The Battalion: November 14, 2016 by The Battalion

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Members of the Brazos Valley Roller Derby Team practice blocking and jamming with various highspeed drills.

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Morgan Engel — THE BATTALION

WOMEN IN THE DÉJÀ VU RINK

Following a loss to Ole Miss Saturday night, Texas A&M found itself ranked No. 23 in the latest AP top 25 poll.

With two consecutive losses, A&M is on the brink of producing yet another late-season skid

Brian Okosun — THE BATTALION

Brazos Valley Roller Derby Team members use hobby to de-stress

Angel Franco @angelmadison_

ere we go again. The Aggies are on the verge of potentially having the same result as the last two seasons. It seems to be a familiar narrative that faithful A&M fans have seen before; A&M dominating the first half of the season but then falling into a downward spiral following the off week. Just two weeks ago, A&M was 7-1 with their sole loss of the season coming at the hands of No. 1 Alabama. The Aggies had risen through the rankings, knocking off ranked teams like UCLA, Tennessee and Arkansas. They had shown grit and poise in times when it was most necessary. The college football world had taken notice of the Aggies’ emergence, so when it came time for the College Football Playoff selection committee to release its first rankings, the A&M football program found themselves sitting in the coveted fourth spot. The committee’s decision to give the Aggies the No. 4 spot was met with a lot of protest due to the fact that there was an undefeated Washington team which was fifth. It was in A&M’s hands to prove all doubters wrong, with a favorable schedule to close out the season. It was safe to say the Aggies had played themselves into a “New Year’s Six” bowl. However, the events that would unfold in the next two weeks would be a nightmare for the maroon and white. It began in the first play of the game against Mississippi State as sophomore quarterback Nick Fitzgerald took it to the house on a 74-yard run. The No. 4 team in the nation was down to the worst team in the SEC West. However, the nightmare had just begun. In the first half of the game, senior quarterback Trevor Knight injured his throwing shoulder after diving for the end zone. The Aggies would go on to lose their second game of the season, 35-28. With the loss, A&M found themselves at No. 8 in the next installment of the College Football Rankings, a spot that seemed generous to some. However, the Aggies still had a slim chance to find themselves in the talks once again. Then came Saturday. Ole Miss’ starting quarterback Chad Kelly was out for the season with a torn ACL, so the Rebels decided to remove the redshirt off their true freshman Shea Patterson who had 23 Division-1 offers coming out of high school, including Texas A&M. With a commanding 21-6 lead to start the fourth quarter, it seemed as if A&M had spoiled Patterson’s college football debut. However, with an Aggie team that has struggled to close out big games, Patterson and the Rebels mounted the 15-point comeback to take the game and any hopes A&M had to finding their way into the top after three of the top-four teams lost in the same day. A day later, No. 23 A&M sits in fourth place in the SEC West at 7-3, with two games left in the regular season. The Aggies are set to host UTSA Nov. 19 and five days later on Thanksgiving night, No. 16 LSU. A&M has the potential to finish the season 8-4 for the third straight year. Although, not everything is set in stone — there is an eerie feeling in College Station that seems to mirror previous years. All the Aggie faithful can do is sit back and hope for the best. Angel Franco is a telecommunication sophomore and sports editor for The Battalion.

By EmmaLee Newman @Emmy_Lee014

n the rink, they’re engaging, dangerous and entertaining. You may see them skating around Bryan on First Fridays or even on campus. But without the skates on, they might be a teacher, doctor, veterinarian or mom. The Brazos Valley Roller Derby team (BVRD) began in 2009 when a page dedicated to getting a roller derby team in B-CS together was started on Facebook. The women trained for a year — some skating for the first time — until they met the qualifications for the

Women’s Flat Track Derby Association to compete as a team. Rhiannon Thurmond, aka “Fleetwood Smack” in the rink and member of BVRD, said roller derby in the past had been perceived as dramatized — more of a source of entertainment rather than a full on sport. But Thurmond believes it’s a balance between the two. “It’s very much a sport — we have rules, we have regulations, we work our butts off,” Thurmond said. “If we don’t make it to practice, we don’t play. In another aspect roller derby is probably one of the most entertaining sport you could watch.” For people in sports, finding and making time in college can be difficult but still possible. Sonya Jentoff, education graduate student and BVRD member, said it DERBY ON PG. 2

Aggie Muslim community concerned about Trump By Emily Bost @EmmyBost The election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States has spurred a wide range of emotions across the country — from joyful and relieved to fearful and shocked. But Muslim community members and students have categorized themselves firmly as uncomfortable. The community wishes to work through the situation with open dialogue and explanations for their issues with Trump’s rhetoric. Nafe Alsawfta, computer science senior, Muslim Student Association member and Islamic Community of Bryan-College Station treasurer, noted there was a lot of shock and apprehension toward Trump’s election, not only from the Muslim community, but also from a large portion of the American people. “After the things that [Trump] said which could be argued to be racist and xenophobic, they felt that the nation would not elect someone with that specific mindset. Usually when electing a president, people look for someone who would be a president for all the people of this country,” Alsawfta said. Sarah Ahmed, political science junior and MSA member, said many people gravitated toward Trump’s campaign and their hopes, grievances and beliefs for America are just as authentic as her own. However, some of Trump’s rhetoric alienated many minority groups from his campaign.

“On the other hand, Mr. Trump’s campaign was largely based on homophobic, xenophobic and racist rhetoric. Because it was based off of that and now that he is president, his leadership has alienated a lot of us, as minorities and women and people who he mocked and made fun of,” said Ahmed. Mahmoud Yamak, petroleum graduate student and ICBCS member, was shocked to find out Trump had won the election, as Clinton was predicted to win in the polls. Yamak said there is anger in this country and Trump was able to tap into it. “I was shocked and obviously disappointed, because of his consistent record of targeting different people, gender, women, Muslims and people with disabilities. I was surprised that someone of that character can reach the highest position in the country,” said Yamak. Ahmed said Trump’s apathy for discrimination towards Muslims makes them feel unwelcome. Some people are not as fearful of Trump as they are of the citizens who feel empowered by Trump’s rhetoric, according to Alsawfta. “I feel like people may feel empowered to say nasty things out of misinformation. These people have not had the dialogue to understand a different perspective and different struggles people face throughout the country. It’s a wild card. We don’t know what to expect,” Alsawfta said. ELECTION ON PG. 2

Students in classroom, coaches on the field Organization offers coaching opportunities for Aggies By Tyler Snell @Tyler_Snell2

Madeline Sambrano — THE BATTALION

Kinesiology senior James Bradford, vice president of Aggie Coaches and Kinesiology Teachers, explains upcoming events to the coaches.

The whistle blows. High school players trot off the field and form a circle as the coach explains what they did well in practice and what they need to improve on. After practice is dismissed, the coach travels back to campus not to visit his office, but to attend classes. Aggie Coaches and Kinesiology Teachers is an organization on campus which works with the Bryan-College Station community to provide coaching opportunities for

A&M students. Kinesiology senior and president of the organization Tyler Chamless said the club provided a bond with fellow coaches when he transferred to A&M his sophomore year. “I went to one of the meetings and fell in love with it right away and got connected with all of the coaching opportunities from the get go,” Chamless said. “It’s allowed me to build a whole lot of connections with coaches around the area, build my experience, and it’s definitely prepared me for when I leave A&M and get a job in the future.” With the season coming to an end, Chamless, who has coached basketball, football and track, said his favorite memory was his first coach-

ing position as the assistant coach of the track team at KOR Education School in Bryan. “My first opportunity — I was just an assistant with a couple fellow kinesiology majors and we bonded and got real close, not only with the coaches but with the students,” Chamless said. “The following year, I was able to take over as the head coach of the track program, and we had a very successful season.” The organization has biweekly meetings and hosts coaches, kinesiology teachers or athletic directors from around the area to inform members of coaching positions. COACHES ON PG. 2

FROMTHEFRONT

The Battalion | 11.14.16

Brian Okosun — THE BATTALION

The Brazos Valley Roller Derby Team is a colorful and bold group of women comprised of mothers, school teachers and tattooed tax filers.

DERBY CONTINUED

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can be a source of stress relief for anyone looking for an outlet. “When I get really stressed out with school the fact that I can put skates on and take it out on the girls at practice helps relieve the stress and frustration that [I] get at school,” Jentoff said. “If you want to play the game ... you do have to commit. But if you want to skate and have friends that range from all different areas and have an out source from just students then the league would work.” In roller derby, the audience can see a lot of diversity, ranging from body type to skill level to age and gender. Charlotte Chavez, BVRD trainer and “Georgia On Your Spine” in the rink, said roller derby values strength in more forms than just muscle. “You can have any body type and still play roller derby,” Chavez said. “There is a lot of empowerment and girls learn to love their bodies more because of how useful they are no

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Many people in the Muslim community, especially women who wear the hijab, a religious head covering, were fearful after Trump’s election. One student experienced a religion-based attack shortly after the election. “A girl spat on me and called me a ‘fucking towelhead,’” said Maryam Shafiq, general studies sophomore and MSA member. Alsawfta said this is a prime opportunity for minorities to unite and create coalitions to educate people and counter any misguided information. “Nothing worth achieving ever comes easy and this is something worth fighting for and we should not give up. We should have optimism and we should become active,” Alsawfta said. “This should be the catalyst for people to get out there and become active within the political system and within their community. Talk to your neighbors. Talk to your friends. Answer their questions.” Solutions to combat misinformation and stereotypes, such as open dialogue, open mindedness, education and unbiased media coverage, were identified as the top solutions in a survey taken by MSA members. “[Trump] has to unite the nation and create a construc-

matter what their size is.” Allison St. Clair, PhD marine biology student and BVRD member, said reaching out to students in particular is a priority. “Making a presence on campus is one of our number one goals, so when it comes to things like recruitment we really want to get on campus and try to get people’s attention. We’ve done skating on campus before, but we really need to work with the other clubs,” St. Clair said. “I think there are plenty of girls on campus who just don’t know about it, and if they did they could see what we do and they would want to come and play with us.” The league is having a beginner boot camp on Sundays from Nov. 6 to Dec. 18 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Foxhole VFW in Bryan. It costs $60 to be part of the camp and anyone can join in any weekend to learn basics of roller derby. Interested parties can find the group on Facebook under Brazos Valley Roller Derby.

tive dialogue, because a nation divided is a nation that won’t succeed. A nation that is united will definitely prosper,” said Alsawfta. Alsawfta said that his parents instilled a sense of nationalism and patriotism into him and his siblings — one of whom is enlisted in the Armed Forces — throughout their lives. He is among the group of Muslims that is not fearful of Trump’s presidency, because of his faith in the legal system that was set forth to protect all citizens. “I was born and raised in the United States. This is my country. I love my country and I want it to succeed and I am a Muslim. But, unfortunately there has been a lot of misinformation out there about the patriotism of Muslims and what they want for this nation,” said Alsawfta. Syed Zaidi, biomedical sciences junior and MSA member, expresses his hope for the unity and strength of the United States, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. “I hope that the voices of minorities will be heard, and the people of America understand our struggles we are dealing with,” Zaidi said. “I hope people educate themselves and learn about what Islam is truly like, not about how the media might portray Muslims. I hope that our country progresses in the right direction, towards peace, unity and open mindedness. I hope for a better and brighter tomorrow.”

Madeline Sambrano — THE BATTALION

Kinesiology sophomore Jac Cochran (right), recruitment chair, leads a charades game before the Aggie Coaches and Kinesiology Teachers’ meeting.

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“I got involved because I had some friends who knew someone in it and pointed me toward it,” senior kinesiology major James Bradford said. “It’s been a good opportunity to give back to the community and get life experience.” Catherine Sexton was a junior and senior on the KOR Education School track and field team when Chamless coached her and now attends Texas Christian University. Sexton said the dedication the coaches had for her team was truly special. “Sometimes [the coaches] would cut short practice because they had a test to go to in

15 minutes,” Sexton said. “The fact that they showed up early in the morning after late nights of studying showed their dedication to the sport and us.” The Aggie Coaches and Kinesiology Teachers are wrapping up the football season, but many are coaches for basketball and track teams in the Bryan-College Station area that are just starting their seasons. “I know of at least one or two people who are coaching right now who aren’t even kinesiology majors,” Chamless said. “It’s just something that they are passionate for whether that is kids or coaching a particular sport that they were good at and giving back to the community.”

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The Battalion | 11.14.16

Prof heads to prison to teach parenting class Local prison offers inmates a six-week parenting class taught by kinesiology prof, personal trainer By Brad Canon @BradCanon1 For most teachers, education doesn’t leave the confines of the classroom. But for one kinesiology professor it leaves campus and continues in a prison camp. Since the summer of 2014, a partnership has been formed between Texas A&M faculty and the operators of the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan. The partnership began when the Health and Kinesiology Department was reached out to about teaming up on a service learning project for the health of inmates. The partnership has since formed into a six-week parenting class offered to inmates taught by Idethia Harvey, associate professor from the Department of Health and Kinesiology. Megan Giebert, a supervisor for undergraduate courses in the Health and Kinesiology Department and a certified personal trainer, saw the opportunity in 2014 as a chance to help inmates. In the winter of 2014 she went to the prison to begin discussing what kind of health and wellness program would be most beneficial to the inmates. Following the meeting with the prison, the Health and Kinesiology Department appointed Harvey to facilitate a health expo at the prison hosted by Texas A&M faculty and students. “After my initial meeting in December, it paved the way to this health expo and we ended up giving that in March 2015,” Giebert said. “We had about 20 to 30 A&M students go and about five different health stations we set up at different locations on the prison campus.” The event was a success, and it resulted in organizing another expo in the spring of 2016. After spending time with inmates one of the realizations was the need to assist inmates in parenting and relationship building, Harvey said. Harvey and a few students began developing a curriculum to be taught to the inmates over the summer. “During the summer months, we met at least once a month to develop the curriculum for the parenting class,” Harvey said. “It was really organic — we went to the prison camp a couple of times to meet with the health education coordinator and he basically gave us the book they were using … We really created a curriculum with activities and goals.” The classes Harvey and her students have been teaching to the inmates focus on parenting for all ages, Harvey said. Often the issues the inmates have with parenting have more to do with skills such as communication and dealing with their kids individually, and how every child has to be parented based on their own personalities. “I think the reason why I enjoy work within in this prison camp is it really focuses on rehabilitation,” Harvey said. “It is really like giving them a second chance.”

Kevin Chou — THE BATTALION

Kinesiology professor and personal trainer Idethia Harvey (left) goes began teaching inmates at the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan in the spring of 2015. Health senior Alexa Jackson (right), helps teach the classes.

Alexa Jackson, undergraduate associate for Harvey who helps teach the classes, said the classes often become emotional and the situations inmates deal with are hard and inmates look to them to lean on. They don’t have all the answers, but they are there to support them and be the people they can go to, Hamilton said. “There have been a few classes that get real emotionally, and they want to talk about it and they want to bring it up,” Jackson said. “Obviously we don’t have all the answers, but what we’re there for is to be their helpers in times of need for the time being and sometimes that is very hard.”

Although the classes are put in place for the inmates to grow as individuals and as parents, Harvey said she has realized the impact teaching these classes have had on her and how she is no different than the inmates. “Nobody is perfect. For me teaching this class, kind of grounds me, because I can be here doing my research and all the traps of being in academia but this class puts it in perspective,” Harvey said. “No amount of education is going to protect anyone if they make a wrong decision, none of the inmates woke up that morning and said ‘[I’m] going to make a bad decision.”

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