thebattalion l tuesday,
september 10, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
Streak-for-tweet challenge nets social outburst
thebattalion asks
Q:
Jessica Smarr
Page 2: What would be your reaction if someone streaked during the game?
The Battalion
T
hrough the offseason, Johnny Manziel showed himself to the world through tweets and hashtags. On Monday, Austin Black used Twitter to show just as much, with the possibility of exposing even more of himself on Saturday. At 1 p.m. Monday, Austin — a junior business management major — sent out a tweet promising to streak on the field during the Texas A&M vs. Alabama game Saturday if he received 10,000 retweets. Three hours later — with retweets from notables such as Total Frat Move and several Houston Texans offensive linemen — he exceeded his goal. The tweet began with expectations of a few hundred Austin Black retweets and a good laugh, Austin said. But as the numbers began to grow, Matt Crandall, junior business management major and Austin’s roommate, said their excitement grew with them.
#STREAKER William Guera — THE BATTALION
See Streaker on page 4
a&m vs. alabama
Gameday hype causes swell in student ticket pull Monday marks secondhighest ticket-pull day in A&M history Kadie McDougal The Battalion
T
ents around Kyle Field marked the beginning of the student ticket pull for the much-anticipated game against Alabama. According to the Aggie Tickets Twitter page, Monday was the second-highest ticket-pull day in A&M history. Carole Dollins, senior vice president of the 12th Man Foundation, said the number of tickets pulled on Monday was just over 15,000, which was about the same as estimated. “It’s probably what we thought,” she said. “It wasn’t the highest ever but it was a strong day.” Dollins said the lines were long for the first day of ticket pull, but the process went smoothly. She said the foundation doesn’t foresee any problems for the remainder of the week. “We already have some juniors camping out for to-
morrow,” Dollins said. “I don’t think there will be many [ticket pulls] on Friday. We think everything will be pulled, but we’ll see.” Kristin Koonce, junior communication major, camped out for the second day of ticket pull. There were 10 lines, or groups, that added their name to a list to ensure that they would have a decent spot in the pulling order, she said. “Whenever people want to come, they sign their name on the list and there will be a roll call throughout the night and the morning to just make sure they’re here,” Koonce said. Koonce said her group planned on staying throughout the night for their chance at pulling the best tickets possible. “We’re hoping for second deck,” she said. “Rumor has it that there are 120 seats left, so that’s what we’re aiming for.” Morgan Young, junior allied health major, said she was looking forward to the game because she missed out on a previous big game. “I’m excited for winning — just the craziness,” she said. “I’m pumped because I didn’t get to go to the See Ticket pull on page 8
Josh McKenna — THE BATTALION
Students line up early Monday morning to pull tickets for the Alabama game Saturday. Many chose to camp out Sunday night to increase their chances of getting better seats.
a&m vs. alabama
campus news
Saban, Tide players address A&M at presser Alabama coach says Manziel ‘instinctive’ while scrambling James Sullivan The Battalion
N
o storyline surrounding Texas A&M’s matchup Saturday against top-ranked Alabama has captured the nation’s attention quite like the Crimson Tide’s desire for revenge. The nation has had Sept. 14 circled in its calendar since the Aggies’ 29-24 upset of Alabama in Tuscaloosa last season, hoping to see sparks fly between the two conference rivals. During Alabama’s team press conference Monday morning, sophomore wide receiver Amari Cooper spoke differently, and said his team’s desire to win was rooted in competitiveness rather than vengeance. “It’s not a revenge thing, be-
“It’s not a revenge thing, because if we wanted to get revenge, we’d have to play that same team last year with the same team we had last year. — Amari Cooper, sophomore wide receiver
cause if we wanted to get revenge, we’d have to play that same team last year with the same team we had last year,” Cooper said. “It’s really not a revenge thing. If you lose a fight with someone, you don’t get revenge from fighting someone else. I think it’s just a new team this year. We’re a new team. It’s no revenge, we’re just going out there and playing Texas A&M.” Behind reigning Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, No. 6 Texas A&M (2-0) has knocked off “tune-up” opponents Rice and Sam Houston State by a combined 58
Austin Bigoney — THE CRIMSON WHITE
Alabama head coach Nick Saban praised A&M on Monday as a “fantastic offensive football team.” points, racking up an average of 600 yards total offense with what A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin called a “vanilla” offensive system. Alabama head coach Nick Saban discussed the A&M offense’s effectiveness, citing Sumlin’s use of an air
raid system as key to its success. “This is a fantastic offensive football team,” Saban said. “You get 600 yards a game, you average 58 points a game. They did very similarly See Alabama on page 7
college station
City Council to strengthen economic ties to A&M Katy Stapp
Special to The Battalion he College Station City Council will consider the implementation of an Economic Development Master Plan on Thursday, which will promote a mentality of partnering with Texas A&M to maximize economic benefits for College Station residents. Thursday’s meeting, at College Station City Hall, will include a public hearing to solicit any input from residents. City Council members have established six broad initiatives in the proposed plan: sustain and enhance high quality of life, support and partner with the Texas A&M University System, support retail development, support and
T
BAT_09-10-13_A1.indd 1
We will continue to recognize the significance of Texas A&M to the economy and we will ensure that it remains a strong and viable entity. We will partner where mutual economic benefits will be realized.”
— Randall Heye, economic development analyst for College Station
stimulate biotechnology research and advanced manufacturing, support the health and wellness market and support the sports, entertainment and hospitality market. Randall Heye, economic development analyst for College Station, said the economic plan marks a new initiative in which the City Council intends to advocate on behalf of the University at the local, state and federal level and engage in
Giroir named interim leader at Health Science Center Dr. Brett Giroir was named interim executive vice president for the Texas A&M Health Science Center on Monday. According to a University press release, the position, effective Oct. 1, comes after Giroir’s service as vice chancellor for strategic initiatives, during which time he helped the University land a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a center to enhance the nation’s biosecurity. Chancellor John Sharp plans to nominate Giroir to become interim CEO for the Health Science Center at the next scheduled meeting of the Board of Regents.
Blocker evacuated University police as well as the College Station fire department were summoned to the Blocker building upon hearing a report of a natural gas smell in the building, which was evacuated just before 11 a.m. and reopened at 11:30 a.m. when the smell was discovered to be coming from a trashcan on the third floor.
Let’s be friends
frequent conversation with University officials to fully develop this renewed connection. Heye said the plan would promote a positive relationship between students off campus and in the neighborhoods they live, as well as seek partnership with the University on economic development initiatives that will bring See Economic on page 4
@thebattonline
9/9/13 10:41 PM