the tournament,” said A&M head coach Laurie Corbelli.

Though freshmen and sophomores may drive the team, it will not be without strong senior leadership.

Senior setter Allie Sawatzky and outside hitter Heather Reynolds will provide guidance as captains.

Sawatzky ranked fourth on the team last year in kills and has been the team’s starting setter for the past three years. Reynolds saw reserve time and has now emerged as a feature athlete on the squad.

“It’s definitely a struggle every year because we always have such a great senior class,” Sawatzky said. “Last year was five of them on the court, but I think they did a good job of leaving experience and tips with younger players in their position for them to get better. Those players now will go on the court knowing what to expect.”

E

FILE

Senior Allie Sawatzky prepares a kill.

For Reynolds, the preseason tie with LSU for the SEC West crown wasn’t enough.

“We’re going to be competitive and I don’t think we should be tied with LSU in the West side,” she said. “We’re going to have our moments where we may look like a young team, but I don’t think it’s going to affect us where we lose matches because of it.”

The Aggies will play a tough schedule that includes ranked matches against No. 15 Iowa State, No. 18 Florida State, No. 7 Michigan and conference foes Florida and LSU. “We circle all of them because those are matches that are going to challenge us,” Corbelli said. “Great teams like that expose you and the world to your weaknesses.”

The middle blocker position boils down to sophomore Shelby Sullivan and redshirt freshman Jazzmin Babers. Sullivan is still recovering from December’s major knee surgery, which she opted for after suffering an injury during the first round of the NCAA Championships.

Corbelli expects Sullivan to be back to 100 percent by conference play though she is scheduled to work with around the 75 percent limit during non-conference games.

The team that most fans will see on the court early in the season is certain to change with time, Corbelli said.

“We’re young, I’m not going to lie,” Corbelli said. “We’re an untested group and the SEC is much improved from last year. We’re going to evolve, I can just see it now.”

The expectations for Corbelli and the Aggies are as high as they ever are at A&M coming off an SEC West title and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Championships.

“I think they are going to surprise a lot of people,” Corbelli said. “We’re definitely capable of returning as the SEC West champion and the SEC Championship. We have to believe it for sure before we could even see it. I know they believe they can.”

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8/29/13 2:27:25 PM

tailgateinsider

16

Graphic by Osa Okundaye — THE BATTALION

Fire up the grills Free food brings fans together Mackenzie Mullis The Battalion

T

he air is electrified through the sea of maroon and white. Plates of food — brisket and hamburgers and hot dogs — pass between the hands of friends and strangers. Red plastic cups slosh as people pitch washers and horseshoes. Aggies have waited impatiently for this moment all year.

Football season has arrived, and so have the tailgaters.

Food has a way of uniting people. Tailgating bonds families, friends, classmates and rival fans together. Macy McCasland, senior agricultural communications and journalism major, has been tailgating with her family since her freshman year.

“My dad was not an Aggie, but my stepmom and her whole family went to A&M so [tailgating] is a pretty big deal,” she said.

The Friday before game day, tailgaters eagerly await the horn to blow, signaling the time to claim a spot.

“My dad comes every Friday and waits at noon for the horn,” McCasland said. “He always has lot 97 by the ag building. Usually everyone has their main tailgating spot, but you get there and you can’t mark off until noon on Friday. They blow a whistle and people go and get their area.”

After the lots have been claimed, tailgaters can begin to set up their tents and grills early Saturday morning.

“I just go and meet my dad the day of the tailgate,” McCasland said. “If the game is at noon, my family is probably there by eight. They get there super early and stay super late.

They make it an all-day deal.”

For McCasland, tailgating is first about family, but food is a close second.

“My favorite part is just free food my dad provides, hon-

BAT_08-30-13_A16.indd 1

major, said though tailgates are a serious investment of time and work, they are always worth it.

“It is healthy for your soul,” he said. “Maybe not for your body, depending on what food is served and how much alcohol is consumed.”

Garrett Oliver, junior agricultural leadership and development major, said he tailgates out of his backyard because he lives close to campus.

“I just like to tailgate,” Oliver said. “We live right behind Kyle Field and we have a big backyard on our lot. We always have a big cook out. We will probably do brisket, hot dogs and hamburgers for this game. We will also have a bunch of beer, obviously, because what is a tailgate without that?”

Oliver said he usually sets up his tailgate around 7:30 or eight in the morning to be ready for friends and strangers.

“We invite friends, but we also let random people come in,” Oliver said. “We’re not exclusive by any means, we invite everybody.”

estly,” she said. “We literally go over there, eat and leave.”

Eric Baltodano, junior kinesiology major and a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, helps set up his fraternity’s tailgate every year and said he enjoys interacting with the different fans.

“I like just hanging out and seeing everybody walk up,” he said. “It is fun to see all the other tailgates. Everyone is so friendly — they invite you in and talk to you. It’s a great way to make new friends and meet new people.”

Heath Bottoms, senior environmental design major, said tailgating can be a great marketing and networking opportunity for businesses to mingle with clients and potential investors.

“I know that it is a big deal for companies to come down for the Aggie game, especially from closer places like Houston, because it is a good time for businesses to socialize with clients,” he said. “The business I worked with this summer loves it.

They get up at 4 a.m. on Saturday so they can set up at six or seven.”

Tailgating can be a luxury for college students because there is an abundance of free food and drink.

“I don’t usually go to random tailgates because it is sort of awkward, but I know friends that have gone up to tailgates and everyone is usually cool with it, especially when it is [a] big business because they want college recruitment and also it makes the tailgate look more awesome,” Bottoms said. “People want more people to come to their tailgate so they look more popular David Cohen — THE BATTALION than others. It is attractive for businesses.”

Kyle Baldock, senior community health Barbecue remains a Texas A&M fan favorite outside Kyle Field.

8/29/13 8:27 PM

volleyballinsider

15

Reynolds combines competitive nature with teaching mentality

Counsel of the Court Sean Lester The Battalion

A

s a freshman on the Texas A&M volleyball team in 2010, Heather Reynolds was rumored to have a fierce competitive nature, something head coach Laurie Corbelli at first had a hard time seeing.

“She’s come a long way,” Corbelli said, laughing. “I wasn’t sure how competitive Heather was. When I was recruiting her, I did not realize how competitive she is.”

Now as a senior with the Aggies, Reynolds hardly expresses intimidating features in her personality. An interdisciplinary studies major with an emphasis in teaching, learning and culture, Reynolds has used her four years at A&M learning to balance her competitive edge with a calming nature.

Her nurturing personality has led her to position as team captain in 2013 and has allowed her to serve the students of A&M. Reynolds is a member of Aggie ALLY, a support group that provides a safe zone, listening ear and support for gay, lesbian, bisexual

Senior Heather Reynolds is the 2013 Texas A&M Volleyball team Captain.

BAT_08-30-13_A15.indd 1

and transgender individuals. can relate to what I’m saying so we can get “I’ve always been taught that we’re all the somewhere with the conversation.” same and none of that matters,” Reynolds Reynolds has been able to use the same said. “On a conservative campus like this, it’s chameleon factors she uses as an ALLY to behard for a lot of people to accept stuff like that. come a leader on this year’s young and slightly I have a sticker I put on my binder. If anyone inexperienced volleyball team. ever wants to talk to me they know they can “Her and I talk a lot about what we want come up to from this team me and talk to and we’re always I never thought that with the me about stuff on the same page talent we had on our team, that about the team like that.”

Reynolds goals and everyI would be one of the top ones said she has thing,” senior other people would recognize.” had complete teammate Allie — Heather Reynolds, senior volleyball captain strangers or Sawatzky said. classmates call to talk about their situation, “Ever since freshman year we’ve connected something she welcomes. really well. She’s a really hard worker, a really “I feel like people don’t feel intimidated by strong player and a great leader.” my presence,” the 6-foot-tall, outside hitter For a team that graduated five senior starters said. “They feel like they can talk to me about at the end of last season, Reynolds has played relationships, which is really hard in that com- a vital role as she counsels her younger teammunity to talk about sometimes. I feel like I mates. have that chameleon factor to talk to some“Her major is education, so she not only one like they are a human being, and they has a natural instinct for being ‘the teacher’ type. She’s comfortable in it and she’s had training in it,” Corbelli said. “She’s not afraid to speak up and not really give direction but give her insight. She very much gets that it’s her actions that speak much louder than words.”

On the court, Reynolds is a constant competitor. That stems from growing up in a long line of athletes bearing the Reynolds name.

Her mom and dad were athletes at Lamar University, playing volleyball and baseball.

Her grandfather was a four-year baseball player at Rice and her

““

Photos by Matthew Wong — THE BATTALION

great-grandfather was a Major League Baseball outfielder in the 1930s, playing against Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

“I’m really proud,” Reynolds said. “I always heard about my dad and granddad being these superstar athletes. I feel like I represented them well and I really don’t think I’d be here if it wasn’t for them. They were my coaches, but they are also my biggest cheerleaders.”

As a freshman and sophomore on the Aggie squad, Reynolds sat the bench waiting for her opportunity — something that proved tough for the high school star, who also lettered in softball and tennis at Wharton High.

In the team’s second tournament of the season a year ago at Yale, Reynolds was named to the all-tournament team, injecting a boost of confidence.

“I remember when it was announced that I got all-tournament I thought that was the coolest thing ever,” she said. “I never thought that with the talent we had on our team, that I would be one of the top ones other people would recognize.”

Reynolds, who hopes to be a school counselor after graduation, looks to be a fixture on the reigning SEC West champion Aggie team, but it will take a little bit of both her highly competitive side and her counseling nature to help propel this young Aggie squad.

“I want to be really motivated and I want to be intense,” Reynolds said. “I am a captain and I’m really excited to see how it goes.

Some of the freshmen last year went through what I went through my freshman year, so I can relate. I’m acting as a mentor to a lot of them.”

8/29/13 10:51 PM