Maroon Life Spring 2022 Sports Preview by The Battalion

2022 SPRING SPORTS MAGAZINE

MAROON LIFE

It’s more than an ordinary towel. Most of the year, this $2 cloth is destined to either be stowed away until next season or become a handy-dandy shop towel in dad’s garage. But what it lacks in Egyptian cotton, it makes up for in pride. If you have ever seen 80,000 of these waving at once in a churning sea of white, you know this towel is much more than a humble handkerchief—it helps 11 men play with the power of 12. By contributing scholarships and support for esteemed campus programs, donors to the Texas A&M Foundation give Aggie students, faculty and staff something to cheer about every day. Learn how you can help build a brighter future for Aggies today and tomorrow at txamfoundation.com.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS 03 || LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BY CASEY STAVENHAGEN

04 || GARY BLAIR FEATURE BY JORDAN EPP

06 || KAYLA WELLS FEATURE BY GRANT GASPARD

08 || TYRECE RADFORD FEATURE BY MICHAEL HORTON

10 || BASEBALL PREVIEW BY RYNE RYSKOSKI

12 || JIM SCHLOSSNAGLE FEATURE BY CASEY STAVENHAGEN

EDITORIAL STAFF Myranda Campanella, Editor-in-Chief Julia Potts, Managing Editor Casey Stavenhagen, Sports Editor Kay Naegeli, Asst. Sports Editor Jordan Epp, Asst. Sports Editor Robert O’Brien, Photo Chief Cori Eckert, Design Editor Lauren Discher, Special Sections Editor Michaela Rush, News Editor Kathryn Miller, Life & Arts Editor Caroline Wilburn, Asst. Life & Arts Editor

16 || TRACK PREVIEW BY JORDAN EPP

18 || BRANDON MILLER BY KAY NAEGELI

21 || SOFTBALL PREVIEW BY KAY NAEGELI

22 || HALEY LEE FEATURE BY MICHAEL HORTON

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Photo by Robert O’Brien, The Battalion

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 3

Robert O’Brien— THE BATTALION

LETTER FROM THE SPORTS EDITOR Sports editor Casey Stavenhagen says spring sports at Texas A&M are a window from the old to the new Howdy 12th Man,

little over two years removed from the outbreak of COVID-19 in America, we now find ourselves back in more normal modes of operation. More family time, more classes in person and, thankfully for this magazine, more Texas A&M sports. That said, this is the third sports edition of Maroon Life I have been involved in producing and the fourth to which I have contributed. In my time working on these magazines, I have seen firsthand just how valuable print journalism can be — valuable not only to writers who cherish their works as keepsakes — but also to the fans who read the content, and the athletes and coaches who have their stories told and cemented in time. Through the pages of this magazine, I hope to provide you, the reader, with an inside look at A&M Athletics. This university is undoubtedly special, and the stories contained here are invaluable insights into the Aggie experience

through the lens of athletics. Although seasons are already underway, we have stories for baseball, softball and track and field. These articles take a look at the teams’ goals for their seasons, share how their athletes prepared to reach them and shine a light on the camaraderie of teammates. In addition, we have stories diving into the lives — on and off the court, field or track — of coaches and athletes. The cover story is a feature on baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle who, after 18 years and five College World Series appearances with the TCU Horned Frogs, is finding new beginnings in maroon and white. The story takes a look at his path to Aggieland, his influences and what makes him tick. Next up, we take a look at A&M’s legendary women’s basketball coach one last time. After 19 years of coaching the Aggies, Gary Blair will retire at the end of the 2021-22 season. Assistant sports editor Jordan Epp dives into Blair’s career path and highlights how the Hall of Fame coach would like his legacy to be remembered by those he touched.

Women’s basketball’s Kayla Wells has played the most games in program history on the hardwood for A&M, and in her fifth season, she has become a vocal leader for the team in addition to leading by example. Men’s basketball’s Tyrece Radford took a path from an underdog recruit in high school in Louisiana to becoming an integral part of the Virginia Tech Hokies. Now in his junior season and first year with the Aggies, he is making his presence felt. There is also a feature on sophomore runner Brandon Miller, who was named to The Bowerman Preseason Watch List in 2022. Assistant sports editor Kay Naegeli explains how Miller, after a second-place finish in the 800-meter at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championship, runs with the blood of athletes in his veins and his faith in his heart. Similarly, we take a look at softball’s Haley Lee, who is entering her fifth season with the Aggies. Lee had a breakout season in 2021, setting A&M’s all-time high for home runs in a season, and is carrying that excellence into this

season while developing as a leader. This magazine and its stories, to me, serve as a reminder of the bond Aggies share. As journalists, it’s our job to tell stories — stories that we hope impact the reader. While success in their respective venues is important to the athletes and coaches featured here, we hope to show the importance of life beyond the game. The importance of love, the journey and family are what all of us can rely on — athletes are no different. We tell their stories to impart the shared connections between us all. The 2022 Spring Sports Maroon Life is a product of love for me. The intersection of storytelling and athletics has been my life during my time with The Battalion. This magazine is its culmination, and it would not be possible without the support of all Aggies, old and new. Thanks, Gig ‘Em and support student journalism. Casey Stavenhagen is an English senior and sports editor for The Battalion.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 4

A legacy left in paint

Graphic by Robert O’Brien & Casey Stavenhagen — THE BATTALION

Head women’s basketball coach Gary Blair will leave deep legacy at A&M By Jordan Epp @j_epp22

hen an Aggie attends their first women’s basketball game at Reed Arena, they may be caught off guard when they take notice of a silver-haired man, clad in a dress shirt and tie, marching the perimeter of the hardwood with a bucket in hand, throwing candy to fans. That man is coach Gary Blair, one of the winningest coaches in collegiate women’s basketball history. But in that moment, he isn’t coach Blair. He isn’t the guy who’s led the Aggies for nearly 20 years. He isn’t a Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame member. He isn’t the man with just one losing season in his collegiate career. In that moment, he is building relationships and a family with all in attendance. And whether you’re an Aggie, a fan of the opponent or even an official, no one is safe from his underhand tosses of Kit Kats. After 19 years with the maroon and white, Blair’s days as a candy-throwing legend — and as Texas A&M’s head coach — are coming to an end. On Oct. 28, 2021, Blair announced he will retire after the 2021-22 season.

“I always evaluate myself on, ‘Am I giving everything I have? Is my health good and am I still able to make an impact on young lives?’” Blair said. “I am fortunate that my health is still great, and I believe that I can still make an impact on our student-athletes and that I can give all my effort every single day. However, I know that it is time for this to be my final season.” Coach Blair has always seen family as an important pillar when building a program, assistant coach Kelly Bond-White said. “We’ve built the program around family,” Bond-White said. “You walk through our facilities, that’s all you see. We’ve always emphasized the ‘A’ and the ‘M’ are a part of family.” But, Blair hasn’t reached his level of success just from relationship building. He’s been described as having high expectations for his players. He’s demanding, but only because he’s knowledgeable about the game, former player under Blair, former WNBA athlete and a current member of his staff Sydney Carter said. Before Blair became who he is today, he had entirely separate aspirations: A dream of becoming a baseball coach. Having played America’s pastime growing up, and even at the collegiate level for a season with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, he felt qualified for the role. However, at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas where he was teaching phys-

ical education, he was offered the gig of starting up a women’s basketball program instead. He accepted the job and never looked back. With the South Oak Cliff Golden Bears, Blair won three state titles in seven years, winning just under 93% of all his games coached. He began to receive interest at the collegiate

level and was offered a spot as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech. As a member of the Lady Techsters’ staff, Blair coached another two national-title-winning teams in five years. Blair’s first head coaching job in the NCAA took him back to his home state of Texas where he took over the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks program in 1985. After seven-consecutive conference titles, an 83% win percentage and numerous AP top-25 appearances, Blair was finally ready to join a Power Five school. His journey took him to Arkansas next, where he and the Ladybacks’ reached the NCAA tournament five times in 10 years, going as far as the semifinals in the 1997-98 season. In 2003, though, Blair would once more have a homecoming to Texas, joining an A&M team without a winning season in its last seven years, a decision that forever made him an Aggie. “[Texas A&M] is different because of its student body,” Blair said. “They have bought into the Core Values and traditions and doing things the right way. “I lost my [college ring] after my first year that I graduated from Texas Tech. I still love Tech, but it wouldn’t occur to me to go buy another senior ring and wear it. But if I was an Aggie, I would wear it all my life.” Traditions, such as Ring Day and Muster, — that both occur at A&M and also tie in Aggies across the world — are what separate A&M from other schools, Blair said, and is why he will always consider himself

Graphic by Robert O’Brien & Casey Stavenhagen — THE BATTALION

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 5

an Aggie. Things started slow during the dawn of the Blair era at A&M, as the team went just 9-19, the first — and only — losing season of his collegiate coaching career. The very next season saw immediate improvements. Despite finishing 4-12 in Big 12 play, the team was one game over .500 and received its first

“Once you’re an Aggie, you’re an Aggie for life.” GARY BLAIR, HEAD COACH

postseason invitation since 1996, reaching the quarterfinals of the WNIT. That second season was the turning point for the Aggies, who, over the next five years, won two Big 12 tournament titles and made five-straight NCAA Tournaments, gradually inching closer to the big game, but never quite reaching it. The closest A&M got during that stretch was a conference title and an Elite Eight appearance in 2007-08. During the 2010-11 season, Blair’s eighth season in College Station, his team finally made that leap. They finished the season with 33 wins, a personal collegiate best for Blair, and beat two No. 1 seeds in Baylor and Stanford in the NCAA Tournament. The Aggies then beat Notre Dame 76-70 in the championship game and claimed the first NCAA title in program history. Despite not even being the championship matchup, the game against the top-seeded Baylor Bears is one of Blair’s favorite games he has ever coached. “We had lost three times to them in close games during the year,” Blair said. “And then, all of a sudden, we go up there with the perfect gameplan to be able to stop the best team in the country. “In front of friends and family … that took us to the Final Four, but winning that game gave us the confidence to win the national championship. It wasn’t an upset, it wasn’t luck, it wasn’t a last-second, half-court shot; we controlled the game.” After one more season and another Sweet Sixteen appearance, Blair and the Aggies transitioned from the Big 12 to the SEC. Nothing changed as they continued to shoot for more titles. Since

then, A&M has earned one conference title and made the NCAA Tournament in every full season. That includes one Elite Eight appearance and three consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearances. Even in his final season, the goalposts have not moved, Carter said. “I don’t think his approach to this season has been any different,” Carter said. “He’s done it so long and every season he wants to win, and every season he wants to get the most and the best out of his team. That hasn’t changed for sure.” When the season inevitably comes to an end, Carter said she doesn’t expect Blair to fully move on from basketball. In a sport with no true offseason due to recruiting and practicing, Carter said Blair surely will want some time to travel, something he seldom had time for, but will work his way back to the game that has been such a big part of his life. “I know he 100% wants to travel, but he’s always said that he’s going to be here to help any of his staff and anybody that’s a part of his coaching tree with whatever they need,” Carter said. “If I know coach Blair as well as I think I do, he’s going to keep doing his stuff around the community that he does like his charities and his golf tournament.” Building a community has been part of Blair’s legacy. Beyond basketball, he is also influencing people’s lives. “Even dating back to his first team at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas,” Bond-White said, “All of those young ladies, as well as our graduates from last year, all of those young ladies share a fellowship with everyone in between that. It’s a sorority that he’s built to keep those girls together.” Bond-White said this bond culminated in this season’s game against Auburn when over 100 of Blair’s former players met up to build a network. On Feb. 17, A&M’s Board of Regents appoved to rename the hardwood in Reed Arena to “Gary Blair Court,” a permanent legacy left in paint. But when you ask Blair what he wants to leave behind, he says he wants to see lasting success in the program that succeeds him. He likened it to a one-hit wonder, not wanting A&M’s perennial success to be a flash in the pan, but to continue well after he retires. “Once you’re an Aggie, you’re an Aggie for life,” Blair said. “I’ll wear this championship ring until I die. I’ll wear my wedding ring on the other hand until I die.”

Graphic by Robert O’Brien & Casey Stavenhagen — THE BATTALION

SEASONS

444

WINS

AT A&M AT A&M

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 6

‘Dream come true’

Guard Kayla Wells reflects on time at A&M, plans for future By Grant Gaspard @grant_gaspard

basketball, a pair of sneakers and a strong support system were all it took for a kid from Grand Prairie to turn her dream into a reality. At the end of the season, even if absent from the NCAA tournament, graduate guard Kayla Wells will have played over 4,200 minutes on the hardwood. To her, there are only three words that describe that feeling of being the all-time leader in games played at Texas A&M: “Dream come true,” Wells said. Seventy-plus hours of non-stop, competitive Division I basketball. One-hundred-and-fifty-three games played donning maroon and white. “I knew I wanted to go to A&M whenever I was in seventh grade,” Wells said. “Whenever they won the national championship in 2011, I wanted ‘Texas A&M’ worn across my chest.” Wells’ noteworthy career started back at South Grand Prairie High School with the help of two individuals who she said played large roles in her development. “Samantha Morrow and Brion Raven. These two really helped me get to where I needed to go and taught me everything I needed to know in order to play at the college level,” Wells said. “So, whenever I got to college, I wasn’t questioning as many things.” Wells has continuously grown as a student of the game while being taught by one of the best instructors: A&M coach Gary Blair. “Being able to play under a Hall of Fame head coach is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Wells said. “Coach [Blair] has taught me patience, to learn from the people in front of me and to absorb everything.” The relationship between coach Blair and Wells is best described by its strong foundation of trust. “It doesn’t matter if I’m shooting 2-for-20 or 18-for-20, he always instills that trust in

Graphic by Robert O’Brien & Casey Stavenhagen — THE BATTALION

me and stresses that he trusts me to take those shots,” Wells said. “I feel like trust is a big word between him and I and the relationship we have on and off the court.” Wells has been the Aggies’ leading scorer this season through 11 games as of Feb. 27, averaging 16.2 points per game, a career-high which did not come overnight. Countless hours spent in the gym and studying how opposing players defend are just a few ways to be one of the best in the game, Wells said. “This is the first time I have to be the No. 1 scorer,” Wells said. “That is the difference this year. I’m just taking it one game at a time, and I’m just going to play my game. I want to let the game come to me.” There is no one, true definition of what a leader is — they come in all shapes, sizes and different characteristics — but one thing they all have in common is that they lead by example. Wells’ position as a leader of the team has changed every year, this year being more unique than the past. “All four years I’ve been here, I’ve been a

leader, but it hasn’t always been vocally … I led my team by action,” Wells said. “I feel like this year, however, is a little different, because I’m having to do both. As far as leading, I’m having to be very vocal and try to set an example to my younger teammates through my actions on the court.” The relationship in the locker room can be compared to that of a family. Ever since the end of last season, women’s basketball was counting down the days until it would be back in College Station once again, Wells said. “This year has been the most I’ve been invested in a group since I’ve been here,” Wells said. “Our relationship is really special and it has to do with the chemistry on and off the court and just having fun.” Looking back at her time at A&M, Wells said her favorite part about playing here was the support from the 12th Man. “When we were 0-4 in conference games, they still showed up to our games and supported us,” Wells said. “They have stressed to us that they still believe in us and that the

season is not over yet. They always have faith in us and believe in us, and if they can, then we should, too.” When that final buzzer goes off, many people ask themselves, “What’s next?” For Wells, her future spotlights a microphone rather than a basketball. “I want to go into sports broadcasting,” Wells said. “I got the chance this year to shadow Andrew Cotter. I also got to work in the TV booth and work with the commentators for the Texas A&M-Mississippi State game.” Until then, Wells’ resume features two Sweet Sixteen appearances, is a member of the 1,000 point club and an all-time leader in 3-point percentage at 36.9% from beyond the arc. “I’ve been to a lot of gyms, played in a lot of gyms and there are not many like ours,” Wells said. “I’m grateful I go here and go to a place where people really appreciate women’s basketball, because you don’t see that often.”

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Family tradition

Aggies defeat No. 1 Crims

A third-generation coach, Texas A&M track and field’s Pat Henry is one of the winningest coaches in any NCAA sport

on Tide 41-38 in instant

classic

“I wouldn’t be anywhere without The Battalion!” C. Morgan Engel, ’18, Telecommunication Media Studies Photographer, Clarkson Creative formerly with Minnesota Vikings/San Diego Chargers

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“My entire professional career has been shaped by my time spent working at @TheBattOnline as a student reporter and editor. I’m no longer in the J-biz, but make no mistake: I use elements of what I learned there every hour of every day. Can’t imagine my life without it!” True Brown, ’04, Agricultural Journalism Senior Director of Development, A&M Foundation

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Senior defensive back Leon O’Neal Jr. recovered the touchdown in the ball fumbled by Alabama following drive.

By Jennifer Streeter @jennystreeter3

at the end of the

first quarter. O’Neal

returned the ball

to Alabama’s 41-yard

Robert O’Brien —

THE BATTALION

line allowing

Fisher recording the A&M to score a first-ever victory over his former boss. on Georgia in an eventual 41-24 victory over While the win is the Bulldogs. young man. He cares, aturday was an upset and nobody expect- not be fully satisfied great, Fisher said he will to the fourth For the Aggies, it all came down ed. For the ground game, it matters to him.” until he sees how his quarter, junior team by one touchdown, with A&M only leading Isaiah performs throughout Texas A&M football Spiller and sophomore running back the 31-24. “We can be special. rest of the season. running back Redshirt sophomore Devon Achane stole No. 1 University of defeated thenOur football team quarterback Zach the show. Spiller ran Alabama in front learning to play is Calzada found 46 yards and one touchdown. for of a sold-out Kyle his groove. With the Field on Saturday, teams and have against other great football behind 12th Man of the One highlight Oct. 9 with 106,815 him, the signal caller success. That’s night for fans last time A&M defeated in attendance. The to me,” Fisher said. “It shows what matters score in all three possessionsled the Aggies to Achane’s 96-yardthe maroon and white was a kickoff return for a during the first down in the 2012 upset in the Crimson Tide was ter, and it shows a lot of belief lot of charac- quarter. Additionally, touchin the third quarter. Calzada Bryant-Denny Stadium. It shows in themselves. before Alabama head coach a lot of belief in throwing an interceptionwas 10 for 10 Achane Nick Saban’s previous in the middle amount said he was in disbelief with the At halftime, Alabama their teammates.” record against his former of open green available went into the locker of the second quarter. assistant room coaches to him. trailing 24-0, with Texas was “There is not a harder on the scoreboard “I couldn’t believe A&M head coach for the first position in sports it Jimbo time since Oct. 17, 2020, so big,” Achane said. because the hole was when the Tide took to play than quarterback,” Fisher said. “After scoring that, “[I’m] very proud of Zach. the He’s a high-character feeling was just amazing. It gave us a lot momentum. It was a big opportunity for of us.”

GAME RECAP ON

PG. 3

From Jimbo, with love

Jimbo Fisher celebrates

The Aggies’ 41-38 Robert O’Brien — victory over the Crimson THE BATTALION forth by the A&M Tide was the result football team. of months of hard work put

56th birthday coach. Starting in 2010, Saban began terrorizwith win over former boss ing his former assistants who had since taken Nick Saban over their own programs By Ryan Faulkner With 24 straight wins as head coaches. @ryanfaulk03 record against his earlier and an undefeated four wins over Fisher, protégés, including Saban’s dominance Over five months ago, Texas A&M head threatened to continue with no end coach Jimbo Fisher in sight; beating the seven-time made national champion “We’re going to beat a bold promise: seemed to be a feat his ass.” unconquerable to those On the surface, this who, at one point, claim worked under the man. with many left wondering lacked substance, Even so, in Fisher’s words, Saban’s downsingle out one specific why Fisher would fall “was inevitable” coach because — Alabama’s going “someone was Nick Saban. After to do it, in time.” all, Fisher had already complished almost acAnd though everything there is to do Fisher himself he didn’t necessarily expect it, in college football — two ships, three conference national champion- whose arrival became the grand champion was foretold in his own prophand a College Coach titles, nine bowl wins ecy. of the Year award. But beating Saban, his On Saturday, Oct. 9, the unranked Aggies to-head competition former boss, in head- upset the undefeated had significance of No. 1 Crimson Tide own. its front of 106,815 fans at Kyle Field. Not in “I have the utmost only respect for Nick Saban. did the win put A&M back on track I always have, I always after two consecutive losses friends,” Fisher said. will and I consider us but it also gave to open its SEC campaign, “But That’s ball, and I respect we’re competitors. — proof he Fisher another win of his own could do him Starting in 2000, Fisher for that.” be impossible and take what was thought to worked under Sadown his former boss, ban as the offensive coordinator and quarter- mentor and colleague. backs coach for Louisiana Saban said he had no choice but to praise The two won a national State University. his former assistant, impressed championship towith A&M’s gether with LSU in ability to snap Alabama’s 2003, 19-game winning for the Miami Dolphins, but after Saban left streak. the duo’s path split. Even apart, the two “I have great respect men’s for [Fisher]. I always mained similar, something coaching styles re- say that. He is one of the best who Fisher attributes to ever did it,” the pair’s similar upbringings Saban said on the postgame from the “same CBS broadcast. neck of the woods” learned a lot when in West Virginia. I coached with him, “I Nearly a decade later, we had a lot of good and times.” another streak of success Saban went on yet By finally defeating as a college football Saban, Fisher FISHER ON PG.

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“... he would do and say these things with intent to get me more comfortable with him.”

“He was bragging about it.” “He was reported to the chairs two times and those chairs did nothing.”

“I thought I could trust him.”

A TRADITION, TARNISHED

“It appears as though there was a shortcoming ...”

“... while traditions are important, sometimes traditions need change.”

“... a concern that existed in 2017 was able to perpetuate itself for many years.”

“After Fish Camp, he sexually assaulted her.” “Who knows how many other girls this happened to?”

Failures in reporting process, unbalanced power dynamics create culture of sexual assault, harassment in Fish Camp By Myranda Campanella @MCampanella_ Editor’s note: The Battalion does not publish the names or identifying information of rape and sexual assault victims. The names of victims and assailants in this article have been altered or removed to protect the subjects’ identities.

Power dynamics, grooming, hookups

The unequal power dynamic that Fish Camp creates between counselors and incoming freshmen makes it easy for someone who has not learned healthy boundaries to assert predatory behaviors, Carroll Spitznagle said. “Whenever you have someone that’s in a position of power like that — especially with students that come from all over the world Content warning: This article discusses with different cultures and backgrounds — it sexual violence and predatory behavior. becomes, unfortunately, a way for survivors to be preyed upon,” Carroll Spitznagle said. “I thought he was someone I could trust.” Ashley said when she met her D.G. dad on the first day of Fish Camp, she thought he Journalism junior, “Ashley,” said this of the was nice and trustworthy. Once classes began, male counselor in her 2018 Fish Camp Dis- Ashley said her D.G. dad remained in contact cussion Group, who was supposed to “offer with her and often told her to call him if she advice about classes, College Station and any- ever needed a ride from Northgate, which he thing else you need as you begin your jour- insisted was commonplace between D.G. parney as an Aggie,” according to Fish Camp’s ents and their freshmen. website. On the night of Dec. 1, 2018, Ashley called Ashley’s D.G. dad sexually assaulted her her D.G. dad for a ride home from Northgate, four months into her freshman year at Texas but when he picked her up, he locked Ashley A&M — the unwanted campus welcome that inside his car and tried to force her to kiss she said stole her joy about the school. him and perform oral sex. Afterward, he drove Boldly stated on the front page of its web- them to his apartment in Park West instead of site, Fish Camp, founded in 1954, is “A to her house, as she had asked, and attempted freshman’s first tradition” at A&M. Howev- to rape her. er, sexual assault and harassment have woven In hindsight, Ashley said she realized there their way in as a hidden part of the tradition had been red flags, like how he as current students — D.G. would ask the freshman girls if “moms” and “dads” — are COMMON TERMS: they had boyfriends and when placed in positions of power he saved his contact name in over incoming freshmen. The Fish Camp - Texas A&M’s Ashley’s phone with a smiley result is an established culture freshman orientation program face. Ashley said she now sees of hookups, grooming and these subtle actions as her D.G. sexual assault and harassment D.G. - discussion group dad grooming her because he among counselors that extends was ultimately able to build well beyond the four-day sum- D.G. dad - male discussion trust and put her in situations mer retreat held two hours group leader that would have otherwise away from College Station. In been weird. addition, a failure to adhere to D.G. mom - female “I was a freshman. I was proper protocols — in which discussion group leader young, you know? I was comclaims of abuse and harassment ing into this camp as brand against counselors are passed new; I hadn’t been fully educated on the conalong to director staff and faculty advisors — cepts of grooming and sexual assault, so I nevhas created a climate that protects abusers from er thought it was weird,” Ashley said. “Lookrepercussions and subjects freshmen to pred- ing back now, he would do these things and atory behavior. say these things with intent to get me more Lauren Carroll Spitznagle, executive di- comfortable with him.” rector of the Brazos Valley Sexual Assault After confiding in other members of her Resource Center, said it is “common knowl- D.G. following the assault, Ashley said she was edge” among her peers that students have told her counselor had also assaulted his Fish been assaulted by Fish Camp staff. Camp partner and another freshman in their

D.G. freshmen] … and also to make friends,” Grace “His D.G. partner was very uncomfortable said. “He was bragging about it.” with him from the start. [She] asked to get a Muñoz said Fish Camp has a strict no-datnew partner, and they told her no,” Ashley ing policy, and counselors are encouraged to said. “The organization told her no, and she “keep it PG” with the freshmen and other had to stay with him. counselors during camp until continuity ends. “After Fish Camp, he sexually assaulted “Counselors are told time and time again her.” that their role is to serve freshmen, it’s to be Additionally, Ashley said she was told by a resource and to be a mentor,” Muñoz said. her D.G. mom that her assaulter was also reDespite these policies and constant remindported to chairs for sexually assaulting fresh- ers about Fish Camp’s main missions, Grace men in 2017 and 2019. Because of those said she has discovered it’s really common for chairs’ failure to report up to the director staff, students to pursue leadership roles within the as is protocol, he was able to re-apply to be organization for the wrong reasons and to a counselor again and again. Ashley said he overlook its dating policies. ultimately graduated from A&M in May 2020 with no consequences. “He was reported to chairs two times, and Reporting sexual assault those chairs did nothing,” Ashley said. “And on A&M’s campus because those chairs did nothing [in 2017], I was sexually assaulted.” Denise Crisafi, Ph.D., a Health Promotion Ashley’s D.G. dad denied the allegations coordinator within the Offices of the Dean against him in a comment to of Student Life, said A&M The Battalion and declined to defines sexual harassment in FACULTY ADVISORS comment further. University Rule 24.4.2 in acEven though Ashley recordance with federal law as ported her assault to Title IX “any type of unwelcome sexuDIRECTOR STAFF two years later, Fish Camp’s al advance” made by students, current Head Director Eric faculty, staff or campus visitors. Muñoz, Class of 2021, said it This includes sexual favors as CAMP CHAIRS is not common for victims of well as verbal and non-verbal Fish Camp-related sexual ascommunicative conduct of a saults to report their offenders. sexual nature that is “severe, CAMP COUNSELORS However, he said if someone persistent or pervasive enough told him assault is common to [prevent access to] an educawithin the organization, he tional, living learning environINCOMING FRESHMEN would be “very saddened, but ment,” Crisafi said. I also would not be as surprised Separately, sexual assault is as others.” definitively three different acts, Crisafi said: In addition to sexual assault, Fish Camp is rape, fondling and incest. She said there is no also a common place for counselors to meet scale for these acts in terms of importance, so dating or hookup partners, either among no one’s trauma is invalid. other counselors or, sometimes, even the “I think it’s really important for our campus freshmen, as was the case with now-junior community to understand that a lot of times, “Grace.” our initial reaction is to think of [sexual asGrace said she began hooking up with her sault] as rape,” Crisafi said. “And that’s true, D.G. dad within the first month of classes her and it’s incredibly valid. But it also includes freshman year, which Muñoz said is against other things that can happen in connection Fish Camp policy — counselors cannot be with it … or without the definition or action romantically involved with any freshmen un- of rape being present.” til their continuity program and membership Crisafi said national statistics show the risk ends in October each year. However, this pol- of sexual assault goes up within the first six to icy is not listed in Fish Camp’s Constitution eight weeks of the fall semester, particularly or by-laws. among freshmen. Grace said she quickly figured out her “Usually the risk of experiencing sexual viD.G. dad had ulterior motives for being a Fish olence and or alcohol poisoning and Camp counselor from the start. “He told me he did it to [hook up with FISH CAMP ON PG. 2

“My experience as a sports editor/writer was so much more valuable than most of my classes.” Carter Karels, ’18, University Studies/Journalism Florida State athletics beat writer, Tallahassee Democrat “What I learned at The Battalion helped land internships with the Philadelphia Inquirer and The Dallas Morning News. It gave me skills to seamlessly integrate into a professional newsroom.” Angel Franco, ’19, Telecommunication Media Studies Communications Coordinator, Houston Dynamo/Dash

Tough as ‘Boots’

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 8

Tyrece Radford reunites with Buzz Williams for 2021-22 campaign

By Michael Horton @mhhort

rom being overlooked as a high school prospect, to traveling nearly 900 miles across the country to play college basketball just for his coach to take another job before he had played a minute, the Aggies have a guard with something to prove in 2022. The Texas A&M men’s basketball team took significant swings toward transfers in the 2021 offseason, adding seven players from the transfer portal alone. While several of those transfers have seen significant playing time in the 2021-22 season, one has a unique connection to the coaching staff: redshirt junior guard Tyrece “Boots” Radford. Radford joined the Aggies in August 2021 after three seasons with Virginia Tech, one of which was spent playing for coach Buzz Williams’ Hokies. Out of high school, there was no geographic appeal to playing in Blacksburg, Va., or College Station. The 6-foot-2 guard graduated from McKinley High School in Baton Rouge, La., where he averaged 22.0 points per game as a senior. Despite being named second-team AllState in his final year of high school, Radford fell under the radar during the recruiting process. Although he had developed a formidable status in the Baton Rouge area, he was left unranked by online recruiting databases. The typical publicity and attention that comes standard with modern basketball recruiting largely evaded him. He was not a mainstream prospect. In an era that praises finesse, grace and efficiency from a guard, Radford was a fighter. What he lacked as an outside shooter, he made up for with interior and midrange scoring. Despite his relatively average height, he was never afraid to get tangled up fighting for a rebound. He was not a typical candidate for a Power Six backcourt, but his gritty, unique play style still captured the attention of the right people. Eventually, the Hokies landed the diamond in the rough of the 2018 class. He recalled an unofficial visit with Williams, saying his family was swayed by the integrity

DOUBLE-DIGIT GAMES** ** IN THE 2022 SEASON

of t h e coaching staff. “We really liked what [Williams] was talking about,” Radford said. “It felt very honest, and everything just started rolling from there.” Because of the Hokies’ talented backcourt near the end of the 2010s, Radford found himself buried in the depth chart during his freshman year. He chose to redshirt his inaugural season with Virginia Tech. Following that initial campaign, the budding guard watched the coach who inspired him to travel across the country to play college basketball take another position, as Williams accepted the head coaching job at A&M on April 3, 2019. Job mobility is a common aspect of collegiate athletics, but it can still be challenging for athletes to adjust to a revolving door in positions of leadership. Radford said he did not feel any ill will toward Williams for the decision, but it forced him to mature to the reality of high-level collegiate athletics. “I started looking at basketball at this level as more of a business,” Radford said. “I was younger then, but now I see that it was for the better. I knew I wanted to play for [Williams]. I saw what he was doing and I saw that it worked.” Amid the unexpected change at the helm of the

Graphic by Robert O’Brien & Casey Stavenhagen — THE BATTALION

program, Radford made the transition from an unknown redshirt to a key contributor look effortless. In the 2019-20 season, he played in all 32 of the Hokies games, starting 29. He led the team in rebounding, bringing down 6.2 boards per game. He also

finished eighth among ACC freshmen in scoring with 10.2 points per game. Although Radford achieved personal success in his first season of collegiate play, the Hokies struggled during the first season of coach Mike Young’s tenure, fin

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 9

ishing 16-16. In the 2020-21 season, he saw his role grow in Young’s offense. He started every game for the Hokies and upped his scoring to 12.2 points per game, recognized as an All-ACC honorable mention. His most notable performance came in a 74-67 win over No. 19 Duke, when he led the team in points with 18, rebounds with 12 and assists with five. Following that win, long-time Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Radford was the difference in the contest. “The kid, Radford, was the best player on the court,” Krzyzewski said. “His intensity and how hard he played really helps his team. He’s a really good player. They have other good players, but that kid was really the key guy in this game tonight. They won, and [Radford] had a lot to do with it.” Not bad for an unranked high school recruit. Radford’s expanded role coincided with further team success, as the Hokies finished the regular season ranked No. 25 in the country and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Their March Madness run was short lived, as the Hokies lost a 75-70 overtime heartbreaker in the opening round. After earning his degree from Virginia Tech, Radford decided to reunite with the coach that took a chance on him from the start. On Aug. 18, 2021, he officially announced his intent to transfer via Twitter. “I have decided to continue pursuing my dreams by transferring to

Texas A&M and finishing what I started three years ago,” Radford’s tweet read. Radford joins a lengthy list of athletes from all over the country who transferred to A&M during the 2021 offseason, including senior forward Ethan Henderson and sophomores, guard Marcus Williams and forward Henry Coleman. Following Radford’s first action with the Aggies — a 76-72 exhibition victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville — coach Williams acknowledged Radford’s status as an athletic outlier in college basketball and praised his distinctive role within the offense. “He has a nose for the ball,” coach Williams said. “I don’t think he is always aesthetically pleasing, but he makes winning play after winning play. He is efficient because he shoots shots that he can make. He is really important to what we are doing.” Radford has started in each of the Aggies’ first 27 games. His role as an elite rebounder has carried over into the A&M system, as he is second on the team with 5.6 boards per game. He has also steadily improved his 3-pointer, shooting a career-high 34.3% from beyond the arc. From high school to Virginia Tech to A&M, Radford has played the game his way. He has found his role in Williams’ system is enjoying the ride. “It is just a lot of fun,” Radford said. “That is the main part of it. Everything is going our way, and the whole team is having fun right now. We need to keep it going in the right direction.”

Photos by Ishika Samant & Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

9.7 5.6 1.3 POINTS* REBOUNDS* ASSISTS* *STATS AS OF FEB. 22, 2022

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 10

Texas A&M baseball’s next era

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Aggie baseball, reborn, prepares for dawn of new horizons on Olsen Field By Ryne Ryskoski @rusty_ryskoski_

n Feb. 18, the much anticipated first year of the Jim Schlossnagle era began for Texas A&M baseball. Coach Schlossnagle came to A&M last June from TCU, where he led the Horned Frogs to 15 NCAA tournament appearances, seven Super Regional appearances and five College World Series appearances in 18 years. He and the program brought in a highly regarded coaching staff, along with a roster retooled from the transfer portal, which has previous experience in the maroon and white and prospective youth. Schlossnagle said he has no shortage of excitement entering his 32nd year of coaching college baseball. Experiencing the support of the A&M fanbase is what he said he’s been anticipating since he made the decision to begin

a new chapter in College Station. “I’m always excited this time of year to get going and get to the competition and put together a team,” Schlossnagle said. “I’ve been on the opposite side of the Aggie fan base for a long time, so I’m looking forward to having those people cheer for a team that I’m a part of versus being against it.” A factor in Schlossnagle’s decision to leave TCU’s strong program was the chance to experience the talent-laden Southeastern Conference — and he said he finds it to be a challenge rather than an obstacle. “No disrespect to the Big 12 or any other conference, but there’s nothing like the SEC, and there’s certainly nothing like the SEC West,” Schlossnagle said. “One of my favorite sayings in life is, ‘If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much room.’” He said the rest of his coaching staff, who each come from highly successful backgrounds at all different levels of baseball from across the nation, is on board with embracing the challenge. “[There was] an opportunity to go, make

an impact and compete against the very best coaches and the very best players in the very best environment, of which Texas A&M should be one of those,” Schlossnagle said. “That’s what was part of drawing me here and our other coaches. Everybody on the staff already had a really good job at a really good place.” Junior utility man and power hitter Austin Bost said the high-level competition is something this new group looks forward to and is excited to go up against, especially at home. Of A&M’s 29 wins last season, 21 came at home, and the Aggies were 14-0 at home in 2020 before COVID-19 shut down spring sports. “It’s exciting to go out there and show the country what they don’t expect us to do,” Bost said. “We’re going to go out there every single day, not take a game for granted and go play hard every single chance we get. We have the best students, the best fans in the country, and whenever they’re there, it just changes. The whole environment makes us play better.”

Redshirt sophomore southpaw Jonathan Childress said games in the spring at Blue Bell Park are already a unique environment, but the new staff is committed to making Olsen Field even more enticing for fans to come to with cosmetic changes and, most importantly, wins. “Baseball games have always been one of the most exciting events we’ve had on campus, aside from football, obviously,” Childress said. “Just from all the things that we’re doing with the dance team starting to come to our games, and I’m pretty sure we’re getting a DJ — Schlossnagle is putting everything into it to make it an experience. On top of that, I really, truly believe we’re going to be a winning squad this year.” The biggest part of all this is, of course, the team itself, which looks vastly different from last year’s at all positions. Schlossnagle said one area of the team he has no qualms or concerns with is the catching group, which brings high-quality experience and a great deal of depth. Graduate catcher Troy Claunch comes from Oregon State with

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 11

numerous at-bats and innings behind the dish. There’s also junior catcher Taylor Smith who appeared in 24 games last season for the Aggies. “I’ve never been on a good team that didn’t have a good catcher; you can’t have a good team and have a bad catching situation,” Schlossnagle said. “So with Troy Claunch and Taylor Smith and the other guys that are here, they bring a lot of stability to that position as long as we can keep those guys healthy.” Claunch earned 2021 All-Pac-12 First Team honors and has played in 124 Division I games in his career while hitting a career .290 batting average. But, Childress said Claunch brings more to the team than just his experience catching for a program that’s won three national championships. “Troy [Claunch] has a lot of experience at the catching position for sure, and one thing that he does really well is he passes along information he has to the other younger guys who maybe haven’t had as much experience,” Childress said. “Everybody is making each other better in that group. I’ve only thrown to [Claunch] a couple of times, but just the receiving and the understanding of the game and how I’m pitching and how all of us pitchers pitch is unbelievable, it’s not like anything

I’ve had.” Sophomore shortstop Kalae Harrison is another name Schlossnagle talked about having a big impact from the start of the season. Schlossnagle said he’s enjoyed getting to work with Harrison and sees him as someone who has a lot of room to improve off his already strong middle-infielder skillset. “Harrison has just been an absolute joy to coach,” Schlossnagle said. “He’s a guy that played shortstop every day last year for an SEC team. He went through a lot of growing pains. He’s still doing that, but he’s bigger and stronger. He’s the most experienced infielder on this team.” Bost said he’s anticipating seeing what the offense as a whole can do once the players are in a lineup together, and believes people will be surprised with what happens from the instruction of Schlossnagle and his offensive staff members. “Just by the looks of it — of how hard these guys work and how they come in here ready to go every single day and their performance in the fall — I think we’re going to do some damage,” Bost said. “We’re going to do something special this year with this offense and all the new stuff outside of just hitting that is going into our offense with coach Schlossnagle.

I think we’re going to be having an extremely successful year offensively.” Part of that anticipated success comes with new hitting coach Michael Earley, who had a successful four-year stint at Arizona State where he developed five hitters chosen in the shortened, five-round 2020 MLB Draft, including No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson. Bost had nothing but high remarks of Earley and said he is enjoying his teachings to try and improve off a 2021 season where he batted .303 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs. “Coach Earley is one of the best coaches I’ve ever been around. He knows what he’s doing and he’s got a plan for us to work every single day,” Bost said. “He’s just working on some little things with me. It’s just going up there with the same approach that I did last year, to just be me and do the routines that are supposed to help us. Hopefully, that can make this year even better for me.” Pitching is an area that Schlossnagle said is a bit of an unknown, so he will have to find a dependable weekend rotation that can go toeto-toe with teams like Ole Miss, LSU and defending national champion Mississippi State. Last year, the Aggies allowed the third-most walks and runs in the SEC and the most hits. “I like our catching, our middle infield and

Graphic by Robert O’Brien & Casey Stavenhagen — THE BATTALION

there are some other really good pieces in the lineup, but the pitching is what either excites me or keeps me from sleeping at night,” Schlossnagle said. “In my mind, the game begins and ends with starting pitching. That is the area that we are least experienced in terms of who did the bulk of the pitching last year.” To calm Schlossnagle, there is the addition of 2017 D1 Baseball Assistant Coach of the Year and two-time National Pitching Coach of the Year Nate Yeskie. Childress said Yeskie has already helped in so many ways, and that his reputation speaks for itself. “There’s so much, from the mentality that you have to have as a pitcher to mechanical adjustments on the fly,” Childress said. “I can’t put my finger on one thing and say, ‘that’s the biggest thing I’ve taken away’ because there’s just been so much information that we’ve all taken in over the fall. Obviously, he’s a very well-regarded pitching coach in college baseball, and for good reason. He knows his stuff.” One unquestionable thing about the new team is the relationships forged among the pitching staff. Childress, who describes the group as “best friends,” said the additions and subtractions to the team have allowed the players to bond without any cliques. “There weren’t any preconceived friend groups or anything,” Childress said. “Everybody was kind of forced to be friends with everybody. But, it’s turned out to be a really good thing. Even on weekends and everything throughout the fall, it was all of us hanging out together. We’re like a family. We’re legitimately like a family and love being around each other.” Bost said he sees a lot of the same things as one of the few returning Aggies. “It’s always fun meeting a new group of guys and seeing what they’re about — connecting to them personally and getting to know every single one of them individually, better and better every single day. I think the brotherhood and the facility of this team is way better than I could ever ask for. These guys are some of the best guys I’ve ever been around, and they’re just awesome dudes, and I know they’re ready to go into battle and I’m ready to go into battle for them.” Schlossnagle’s inaugural season began on Friday, Feb. 18 with a weekend series sweep against Fordham at Blue Bell Park. The Aggies play 13 of their first 16 games in College Station before conference play starts March 18. “Come out there, get rowdy and get ready for some Olsen magic,” Bost said. “I think we’re going to put a great ballclub out there, and I think we’re going to compete. If we go out there, execute and everybody does their job, then we’re going to be very successful this year.”

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 12

Impatient: The story of

Jim Schlossnagle From player to coach, A&M baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle is on a journey through life’s twists and turns By Casey Stavenhagen @CStavenhagen

exas A&M baseball returns to Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park, fresh from Omaha, Neb., with a shiny new addition to its trophy case. It’s a warm, summer day — Schlossnagle can’t stand the cold. The stands are packed with Aggies, old and new. They might even have a party on the field. They’ll gather for a War Hymn to go down in Aggieland history. First though, at each home game, 15,000 Aggie fans crowd the lining of the diamond at the intersection of Olsen Boulevard and George Bush Drive. What is prototyped through the Kyle Field gameday experience is translated into Schlossnagle’s new home. It’s not about whether A&M won or lost; fans leave the concourse happy they showed up. They ate a 44 Farm’s Aggie Dog — it was great. Maybe they had a Karbach 12th Man Lager which was also great. They loved the music; they loved the dance team. Maybe there was even a petting zoo. An Aggie baseball game is the amalgamation of the theatrics of minor league baseball and the fervent fandom of college athletics. People fly in just to catch a weekend series. After the game, children can make their way to the third baseline and get an autograph from their favorite player. This all takes place tomorrow — Schlossnagle can’t stand waiting. On a Zoom call from his office at Olsen Field in January, Schlossnagle detailed his vision. Through the window past his right shoulder, his vision was beginning to take shape in the form of expanded third baseline

seating, metal-framed bleachers in place of the grass berm. Schlossnagle understands the impossibility of renovating the ballpark in its entirety by tomorrow, but if there is anyone to try to build Rome in a day — maybe two — it’s him. Good, bad or indifferent, creating a community and coaching baseball is not Schlossnagle’s job — it is his lifestyle. Schlossnagle spoke matter-of-factly about his life, unless in reference to baseball, community, family or his faith; he lives through these pillars. On June 9, 2021, Schlossnagle chased a fresh start on that lifestyle at A&M as he left the school he turned into a perennial college baseball powerhouse, Texas Christian University, after 18 years. Now, Schlossnagle wants it all tomorrow. He wants to win tomorrow. He doesn’t want to let anyone down. He’s not patient, and he’d be the first person to tell you. Impatience, though, is not a flaw in his character. Schlossnagle is driven by a sense of urgency, but he’s not panicked. His path to College Station is 36 years of

collegiate baseball in the making. His path forward, aside from the seven-year contract he inked in June, is uncertain. His goals, however, are crystal clear. “I don’t want to let anybody down. I know what I’m capable of, I know what this coaching staff is capable of,” Schlossnagle said. “I work from a point of, my job now is to not let anybody down, it is to meet the expectations that I have for myself and certainly this place has for this baseball program. I want it to happen tomorrow [despite] knowing that that’s usually not how that happens.” In his relocation, Schlossnagle inherited a baseball program that owned the third-longest active NCAA Tournament appearance

streak — 13 consecutively — until the end of the 2021 season. That roster and coaching staff has now been largely redone with Schlossnagle at the helm. Yet, without the past, none of the present would be possible.

Where it all started

The story of Schlossnagle begins in Smithsburg, Md., population of 2,967. Smithsburg High School’s parking lot fits no more than 100 cars and is sandwiched in between Smithsburg Elementary School and Smithsburg Middle School. Deep center field of the high school’s baseball field, where Schlossnagle played, lies just outside city limits — an area littered with farmland, forming an agricultural barrier on all sides of the town. For a man who now eats, breathes and lives baseball, it hasn’t always been that way. Schlossnagle doesn’t have a lot of hobbies. He doesn’t play golf, and he fishes maybe five or six times a year. Sports have always been the center of his life through various avenues, but baseball was only the focus when it was his last option. Throughout high school, he was a member of Smithsburg’s basketball team, its football team and its baseball team, in that order. Basketball was what he, and Smithsburg, truly excelled at during his senior season. Schlossnagle was the starting guard for the Leopards’ team that went to their first-ever

Graphic by Robert O’Brien & Casey Stavenhagen — THE BATTALION

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 13

basketball state championship. In that game, Smithsburg faced Milford Mill, which had already knocked Schlossnagle’s alma mater out of the football playoffs. Down by one point with a chance to win the game, one of Schlossnagle’s teammates — unnamed for his privacy in trying times — passed the ball to the wrong team. “He thought one of us was looking and he passed it; he literally passed it to the other team with less than 10 seconds left,” Schlossnagle said, though he didn’t sound thrilled to remember it. When it came time for Schlossnagle to head to college, he chose to leave Maryland and attend Elon College in North Carolina. Schlossnagle didn’t necessarily have aspirations to be a professional athlete, but it wasn’t quite time for his playing days to end. He chose to play baseball after adding “decent pitching support,” according to the Leopard Yearbook, to Smithsburg’s team, so he walked on to the team at Elon. It was here he met the man who would change his life.

Coaching Genesis

Schlossnagle was the editor of Smithsburgs’ student newspaper and a high school sports stringer for The Herald-Mail in pursuit of a journalism career, ideally culminating in writing for Sports Illustrated. After a year and a half, Schlossnagle was called into the office of then-Elon baseball coach Rick Jones. “[Jones] said, ‘Hey, we both know you’re not playing in the big leagues.’ I said, ‘Yeah, thanks. I know,’ and he said, ‘I think you’d make a good coach,’” Schlossnagle said. He was conflicted. He’d spent his entire life to this point as an athlete; the concept of stepping away from the field, the court and the diamond all within the span of two years was concerning to say the least. Yet, he had built a deep relationship with coach Jones and ultimately knew he was right. Jones — who was also a pitcher — gave Schlossnagle a couple of days to decide. Schlossnagle returned sans journalism degree, now pursuing a bachelor’s in physical education. “I said, ‘Go call your parents and come back and see me tomorrow or the next day.’ He came right back and said, ‘Coach, I want to coach,’ and that was it,” Jones said. In 1989, after pitching for only one season, Schlossnagle stepped off the mound and placed his career in Jones’ hands. “I didn’t want to give up playing. It’s funny how God works,” Schlossnagle said. “There was a lot of hesitation and concern, but I had a lot of trust in coach Jones and believed in him — he was already a super influential person in my life. I prayed about it and jumped in with both feet, and it’s turned out alright.” When Schlossnagle landed from his leap of faith, he saw Jones take one of his own, be-

coming the assistant coach at Georgia Tech. Though the Yellow Jackets were not massively successful in the four years Jones was there, they appeared in the NCAA Regionals each year. Schlossnagle, in contrast, spent the following three years as a student assistant pitching coach with Elon. The then-Fightin’ Christians built a 99-41 record en route to two South Atlantic Conference championships and a District 26 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championship. After graduating from Elon in 1992, Schlossnagle joined Clemson as a pitching coach for the 1993 season. There, he studied under the late Bill Wilhelm in his last season with the Tiger, assisting in a 45-20 finish, an ACC championship and a semifinal exit in the Mideast Regional of the tournament. Jones’ Yellow Jackets were also knocked out in the semifinals of regionals in 1993. In 1994, Jones left Georgia Tech to take a head coaching job at Tulane. His first call was to Schlossnagle, asking him to join the Green Wave as associate head coach. “I can remember standing in the kitchen when Rick was offered the job at Tulane, and I said, ‘I’m not going unless Schloss goes.’ He’s very much a part of the family; he was like our son,” Jones’ wife Gina said. Just as Schlossnagle trusted his coach when he told him to give up playing in the first place, he trusted his offer now. Without looking back, Schlossnagle joined Rick once again — the true start of coach Schlossnagle. “Everything I know about, [how] to run a program, all-encompassing, literally everything, [Rick] is the basis for that. I owe him everything,” Schlossnagle said. “The basis of every single thing I am as a coach starts and ends with Rick Jones, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.” Schlossnagle and Rick coached together for the next eight seasons. As Schlossnagle helped build Tulane, he also built a family with his wife Kami. The couple had two children, Jackson and Kati, who have played no small part in Jim’s evolution as a coach. “Being a father is my No. 1 job in life — it’s the thing that means the most to me … Having children, there’s no question — it changes you,” Jim said. “I tell every person I can, ‘You think you love your girlfriend? It don’t even compare, buddy.’ When you have a child, the love and adoration and feelings that you have for this human being is … it blows your mind. Especially as they have gotten older, it helps you become a better coach, it helps you become more sensitive to players and what they go through, it helps you become more empathetic with the parents.” Tulane went on to win three Conference USA regular season titles and four Conference USA tournaments. The Green Wave appeared

in the NCAA tournament in all but two of the eight seasons, but never escaped Regionals. Until they did. In 2001, Rick Jones and Jim Schlossnagle’s Tulane entered as the national No. 5 seed and bombed its way through the Metairie Super Regional. Finally in Omaha, the Green Wave squeaked by Nebraska in the first round, 6-5. As all good things do, though, their College World Series run ended in the next round with an 11-2 walloping from Cal State Fullerton. Regardless, neither coach had seen their last College World Series. Propelled by the success of Tulane, Schlossnagle began receiving offers to lead a program of his own.

Staying warm

After the trip to the College World Series, Jones was lined up to take an opening at Georgia and would have Schlossnagle succeed him at Tulane. Through a combination of issues with Georgia at the time and Tulane matching its offer, Jones stayed with the Green Wave, but Schlossnagle knew it was time to move up. After 12 seasons of assistant jobs and a farewell to Jones, Schlossnagle started anew. He fielded calls from programs across the country interested in the young coach. He received an offer from his home state college, the University of Maryland; “Yeah, too cold,” he said. Far from the cold, an opportunity appeared at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “When [the job at] UNLV opened, I remember the lady who was in charge of the search committee there,” Jones said. “I made a call and she told me, ‘He’s going to be our fifth interview. We’ve had some really good candidates.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I’m sure you have, but let’s just you and I talk after you interview him.’ She called me back after the interview and said, ‘He’s on a plane now. But when he lands, we’re going to offer him the job.’” Taking high hopes into high temperatures, Schlossnagle arrived in the desert in 2002 to take the helm of a program for the first time. Year one, for Schlossnagle, hit a decent mark that both he and the university could be proud of, finishing with a record of 30-30 — six more wins than UNLV had finished with in its last two years — and a ticket to the Mountain West tournament, where the Rebels finished fourth. Then came year two in which Schlossnagle, acclimated to the nature of the desert and the nature of running his own team, began to familiarize himself with the commonplaces of his career: wins, postseason play and Coach of the Year honors. All of it fell into place for the first time in 2003. Schlossnagle and the Rebels finished the 2003 season at 47-17, the second-highest win total in school history, and went on to win

the Mountain West tournament and appear in the NCAA tournament. Though his team was knocked out in the Regional finals, Schlossnagle was named Mountain West Coach of the Year, and doors started to swing open. Heading into the next season, Jim was yet again receiving calls from programs requesting him, now 32 years old, to turn their school around like he had done in Las Vegas. He was planning for the future. He wasn’t going to go anywhere cold. He certainly wasn’t going anywhere he couldn’t build something special. He was ready to settle down somewhere more permanent. “My wife at the time was from Dallas, and I had always kind of had my eye on getting back to Texas so that my children would grow up around somebody’s family,” Schlossnagle said. “I knew they weren’t going to grow up around mine because I can’t stand cold weather.” So, born in a melting pot of climate, his family and baseball as more than a career, his new course was set.. In 2004, TCU wasn’t a powerhouse by any means, but it was a blossoming program in need of a new coach after Lance Brown, who spent the last 17 years at the helm, retired. Ultimately, Schlossnagle and his family packed up and headed to Fort Worth. Joining TCU, Schlossnagle coached for two years in Conference USA — where Jones was still leading Tulane. In the 2004 season, Schlossnagle led the Horned Frogs to the most wins in a season in school history — a record he would break three more times. Tulane exited in the first round of the Conference USA tournament; TCU won it all and lost in the second round of NCAA Regionals. In 2005, Schlossnagle upped the win total from 39 to 41. Jones won a career-high 56 games this season and his Green Wave won their weekend series against the Horned Frogs, 2-1. In the Conference USA tournament for that year, TCU and Tulane were scheduled to meet again with a conference title on the line. “We were supposed to play in the conference championship game, and it rained and rained us out so we couldn’t play, which wasn’t a bad thing,” Jones said. “If they lose, I feel bad. If I lose, I feel worse. It’s not comfortable because you have such strong feelings about that person, especially with Schloss, knowing him since he was a freshman in college.” Both went on to the NCAA tournament; Schlossnagle was knocked out in Regionals yet again — Jones made it back to Omaha but lost in the second round. The next year, TCU moved into the Mountain West conference. In seven seasons, Schlossnagle’s Horned Frogs won the conference championship each time, made the NCAA tournament each year and made two SCHLOSSNAGLE ON PG. 14

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 14

NCAA Super Regionals. In 2009, just before Schlossnagle’s ninth season as a head coach, TCU hired Chris Del Conte, who now works for Texas in the same role, as its athletic director. Del Conte and Schlossnagle already knew each other — Schlossnagle’s reputation preceded him. Together in Fort Worth, Del Conte gave Schlossnagle an avenue to life outside of baseball within the university. Every Sunday, for years, the two would walk a three-mile loop around campus. “We would just talk about our lives, talk about our families, talk about everything but sports. Some days in the game, the game gets so all consuming that you don’t have an outlet to talk about anything else besides the game,” Del Conte said. “Our conversations were nothing about the game. [We talked about] what we wanted for our kids, what we wanted for life. Those are my most cherished memories [with Jim] because the wins and losses are difficult. Long after the game of baseball is over, he’ll be a friend of mine.” And, in Schlossnagle’s first year working with Del Conte, 10 years after his first appearance, TCU went to the College World Series. Schlossnagle had his taste of college baseball’s mecca exactly a decade before, and here he was again. He’d studied the game under Jones. He’d learned how to turn impatience into drive. He’d channeled his energy through Del Conte. Now, he had his chance. “If it’s a positive or a negative, I have the same [impatience]. Being in a program where we had that kind of success, that was something I think he really bought into; I know he did,” Jones said. “That’s something that has carried us always. We didn’t come from losers.” TCU blew past Florida State in its first game in Omaha, ever. The Horned Frogs then hit a wall against the UCLA Bruins, but redeemed themselves after knocking the Seminoles out of the tournament in Game 3. Matched up against UCLA once again, TCU was sent home. This 2010 run was instrumental regardless of the shortcoming. A precedent was created. TCU joined the Big 12 in 2013 and struggled in its conference-christening season, finishing sixth. Schlossnagle was forced into patience for a year after joining the Big 12, but it paid off. In 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, Schlossnagle led the Horned Frogs to four College World Series. They came up short each time. Schlossnagle said, “I think any time that you don’t ultimately finish in the World Series and win the final game, you feel like you’ve …” He paused to find the words. “I just wanted to be able to see it all through.

The toughest one was 2016. We’re in Omaha, we win the first two games, we’re in the driver’s seat,” Schlossnagle said. “We have to win one game to make it to the championship series, and I really felt like we had a national championship team. That one will forever eat at me because I felt like that was our moment. We were right back there in 2017, but ‘16 is the one that will forever haunt me.” In the three full seasons from 2018 to 2021, TCU was unable to recreate the success from years before, missing the tournament entirely in 2018. Maybe Schlossnagle got complacent. Maybe the weight of the built-up expectations had become too much. “I think any coach that tastes Omaha wants to win it. He was driven by trying to win a national championship,” Del Conte said. “It doesn’t define him, by any stretch of the imagination. What defines him is the people that he gets to coach every day.” There is no diagnosis for such shortcomings; only so many excuses can be made. Schlossnagle won’t be the one to make any excuses, though. He owns his failures; he wears them as a reason to do better.

A new chapter

Here we are in 2022. The A&M baseball program is led by Schlossnagle. The implementation of his vision is underway. He’s marked by his past — failures and achievements; wins and losses. TCU and Schlossnagle were married for 18 years. It was flooded with wins but ended in failures, at least in accordance with his expectations. Jim and Kami were married for 23 years. It produced achievements, namely their two children, but ended in failure in accordance with Jim’s expectations. “I’m not married anymore, and that’s a failure. Any time a marriage ends in divorce, that’s an incredibly painful thing. I don’t care how well it goes, it’s awful,” Jim said. “I thought I was a good husband, but I think I definitely could have been a way better husband, and so I’m not a husband anymore — at least not right now.” All that he left behind is instrumental in what he’s attempting to build. Jim, now 51 years old, has learned; he’s grown. He has the energy and opportunity to rebuild a program again. “I just felt like I don’t know how long I want to coach. I mean, I know I want to coach another 10 or 15 years, but my point is I’m not sure I want to be a coach at 70,” Jim said. But, he will be at A&M for the next seven years. This may be his last chance to return to the College World Series and fully realize the goal.

The chase for a national championship need not be spoken. If he had to write it on the board for everyone to see, he would want no part in that program. Instead, he can focus on the details of a national championship’s creation. “The beauty of coming to a place like Texas A&M is you don’t have to create any [standards]. They’re already in place,” Jim said. “The Core Values of the university, we just have adopted and tried to build on those within the baseball program. All we’ve done is define those from a programmatic standpoint, and those are our standards. I think if every single person in the program lives up to those standards — nobody is going to be perfect — but strives to be the very best in each one of those areas every day, then the goals will take care of themselves.” Baseball is unpredictable. It’s uncontrollable. To many, that’s what makes the game great. Jim is controlling what he can. He wants to build a community. He wants his baseball program to be tangible to its fans. He wants to be intentional in everything he does. He hopes the wins will follow, but his No. 1 goal, tempered through experience, is deeper than any trophy. “You can’t hide out and expect people to buy into the program based on wins and

losses. We all know the more you win, the more people will come [to the games], but I think when people feel like they have a personal relationship or they’re involved with the program, then they’re going to want to be a part of the program,” Jim said. “They’re going to ride the ups and downs with you. That’s one of the great things about college baseball. The baseball matters, the relationships matter and it’s our job to be intentional with going out and creating and nurturing those relationships.” The hard part is not the creation — Jim knows he can do it — it’s the waiting. He’s never been a loser; he doesn’t have time to be. “He knows himself better than anybody else. His patience level is because he expects the best out of himself and because he expects the best out of everyone around him. It was not a negative trait,” Del Conte said. “I always used to tell him, ‘Coach, don’t change who you are. You’re impatient, but that impatience is your drive. Just know that how you harness your impatience, you’ve got to make sure that you’re in sync with what your message is.’” Jim’s message is loud and clear: “I just want an Aggie baseball game to be the greatest experience you can possibly have when you come on this campus.”

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THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 16

Nothing less than best

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

A&M track and field aims for gold after falling short in 2021 season By Jordan Epp @j_epp22

or any other team at Texas A&M, second place would be electrifying. Finishing the season as No. 2 in the nation is an accomplishment to celebrate, a chance to capitalize on the recruiting season and garner hope for next year. However, this is not the case for A&M track and field — the Aggies want to bring home gold. Last season, the A&M track and field team’s success was the standard for the program under coach Pat Henry. With 36 national titles at the NCAA Division I level in his coaching career, teams under Henry expect the best. “We’ve won nine national championships

in my timeframe here,” Henry said. “We always set those kinds of expectations. We expect to be as good as anyone in the country, and my expectations are, ‘Let’s be in those top five or six schools.’ If we have an outstanding meet on that day, then we have an opportunity to win.” For the most part, A&M met Henry’s goals in 2021. The Aggies had three top-six team finishes in the NCAA Championship last year, with the one outlier being the men’s indoor season when the team finished in 31st. “On the men’s side [during the indoor season], we had some issues with health at the wrong time of the year,” Henry said. “We didn’t have a very good performance. But, the people who did get to compete, did a really good job.” The men’s team recovered from its 31st place finish at the indoor championships, flipping it into a sixth place finish just a few months later at the outdoor championships in

June. The women’s team was one of the most successful teams Henry had coached in over a decade and a half. Despite not managing to get over the final hump, the Aggies earned second-place team finishes in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. “A tremendous season,” Henry said. Yet, this year, the women’s team is missing a few key pieces that made last year’s team successful. Replacing talent that exits a team is never easy, but it’s especially difficult when you lose two Olympians like Athing Mu and Tyra Gittens. Mu exceeded her expectations coming out of high school, breaking numerous records in an all-time freshman season. She went on to win The Bowerman award and two gold medals in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Division I programs can often be a revolving door for talent, but to coach Henry, losing strong athletes is an effect of strong coaching.

Henry said some athletes you just don’t replace — it’s part of his job and a sign of success to lose great athletes — but it’s always about the next athlete stepping up and continuing to compete for the 12th Man. Even though Mu left to focus on her professional career, she still practices with the team, and their dynamic hasn’t changed. Junior sprinter Tierra Robinson-Jones competed alongside Mu in the 4x400 meter relay, and said the team has plenty of runners ready to take over roles when needed. Gittens, who received All-American honors in four different events last season and accounted for nearly 38% of A&M’s scoring in the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championship, did not return to Aggieland for her final season, opting instead to transfer to a rival program in the Texas Longhorns. Even with these departures, the women’s track and field team boasted 13 different All-American athletes in the 2020-21 season,

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 17

nearly all of whom are returning in 202122. “The dynamic’s the same,” Robinson-Jones said. “Nothing really changed. We’ve added a couple new people to every single group, and they all fit in well … everybody’s good. You wouldn’t be at this school if you weren’t.” On the men’s side, the team lost a couple athletes as well, namely Devin Dixon and Olympic gold-medalist Bryce Deadmon. But after rebounding from an injury-riddled indoor season a year ago, the team is looking forward to renewed health and breakout years from runners like sophomore mid-dis-

“We always set those kinds of expectations. We expect to be as good as anyone in the country.” PAT HENRY, HEAD COACH

tance runner Brandon Miller. Miller was named to The Bowerman Preseason Watch List before the 2022 season. In his freshman campaign, he was first in the SEC in both the indoor and outdoor 800-meter and finished second in the NCAA Outdoor Championship in the 800, earning him All-American honors. He opened his sophomore season with an under-20 world record in the 600-meter. “It’s a blessing to be recognized among the best of the best,” Miller said. “It’s a testament of the hard work that I have done and the hard work that is to come.” Miller said the men’s team is hungrier as a unit after watching the women finish in second place twice last season. “I remember me and my teammates … we were saying, ‘I want that to be us — but in first place,’” Miller said. As the team capitalizes off its late-season success and tries to move on from departures, the goalposts stay the same. The goal is always SEC and NCAA titles, Robinson-Jones said. “On the men’s side and the women’s side, there’s a collective hunger within the group,” Miller said. “We added because we reloaded. At A&M there isn’t a rebuild period, it’s just reload and get back out there.” Graphic by Robert O’Brien & Casey Stavenhagen — THE BATTALION

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 18

Family, faith, first place

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Mid-distance runner Brandon Miller reflects on past success, future goals By Kay Naegeli @KayNaegeli

ife is often thought of as a race to the finish line. Mental and physical battles are fought, milestones are achieved and everyone tries to make the most of their time before reaching the end. Sometimes, we focus too much on the finish line when we should focus on the journey of the race itself. Life is presented with distracting highs and lows, yet many choose to

focus on the purpose of the mission. For sophomore mid-distance runner Brandon Miller, his purpose is deeper than how quickly his feet can reach a thin white line. Powered by his faith, family and love for competition, Miller’s radiant personality and desire to leave a lasting impact on the world are displayed in his every action. “Everybody loves Brandon,” his mother Angela Miller said. “I have yet to meet anyone who had anything bad to say about him.” The blood flowing through Brandon’s veins is a product of love and athletics. Before he was in the picture, his parents began their relationship in the unromantic presence of iron and muscle growth: the Missouri Tiger’s

weight room. His father Derrick Miller, a defensive back on the football team, approached Angela, a short-distance hurdler, and they hit it off while conversing about Angela’s event. “I started going to the track meets to see her,” Derrick said. “The rest is history.” After falling in love and getting married, the Millers decided to raise a family in St. Louis, Mo., where Brandon, his older brother D.J. and younger sister Ava grew up. At a young age, the Millers instilled an athletic intuition in their kids. Since their romance was born in the presence of a collegiate athletic facility, they made sure to introduce all different sports, Angela said. “We had to put him and his brother in

sports to burn off some energy,” Angela said. “[They were in] track, flag football, soccer, basketball and T-ball. [They] were natural athletes with a ton of energy.” From the moment Brandon felt the first breeze graze his face while running, he knew the track was his safe space. With his parents’ encouragement behind him, success became a familiar feeling to Brandon. “Ever since then, I haven’t looked back,” Brandon said. “I was blessed to experience a lot of success early on the track. Through high school, I was blessed to do pretty well my freshman and sophomore year[s].”

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 19

800-meter American Collegiate Record 2022 The Bowerman Preseason Watch List

All-time fourth-fastest American 800-meter SEC titles in Indoor and Outdoor 800-meter

Then came Brandon’s junior year of high school when he suffered a hamstring injury. He framed it as a minor setback, not letting it slow him down. During this time, he relied on his faith to carry him through the race of life. Since he achieved much success early in his career, he used the experience to reflect upon the other important segments of his life. “That was a time in life where I was on top of the world one day and on the complete bottom the next,” Brandon said. “I got back into my faith because I realized without God, nothing is possible. It humbled me, but it made me a better man.” Brandon’s faith guided his road to recovery, and, before he knew it, his spikes were kissing the track once again. As far as accomplishments go, Brandon shot for the stars and reached them. He placed first eight years in a row running the 800-meter at the AAU Junior Olympics, is a three-time state champion and earned all-district and all-state honors his freshman and sophomore seasons in high school. Further, Brandon was named the 2020 Missouri Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year. “Brandon is a student of the game,” Derrick said. “He studies track and field. He doesn’t leave it up to his natural ability and talent. He wants to study his competition and visualize himself already winning.” His senior year, the day came that every wishful athlete dreams about: college decision day. Although many colleges like Penn State, Iowa State, Mississippi State and Oregon begged for his attention, Brandon said he knew suiting up in maroon and white every meet would ultimately lead him to greatness in every aspect. “The history of the 800 at A&M [led me here],” Brandon said. “You look at A&M and you see all the great 800-meter runners that came before [me] with Donavan Brazier, Devin Dixon, Carlton Orange and on the women’s side as well. Also, the fact that I was training under coach [Pat] Henry, one of the greatest coaches of all time, and coach Milton Mallard. Who could say no to Texas A&M?” The boy from St. Louis packed up his life and moved to College Station, a place where he said he knew all his hopes and dreams could come to life. Upon arrival, the central Texas humidity hugged him, and Brandon knew he was home. Over 950 miles away, his older brother D.J. was consumed with preparation for the 2021 football season at Iowa State. Although distance separates the two, the brothers are direct products of hard work and athletic genetics. “Athletics is what we grew up on,” Bran-

don said. “Me and my brother always had a dream of playing at the collegiate level and going professional in the sports that we picked.” The first time Brandon ran with “Texas A&M” written across his chest, it was just another meet for him. Many freshmen begin their college athletic careers with an abundance of nerves and fears, but Brandon didn’t blink. At the 2021 Ted Nelson Invitational, those thoughts were stomped on as he flew past his opponents and reached the finish line in first place. That moment sparked many first-place finishes and personal records for Brandon during his first year. His times improved throughout the season, and the freshman stunned those who watched. At the indoor and outdoor SEC

“When you strive for perfection, you fall on excellence.” BRANDON MILLER, MID-DISTANCE RUNNER

Championships, he placed first in both 800-meter races. At the meet, Brandon inked 1 Samuel 16:7, his favorite Bible verse, on his headband. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart,’” the verse reads. Brandon isn’t the oldest. He isn’t the tallest. He may not be the strongest. His frame misrepresents his mightiness. “I like to put my faith in everything I do,” Brandon said. “As [God’s] children, I feel like we have a duty and calling to glorify Him in everything that we do. Me giving everything I have in a race would be glorifying Him.” With his Christian beliefs energizing his body, Brandon took home second place and a personal-best time of 1:44.97 in the 800-meter at the NCAA Outdoor Championship, but returned to College Station with one motivator on his mind — being the best. At the age of 19, he became the third-fastest American under 20 of all time. In December of 2021, Brandon’s development throughout the offseason was ready to be displayed at the season opener of the 2021-22 indoor slate. Waking up feeling a little under the weather, he picked up a camera and vlogged the entirety of his day, much like many other teenagers have.

However, on that same day, Brandon did something no other teenager has ever done before. He logged an under-20 world-best 600-meter time, which placed him as the sixth-fastest collegiate 600-meter runner of all time. He didn’t even know it. “I was actually going after the collegiate record, and I was so close, but I still ran a [personal best] so I was happy with that,” Brandon said. “I was talking to my coach and he said, ‘Man, that’s a world junior record,’ and I said, ‘Oh, wow. I had no clue.’ When you strive for perfection, you fall on excellence.” To kick off the new year, Brandon slipped on his best suit and was announced as one of 10 male runners on The Bowerman Preseason Watch List in 2022. It is common for athletes with promising futures to let success steer them away from humility. However, Brandon’s personality is as infectious as they come. Off the track, he is a 20-year-old who loves his dog Achilles, his pet snake Slick, eating pasta the day before meets and, from time to time, picking up a camera to share his day with the world on his YouTube channel. “My mom bought me a camera and she told me, ‘If I spend all this money buying a camera, you better start a YouTube [channel],’” Brandon said. “I finally sat down, hit the record button and I haven’t looked back since. It’s been really fun taking people through the journey of the season, and I wanted people to know me as a person rather than just a track runner.” Brandon’s love for sports carries far beyond his fondness of the track. Studying journalism, he intends to pursue a sports broadcasting career if his track career falls through. He knew by coming to A&M, the opportunities for growth would be endless. In addition, his confidence and high standards he set for himself motivate him to demolish barriers not yet broken. “I want to break the indoor and outdoor 800-meter collegiate record,” Brandon said. “I’d like to think that I could be the best 800-meter runner to come out of A&M.” Just like any other athlete, Miller plays images of first-place medals and Olympic aspirations in his mind, but he also strives for a goal greater than himself — to leave this world better than he found it. “I want to be an inspiration to people,” Brandon said, “Lead them closer to God and show them they can do [anything], no matter how tall, short, skinny [or] fat.”

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 21

Diamond of their own

Graphic by Robert O’Brien & Casey Stavenhagen — THE BATTALION

Softball returns to Davis in 2022 with promising talent, hopes for more By Kay Naegeli @KayNaegeli

pringtime is filled with clear skies, blooming flowers and 70-degree weather. Conversely, it marks the start of home runs, fierce competition and a packed Davis Diamond. Texas A&M softball is back. With five freshmen, six sophomores, three juniors, three seniors and one graduate student making up the team, the variety of young and experienced talent is something Aggie fans have not seen in a while. Last season, the Aggies battled their way into the NCAA Tournament, but eventually lost in Regionals to Wichita State. They went 32-23 and finished 10th in the SEC. Despite an underwhelming record on paper, the maroon and white began to rebuild.

The team spent an abundance of time in the offseason bonding and becoming closer than ever before. These tight connections will be necessary when the game is on the line and trust is needed, graduate pitcher Kayla Poytner said. “We have a great time together,” Poytner said. “It’s so much fun being around each other, even when we’re not at softball. On the field, we’re really bonding and we’re communicating because we are used to doing it off the field. We have great team chemistry this year.” Leading the squad is coach Jo Evans, who will be entering her 26th season as head coach. She has coached her way to the NCAA postseason 21 times and holds the most Division I wins among active head coaches in the SEC. With only 18 athletes on her roster, this is one of the smaller teams Evans has coached. However, she said the reduced roster size has led to more competition among them, and the team’s expectations remain the same. “SEC is tough,” Evans said. “Our expec-

tations are always that we will host regionals and make a run in the postseason. This is a year where we feel we can position ourselves to do that.” The team overflows with young skill including five driven freshmen who have quickly found a community. Senior utility player Morgan Smith said this year’s youngest players have improved since the moment they stepped on campus. “The freshman class that we have this year … they are all amazing and super talented,” Smith said. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a freshman class that came in and got so involved.” In addition, there is a heavy presence of sophomores who have yet to reach their full potentials. With players like infielder Trinity Cannon, catcher Mayce Allen and infielder Rylen Wiggins, the Aggies have talent at every position. Poytner, who will be entering her fifth season as an Aggie, said these underclassmen will contribute tremendously to the team’s long-

term success. “We are young, but we have a lot of depth,” Poytner said. “90% of our kids can play more than one position, so if someone goes down, we know we have someone that’s ready to jump in.” This team is not gifted solely because of new blood. Adding to the Aggies’ accumulation of talent is senior catcher and utility player Haley Lee. In 2021, Lee sent 25 home runs over the wall, breaking A&M’s single-season home run record. In the same vein, senior pitcher and outfielder Makinzy Herzog helped was instrumental to the Aggies’ scoring last season, leading the team with 46 runs and 15 doubles. It will be important for these seniors to guide their younger teammates to finish and maintain consistency. “We’ve positioned ourselves last year to get some big wins against great opponents, and we need to be better at finishing [games],” Evans said. “We’ve had opportunities where we have the lead in the last inning, and we have let them get away. I want to see us be more consistent in our level of competing since we have all the pieces in play.”

“It’s one of those things that describes, ‘From the outside, you can’t understand it, but from the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.’” MORGAN SMITH, SENIOR UTILITY

Last season, COVID-19 restrictions limited the number of people allowed in Davis Diamond, so younger athletes have yet to witness the 12th Man in full effect. “It is hard to put into words,” Smith said. “It’s one of those things that describes, ‘From the outside, you can’t understand it, but from the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.’ It’s so electric. You can never be prepared for it until you’re there. Even when we travel, there’s nothing like a full Davis Diamond.” A&M softball’s season kicked off on Feb. 11 at the Aggie Classic at Davis Diamond. SEC play begins March 11 at Auburn.

THE BATTALION MAROON LIFE 22

All-American, still swinging

Haley Lee shattered records in 2021, looks to reach new heights By Michael Horton @mhhort

ased on the lofty expectations from past success, the 2021 Texas A&M softball season may seem insignificant from a distance. After watching a promising start in 2020 be uprooted by COVID-19, the Aggies finished the following season without an uproar, carrying a 32-23 record that included an 8-16 record in SEC play and a three-game exodus in the NCAA Norman Regional. Despite the buffer in team success, the 2021 season saw the formation of a strong foundation that has given the squad an im-

measurable ceiling heading into 2022. A key piece of that foundation is Haley Lee. The senior catcher and utility player had a historic 2021, setting A&M’s all-time marks for home runs in a season and led the team in hits, RBIs and slugging percentage. Her efforts were nationally recognized, as she earned All-American Third Team honors and was named Softball America’s Most Improved Player of 2021. Lee’s ascendance as an elite hitter was no surprise to her peers, as she has been one of the most consistent bats on the squad over the last three seasons. However, her journey to this point has been fueled by her growth as a player and leader. Nonetheless, A&M was not Lee’s first option. The Kingwood native was originally recruited to play for the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. However, after then-head coach Michael Lotief’s sudden departure from the program, Lee decided to reassess her recruiting options. A&M coach Jo Evans was already familiar with Lee from recruiting her teammates in the past. When news broke that the catcher had reopened her recruitment, Evans jumped at the opportunity. “I was very impressed with her,” Evans said. “I had that little bit of envy thinking, ‘Man, I wish we would have landed her.’ When we got a chance to talk, I enjoyed her personality and was immediately excited to get the chance to coach her.” Recruits who make their decision early often have a wide span of time to meet with teammates and coaches to acclimate to their new collegiate environment. Since Lee’s change of plans came abruptly, she entered Aggieland without the chance to establish such familiarity. “She committed, and next thing you knew it she was here,” Evans said. “I think she had some catching up to do. She has really figured out who she is and what she wants.” With A&M’s reputation of unique traditions and passionate fans, it can be difficult for a freshman to adjust to the culture without ample time for immersion, and Lee needed time to acclimate. The normally vocal and extroverted catcher was relatively shelled and private during her early time in Aggieland. While her personality needed time to mesh with the dynamic of a collegiate career, her style

of play fell right into place. In just her third game, she earned her first career home run with a three-run blast against Northern Colorado. Lee suited up for 52 of the Aggies’ 55 games during the 2019 campaign, earning 49 starts and totaling a .269 batting average. After her freshman year, she was ready to take the next step toward becoming a force on the field and a character in the locker room. Her sophomore season got off to a fiery start. Lee appeared in each of the Aggies’ first 26 games, recording seven home runs and raising her batting average to .324 for the season. Just as she was beginning to hit her stride as an athlete, the sports world was put on pause. The remainder of the 2020 season was abruptly canceled due to COVID-19, and Lee would have to stifle the peak of her performance for nearly a calendar year. While this was a disappointing moment for her, Lee said it helped her learn to roll with the punches and work with the situation she was dealt. “It was crazy,” Lee said. “I have had to learn to be adaptable. You do not know what is coming around the corner, so being able to be adaptable is i m portant.” While it would have been understandable to rest on one’s momentum during such an unprecedented situation, Lee continued to hone her craft during the time away from competition. After the hiatus, she was ready to go in 2021, and College Station woke a sleeping giant. In 55 starts, Lee amassed 51 RBIs off of 65 hits, 25 home runs and a career-high .422 batting average. Her most dominant performance came when the team needed her most, as she helped to keep the Aggies alive in the NCAA regional against Morgan State with a five-RBI, two home run performance. Even though the season ended on a sour

note with A&M losing to Wichita State in its next game, Lee is prepared to carry the positives into a productive 2022 campaign. Although she crammed the stat sheet in 2021, she wants to improve on more than just her on-field performance in her senior season. “I want to grow as a leader,” Lee said. “We have a lot of younger players on the team and I want to continue to set an example. I want to grow and help to build off of the big season that I had in 2021.” Evans believes Lee has found her voice on the team. She is prepared to make the jump from star player to team leader: a trait Evans believes is more valuable than any accolade on the field. “It has obviously been exciting to see her become an All-American, but it has been even more exciting to see her become the face of our program,” Evans said. “This is one of the most rewarding parts of coaching.”

Photos by Robert O’Brien & Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

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Articles inside

HALEY LEE FEATURE

SOFTBALL PREVIEW

GARY BLAIR FEATURE

BRANDON MILLER

TRACK PREVIEW

JIM SCHLOSSNAGLE FEATURE

BASEBALL PREVIEW

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

KAYLA WELLS FEATURE

TYRECE RADFORD FEATURE