The Battalion: Sept. 8, 2017

Page 1

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2017 STUDENT MEDIA

PAGE 3

PAGE 6

PAGE 3

NEWS: MCFERRIN LEGACY

SPORTS: CHRISTIAN KIRK POSTER

SPORTS: AUSTIN FREY FEATURE

C. Morgan Engel — BATTALION

Aggies have the homefield advantage and look for their first win of 2017 By Heath Clary @Heath_Clary Kevin Sumlin is a perfect 16-0 in home non-conference games, and the Aggies will look to get into the win column for the first time of 2017 Saturday evening against Nicholls State. A week after blowing a 34-point second-half lead against UCLA, A&M hosts the Colonels, who defeated McNeese State 37-35 in Week 1. “I’m confident in how we’re going to bounce back,” Christian Kirk, junior wide receiver, said at Tuesday’s press conference. “I think the most important thing right now it putting it in the past and moving on. We’ve still got a long season ahead of us and there’s no time to dwell.” Kirk has two milestones within reach this weekend. He needs just three receiving yards to become the seventh player in A&M history to amass 2,000 receiving yards, and he is only two catches short of becoming the fourth player in the 170-reception club.

Who will be throwing passes his way is still a mystery after it was announced that Week 1 starter Nick Starkel is out for extended time with a fractured ankle, but all signs point to Kellen Mond getting the bulk of the snaps. The freshman from IMG Academy completed only 3-of-17 passes for 27 yards against UCLA and Sumlin said senior Jake Hubenak will be available to play as well. Safety Donovan Wilson also went down against the Bruins — Sumlin said he might not return this season — leaving a hole in the Aggie secondary that struggled late in last weekend’s loss. “I’m going to have young guys next to me, so I’m going to have to let them know where they need to be and also help them to handle the pressure,” senior safety Armani Watts said. “Losing Donovan is big, but we have guys to step in and play — that’s part of this game.” The Aggies are making it a point to not let criticism of Sumlin and the team negatively affect their play. Blocking out the noise from outside the program has been a constant theme in recent years, and Kirk said this year is no different. “We’re used to it. Since I’ve been here, there’s been criticism constantly from the outside,” Kirk said. “The only thing we NICHOLLS STATE ON PG. 2

A screen grab of Charlene Sumlin’s tweet of a letter the Sumlin family received containing a racial slur Thursday.

EDITORIALBOARD

An Aggie does not hate, lie, cheat or steal

T

System, Sharp has extensive experience as a Democratic politician and a personal connection to some of the communities most directly impacted by the storm. “Raised near Victoria, he represented the region in the Texas Legislature for almost a decade,” the A&M System said in a statement. “He was first elected to the Texas House of

hursday afternoon, Charlene Sumlin posted a picture of a letter the Sumlin family received, threatening Texas A&M’s head coach and calling him a n-----. Let’s call this disgusting letter what it is: Hate. Unabashed and unequivocal, something that should not tolerated at Texas A&M University. While we hope this letter was not written by an Aggie, it is time every single student at Texas A&M takes a stand against those who fundamentally believe things like race, sexuality or religion define you or make you less of a person. The Battalion calls on Texas A&M’s administration to amend the Aggie Honor Code: An Aggie does not hate, lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do. If this amendment cannot be made, then let us as students adopt it into our hearts. While most Aggies who attend this great school do not hate others, there are those who do. It is no longer enough to merely say you are not racist or abhor those who are. Last there was a case of students yelling racial slurs at a group of high school students. This semester alone, a group of students drew racial insults on a Smart TV. Now, this letter. The only way to fix a problem is to acknowledge it, understand it and take concrete steps to address it. As it is with most things in life, it starts with the small things. When you hear that passing comment, masked as a joke, containing racial epithets, don’t laugh. Take it a step further and call it out. If you see someone who is uncomfortable by actions making them feel unwanted, walk up and help them feel at home on this campus. When you see the small aspects of hate rear its ugly head, dig it up at the root.

HURRICANE ON PG. 2

EDITORIAL ON PG. 3

Sharp appointed chair of relief efforts Abbott gives sharp position becaue of his political history and knowledge of relvant subjects By Luke Henkhaus @luke_henkhaus John Sharp, Texas A&M University System Chancellor, has been selected by Gov. Greg Abbott to lead a commission that will coordinate relief and rebuilding efforts in the many Texas communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey. As chair of the Governor’s Commission to Rebuild Texas, Sharp will work closely with local officials and state agencies, ensuring that they have all the resources needed to rebuild critical infrastructure and revitalize the affected areas. “Although the storm is over, the recovery process is just beginning, and it will require a Texas sized response,” Abbott said in a statement. “This new commission, led by Chancellor Sharp, will ensure victims get everything they need, and seamlessly provide resources to these devastated communities. Texas will not rest until this process is complete, and I thank Chancellor Sharp for his leadership on this commission.” Abbott said the chair of the commission should have a keen understanding of a wide range of relevant subjects, including the Texas Gulf Coast region, state finance, the energy industry and engineering. An ability to collaborate effectively with local officials is also critical to the position. “I found all of those attributes in a single person, John Sharp,” Abbott said at a Capitol news conference. In addition to six years of service as Chancellor of the A&M

Via Charlene Sumlin’s Twitter

FILE

John Sharp spoke at Aggies United in Dec. and has been Chancellor at the Texas A&M University system since 2011

"" "

TUE & WED, SEPT 26 & 27 7:30 PM • RUDDER AUDITORIUM strong language, mature themes

W IN W IN NNEERR! ! WINNER! ®

2 0 1 3 T O N Y AWA R D ®

2 0 1 3 T O N Y AWA R D ®

SPECIAL PRICES FOR STUDENTS!

"" — ABC News

ABC News " ——ABC News

MSC Box Office • 979-845-1234 • MSCOPAS.org


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.