OPINION
Let’s get freaky! Opinion writer Joshua Abraham says being genuine with others is key. A4
SPORTS Aggie rodeo athletes find success in the arena and in the classroom. B1
Birdbrained world of Schubot
Inside the avian health center and its team of egg-cellent researchers
By Julia Helsel Life & Arts Writer
Just off of F&B Road and Agronomy Road, nestled behind build sites, lies a hidden gem of Texas A&M’s veterinary medicine facilities: the Schubot Center for Avian Health.
Here, research and care are given
to exotic birds for the betterment of vet students, researchers and the birds themselves.
In addition to the aviary building, the Schubot Center for Avian Health includes a network of over 75 researchers dedicated to studying different aspects of bird science, including infectious diseases, nutrition, genetics and conservation, all of which aim to improve the coexistence of birds and humans.
According to Sarah Hamer, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and direc-
Aggies ock to Austin for Weekend 1 of ACL
Students, Austinites come together for annual music festival
By Theresa Lozano Life & Arts Editor
Described as “a once in a lifetime experience … two times a year,” the Austin City Limits music festival had an electric opening weekend. Under the blazing Texas sun and kicked-up dirt, over 100 artists performed across nine stages, attracting hundreds of thousands of festivalgoers.
Held in Zilker Park in Austin, the two-weekend event attracts music lovers and fans from not only around the country — but the world. This year’s headliners include Chris Stapleton, Blink-182, Dua Lipa, with an exhilarating closing led by Sturgill Simpson and Tyler, The Creator.
Beyond the music, the festival has booths for businesses and vendors, eats for days, endless photo-ops and green initiatives to broaden their sustainability practices, including — and very much needed — hydration stations for reusable water bottles. Though ACL is in the heart
of Austin and smack in the middle of “enemy territory,” not all Aggies consider it that.
For biology sophomore Lauren Peterson, the festival has become an annual tradition — and a home base for reunions.
“ACL is honestly my highlight because so many of my friends went out of state for school, but we all come home for ACL,” Peterson said. “So I get to see all of my favorite people when I come home, including my family.”
Former students Julia Tisch, Class of 2019, and Mayra Yundt-Pacheco, Class of 2020, have also attended the festival for several years. The former roommates both received their bachelor’s at A&M and master’s at the University of Texas. The house-divided friends said they were excited to see Foster The People and Chappell Roan, just two of thousands of attendees there to see the Midwestern Princess.
Angel Tarrant Boyd, Class of 1987, has attended ACL with her husband almost every year since it began in 2002, only missing the first one.
The live music lovers said they’ve seen The Eagles, Paul McCartney, Alanis Morissette and more impressive names in previous years — this
tor of the Schubot Center for Avian Health, the research conducted is just as important to birds as it is to people.
“I was studying … the West Nile virus and how it was decimating wild bird populations but also making people really sick,” Hamer said. “I got really interested in that wildlife-human health interface and wanted to do more.”
Throughout her studies, Hamer repeatedly noticed a relationship between human health problems and the ecosystem. This connection, called the “One Health Initiative,”
recognizes the codependency of animals, humans and ecosystems in an effort to create more integrated scientific solutions.
“If we can get … a team together and look at health more holistically … we can train our students to be multidisciplinary rather than lead their own project,” Hamer said.
Every team member has a passion for birds, but for E.V. Voltura, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research associate at the Schubot Center, her dedication has spanned her entire life.
year, they looked forward to adding Roan to that list.
Unsurprisingly, the “Good Luck, Babe!” diva attracted what is believed to be one of the biggest crowds in ACL history. A sea of festivalgoers flooded Zilker with mostly pink cowboy hats or camo caps, some even camping out for hours in preparation. With tens of thousands in attendance, it’s not uncommon to spot an Ag or two, like what happened
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY AND COLUMBUS DAY
to the Tarrant Boyds. They’ve lived in Austin for 30 years and have Longhorn friends but are always excited to spot other Fightin’ Farmers there who flock to the Boyds’ A&M flag.
“There’s a lot of Aggies here,” Boyd said. “We’ve had at least three or four people take their picture with the Aggie flag, and we hear a lot of ‘Gig ‘ems.’ So we’re pretty happy about that. They need to come on out.”
OCTOBER 14
Students describe health system as being inaccessible
By Stacy Cox Senior News Reporter
A recent study compared 10 high-income, developed countries, including the United States, based on their healthcare systems. The U.S. was ranked last for multiple reasons, including high costs and inadequate quality of care.
The chief of medical staff for University Health Services at A.P. Beutel Health Center, Gayle Ponder, Ph.D., said the ranking reflects different tax and healthcare policies. Other countries levy higher taxes on citizens that pay for cheaper and more effective healthcare services.
“I do think, in America, the insurance companies and the administrative process have gotten into healthcare and have made it inefficient for the patients,” Ponder said.
Ponder said there are accessibility issues when people are trying to access healthcare they need.
“Just from seeing my own family members using healthcare outside of the Beutel, there is a lot of inefficiencies,” Ponder said. “There’s a lack of follow through, and there’s a lot of barriers with getting the appointments you need or getting the tests you need for the doctor.”
Political science junior Dominique Larrea said the ranking does not shock her, especially when considering cases where Americans pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for treatments.
“And we don’t see the same results that you probably see in other countries,” Larrea said.
Larrea said when her cousin was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the waitlist for help in Texas was a month — despite him only having “a few weeks left.”
“So waiting for help and when you need it right then and there was not an option,” Larrea said.
Ponder said it’s not just healthcare providers contributing to the ranking but also insurance companies that serve as barriers by refusing to approve treatments and procedures despite “a lot of research and great physicians” in the United States.
“I also think across the U.S., there are areas and clinics that try to serve people and remove the cost barrier,” Ponder said. “Yet, there are still going to be people who don’t utilize this and people who don’t follow through.”
Larrea said a large part of the reason the U.S. healthcare system is so poor is politics and lobbying, as pharmaceutical companies would not benefit from a free or low-cost system.
“At the end of the day, this is a humanitarian issue, I think us being No. 10 should raise awareness and set off a lot of alarms in government that we need to be doing something better,” Larrea said. “One of the reasons why people say ‘free healthcare for all’ wouldn’t be the best is because many countries with free healthcare have a backed-up healthcare system, but you have the same issue here.” Ponder said that in an ideal situation, everybody would have the same access to care, so people wouldn’t have to avoid healthcare because of cost or convenience.
Sarah A. Hamar, Richard Schubot Endowed Chair and director of the Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center feeds Patty the scarlet macaw at the Schubot Aviary Center on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Who is Salami The Aggie, the biomedical sciences junior and campus influencer?
By Aayan Adnan Life & Arts Writer
To most people, the word “salami” means nothing more than the pork delicacy common at every deli. However, within Aggieland, the word becomes much more than a seasoned Italian sausage — it’s a name, one that Aggies tie to the campus in uencer known as Salami the Aggie.
Salami The Aggie has amassed over 18,000 followers on Instagram with the username @ salamitheaggie and more than 24,000 on the TikTok account @ tamuproductionz. He covers and documents life at Texas A&M, ranging from the informative — such as restaurant and food reviews, football game livestreams and campus building showcases — to relatable entertainment, like ‘Game Night’ streams in the Engineering Commons Game Room, football ticket giveaways and even opinionated criticism on the campus’s short-
comings. He aims to keep his content unpredictable, leaving his fans constantly asking for more.
Salami The Aggie, or as he prefers to go by, “Salami,” is a Class Of 2026 biomedical engineering major. Hailing from a small high school in Houston, Salami said he nds ful llment in his voyage to A&M from his humble beginnings.
“A small high school to a big college is usually supposed to be a big transition … but I feel like I took the transition well,” Salami said. “[I] just started being more extroverted after being naturally introverted in high school. You’ve got to go out — put yourself out there.”
Salami said he hopes to use his biomedical engineering degree to advance prosthetics and cancer research — but he still hopes to have a place for his burgeoning social media presence, which he hopes to continue after graduation.
“I like to just be — people call me — the Aggie guy,” Salami said.
“I like to just be a guy.”
Though Salami’s signi cant reach through his social media accounts is an accomplishment, it goes without saying that he still faces criticism, like most online presences. Salami said he has learned to largely ignore the hat-
ers — except when he responds to controversial comments to increase engagement.
“And that’s what brings more engagement, anyway, because other people are going to argue with what you say,” Salami said. “Yeah — argue back.”
Salami said despite often commenting on the “blandness” of A&M’s campus buildings and posting satirical complaints on the length of restaurant food lines, he enjoys Aggieland and everything it o ers.
“A lot of people don’t know that like I actually do like the school,” Salami said. “I don’t just make hate videos. … I feel like some people think that I just make videos about the school, but I don’t go here. But I’m a student also.”
When he’s not making his videos, Salami is always moving around the bustling, limitless campus of A&M.
“Mainly I like to go to the Rec,” Salami said. “[I] just play basketball, pickleball, ping-pong. I like to rotate, get a mix of sports.”
Salami said he always looks forward to opportunities to interact with his fans and that every exchange with a fan is memorable to him.
“I was doing a live on Instagram
Live, and I was just leaving — and we’re about to go home because I already lmed,” Salami said. “I was sweating and everything, and a guy came up to me and he was like, ‘Salami!’”
Salami said he nds people are often unsure whether it’s really him at rst glance, but this particular fan didn’t pose any hesitation.
“He’s like, ‘No way,’ and he just ran up to me and gave me a big hug squeeze,” Salami said. “Just squeezed me and he gave me a big hug, and I said, ‘Dang.’ I said, ‘Calm down.’”
Salami said he wasn’t creeped out by the situation.
“It was cool,” Salami said. “I understand, It’s like a lot of these people, especially the freshmen, they’ve been watching me since before they even came to the school. So it makes sense.”
Salami is open to fan and audience involvement. He often aims to include fans in his activities, such as playing table tennis in the Engineering Commons Game Room. His amicable view of his supporters stems from his ideology to inspire and inform his fans about A&M and build a sense of community.
However, Salami noted that he sometimes feels people get intimidated when they see him on
Meet Salami: A&M student, content creator
campus.
“I feel like [people are nervous] probably because they think, ‘Oh, he’s famous,’ even though I’m not famous,” Salami said. “Maybe, in terms of the Aggie world, I’m famous or whatever. But even whatever, how many followers I have, I’m still just a regular student. I go to classes.”
Salami warmly welcomes fan interactions and enjoys the diversity of each interaction, be it for a photo, a food review request or simple small talk. He even enjoys simple comments on his videos, he said, as it lets him know what to continue doing and reinforces his aim to be a promoter of the campus.
“I love hearing [that] because the people watching are A&M students,” Salami said. “So I love hearing, ‘Oh, I like this video you did. You should do more of these.’ When people say, ‘I like your skits better because it shows your personality,’ I’m like, ‘OK, I want to do more of that.’”
Re ecting on his legacy and how he would like to be remembered, Salami voiced his calling towards promoting A&M as his role of the “Aggie guy.”
“[I want to be known] as that guy that put A&M on to the world,” Salami said.
Researchers develop E. coli as UTI treatment
A&M team creating UTI treatment based on 50-year-old discovery
By Tenny Luhrs News Reporter
Aggies are coming together to research a strain of E. coli bacteria that can be used to combat antibiotic-resistant urinary tract infections, or UTIs. The research began in Subash Lab in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology in 2021, and the treatment began animal testing this year.
“This project started as a collaboration between my team and Dr. Taylor Ware’s team at biomedical engineering,” veterinarian and principal investigator of the project, Saguru Subash, Ph.D., said.
“Outside of A&M, we have a collaborator from UT Southwestern, Dr. Phillippe Zimmun — he’s a clinical urologist, so he sees a lot of patients with recurring UTIs, and it really helps us get a clinical perspective.” UTIs are one of the most com-
mon diseases and a ect more than 150 million people worldwide every year. Most UTIs are non-threatening and easily treatable, but if left untreated, the infection can cause severe damage to the kidneys, reproductive organs and other parts of the urinary system. This becomes a bigger issue when patients with recurring UTIs become resistant to antibiotic treatment.
“Antibiotics are e ective for a lot of people, but there are a large number of people who don’t respond to antibiotic therapy,” Subash said. “It never is a long term solution for a lot of people, so we wanted to look at other natural ways to combat this infectious disease.”
E. coli is typically not associated with urinary problems, and it usually carries a heavily negative connotation because the most well-known strain causes severe illnesses. Both helpful and harmful strains occur naturally in the bladder, however. Most UTIs are caused by pathogenic E. coli — but one bene cial strain combats this harmful counterpart.
“Typically, the number that is published is that 75% of UTIs are caused by E. coli,” Subash said. “A lot of times when we think of bacteria or microbes, we tend to associate them with diseases and plague and other bad outcomes, but most microbes either don’t do anything, or … they actually do a lot to bene t us.”
The combative strain was discovered 50 years ago in Sweden and is already used as a preventative measure throughout Europe, according to veterinary biomedical sciences graduate student Iris George. Determining exactly how the strain — named the asymptomatic bacteriuria strain, or ABU — combats UTIs is George’s project.
Subash and George both said that the foundational research is long-standing and has been a helpful starting point, but to use this discovery as treatment, they need to better understand how the bacteria works.
“This ABU strain can compete with uropathogens, so I’m [studying] how they are competing,” George said. “After knowing what
the mechanism is, we can nd more innovative works and alternative approaches against UTIs.”
Researchers have discovered that the bene cial bacteria compete against the harmful E. coli by starving pathogens of the speci c nutrients it needs. However, they are still working to nd ways to turn this bacteria into a treatment.
when the pathogens are there,” Subash said. “ … So because of the mechanism of competition, we have to get this bacteria locally in the bladder and not necessarily through an oral medication.”
The testing phase of these hydrogel treatments is still in its infancy, but Subash hopes this good bacteria can be used as a treatment for humans in the near future.
“This is pure speculation because we clearly don’t know how this will work out in lab animals, in actual animals and then hu-
“One of the major limitations of this strain is that it doesn’t colonize people very well,” Subash said. “So even if you instill it in the bladder, it tends to get lost unless you have a bladder pathology which allows excessive urine to always remain in the bladder — then the strain will grow ne.”
the with has
The biomedical engineering team has developed hydrogels that trap the bene cial coli bacteria so it can be slowly released over time to compete with pathogens. This delivery method is currently being tested on a mouse model and could be potentially used in human treatments as well.
mans, [but] I think in the best possible scenario we’re looking at like ve to seven years,” Subash
“What we are realizing is that this bacteria has to be present
Graduate student Veerakit Vanitshavit and genetics junior Nabeeha Ali examine samples at the Veterinary Research Lab on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Armani Jones — THE BATTALION
Biomedical sciences junior Beatriz Hernandez labels petri dishes at the Veterinary Research Lab on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Armani Jones — THE BATTALION
Graphic by Pranay Dhoopar — THE BATTALION
CAMPUS
Jury finds former professor guilty of livestock cruelty
Ashlee Watts shocked 16-year-old horse to death with cattle prod
By Nicholas Gutteridge Managing Editor
Former Texas A&M veterinarian and associate professor Ashlee Watts was found guilty of livestock cruelty by a Brazos County jury on Oct. 2. The crime is a state jail felony offense with a punishment of a fine up to $10,000 or up to two years in state jail.
Prosecutors indicted Watts in October 2021 after claiming she used a cattle prod excessively on a horse under her care named Allie, eventually leading to the 16-yearold mare’s death. A cattle prod is a handheld device typically used to control cattle or other livestock through electric shocks.
According to the official report from the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the incident occurred in December 2019 at the
A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. At the time, Watts worked in the Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
Allie was put under Watts’ care after her owners brought her to the hospital. Watts sedated her to treat an infection in one of her hooves, but, according to the report, Allie could not stand after waking up. Extended periods of inactivity in horses can cause life-threatening issues.
To get Allie to stand, Watts shocked her neck, sides, belly, flanks, muzzle and mouth with the cattle prod, all of which was recorded by a surveillance camera in the room, according to the report.
In an interview with the state board, one witness said it was clear early on that the shocks were ineffective — rather, they were “prolonging the inevitable in the worst way possible.”
After more than 30 minutes, with a roughly seven-minute break in the middle, Watts left the room, and Allie died approximately an hour
and a half later. A veterinary technician filed a complaint with the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, which revoked Watts’ veterinary medicine license earlier this year.
An A&M spokesperson told The Chronicle of the Horse, an equestrian magazine covering the case, that Watts’ teaching and hospital responsibilities ended in October 2021. However, she stayed employed at the university as a tenured researcher before retiring in October 2022.
“Texas A&M does not permit the use of cattle prods on horses, and Dr. Watts was held accountable in a manner that reflects the seriousness of the situation,” the spokesperson told the Chronicle.
Watts was indicted for felony livestock cruelty in October 2021. The trial began on Sept. 16 and continued until Oct. 2, when a jury declared Watts guilty after less than an hour of deliberation.
Allie’s owner, Scott Berry, was present during the trial, according to KBTX.
“I think some good and some ed-
ucation can come out of this — and ethical treatment of animals,” Berry told KBTX. “Whether you’re a regular person off the street or a veterinarian, it is important.”
Watts will be sentenced on Dec. 6. An A&M spokesperson said this is the only such criminal case against an A&M faculty member.
A statement from the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, John August, was released shortly after the verdict.
“This case involving a former faculty member has been deeply troubling for clinicians, students, support staff and leadership, not just at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences but for the public and, particularly, the equine community as well,” August said. “We firmly believe that the incident is not in any way representative of the care we strive to provide to the nearly 27,000 animals that visit our Small and Large Animal Teaching Hospitals each year.
“Our administrative actions throughout this process have been guided by Texas A&M human resources policies and procedures — as well as the decisions by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the criminal investigations related to the incident,” August said. “We have outstanding faculty throughout the entire VMBS — not just in the teaching hospitals — who represent Texas A&M and our profession extremely well.”
Along with Roan, several other artists made their ACL debut this year, including Hudson Westbrook. After playing at ACL again this Friday, Westbrook will make his way to Snook to play at the At The Station festival on Saturday.
“I’m hyped for At The Station,” Westbrook said. “I’m excited to go back to College Station. We haven’t been back since we played The Tap … I’m excited to open for people that I look up to. It’s like Wyatt Flores and Megan [Moroney] and
“There’s a whole portion of the population that does die earlier because they don’t have means to utilize the healthcare system,” Ponder said.
As a student, Larrea said healthcare on campus, like Beutel, reflects how bad the system is in the U.S.
“You see other countries thriving, and in the United States, it’s not,” Larrea said.
Ponder said A&M continues to combat misconceptions of quality of care received through education.
“We’re not perfect, but I think we are very geared towards helping students learn to navigate the healthcare system because we know that you don’t have experience with that — because no one can go to the doctor by themselves until 18,” Ponder said.
Ponder said various issues prevent students and staff from realizing the true potential of on-campus healthcare services.
“If the only reason students feel like they need to come here sometimes is to get a university excuse, that is the university problem that we’ve tried to address with the Faculty Senate many times,” Ponder said.
Larrea said other college students would agree that basic healthcare costs have become unreasonable.
“Not everyone has school paid for, so on top of working one or two jobs, aside from doing 12 to 15 hours of school, the last thing you want to see is a $50 to $100 bill from Beutel or any sort of emergency care here in the Brazos [Valley] or College Station area,” Larrea said.
When looking at how the U.S. is ranked, Ponder said Beutel is also trying to look for new pieces to improve students’ access to healthcare.
“Still, though, we can’t fit more providers into the space that we currently have, so we know that we don’t help everybody that needs it,” Ponder said. “But I think the people that come here get really good care, and it may not always be what people think we should be doing for them, but a lot of times the care is based on science.”
Turnpike [Troubadours]. Those dudes are, the girls and the guys — all those people are killing it right now.”
After he saw the ACL invitation hit his inbox, Westbrook said it was an exciting dream gig for his first year of performing.
Although he’s never been to the festival before, he said his band’s first stage performance is what broke him into the groove instantly, making him more comfortable with the ACL crowd.
“The people are great,” Westbrook said. “The stage is great. The
crowd’s great, and it’s a little hot but worth every bit of sweat while we were up on stage. But it’s been a good festival. We did Cotton Fest in Lubbock, and that was fun, but this definitely tops that.”
Westbrook has new releases coming out in November and revealed he’ll be back in College Station to play a show soon.
“I love the College Station audience,” Westbrook said. “It’s one of the top two for sure. My hometown [Stephenville] was great. College Station was sick. People are there to have a good time. They love the
So it’s a great way to get familiar with their behaviors.”
“I fell in love with parrots when I was 11 years old due to a National Geographic magazine,” Voltura said. “I did my first presentation on monk parakeets when I was … twelve, and I said I wanted to get a Ph.D. at 13. I’ve been fighting for that dream ever since.”
She is particularly fascinated by the behaviors of parrots, observing how their unique intelligence can mirror our own.
“It inspires a natural sense of wonder … and encourages us to be stewards of it,” Voltura said. “… We want to understand how to take better care of them so we can have those relationships.”
The facility is home to a population of monk parakeets, a variety of macaws, cockatiels, pigeons and more, all of which provide students the opportunity to get important hands-on experience while striving for their education goals.
To Carlos Davila Jr., a thirdyear veterinary student, being able to handle live animals is a unique privilege A&M makes accessible to its students. Davila says the Schubot Center experience is what brought him to A&M in the first place.
“I really felt like I needed more overall bird experience,” Davila said. “They’re research birds, so they’re kind of wild, but they’re also birds you may see more in practice.
Hamer said that one of the opportunities students get at the Center is to train birds.
“Every day we have students that are part of an avian behavioral training class…” Hamer said.“... It’s enrichment for the birds, and the students are learning so much about animal behavior.”
There are also a handful of programs that encourage the next generation of veterinary students by sparking that initial interest in Bryan-College Station kids.
“We’ve been inviting different groups to come tour our aviary and learn about birds and science,” senior research associate and aviary manager Debra Turner said. “There’s STEM-focused summer camps and most recently a Girl Scout troop.”
Turner oversees dozens of avian caretakers each year, including biomedical science, animal science and ecology students, many of whom go on to veterinary and graduate school. She’s contributed critical research since she joined Schubot in 1999, and as a former student herself, said the center provides key learning opportunities for students looking to enter the veterinary medicine field.
“You need to learn how to handle a bird,” Turner said. “You have to have the passion to go into this niche of the world.”
music. They’re there to support … Anytime my booking agent asks if I want to do a gig in College Station, I say yes.”
The Texas Tech Red Raider said he’d tune in to the football game against Mizzou on Oct. 5 — something he does regularly.
“I might be from Lubbock, but I’m all for the Aggies,” Westbrook said. “I’m all for both. I’ll support both … I’ll always come back and play in Aggieland no matter what … And I hope that they have a good football season, always.”
The people are great. The stage is great. The crowd’s great, and it’s a little hot but worth every bit of sweat while we were up on stage.
The Schubot Center is currently collaborating with the Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections and other programs on campus to advance the “Lights Out” initiative, which aims to protect migratory bird flocks from running into glass by turning off campus lights at night. However, the main focus of the facility is research in avian nutrition, conservation and diseases.
“Look out for information from people with expertise in … dietary habits and nutrition and their veterinarians,” Voltura said. “Get involved, reach out to veterinarians and bird clubs and researchers. Ask us questions. That’s what we’re here for.”
“The Schubot Center has such a broad research portfolio due to the great work of all its members, and we have a small grant program to expand avian research across campus,” Hamer said. “Regarding infectious diseases, we have projects underway to design better diagnostic tests and a vaccine for Avian Bornavirus, and we’re also conducting surveillance to learn more about highly pathogenic avian influenza, which is a huge threat to animals right now.”
Voltura encourages pet owners and others to reach out when it comes to issues of nutrition and the health of captive birds.
Flags on display at Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
Hudson Westbrook ACL Performer
Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION
Third-year veterinary student Carlos Davila examines Meelo the quaker at Schubot Aviary Center on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION
Sarah A. Hamar, Richard Schubot Endowed Chair and director of the Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center feeds Patty the scarlet Macaw at the Schubot Aviary Center on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Brazos County Sheriff’s Office
Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION
OPINION
Stop blaming substances, start blaming people
By Kaleb Blizzard Opinion Writer
Everybody drinks alcohol, even those who aren’t legally supposed to. And let’s face it, we all know that (almost) every other Aggie has drank at least once.
crepancy between the cultural acceptability of drinking and its legality. You’ll often hear something like, “If I can vote and be drafted for war, why can’t I drink?” That’s a good enough argument, right? Even if it’s not, it’s not like most people who were already drinking are going to stop drinking anyway.
ly, drinking comes in di erent forms and intensities. Maybe your parents gave you a sip of alcohol when you were 14. Maybe you had the privilege of visiting another country — most of which have a lower drinking age than anywhere in the U.S. — and you got a drink there. Or maybe you’ve been invited to one of those stereotypical raging frat parties and gotten blackout drunk. In any case, there’s a big dis-
Nevertheless, if you’re skeptical of lowering the drinking age, you probably think these arguments — among others — are simply lazy excuses for people to indulge in what could turn out to be a terrible habit. I’d like to o er an alternative view: These one-liner critiques on current alcoholic restrictions point toward a far more devastating philosophical critique of the drinking age.
quite widely from one to the other: conservatives might argue that the right to own rearms is a critical part of someone’s “God-given right,” protected under the Second Amendment. Conversely, liberals commonly assert that women must have the right to make decisions about their reproductive healthcare because of their “bodily autonomy.”
and unjust perversion of what legal authority should really be used for.
tion. Keep DUI laws, deal with abusive alcoholics and, additionally, make sure people are aware of the risks of drinking.
In short, the issue is primarily cultural. We need to stop blaming things on substances and start blaming them on people and the drinking cultures they create.
On the other hand, conservatives and liberals both generally object to the freedoms that the other group permits by arguing that those other freedoms might cause people to in ict undue harm or su ering on others. Basically, the freedom to own guns leads to children dying in schools, and the freedom to make one’s own decisions about reproductive healthcare leads to babies getting killed.
Should we destroy the right to free speech because someone might incite violence? Should we legally limit who people are allowed to marry because they might end up being in a relationship where someone physically hurts them? Should we get rid of the right to peacefully assemble because people might stop being so peaceful after protesting for too long?
I think most people would intuitively answer no to these questions. If a restriction on personal freedom to prevent possible harm is absurd, so too is a restriction on adult alcohol consumption. Instead, we should outlaw — or keep the laws outlawing — specific instances where harm is occurring or where harm will de nitely occur without outside interven-
Yes, we should probably all be drinking more responsibly, but is that an excuse for the government to raise the drinking age to 25, 30 or 40? Is the possibility of su ering enough to stop anyone from allowing anything dangerous ever again? No, it certainly is not.
If World War III starts, and I get drafted but can’t drink, I’m going to be pretty mad. I bet you will be too.
Kaleb Blizzard is a philosophy sophomore and opinion writer for The Battalion
How could something as simple as the drinking age be subject to a “devastating philosophical critique,” you might ask? It all has to do with bodily autonomy — the idea of personal freedom that is commonly discussed in today’s political climate.
You’ve probably noticed that both Republicans and Democrats — conservatives and liberals — argue for the importance of freedom in certain social issues. Nonetheless, these issues vary
This is the question of every issue of personal freedom: Does the permission of a certain kind of personal freedom make harm caused by others more likely to occur? Beyond this, do governments have a moral right to restrict personal freedom that might be used to harm other people, or should the act of harm itself instead be restricted?
Quite opposite to the traditional liberal or conservative view, I would argue that the restriction of personal freedom to prevent possible harm is a disturbing
Underage Drinking
By Joshua Abraham Opinion Writer
I’m trying to get freaky. Absolutely freaky. Down, dirty and completely lthy. These are my intentions. Nothing less, everything more. I crave it. I feel it. I want it. There is nothing more that I want than to be a freak — it’s who I was born to be. I’m trying to get as nasty as Tinashe — I’ve been a nasty girl.
Now that you and I are on the same page, would it be surprising to learn that all I do when I go to the club is stand in the corner and look at people in silence, scared? Not very freaky, is it?
I am, in fact, not a freak — sorry to disappoint, ladies. I know I was getting your hopes up. In reality, I’m quiet, reserved and shy. I want to be loyal to my girlfriend and not sleep around with many people. Those are my actual intentions.
So, what kind of representation of myself would I be if I acted like the manwhore I described above everywhere I went? Who would I attract? De nitely not the kind of people who actually match the lifestyle I want.
Now, you might be thinking, “Well, why don’t you just act how you actually are? If you aren’t freaky, don’t be freaky. Why are you trying to act like someone you’re not?”
As simple as it may sound, people aren’t doing this.
Everyone is misrepresenting themselves, and it’s a major problem.When we rst meet someone,
we naturally tend to hold back parts of ourselves — like on rst dates. Ever been told to just “be you,” but not too much? Or have you ever been scared to talk about something you’re really into when initially talking with someone?
So what happens when they start to like you for this facade you’ve created? Do you try to keep it up in hopes that they don’t nd out who you actually are? It’s not sustainable. We’re eventually going to show them who we are, and that might chase them away.
What happened to just laying it all out from the get-go? Match each other's freak and be who you are!
Building meaningful friendships or relationships requires truth. There’s nothing more painful than someone switching up, leaving you in the shadow of who you thought they were and being forced to live with the reality that
they weren’t really who they said they were. Stop forcing people to jump through hoops to get to know you, and lay yourself emotionally bare to one another.
Maybe it doesn’t work out. Maybe you show them who you really are and they just at out reject you. They chase after you, you start to open up, they realize how much of a freak you are and they either slowly stop texting you or even ghost you.
As much as it hurts, you’ll be doing the right thing. It’s better to leave an impression of yourself that feels true to your heart than try and put up the facade of what you think they want you to be.
Now, I know that this might be scary. Believe me — as I’m preaching from the pulpit, I can say I struggle with this. Intrinsically, I’m a weirdo who likes overanalyzing movies and arguing about politics. Many people I meet don’t
match me when it comes to my interests or my outlook on life. And guess what? That’s OK! I can live with people not liking me, but at least I put my true self out there. One day, I’ll meet someone who will see me for who I am, and we'll be able to connect in a more meaningful way than if I didn’t. So, I ask you — will you match my freak? Will you stop putting up a front that conceals who you truly are and wear your heart on your sleeve? Genuinity is something we need in our lives, and we can do this by being who we’re meant to be.
So let’s get freaky. Absolutely freaky. Down, dirty and completely lthy in the a rmation and the assurance that we live the way we want to live.
Joshua Abraham is a kinesiology junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.
The secret life of campus squirrels
SQUIRREL THOUGHTS by Nikhil Vadi
This Week in History
October 10, 2014
Malala
October 11, 1967
NASA launches Apollo 7, the rst Apollo mission to have astronauts on board.
October 11, 1975
Saturday Night Live, now in its 50th season, premieres on NBC with the name “Saturday Night.”
October 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus reaches the Americas, landing on an island in the Bahamas.
October 14, 1947
Captain Chuck Yeager of the U.S. Air Force becomes the rst human being to break the sound barrier, travelling faster than sound waves.
October 14, 1066
William the Conquerer defeats Anglo-Saxon King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings, founding modern England.
October 15, 1973
Country hit “Jolene” by Dolly Parton is released.
October 16, 1793
Marie Antoinette is beheaded during the French Revolution.
Photo of the Week: Running Rev
Yousafzai becomes the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize at 17 years old.
From arena to academia
On horseback or in class, Texas A&M Rodeo Team takes care of business in textbook fashion
By Shalina Sabih Features Writer
Allie Frey, mounted on her dark bay quarter horse, blocked out the clamor around her as she entered the arena during the Panola Rodeo. With focus and determination, she guided her horse through the tight turns of the barrel race and secured a 9th-place nish in the short round.
An agricultural communications and journalism junior, Frey serves as the secretary of the Texas A&M Rodeo Team, a group formed in 1919 that played a key role in founding the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, or NIRA. An Aggie — Charlie Rankin, Class of 1950 — was the group’s rst president.
“The sel ess and humble giving of our leaders has been the most critical role to help A&M Rodeo put out their brand,” Frey said.
What started as a small team of just eight to 10 students with limited funds grew into a program of over 50 members and more than $2 million in scholarships. Today, Aggie Rodeo is one of the largest teams in the Southern region of the NIRA.
“Our legacy stems back to our forever coach, Dr. Al Wagner,” Frey said. “He opened doors for countless students to pursue their passion for the sport of rodeo and inspired students to grow academically, and that has been a foreshadow of our entire legacy.”
Al Wagner, Ph.D., retired coach of A&M Rodeo and professor in food sciences, took over A&M Rodeo in 1995.
Wagner dedicated his time and expertise to his work as a volunteer coach, which played a pivotal role in the team’s development. One of his most signi cant contributions was facilitating the transition of the rodeo team into a division of the animal sciences department. Wagner said the change was crucial, as it established the team as a legitimate organization, created a sense of belonging and opened doors to increased recognition and scholarship opportunities.
“There have been a lot of struggles over the years, such as raising scholarship money and providing the kids with travel funds, but it was all worth it in the end because we helped these rodeo athletes succeed,” Wagner said.
The mantle was o cially passed from Wagner to Roger Hanagri , Ph.D., an animal science professor, in 2024. For the rst time in the team’s history, Hanagri holds a
paid coaching position thanks to an endowment within the animal science department — an opportunity that has allowed Hanagri to combine his passions for both teaching and coaching.
Under Hanagri ’s leadership, the Rodeo Team emphasizes the importance of academics and maintains the team’s assertion that schoolwork always comes rst.
“I tell the students at the beginning of every meeting that they are academic college students rst,” Hanagri said. “I want them to know how things line up: academics rst and rodeo next.”
Beyond training for events and balancing academics, members dedicate time to caring for their horses and other livestock, ensuring the animals are healthy and ready for competition.
Students house their horses at facilities like the Flying Ace, a combined housing, barn and arena. Students often drive their own trucks and trailers to events, and last year, Hannagri said they collectively invested over $180,000 in travel and entry fees to support their rodeo endeavors.
The resources available to the Aggie Rodeo Team have expanded signi cantly over the years, including access to facilities like the Dick Freeman Arena. Hanagri said he also o ers additional practice sessions at his home, located about an hour from College Station. There, he keeps calves and steers — his personal livestock — that the athletes use for practice.
“The most rewarding part is providing students with resources and watch[ing] them be successful in their academics and sport,” Hanagri said. “I think the reward is playing the role in helping these athletes become great people in the future.”
Assistant coach and animal science graduate student Tyler Handley said the team began experiencing signi cant growth after the COVID-19 pandemic — a remarkable success, much of which he attributes to Rogers, whose support and vision was instrumental in revitalizing the program.
This surge in success has been re ected in individual achievements as well. At the 2024 College National Finals Rodeo, agricultural communications and journalism senior Madalyn Richards claimed the breakaway roping title while the women’s team secured third place overall. Animal science senior Gavyn French also made his mark, nishing fth in the nation.
“These kids are just a small set
of examples of students that took care of business in the arena but also in the classroom,” Hanagri said. “The two go hand in hand, and academics is about taking care of business just as much as sports is.”
Business administration sophomore and barrel racer Abi DePriest said one of her favorite things has been being able to compete at a national level and knowing that her team always stood out academically.
“Being able to just focus on your academics and learn more about the sport you’re interested in has been important to the team for years,” DePriest said. “If this doesn’t work out, you do have your academics and degree to fall back on.”
The team meets twice a week for workouts. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 a.m., members gather for conditioning sessions, keeping themselves physically prepared for the rigors of rodeo competition.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed our early morning workouts because they are a chance for us to come together under the same roof,” DePriest said.
Time management was key for DePriest and her roommate,nance sophomore Biloxi Shultz, as they roped in their hectic schedules. Both roommates saddled up for their days as early as 4:45 a.m., balancing their classes with the responsibilities of caring for their horses.
With a full plate of academic and rodeo commitments, planners and Google Calendars became their trusty lasso, keeping them organized and on track throughout the day.
“A lot of us come to A&M for a really good degree, and we’re super passionate about our education and rodeo,” Shultz said. “Joining this team prepares you for the future and gives you a glimpse into adulthood.”
Wagner said 95% of its members successfully completed their degrees while also competing in rodeo.
The goal for the team is to continue to build nancial resources to support the student-athletes. They have partnered with Lear el marketing to grow their brand.
“I look back at how we got here, and it does make you think, ‘Wow, we’re just destined to be here at A&M,’” Hanagri said.
“The team is destined to be
It had so many reasons it could have failed, but it didn’t.”
here.
Millie Frey sits on her horse at Texas A&M’s Rodeo Team barrel racing practice at Dick Freeman Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024
Biloxi Shultz rides on her horse at Texas A&M’s Rodeo Team barrel racing practice at Dick Freeman Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Allie Frey prepares her horse at Texas A&M’s Rodeo Team barrel racing practice at Dick Freeman Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Abi DePriest runs around a barrel at Texas A&M’s Rodeo Team barrel racing practice at Dick Freeman Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Allie Frey, Abi DePriest, Biloxi Shultz and Millie Frey talk at Texas A&M’s Rodeo Team barrel racing practice at Dick Freeman Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Softball returns with Fall Ball against Blinn, Texas
A&M heads into fall season with new faces
By Braxton Dore’ Asst. Sports Editor
After falling short last year in the Super Regional against No. 1 Texas, a bitter taste was left in the mouths of Aggie softball members as they headed into an uncertain season with the inclusion of Oklahoma and rival Texas.
While the 2024 Spring season did not end on a high note, the squad still finished with a 44-15 record and 15-9 in the Southeastern Conference.
Old favorites and new faces
With the departure of heavy hitters like catcher Juila Cottrill, second base Rylen Wiggins, first base Trinity Cannon, pitcher Shaylee Ackerman, infielder Sav Price and center fielder Jazmine Hill. The Aggies are looking to their 10 new freshmen and four highly-touted transfers to make an impact this fall.
Notable transfers included two players from Washington: sophomore P Sidne Peters and senior
C Ojo Johnson. Peters held opponents last year to a .185 batting average and finished second in the Pac-12 in hits allowed per seven innings with 4.80.
Johnson, a three-year vet for Washington, started 112 games while posting 19 home runs, 65 RBIs and 48 runs. The Pearland native will be a massive help in the defensive end now that Cottrill is no longer the ace up the sleeve of coach Trisha Ford.
“Ojo is a great addition to our program, and we are happy to have her return to the Lone Star State,” Ford said in a 12th Man press release. “We needed to add an experienced catcher from the portal. Ojo has that experience collegiately and internationally. We are excited about her tools defensively and that she can add power to the lineup.”
Old foes turned friends is the story of junior P Grace Sparks and graduate INF Mac Barbara, who have both been on the other side of A&M victories in the past.
Barbara’s most notable appearance against the Aggies ended in a 7-5 loss during the Campbell/ Cartier Classic in San Diego, Calif. last February. Even though the San Diego State Aztecs lost the series, Mac tallied two hits, four
RBIs and one home run. Sparks is another familiar face, perhaps more familiar as the pitcher hails from an SEC rival, Ole Miss. The Dayton native will undoubtedly make a difference in the bullpen as she showed exactly what she could do against the Aggies last April. In Game One of the series, Sparks threw three innings, allowing only two hits and two runs, complemented with two strikeouts.
Grace was also an anchor for the Rebels last season, leading the team in ERA (2.14) and shut-outs (3). She also boasted 56 strikeouts and wins over top-ranked teams No. 8 Arkansas and No. 24 Kentucky during her 9-3 record.
With the possibility of some new starters and the inclusion of the transfers, questions surrounding the remnants of the old Spring rooster will undoubtedly be answered by the conclusion of the Fall season.
The Trisha Ford effect
Coach Trisha Ford, hired from Arizona State, has risen above and beyond expectations, posting a 79-36 record in her first two years in Aggieland with two NCAA Tournament appearances — the
21st consecutive appearance for the program.
If the Aggies want to continue that streak, Fall Ball is the best place to start.
The Maroon and White are set up for an interesting fall season, starting with six home games in the following order: Blinn Col-
Around the SEC:Week 7
A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR THIS WEEK’S GAMES
No. 1 Texas at No. 18 Oklahoma
Saturday, Oct. 12 — 2:30 p.m. on ABC Cotton Bowl Stadium — Dallas
Both of these programs were on a bye last week, allowing them to sit back and watch the upset-ridden chaos that was Week 6 of college football. This rendition of the Red River Rivalry sees the Longhorns enter as the No. 1 team in the country while the Sooners come in at No. 18.
Texas has outscored its previous five opponents 225-35 despite losing redshirt junior quarterback Quinn Ewers in Week 3, leaving redshirt freshman QB Arch Manning with the keys to this Longhorns team. Oklahoma, now led by freshman QB Michael Hawkins Jr., had to rely on a comeback to defeat the lowly Auburn Tigers. The Longhorns are going to knock the Sooners right off their wagon.
Prediction: Texas 28, Oklahoma 6
No.
9 Ole Miss at No. 13 LSU
Saturday, Oct. 12 — 6:30 p.m. on ABC Tiger Stadium — Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Ole Miss bounced back from its loss to Kentucky by rolling over South Carolina 27-3 in enemy territory last week. Meanwhile, the LSU Tigers enjoyed resting up during their bye week. When these two programs faced off with each other in 2023, it was a shootout that saw the Rebels come out on top 55-49. We’re on track for another offen-
Florida at No. 8 Tennessee
Saturday, Oct. 12 — 6 p.m. on ESPN Neyland Stadium — Knoxville, Tennessee
This historic matchup between two legendary teams once referred to as “The Third Saturday in September” now finds itself being played on the second Saturday in October. Tennessee was upset by the Arkansas Razorbacks, and Florida took down the UCF Knights in Week 6 for their third win of the season. Needless to say, both programs have a lot riding on this annual meeting.
Redshirt freshman QB Nico Iamaleava’s unawareness cost the Volunteers their undefeated record, so he’ll need to bounce back fast if he wants to etch his name in the history of this legendary feud. Despite its 3-2 record, Florida has looked uninspiring and defeated several times this season. Steve Spurrier, cover your eyes — because this one might get ugly for the Gators.
Prediction: Tennessee 35, Florida 20
sive masterclass this year as Ole Miss and LSU average 44 and 35 points per game, respectively. However, the Rebels’ stacked defense only allows 7.5 points per game, meaning the Tigers will need to shift into another gear for success on offense. The Rebels are going to turn the Tigers into pussycats.
Prediction: Ole Miss 28, LSU 21
Vanderbilt at Kentucky
Saturday, Oct. 12 — 6:45 p.m. on SEC Network Kroger Field — Lexington, Kentucky
The Vanderbilt Commodores had the greatest Week 6 in the country after earning the program’s first-ever win over a top-five team when they defeated the then-No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide, 40-35. Kentucky was on a bye and presumably used that extra week of practice to prepare for Vanderbilt’s unorthodox offense.
The Commodores and coach
Clark Lea have their guy under center in graduate QB Diego Pavia who led the way for the Black and Gold versus a Nick Saban-less Alabama. Pavia will be the key focus for the Wildcats’ fifth-ranked total defense which also allows the 11th fewest points per game. Captain Pavia is ready to lead his Commodore fleet into Kroger Field and to victory.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 21, Kentucky 17
By Matthew Seaver Asst. Sports Editor
lege, McLennan CC, then the runner-up to the College World Series — Texas — on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. Followed by Temple, the Maroon and White series on Oct. 24 and 29 and finally an away match up at Bobcat Softball Stadium to finish out the season against Texas State on Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Texas A&M infielder Koko Wooley (3) throws the ball during Texas A&M’s game against Texas at the Austin Super Regional at Red and Charline McCombs Field in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
No. 1 Texas vs No. 18 Oklahoma
Saturday, Oct. 12
Cotton Bowl, Dallas
2:30 p.m. on ABC
There’s no watch quite like a hate watch.
By Ian Curtis Features Editor
It’s time to BTHO bye week, Aggies.
The gap in the Texas A&M football schedule comes with all sorts of benefits. It’s a break from the weekly appointment with anxieties and stress we call Aggie football games.
It’s a weekend where we can all enjoy cruising down University Drive on a Saturday afternoon while only being frustrated by the usual amount of traffic.
But it doesn’t have to be a week without college football.
Sometimes, it’s nice to just watch a game you have no stake in. Take the load of fandom off, go meet some new people, see new places, eat some new food and have a good time with a road trip to another game during A&M’s two bye weeks this season.
Here are some ideas to get you started on your next adventure.
I’m well aware most Aggie fans would be rooting for team giant meteor over either one of these schools — and I don’t blame you. But, perhaps unfortunately, the Red River Rivalry is a bucket-list game in the wide world of college football. Fortunately, it’s a bucket-list item because of hatred.
Where else can you see a venomous split at the 50-yard line where orange meets crimson? It’s a historic game at a historic — if not fancy — venue, and it’s something Aggie fans can enjoy both from sheer satisfaction that one of the Longhorns or Sooners has to lose as well as potential impact the shootout will have on SEC standings — that Aggies currently lead, mind you.
And if the schadenfreude of watching No. 1 Texas possibly get upset by a hated rival isn’t enough to make the drive up north, the game takes place at the State Fair of Texas. Let the copious amounts of fried
food and future coronary heart disease from consuming such delicacies as the Holy Cheesus and the Lay’s Potato Chip Drink guide you into Big Tex’s waiting arms.
Nicholls at Incarnate Word
Saturday, Oct. 12
Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium, San Antonio
6 p.m. on ESPN+
This conference opener for a pair of Southland teams immediately has a draw for Aggies everywhere — Incarnate Word graduate quarterback Zach Calzada.
Yes, Calzada, the man who led A&M to a historic upset victory over No. 1 Alabama in 2021, hasn’t yet faced the reality of LinkedIn and job applications the rest of us are destined for. Instead, he’s found his second wind leading the Cardinals to an 8-2 record last season and second place in the Southland while being named conference Newcomer of the Year.
There’s no shame in finding success at a different level of the game. There’s passion and glory at all levels of college football. Good for Calzada to find somewhere where
he can lead a program to historic success for the second time.
Ags, don’t let him fade away into an obscure trivia question answer. Enjoy him while he’s still playing — especially if you saw that 2021 upset over the Crimson Tide, and even more especially if you saw the things said about him before that upset win. For that alone, Calzada deserves the success and support he’s found in San Antonio.
Hardin-Simmons at Mary Hardin-Baylor Saturday, Oct. 12 Crusader Stadium, Belton 1 p.m. on UMHB Livestream
If Calzada wasn’t enough to prove to y’all that there’s passion and glory in all forms of college football, perhaps this one will help. Sure, it’s Division III football. But as A&M fans are bombarded by talk of NIL deals, super-conference plans and million-dollar donor funding, isn’t it nice to enjoy a day with teams playing for the love of the game — and disdain for their biggest rival?
It’s not a game without consequence, either. Hardin-Simmons
sits at 4-0 and No. 6 in the Division III Top 25 while Mary Hardin-Baylor comes in at No. 13 in the poll. The winner will take first place in the American Southwest Conference standings and be in the driver’s seat for a spot in the Division III playoffs.
There’s plenty of bad blood and over a century of common history between the two rivals — yes, the “Hardin” in both names refers to the same figures, John and Mary Hardin, who put their oil fortune towards saving and supporting Christian colleges across the state. Ironic, then, that the two schools that share the Hardins’ name can’t stand each other now.
Isn’t it refreshing to attend a game and see players playing solely because they want to? There’s no talk of NIL here — DIII players don’t even earn athletic scholarships. Talk about a nice bye week break.
There’s no shame in wanting to take a break from football during one of the Aggies’ few days off. But if you find yourself craving the sport like an addiction you just can’t stop, don’t bemoan your lack of options. Just broaden your horizons, and go for a bit of a drive.
