The Battalion — November 11, 2021 by The Battalion

Golden opportunities FILE

Several Veterans Day events will be available to the public across Bryan-College Station.

Resources, celebrations for Veterans Day Community to show support on Nov. 11 to those who serve, served By Michaela Rush @Michaela4Batt The 102nd annual celebration of Veterans Day is Thursday, Nov. 11. To remember the service of U.S. military members, Texas A&M and the Bryan-College Station community will host a variety of events from Nov. 11 to Nov. 14. Events: Veterans Day Ceremony Time: Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Location: Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial, 3101 Harvey Road, College Station Hosted by: Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board, the City of Bryan and the City of College Station Cost: Free to attend History in Motion Time: Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Museum of the American G.I, 19124 Highway 6 South, College Station Hosted by: Museum of the American G.I. Cost: $10 per person Recognition of Landis S. Cervenka, Class of 1969 Time: Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. Location: Jack K. Williams Administration Building, 400 Bizzell St., College Station Hosted by: Texas A&M’s Class of 1969 Cost: Free to attend Year-Round Veteran Resources: Veteran Support Office Provides financial assistance and advice, including federal benefits and education abroad benefits, to veterans and their families. Veteran Resource & Support Center “Serving well those who have served” through transition programs, peer leadership, educational programming and veteran community. Those who stop in the office during business hours on Nov. 11 can also enjoy a sweet treat. Aggie Veteran Network Professional network through LinkedIn for Aggie Veterans, providing support in the areas of academic success, financial fitness, community strength and career readiness.

Gabrielle Shreve — THE BATTALION

Over 2,000 students will receive their Aggie Rings on Friday, Nov. 12 during Texas A&M’s second Ring Day of the fall semester.

Upcoming Aggie Ring Day to see students across College Station, Galveston, Law campuses receive rings By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel

or the second time this semester, students will receive their Aggie Rings in Kyle Field’s Hall of Champions. Due to the construction of Aggie Park near the Clayton W. Williams Jr. Alumni Center, where Ring Day is traditionally held, November Ring Day will continue at its alternate location with 2,711 Aggies receiving their gold on Friday, Nov. 12. Publications manager for the Association

of Former Students Cait Shields said the mechanics of Ring Day will be almost identical to those during the September Ring Day. “This is typically the smallest of our three deliveries,” Shields said. “We’ve got about 2,700 recipients who will get their rings on Friday and hopefully have a really good day and leave happy — that’s always our goal.” To put on such a large event, Shields said the Association depends on volunteers such as former students. This November, the event will have over 230 volunteers. “We have a lot of presidents of A&M clubs or class agents who will sign up to volunteer. A lot of professors and staff from campus will [also] come and volunteer, and then we usually have a few staff members as well,” Shields said. “We keep a running list of people who are interested in volunteering, [so if anyone is interested at any time] they can reach out to us.” Education junior Katie Parker said she

has been looking forward to having her ring placed on her finger at 11 a.m. on Friday for a while. “I’ve just been looking forward to the day for so long,” Parker said. “It’s so exciting that it’s finally here, especially because a lot of my close friends got [their rings] in September, so it’s more exciting [thinking] that mine’s officially here.” Parker said although her immediate family will be making the trip to College Station for Ring Day, they will continue to celebrate her accomplishment over Thanksgiving break with more family and friends. Psychology junior Marissa Manzanarez said her Aggie Ring represents all the sacrifices that have been made for her to attend college at A&M. “In my family, [I] was the first one to leave home,” Manzanarez said. “I think [my Aggie Ring is] a big deal for me and for [my family] because they did a lot for me to get here.” Being a military child, environmental geosciences junior Jaren Queja said his mother has been a motivating factor for him as he pursues his degree. “My mom motivated me through her sacrifices in the [U.S.] Army, and I am forever grateful for her giving me a chance at going to an institution of higher learning,” Queja said. “She is very excited [about] my Aggie Ring as it shows my near-completion [of college] and an influence for my little siblings to go to [A&M].” After receiving his new gold on Friday at 4 p.m., Queja said he will have it blessed in holy water at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. “Having a priest [bless my ring helps me to] feel like I’m going to receive more blessings as I continue to strive for my bachelor’s degree,” Queja said. Industrial science senior Ty’Rae Carter said although he was not first planning to get an Aggie Ring, he decided to get one to celebrate his accomplishment. “At first, I wasn’t super hyped about it [because I was focused on] getting my education [and I thought] that’s enough,” Carter said. “After talking to my parents and then just talking to other seniors, they convinced me, so I just feel like getting the ring is enough of a celebration for me.” Carter said he believes his Aggie Ring is a representation of himself. “I am more of a representation of the ring and the ring is a representation of me, just because I’m kind of like an indifferent person at this university, just being a Black engineer,” Carter said. “I also have a lot of hobbies and other things that I do outside of education so I think the biggest thing that this ring is gonna tell people that see [it is], ‘He’s able to do all these different things, but at the end of the day he was able to receive an Aggie education while doing everything else he does.’” Construction science senior Bennett Young said he is looking forward to receiving his Aggie Ring alongside his brother Sean Young, an animal science senior. “We’re actually the first two Aggies in our [immediate] family,” Bennett said. “We’re both very excited, and we’re very RING DAY ON PG. 4

Paying it forward Association of Former Students offers ring scholarships to Aggies By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel

Courtesy of the Association of Former Students

Seniors (left to right) Lydia Prislovsky and Annie Hudson alongside Aggie Ring scholarship donors Steve and Linda Pringle.

College is already quite an expense in itself, but on top of trying to make ends meet, some Aggies also have to worry about how they will afford their earned Aggie gold. After seeing a financial need among students regarding the cost of Aggie Rings, the Association of Former Students created the Aggie Ring Scholarship program, according to its website. Manager of Development Sheila Connor said the program took off in 2013 and now has 197 endowed scholarships as well

as additional scholarships that are provided by donors in conjunction with the Association. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’ve now awarded over 1,500 Aggie Ring scholarships,” Connor said. “[The] number just continues to grow and will get bigger and bigger every single year as the program grows.” Director of Campus Programs Kelli Hutka said students can apply for an Aggie Ring scholarship by completing the continuing student scholarship application, which typically opens in October and closes on Feb. 1. “There is a supplemental question within that that asks, ‘Are you going to be ordering your Aggie Ring in the upcoming academic year?’” Hutka said. “For those students SCHOLARSHIPS ON PG. 4

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The Battalion | 11.11.21

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Announced on Wednesday, Nov. 10, the Texas A&M University System plans to expand reach to downtown Fort Worth on the same land that houses Texas A&M’s School of Law.

Senior Bharti Shahani sustained severe injuries while attending the 2021 Astroworld festival. Bharti currently remains in intensive care.

Astroworld disaster leaves New research campus Aggie in critical condition to open in Fort Worth A&M senior’s family said she was showing no signs of brain activity By Nathan Varnell @newsncv A Texas A&M senior has shown no brain activity after experiencing an injury in the stampede at the Astroworld Festival in Houston, according to KTRK. Bharti Shahani is a 22-year-old undergraduate in electronic systems engineering technology and a Houston native, set to graduate in the spring 2022 semester. She has been in critical condition and on a ventilator since the Nov. 5 concert, her family told KTRK. Shahani, her sister Namrata Shahani and her cousin Mohit Bellani went to the Travis Scott concert together, but lost contact with each other and lost their cellphones when the crowd surged. “Once one person fell, people started toppling like dominos,” Bellani said in the KTRK article. “It was like a sinkhole. People

were falling on top of each other. There were … layers of bodies on the ground, like two people thick. We were fighting to come up to the top and [to] breathe [and] stay alive.” A criminal investigation has since been opened into the disaster, according to KHOU. The criminal probe will target many entities, including concert promoter Live Nation, operators of the NRG park venue, contractors at the event and Travis Scott himself. “I want people to understand what we experienced and to make sure nothing like this ever, ever happens to anyone ever again,” Bellani told KTRK. Bharti’s family told KRTK medical expenses have mounted, and they have set up a GoFundMe to help cover the cost, with over $53,000 raised as of press time. “The doctors, they say the chances of survival are nothing, which I have not even spoken to my wife until now. We keep saying we’ll pray,” Bharti’s father Sunny Shahani told KTRK. “I request all of Houston to pray for her. Maybe the prayers might work as a miracle for her.”

A&M System to add newest campus with additional education programs By Myranda Campanella @MCampanella_ Aggieland North will soon be expanding. The Texas A&M University System announced in a Nov. 10 press release that a new campus will be developed in Fort Worth. Buildings will include a new Research and Innovation Center alongside an Education Alliance Building, adding to the pre-existing campus which houses the A&M School of Law at 1515 Commerce Street. “The shared vision is to create a hub for collaboration between key Fort Worth industries and top research, education and workforce training assets of the Texas A&M System,” the press release reads. “The shared goal is to spur business and job growth in one of the nation’s fastest growing cities and throughout North Texas.” According to the press release, the decision

for this expansion comes as a result of needed economic growth in the area due to a number of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and a growing Fort Worth population. “The A&M System is making a Texas-sized commitment to Fort Worth,” System chancellor John Sharp said in the release. “Welcome to Aggieland North.” The campus will feature new programs in emergency response communication, medical technologies, advanced manufacturing, nutrition, biotechnology, medical laboratory science and nursing, as well as research collaboration with major companies such as AT&T, Lockheed Martin, Philips and more, according to the release. The development plan also features renovations to the current law school. However, approval for this project is still needed from the A&M Board of Regents, the Fort Worth City Council and the Tarrant County Court of Commissioners in order to proceed. For more information on the expansion, including artist renderings of the campus, visit www.tamus.edu/ft-worth/.

CONGRATULATIONS! The Association of Former Students congratulates the 2021 Gathright Phi Kappa Phi Dean’s Excellence Award recipients for their outstanding academic performance at Texas A&M University. 2021 AWARD RECIPIENTS

CONGRATULATIONS! Nearly 2,700 shiny new Aggie Rings will be delivered at the Ford Hall of Champions

Nov. 12 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Aggie Ring Tickets distributed online at:

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE & LIFE SCIENCES

COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Visit tx.ag/RingDay for more information to ensure the best

Eber Villazana ’24

Ananya Pillai ’24

experience for you and your guests. Arrive any time during your 15-minute ticket time slot. Do not arrive early.

Clayton Elbel ’23

Shruti Mavuri ’23

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Ekaansh Kalra ’24

Kevin Yao ’24

tx.ag/AggieRingDayTicket

Celebrate responsibly. The Association of Former Students and Texas A&M encourage Aggies to celebrate this significant moment, but celebrate it responsibly. The Association of Former Students and Texas A&M do not endorse or support any activities involving binge drinking. Current Ring Delivery protocols could change at any moment should government guidelines change. Any changes will be communicated via AggieNetwork.com.

The Association of Former Students is HERE for Aggies during their days as students and former students, THERE for Aggies as they make their way around the world and EVERYWHERE that the Aggie Network needs us to be.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Anita Sumali ’23 MAYS BUSINESS SCHOOL

Layla Rushing ’24

Kade McAdams ’24

Emily Lucas ’23

Joseph Rodgers ’23

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Jose Solis ’23

TEXAS A&M SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Dana Dang ’23

Matilin Rigsby ’23

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

COLLEGE OF NURSING

Connor Bowerman ’24

Alyssa Akomer ’23

Brianna Bishop ’23

RINGCOLUMNS

The Battalion | 11.11.21

Provided

Journalism senior and audience engagement editor Shelby McVey will receive her Aggie Ring at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 12.

Courtesy of Samantha Mahler

Right where I want to be

Journalism senior and arts criticism writer Katen Adams will receive her Aggie Ring on Friday, Nov. 12, at 1 p.m.

Aggie enrolled, Aggie gold Katen Adams @katen_ann

ggie: The name I never thought I would hold. I grew up in Amarillo, a flat yellow landscape of a town with the harsh winds of the Texas panhandle, and little to no green in sight. High school was competitive, and I surely wasn’t in the top 10 percent of my class, but I tried my best with the cards I was dealt. During my last months in high school, I found myself longing for a fresh start, particularly a galaxy far, far away, but I had to settle for eight hours away in College Station. I became a “Blinndergartener,” spending a year and a half at Blinn College. I would often drive from my apartment to class and pass by stunning Kyle Field in awe at the giant maroon and white A&M sign plastered on the southeast side of the stadium. Then, I experienced my first Aggie football game. Why are people holding towels? What is a War Hymn? Who are the men dressed in all white? These are questions I thought to myself, and once I learned the answers to all of them from the friendly Aggies around me, I desperately wanted to be a part of the 12th Man. Texas A&M was never on my radar when it came to school; I never thought I would be accepted until I told myself I would. After I made myself this promise, I drove to James Avery on Texas Avenue and bought myself a cursive “K” ring to remind myself daily of my hard work and what I was striving for. I still wear this silver ring to this day. I found myself happy when it came to school and pursuing what I love most: writing and film. I have my dad to thank for my love of film, his constant support and almost irritating discipline to constantly grow in my skill set. I never would have found my passion for writing if it weren’t for my mother, and every time I feel butterflies when I write an article, I have her to thank for this. Through all the hardships, my

parents have shown me patience and understanding, which I wouldn’t trade for the world. My entire college experience is possible because of the financial and emotional support from my Pop. Sadly, he passed away before I could tell him I made it into A&M, but I know he knows I made it here. Even though he will not be physically present on my Ring Day, I know he is proud of how far I have come. My Pop once said, “When you go to college, go for what makes you happy.” Texas A&M’s foundation is built on tradition, and after spending most of my time as a transfer at this school over Zoom because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been looking forward to this specific tradition for years. As a bittersweet moment, only one person can put my ring on my finger and, as tradition says, it is supposed to be a person of significance in your life. Not everybody at this university can instantly pick the most important person in their life because they all are important. A&M traditions are an amazing experience, but what’s to stop us from making new traditions on top of the old, that can include all sorts of people from different backgrounds? After 90 hours of headaches, latenight study sessions, thousands of cups of coffee and many friendships later, I have officially reached the first real goal I set for myself in life — receiving my Aggie Ring. I am insanely proud of myself and the person I have become. I am thrilled to celebrate and trade my cursive “K” ring for my Aggie Gold at 1 p.m. on Nov. 12. Thank you, Brandon, Maddie, Emma, Makayla, Madison and William — you guys are my rock. Thank you, Kaki, Mema and Papa — your love as grandparents will always guide me. Thank you, Turtle, Lyndsey, Kiki, Jennifer and Colby — as aunts and uncles your joyous spirits have kept me going. Katen Adams is a journalism senior and arts criticism writer at The Battalion.

Texas A&M University Students, Faculty and Staff are invited to attend TUITION AND FEE HEARING for proposed changes to tuition and fees charged for the 2022-2023 Academic Year Monday, November 15, 2021 6:00 p.m. Innovative Learning Classroom Building (ILCB) Room 205

Shelby McVey

@shelbyxbreann

can’t say I’ve waited for this moment my entire life. Growing up, I didn’t have a clue where I wanted to attend college. The only thing I knew about college was that pretty much all of my cousins went to Sam Houston State — which was a big no for me. You know, I had to be different. So when I started my journey as a first generation college student at the greatest university in Texas, you could say the day I would receive my Aggie Gold was pretty far down the list of things I needed to figure out. But the day has finally come, and I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited. I can’t thank my family enough for the encouragement and love they’ve shown me throughout the last three years. They’ve always believed in me, even at my lowest. To my mom and dad, thank you both for everything you’ve given me. The good raising, the opportunities, the encouragement and the support I so graciously needed. To my brother, Colby, thanks for showing up for all

of my “sentimental” moments. To my memaw, thank you for taking me in and supporting me unconditionally, from my senior year of high school and beyond. To my nanaw, I hope you’re looking down on me and smiling, even if I’m not a Bearkat like the rest of the family — I’d say being an Aggie is just a little bit better. And finally, to the rest of my family and friends, thank you for letting me be the Aggie out of all of us. It’s a title I’m very proud to have. Being able to look down and see my very own piece of A&M on my right hand, every day for the rest of my life, is nerve wracking beyond belief. Because with that ring comes the pressure of upholding the values and reputation of a university that has helped shape me beyond the little girl from Madisonville I always saw myself to be. Although wearing my ring will be a huge responsibility to uphold, I’m ready for it. I’m ready to have a physical symbol of my hard work and achievements, because Aggieland is a special place I never saw myself getting to call home. Now let’s see how this ring dunk treats me. Shelby McVey is a journalism senior and audience engagement editor at The Battalion.

LET’S BE FRIENDS Myranda Campanella, Editor-in-Chief Julia Potts, Managing Editor Shelby McVey, Audience Engagement Abbey Santoro, Photo Chief Robert O’Brien, Asst. Photo Chief Aubrey Vogel, News Editor Nathan Varnell, Asst. News Editor Casey Stavenhagen, Sports Editor Jennifer Streeter, Sports Editor Ryan Faulkner, Asst. Sports Editor

Cori Eckert, Design Editor & Business Manager Joshua Howell, Opinion Editor Caleb Powell, Asst. Opinion Editor Michaela Rush, Life & Arts Editor Kathryn Miller, Asst. Life & Arts Editor Annie Wells, Multimedia Editor Lauren Discher, Special Section Editor

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The Battalion |11.11.21

Courtesy of the Association of Former Students

Timothy Cook, Class of 2021, stands alongside his family as he receives his Aggie Ring with scholarship donors Stephanie and Jim Russ.

SCHOLARSHIPS CONTINUED who select they are going to be receiving their Aggie Ring, [they] will be considered for one of the scholarships that would be available and made available through the gift agreement that the individual donor has selected.” With various types of scholarship categories, Connor said there are multiple ways for students to be chosen. “It’s really up to the donors on what criteria is used to select a recipient,” Connor said. “Some donors choose things like kids from their hometown or students with a certain

major in a certain college. Some choose students that are participants in a certain student organization. So, it’s really kind of all over the place.” Hutka said students are typically notified in May if they will receive a ring scholarship. “[Since] eligibility obviously happens at different points in the year for students, they [are] able to come into the Association to order their Aggie Ring [anytime during their ordering period] and let us know that they bought a ring scholarship where we would apply the funds available to prove that scholarship,” Hutka said.

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Scholarships typically are awarded $1,000 for men and $500 for women due to the difference in size of the rings, Connor said. If students choose to get any additional features, Connor said the student is responsible for the additional costs. The scholarship funds are managed by the Association so when students come to order their rings, they will just need to inform the staff member assisting them, Connor said. During Ring Day, donors with endowed ring scholarships are invited to come to a special ceremony where they can meet the student they sponsored and celebrate with them as they get their Aggie Ring. “There’s a lot more interaction with ring scholarships than there are with academic scholarships because Ring Day is such a special thing for the donors to get to be there and see their students get the ring, it’s really special,” Connor said. Hutka said during the presentation of Aggie Rings, many donors are delighted to see the recipient that they funded receive their ring from friends or family members. “The donors are just delighted to be there to see that excitement,” Hutka said. “[Many donors] recall the time when they remember putting on that Aggie Ring and reflect upon the many memories they’ve made themselves, or … that their loved ones have worn a ring.” Hutka said the Association knew many donors would be interested in this program because of what their Aggie Ring means to them. “We knew it was going to be [an] endowment that individuals would be very interested in because it provides that visible symbol of the Aggie Network,” Hutka said. “We’ve had many donors very interested in the endowment because of the tangible aspects of it and also because of the memories that they’ve made with their Aggie Ring. They’re excited to continue that tradition for current students and also to help support current students who may have a financial need to be able to experience that Aggie tradition.” The program has continued to dramat-

ically increase the number of scholarships awarded each year, but Connor said it still has room to grow with the increased number of students with financial need. “We’re adding about 30 endowments per year, so the program’s growing rapidly. [But we are] still not even coming close to meeting the need for financial assistance with scholarships,” Connor said. “But for a fairly new program, we’re getting there and it’s really gaining steam over the last few years.” Connor said the Association is beginning to see students who received a scholarship during their time in college come back to pay it forward by creating their own endowed scholarship. “I do have one student that is already fully funded in [an] endowment. She’s a veteran that was a recipient of a veteran ring scholarship, and as she could she founded her own endowment,” Connor said. “It’s really exciting to see the students who received a ring scholarship paying it forward and supporting other students with the same type of gift.” Those interested in creating an endowed scholarship would need to talk to the Association to set up and choose the criteria for their scholarship, Connor said. “We work with donors, most of them come to us with an interest in the ring scholarship program,” Connor said. “An endowed scholarship has a minimum donation of $25,000 that can be paid out over five years and is fully tax deductible.” Connor said the Association also takes gifts of any amount, which go into a pool of money that is then used to distribute more ring scholarships. If students are not selected to receive a scholarship, the Financial Aid Office offers short-term loans to students who are receiving their Aggie Rings. “Qualified students may borrow funds to assist them in purchasing a basic 10K Aggie Senior Ring,” the financial aid website reads. “You must have completed 90 credit hours at the time of application to be eligible. You may only be approved for one Aggie Ring Loan during your academic career.”

RING DAY CONTINUED

reer with his family cheering him on. “I love that it’s a tradition that everyone knows and respects. It’s a great way to identify it,” Bennett said. “I’m excited for my friends and family to come into town that I haven’t seen in a little while and get to enjoy that this year.” Students receiving their rings should arrive at the Hall of Champions no earlier than 15 minutes before their time slot and bring two forms of identification as well as their Ring Day virtual ticket. Shields said ring recipients and guests will enter on the west side of Kyle Field, with last names A through G entering in the southwest tower and last names H through Z entering in the northwest tower.

proud of one another. I’m really glad that we’re gonna be able to share that experience together.” Bennett said he plans on having one of his former professors, Gary Boldt, place his Aggie Ring on his hand because of the impact he made on his educational experience. “We’ve developed a little bit of a relationship through his class, which was just an extra amount of work — and I learned a ton,” Bennett said. “I was able to always go to him and ask him about both the class as well as the industry that I’m pursuing, which is construction.” Bennett said he is looking forward to completing this milestone of his college ca-

OPINION

The Battalion | 11.11.21

OPINION Creative Commons

In her latest piece, opinion writer Jordan Nixon argues that a lack of proper education over critical race theory only leads to further division between Americans.

Republican race card Opinion writer Jordan Nixon discusses measures to manipulate Critical Race Theory in education

Jordan Nixon @shakejordan

-B-3-9-7-9 I-S P-R-O-B-L-E-MA-T-I-C What do you call the country founded on free speech that encourages introducing “opposing views” of the Holocaust, that passes a bill which prohibits diversity training in the workplace or that bans the use of words like “colorism” or “antiblackness” in school curriculum? U.S.A. U.S.A. U.S.A. Starting well before last week’s mayoral elections, critical race theory, or CRT, fell victim to the slippery language of Republican politicians. CRT is an intellectual movement aimed at the careful analysis of the systemic vestiges of race, a social construct, rather than the individual basis of divisive attitudes and discriminatory rhetoric. CRT is not teaching children that the blood of en-

slaved people pools at their growing feet. CRT does not champion the oppressed African American people. CRT is not the problem here. But don’t tell Sen. Ted Cruz, nor Rep. Steve Toth. You may be reprimanded, or worse, tweeted about. Toth drafted House Bill 3979, also known as the “Texas Classroom Equality Act,” because “we don’t need to burden our kids with guilt for racial crimes they had nothing to do with. Our students are stressed enough already and don’t need one more reason to feel inadequate.” Cruz, however, posits that “the federal government has no right to force a political agenda onto Americans, especially one that aims to tear down our institutions and divide us based on race.” A conversation with either of the two is a guaranteed L. As of spring 2021, Republicans started playing the race card I didn’t know they had. Twenty-eight states have expressed

opposition to teaching critical race theory or speaking to the past and present climate of race in America within the K-12 environment. HB 3979, Texas’s “critical race theory” bill, requires teachers to present all perspectives on “widely debated and currently controversial issues” if they choose to address said topics; Alabama’s HB 11, Arizona’s HB 2898 and SB 1532, and Arkansas’ HB 1231 function similarly. Ask Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the aforementioned legislation is a necessary protective measure from “woke” villains. It extinguishes the inconceivable thought that a particular race and sex is superior to others. He scoffs at the notion that a certain race or sex, *cough* white men *cough* are “inherently racist, sexist or oppressive.” The kicker? Critical race theory isn’t taught in primary or secondary schooling. It’s reserved for the bright minds of higher learning. But here we are standing in the crossfire of blatant censorship shrouded by the shadow of patriotism.

Nothing more patriotic than Senate Bill 3! A bill that regulates the type of texts housed in school libraries and demands teachers refrain from conveying any notion of right or wrong toward American atrocities? Wow. Sticks and stones may break bones, but the truth can harm the fragile grounds upon which beneficiaries of the “we are all equal, both in God’s eyes and our founding documents” mentality have built their blissfully ignorant perception of America. Apparently America isn’t so great when peering through the peepholes of the labor market — or the prison, healthcare and housing systems — as they pertain to Black people in America. CRT is the VR headset through which people can objectively observe the stains of oppression on the bright and blinding white floors of democracy and opportunity. And Republican lawmakers detest it. So much so that Cruz has compared CRT to “klansmen in white sheets,” claiming that each is every bit as racist as the other. It’s reminiscent of 1950s segregationist ideology. The phrase, “extremists on both sides,” once alluded to the Ku Klux Klan and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP. Racism and equality … equivalent? That’s a new one for me. One would hope this kind of thinking died in the face of progress. But even if it did die, it has come back in the thoughts of Cruz — seems like the proper punishment for a fallacious justification for obscenities wreaking of white supremacy. The jig is up, and we have all of the house bills restricting educators from giving students the hot tea on current and past race-based controversy to prove it. Dilute the quality of information and pigeon-hole the means by which it is distributed and, boom, just like that, you have masses of young, misinformed and impressionable minds, susceptible to a misguided understanding regarding the history and true ideals residing at the core of this country. Beware: the next generation of American idealists like Toth and Cruz. If it is indeed understood that critical race theory is dividing America based on race, then its adopters are simply being patriotic. That’s the idea, isn’t it? Jordan Nixon is a psychology senior and opinion writer for The Battalion.

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The Battalion | 11.11.21

FILE

After a disappointing offensive performance by A&M against Auburn, the Aggies will look to capitalize on executing drives against the Ole Miss defense this weekend.

Giving Rebels runaround A&M offense looks to get on track against vulnerable Ole Miss defense By Ryne Ryskoski @rusty_ryskoski_ Despite the win against Auburn, Texas A&M’s offense struggled to finish drives and get into the endzone. That should not be as big an issue against an Ole Miss defense that gives up many yards and points. The Rebels allow the third-most yards per game in the Southeastern Conference at 431 and allow 27 points per game. Junior wide receiver Ainias Smith said the struggles with capping off drives against the Tigers ultimately came down to play execution, and that the offense simply needs to do better in those situations. “I would say we just have to execute,” Smith said. “It all comes down to a mental thing. It’s really about how if you want to win, if you want to succeed as bad[ly] as you say you do, then you [have] got to go out there perform and execute.” A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said his offense will have to deal with a keen Ole Miss defense with the ability to frustrate opponents and induce mistakes with a complex defensive scheme. The unit will also have to deal with a very talented pass rusher in senior defensive lineman Sam Williams, who leads the SEC in sacks with 11. “Pressures, different blitzes, 3-3 personnel, 3-4 personnel, different fronts, different coverages; it’s a different setup defensively,” Fisher said. “You really [have] got to study and examine how they do it and what they do. They’ve got 17 turnovers total, seven interceptions and recovered 10 fumbles, but forced 23. I mean, they’re getting their hands on the ball and being very opportunistic.” A&M’s offensive line will yet again be an important part of the game plan, as the run game progresses on Saturday against Ole Miss’ second-worst SEC rushing defense. Junior offensive lineman Kenyon Green said the group has grown well since its early season struggles.

FILE

The Ole Miss Rebel’s offense will test the strength of the A&M defense during the Saturday, Nov. 13, matchup in Oxford, Miss.

“I felt like everybody just took a step in the right direction,” Green said. “You know, at first it was a little shaky, but we just kept working and kept preparing and the results were showing, everybody’s buying in.” Fisher said this matchup is significant because of the night game environment at Ole Miss. The Aggies as a whole will have to be locked in and prepared to deal with a hostile crowd. A&M has only played one true road game this season at Missouri. “We’re getting better, and we better [continue to], because we play a heck of a team on Saturday,” Fisher said. “Ole Miss, playing up there, it’s tough. That night game’s tough. Lane [Kiffin] does a good job coaching them. They’ll be ready to play.” Perhaps an unnoticed positive that came out of the offense’s performance against Auburn was that redshirt sophomore quarterback Zach Calzada gained his teammate’s trust and admiration even more after returning from a shoulder injury. Fisher said the team recognizes that competitiveness, and it inspires them to play even better. “Zach [Calzada is one] tough son of a gun,” Fisher said. “I tell you what, the team responds to that. They love it. And that’s the way that your leader of your team’s got to be, the guy taking those snaps. When he does that, it’s tough. And they played really well when he got back in there.” Green also said seeing Calzada’s fight and determination inspires, and that it makes Green proud to be someone tasked with protecting him. “I feel like, you know, just him doing that, just him, just being focused into the game like he is, you know, just brings me great joy knowing I have a quarterback that loves the game like that,” Green said. “You know, he’s putting his body on the line to win.” A&M and Ole Miss kick off their 12th matchup at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on ESPN. The Aggies have won the last three meetings and lead the series 8-3.

Corral-ling Mississippi Highly-ranked A&M defense hopes to continue success against Rebels By Jordan Epp @j_epp22 Oxford, Miss., has been rallying around the new star quarterback who has put No. 12 Ole Miss back into the national spotlight. Texas A&M will need to find a way to slow him down in this top-15 matchup. The Ole Miss Rebels’ high-powered offense is fourth in the SEC in scoring, averaging nearly 38 points per game. They not only average the most total yards per game of any team in the conference, but sit at fourth in the nation with 524.2 yards per game. This electric offense is led by head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby as well as junior quarterback Matt Corral. Corral, who sits top-3 in Heisman odds, has 2,527 passing yards and 528 rushing yards this year, accounting for 26 total touchdowns with just two interceptions. “[We’re] going to do our best job to contain it,” A&M’s freshman linebacker Edgerrin Cooper said. “Do our jobs, keep our eyes on him and just make the plays.” A threat in both the passing and running game, A&M’s defense will look to contain Corral. While part of what makes Corral special is his ability to create plays out of structure and throw passes off-platform, he is more prone to mistakes while under pressure. The Aggies have not struggled at rushing the quarterback this season and will likely continue this trend against the Rebels. A&M is tied for second in the SEC in sacks, with 28 on the season. Five different Aggies have accounted for more than one sack, and senior defensive lineman Tyree Johnson leads the way. Johnson has enjoyed a breakout campaign this year and has eight sacks thus far.

“I already was capable of this,” Johnson said, “Just this year it’s really starting to come together for me. Mixed in with the experience, film study and having guys on my team like [graduate and junior defensive linemen] Micheal Clemons and DeMarvin Leal, it really motivates me and drives me.” The talent on the Ole Miss offense starts with Corral, but does not end with him. While their passing attack has received all the praise, the Rebels quietly average the second most rushing yards per game in the SEC. Sophomore running back Henry Parrish Jr. leads the team’s running trio in rushing yards, junior Snoop Conner leads them in rushing touchdowns and sophomore Jerrion Ealy leads the Rebels in yards per carry. “Everybody thinks of them throwing the ball, but their running numbers are through the roof,” A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said. “They’re very deceiving about the run game. They pound you in that run game.” Besides Arkansas, Ole Miss is the only team in the SEC to have three running backs with over 400 rushing yards. Furthermore, all three of them average over five yards per carry. The team averages 237.9 rushing yards per game, and the trio has combined for 16 rushing touchdowns. A&M’s rushing defense was susceptible to strong rushing attacks early in the season, but has seemed to turn a corner recently. While Auburn’s sophomore running back Tank Bigsby showed flashes against the Aggies in their Week 10 matchup, he was held to just 69 yards on the ground. The Rebels’ trio of runners will once more function as a litmus test for how much this unit has improved for the Aggies. The two teams, both 7-2, will face off in Oxford, Miss. The Aggies are 1-0 on the road, having played both Colorado and Arkansas in neutral sites, while the Rebels are 5-0 at home. The game kicks off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13.

WEEK 11: STAFF PICKS Texas A&M vs. Ole Miss Saturday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. on ESPN

Myranda Campanella

Editor-in-Chief @MCampanella_

Ol’ Army doesn’t Miss.

Julia Potts

Managing Editor @juliaapotts

This is based on pure stats, sorry.

MYRANDA Cori Eckert

JULIA CORI

Design Editor @corieckert

Calzada is the only Hotty Toddy I care about.

Jennifer Streeter

Co-Sports Editor @ryanfaulk03

88.1 percent of those who apply to Ole Miss get accepted ... just saying.

JENNY Nathan Varnell

NATHAN

Asst. News Editor @newsncv

We “thank God for Mississippi” for a reason.

KATHRYN

Kathryn Miller

Asst. Life & Arts Editor @kathrynmiller0

Their Barstool account is dedicated to encouraging students not to leave the game before halftime...

SPORTS

The Battalion | 11.11.21

Home runs of hometown hero Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Heading into her sophomore season, College Station native Bre Warren returns to Davis Diamond with a newfound sense of confidence and mental toughness.

All-SEC freshman Bre Warren prepares for sophomore season By Michael Horton @mhhort It was an abnormally windy Sunday afternoon at Davis Diamond in College Station, and Texas A&M softball was facing No. 23 South Carolina in the final match of a triple header. With no one on base and one out on the board in the bottom of the first inning, freshman Bre Warren stepped up to the plate on March 26. With a 2-2 count, Warren smacked the ball into right field and watched intently as it sailed over the fence through the strong winds for the game’s first points. This moment was critical for the team, as it paved the way for a narrow 2-1 victory to complete a sweep against the Gamecocks. It was an even more special moment for Warren, who had just secured the first home run of her collegiate career. To top it all off, she would be awarded SEC Player of the Week four days later. Warren went on to hit two more home runs for the Aggies during her freshman campaign. The outfielder also batted .308 and earned SEC All-Freshman Team and SEC Second Team selections.

While Warren’s freshman heroics and local high school career made her a College Station standout, her relationship with the Bryan-College Station community extends further than many other popular athletes. Her father, Ty Warren, attended A&M and chose to stay in the area to raise Bre and her five sisters. Growing up near the A&M softball program allowed Bre to become familiar with the staff at a relatively young age. Bre was 11 years old when she first met A&M softball coach Jo Evans. Evans, who has coached the A&M softball team since 1997, said she first saw Bre play because her teammate’s mother was on the A&M faculty. Over the years, Evans has built a strong bond with Bre and the Warren family. Evans said their family’s bond made Bre a great fit for A&M’s culture. “It was fun recruiting Bre,” Evans said. “It always seemed like a good fit because of their family values. They’re very loyal and care about each other. They are really a tight, tight-knit family. That’s right up our alley at A&M.” Despite her direct connections to Aggieland, Bre was not always sure she wanted to stay home for her collegiate career. Bre had a decorated softball career at College Station High School. The school’s softball team was ranked among the top 100 pro-

grams in the country during her four years as a varsity athlete, peaking at No. 9 during her senior season. She also spent all four years on the school’s varsity volleyball team and showed cattle in Houston, Austin and San Antonio. The recruiting rules at the time allowed for Bre to begin receiving collegiate attention at a very young age; she was hearing whispers as early as her seventh grade year. Like any 13-year-old would, she focused on the flashy uniforms and gigantic facilities. However, after several unofficial visits, she said she began to look toward the long-term benefits of attending a college that also fit her academic and social interests. “I started to mature more in my decision and think about what I wanted to do in school and in life after college,” Bre said. “My parents weren’t going to let me commit in middle school, and I think that kept me from making a really premature decision.” When it finally came time to choose where she would spend the next four years, Bre had many options from which to choose. She had received offers from all across the Southeastern Conference, as well as teams like Washington, Oregon and Florida State. Although Bre’s parents are fond of the College Station area, they did not want her hometown to play a factor in where she decided to commit. Bre’s parents said they wanted to make sure

she knew it was her decision and that she had their support regardless. “It actually surprised us that she chose A&M because of the real interest elsewhere in other top programs,” Ty and Kesha Warren said in an email to The Battalion. “Proximity was the only real parental concern, but that still had no real impact on her decision. We would travel anywhere for our kids.” Despite the nationwide interest, Bre ultimately decided to stay home and committed to be an Aggie. Although her family emphasized to her they did not want to factor into her decision, she ultimately decided to stay close to home for them. A self-admitted homebody, Bre chose to stay in close proximity to her parents and her younger sisters. Now that she has completed her freshman season, she is focused on improving her game and continuing to flourish in the ever-competitive SEC. The team has downsized compared to the rosters of previous seasons, sporting just 18 players. This small size will allow a higher percentage of players to see significant action, and Evans suspects this will help to form a more cohesive and productive squad. The team will also have more opportunities to build chemistry off the field, as the 2020-2021 season was marred by tight protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bre said she learned a lot about herself as a player during her freshman year. Along with the physical intensity of SEC-level competition, she also had to learn the confidence and mental toughness that is needed to be a collegiate athlete. She has now cleared those early hurdles, and thus her goals are more team oriented. “We’re worried about building each other up as a team,” Bre said. “I’m focused on working to get everybody close together, especially the new freshmen. Last year, we had [the pandemic], so this year, it’s more important to learn how people are on and off the field. We didn’t really have that team bond outside of travel, so I think having that this year will make us stronger.” All the pieces are falling into place for a big season from A&M softball, and Bre will undoubtedly be a big part of the program this season. Regardless of what happens going forward, her parents said they will look back at that first home run as the sign of something special being built. “It has been fun to witness and look forward to her growth,” the Warrens said in the email. “We are excited about what we have seen so far. She is a humble, fun-loving kid, and our proud moments are truly unconditional.”

SPORTS

The Battalion | 11.11.21

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 11 This week in the Southeastern Conference features eight matchups as teams gear up for the final stretch of their seasons. Even though the College GameDay featured matchup is No. 11 Texas A&M travelling to Oxford, Miss., to face No. 12 Ole Miss, there are a number of other intriguing games on this week’s slate. No. 16 Auburn hopes to

By Brad Bennett @Brad_Bennett13

bounce back from its loss at Kyle Field as they face off against Mississippi State, and LSU is trying to keep its bowl aspirations alive as the team hosts Arkansas. No. 1 Georgia also hopes to take care of rival Tennessee in Knoxville in the Bulldogs’ quest for an undefeated season.

No. 1 Georgia (9-0) at Tennessee (5-4)

Arkansas (6-3) at LSU (4-5)

Saturday, Nov. 13 - Neyland Stadium - Knoxville, Tenn. 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS

Saturday, Nov. 13 - Tiger Stadium - Baton Rouge, La. 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network There is a possibility Ed Orgeron’s tenure at LSU could conclude without taking part in a bowl game. LSU has to win two of its remaining three games in order to reach the required six win threshold. Last week, the Tigers played No. 3 Alabama closer than expected, only losing 20-14 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Junior running back Tyrion Davis-Price ran for an impressive 104 yards but did lose a fumble, leading to what ended up being a decisive Crimson Tide touchdown. Arkansas defeated the aforementioned Mississippi State Bulldogs 31-28 to get its

sixth win of the season. The Razorbacks’ offense racked up yards in multiple ways in their victory. Junior receiver Treylon Burks caught six passes for 82 yards and a touchdown to continue his standout 2021 campaign. Sophomore running back Dominique Johnson led the way on the ground with 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Expect LSU to once again keep it close but come up short because the team lacks the weapons to keep up with Arkansas’ balanced offense.

Georgia’s defense continued to play at a historic level in its 43-6 win over Missouri. The Bulldogs have yet to allow 14 points on the season, with it giving up 13 points to South Carolina and Kentucky. Senior quarterback Stetson Bennett continued his strong play with two touchdowns and 255 passing yards in last week’s victory as he tried to keep hold of the starting job from junior quarterback JT Daniels. On the other side of the field, Tennessee defeated Kentucky 45-42 last week in its best per-

formance of the season. The majority of its offensive output came from senior quarterback Hendon Hooker. Hooker threw for 316 passing yards on just 20 attempts and also had four touchdown passes. Despite Tennessee’s sudden offensive output, it has a much more difficult challenge this week. Georgia’s defense should stifle the Volunteers’ aerial attack and Bennett should have some success in passing opportunities once the Bulldogs establish the run. Expect Georgia to win in blowout fashion. Prediction: Georgia 38, Tennessee 10

Prediction: Arkansas 31, LSU 21

Mississippi State (5-4) at No. 16 Auburn (6-3) Saturday, Nov. 13 - Jordan-Hare Stadium - Auburn, Ala. 11 a.m. CT on ESPN

Auburn is coming off a 20-3 defeat at the hands of A&M in large part because its offense was stifled by the A&M’s defense. The Tigers turned the ball over twice, one of which was returned for the game’s lone touchdown, and only managed 226 yards of total offense. Junior quarterback Bo Nix’s up-and-down career has continued into his third season as the starter. There are games where he looks great, such as Ole Miss, and there are others where he gets benched, like against Georgia State. It’s difficult to predict which Auburn offense will show up, which is in large part due to Nix’s performance. Mississippi State, coming off a 31-28 loss to

Arkansas, took an unfortunate turn of events for a team with hopes of climbing from their surprising 17th position in the initial CFP rankings. On a brighter note, sophomore quarterback Will Rogers is coming off 417 yards passing and four touchdowns as he continues to put up impressive stats in Mike Leach’s offense. In this game, expect the winner to be the team that dominates time of possession. Despite being on the road, Mississippi State should pull out the victory and force Nix to beat them through the air if it takes advantage of an Auburn secondary that benefited from a number of drops last week. Prediction: Mississippi State 38, Auburn 31

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SPORTS

The Battalion | 11.11.21

Putting new spin on A&M Athletics

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Since 1990, the Aggie Dance team has been a proud supporter of Texas A&M Athletics. As of 2021, the student organization is now recognized under the athletics department.

team’s name across such a large university. The team is also led by captains kinesiology senior Hannah Broussard, kinesiology senior Callie Davenport and management senior Isabella Villanueva. Broussard said she greatly admires the time Leifer has invested in advancing the squad. “She wanted to have Aggie Dance Team bigger in the university,” Broussard said. “Since she has [coached us], we have taken [the] dance team a lot more seriously, and she has given us a lot more opportunities. It was her ultimate goal for us to go to Nationals, and she made that happen last year.” In addition to supporting other A&M athletes, the team prepares year-round to compete in the National Dance Competition each spring in Orlando, Fla. At the 2021 competition in April, the team took home two national titles for their jazz and team routines and also won the battle for D1A. Davenport said she felt the team was well-supported in their return to competition. “It really felt like all of our hard work paid off.” Davenport said. “We worked really hard as a team to pull that off with it being our first time competing in [20 years]. The university was behind us, and we really felt supported from home.” The team’s season starts with an extensive tryout process, with the dancers displaying their talents in hopes of wearing maroon and white. After final selections, the team is comprised of 22 of the best dancers at A&M. Communication sophomore Farris Dees said she never thought she would continue

Aggie Dance Team continues proudly representing A&M spirit, Core Values By Kay Naegeli @KayNaegeli With every turn, kick and move it makes, the Aggie Dance Team, or ADT, exhibits what it means to have Aggie Spirit and elevates the deep-rooted traditions of Texas A&M. A normal weekly practice for the dance team begins at 5:30 a.m., walking into Reed Arena, fueled by caffeine and a passion for dance. After 5:50 a.m. bleacher running and stretching, repetitive eight counts consume the majority of practice. Jumping from dance to dance, the dancers’ memorization skills are on full display. Founded in 1990, the Aggie Dance Team started as a student organization, but later shifted to a Texas A&M Athletics support group in 1995. As of 2021, the Aggie Dance Team is the official dance team under the Texas A&M Department of Athletics. The team now has access to a variety of trainers and specialists that keep the team members healthy and help them to perform injury-free. Amy Liefer, four-year head coach, leads the 22 women on the team. Coach Liefer graduated from Auburn and was a five-year member of the Atlanta Falcon Cheerleaders. Her background in choreography and dance advances her team’s talent and has successfully achieved her goal of popularizing the dance

tary schools and provides clinics taught by coach Liefer. As men’s and women’s basketball seasons kick off, the dance team has perfected their sideline routines and court dances that they perform during timeouts. The team plays the heaviest role at basketball games and have even traveled to March Madness tournaments in the past. In addition, the team performs at select home volleyball games throughout the fall at Reed Arena. Adding to all their other athletic contributions, team members scan tickets at home soccer matches and greet spectators with a welcoming Aggie smile. Outside of dance, the team also gets to represent A&M in many other ways. At football games, the dancers walk the flags onto Kyle Field right before the team runs out. With over 100,000 fans looking down at the field, the electric atmosphere is contagious, and economics sophomore Sara Thomas said it is a moment she will never forget. “I was in tears the first time we did it,” Thomas said. “In the tunnel, everything is echoed and it is so loud. You can see the hundred thousand people, and it [is] such an insane feeling.” Not only is this the ADT’s first year under the athletics department, but they are beginning to dance at sports that once seemed like a distant dream. New baseball head coach Jim Schlossnagle reached out to Liefer about the dance team performing like they did during his time at TCU. For the first time ever, the girls of Aggie Dance will perform on the dugouts at regular season home baseball games, continuing their support of all of A&M Athletics, and are excited for the new opportunity, Davenport said. “We are very excited to dance at the baseball games just because that is something that was never something that was on any of our radars,” Davenport said. “We never really expected that to happen, so the fact that we get to do that this year is really exciting for us, and I think will open more doors at this university.” A&M is rooted in rich history and tradition, and the Aggie Dance Team continues to represent all the Core Values of A&M while finding a way to make its own mark. Liefer said her favorite part about the dance team is hard to pinpoint. “[My favorite part] changes every year,” Liefer said. “I really just love being their coach.”

her dancing career in college. “If my younger self saw that I was dancing for one of the biggest schools in Texas, I would be so proud of myself for going after something that I was passionate about,” Dees said. “Being a member of the Aggie Dance Team has given me so many opportunities that I never imagined I would have.” Dating back to 1907, one of the most wellknown traditions in Aggieland are the Yell Leaders, who are responsible for boosting the morale of all A&M games and embodying the spirit of the 12th Man. It often comes as a shock to outsiders when learning that A&M does not have sideline cheerleaders. Although the Aggie competitive cheer team has had great success in recent years, engineering sophomore Elizabeth McFarlane said ADT’s spirited role at the university has found its own way to stand out. “I think as a group we just really love supporting the Aggies,” McFarlane said. “It is so great to be around all the people that I love and to be able to support A&M in any way that they allow us to.” The team has come a long way from a support group as they now perform at all men’s and women’s home basketball games, select volleyball matches, on dugouts Rides between cities. at home baseball games and First ride is free! CODE: AGSWIN6 help out at football games and soccer matches. The ridehitch.com team also makes appearances at tailgates, local elemen-

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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

Robert O’Brien —

THE BATTALION

41-yard 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 their throwing an interceptionwas 10 for 10 Achane Nick Saban’s previous teammates.” in the middle amount said he was in disbelief with the At halftime, of the second quarter. record against his former of open green available assistant coaches was room trailing Alabama went into the locker to him. 24-0, with Texas “There is not a harder on the scoreboard “I couldn’t believe A&M head coach for position it the because first time in sports so big,” the hole was since Oct. 17, 2020, Jimbo Achane said. “After when the Tide took to play than quarterback,” Fisher said. scoring that, the “[I’m] very proud of Zach. 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.

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 — Alabama’s because “someone Nick Saban. After going to do it, in time.” was 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.

“Learned so much during my time there and definitely made lifelong friends. Wouldn’t be who I am today without my time at The Batt.” Doug Fuentes, ‘01, Journalism Registered Nurse/Assistant Nurse Manager, Baylor Scott & White “The Batt is where I learned my craft and caught the journalism bug. Hopefully many more generations will get the same opportunity.” Matthew Watkins, ’08, Political Science Managing Editor for News and Politics, Texas Tribune “I would not be the journalist I am today or have the goals I do now if it wasn’t for The Battalion. These students are the future of news. We need them.” Chevall Pryce, ’17, University Studies/Journalism Reporter, Houston Community Newspapers

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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 with different cultures and backgrounds — it 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 Content warning: This article discusses sexual violence and predatory behavior.

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 environwould be “very saddened, but INCOMING FRESHMEN 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 Junior Account Executive, Revolut “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

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Seeking revenge on Mississippi

Ishika Samant — THE BATTALION

Just shy of a top-10 ranking, No. 11 Texas A&M will face off against the No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels on Nov. 13 in a closely matched game that marks the Aggies’ second meeting with a Mississippi team this season.

No. 11 Texas A&M looks to increase post-season prospects this weekend against Ole Miss Rebels By Kay Naegeli @kaynaegeli

exas A&M has defeated both of the state of Alabama’s SEC opponents and is now preparing to settle the score with the state of Mississippi. On Saturday, Nov. 13, No. 11 A&M will travel to Oxford, Miss., to take on No. 12 Ole Miss with ESPN’s College GameDay in attendance. The Aggie’s last altercation with a Mississippi team resulted in a 26-22 loss to Mississippi State, and A&M looks to get revenge. The Week 11 matchup against Ole Miss will be a back-to-back top15 battle for the Aggies. Although the matchup was unable to happen last year due to COVID-19, the Aggies have a record of dominating the Rebels, 9-1. The Aggies’ only loss came in 2015 when A&M lost 23-3 at Ole Miss under then-A&M

head coach Kevin Sumlin. In the recent 20-3 win over Auburn, the resiliency of redshirt sophomore quarterback Zach Calzada shined through after exiting the game with a dislocated shoulder. The play-caller appeared to be in pain. However, medical staff popped his shoulder back into place, and he returned the next drive as good as new. Similarly, he suffered a knee injury against Alabama, but that did not prevent him from leading his team to a 41-38 upset. Fans have now nicknamed Calzada the “glow stick” because he has to be “broken before he shines.” Junior offensive lineman Kenyon Green said Calzada’s toughness makes him the kind of quarterback everyone wants to play for. “He’s putting his body on the line to win. Anybody that would do that … I’m ready to protect him,” Green said. “[It] just brings me great joy knowing I have a quarterback that loves the game like that.” In the Aggies’ last three wins, A&M’s running backs, junior Isaiah Spiller and sophomore Devon Achane, have combined for over 200 rushing yards. In addition to A&M’s prominent run game, junior tight end Jalen Wydemeyer and junior wide receiver Ainias Smith continue to impress the stat sheets, each

Ishika Samant — THE BATTALION

After a rocky start to the football season, redshirt sophomore quaterback Zach Calzada has found his groove, and Kyle Field is taking notice.

‘Made of steel’ Quarterback ‘Glowstick’ Calzada has shown resiliency in conference play By Ryan Faulkner @ryanfaulk03 With the score still knotted at three against one of the best teams in the nation, Kyle Field was electric. Fans, from the sideline to the third deck, yelled as loud as they could; the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band blasted anthems of energy through the stadium; the hairs on the necks of those in attendance stood at attention. But one play changed everything. In a heartbeat, Kyle Field went silent. Aggies stepped “off the wood,” and a blanketing wave of paralysis overtook the student section. Nobody moved in fear of worsening the situation. Finally, one young man broke through the quiet, shouting at the top of his lungs. Moments later, thousands of others joined in, and in no time, all of Kyle Field was chanting the starting quarterback’s name as he was helped

off the field. After two false starts and a holding penalty moved the Aggies back into a second-and-23 situation, redshirt sophomore quarterback Zach Calzada was feeling the pressure. A runpass option went south when Calzada called an audible and held onto the ball, forcing the quarterback to scramble for 10 yards before attempting to steamroll Auburn senior safety Smoke Monday. The carry did not play out as Calzada intended, and the young play-caller left the game with a dislocated shoulder. Having seen Calzada’s speed on full display every day in practice, senior defensive lineman Tyree Johnson said he didn’t understand why the sequence on the field played out as it did. “Zach’s a pretty fast guy,” Johnson said with a laugh. “I was thinking, ‘Why [didn’t he] just run past the guy?’” Others on the team, such as freshman linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, chose not to dwell on the play. The priority was to focus on the then-current drive, as victory was still attainable for either team at that point, Cooper said.

averaging over 10 yards per catch. “This is a really good team we’re playing with great players, arguably the best personnel team we’ve played this year,” Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said. “I think this year is it. These guys have elite, elite players.” A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko and his arsenal of athletes have propelled A&M to the No. 2 scoring defense in the country. Last week, A&M’s defense alone scored more points than Auburn and shut down junior quarterback Bo Nix. Ole Miss has yet to face such a pressurizing defense this season, and A&M’s healthy defensive lineup will ensure the Rebels feel the fire. Sophomore linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, who heavily contributes to A&M’s lights-out defense, said Elko’s criticism elevates his level of play. “[Elko] just keeps on top of me,” Cooper said. “He’s an honest man, [and] he’ll let you know what it is. He knows the potential I have, so he pushes me as far as I can go.” In contrast, Ole Miss’s versatile and powerful offense may catch A&M off-guard. The Rebels average 37.8 points a game and junior quarterback Matt Corral’s arm and ability to scramble has placed him in the Heisman candidate discussion.

Senior wide receiver Dontario Drummond leads the Rebels receiving corps with 658 yards this season; however, the Rebels can do damage on the ground as well. Ole Miss has three running backs with over 400 yards, with A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher saying this sneaky element of the Rebels’ play is often overlooked. “That’s what’s deceiving about that run game. They pound you in that run game,” Fisher said. “They’re very well-balanced, and the scheme and schematics from their coaches, they know how to call it.” Another well-schemed plan of attack is Ole Miss’ spread-out defense, which has been known to cause confusion for inexperienced quarterbacks. The Rebels’ line and secondary is explosive when applying coverage but is just as quick to flee to a scrambling QB. Ole Miss leads the SEC in sacks and tackles, so A&M’s offensive line will have a tough job keeping them away from Calzada. However, if Ole Miss’ pressure injures “the glow stick,” history may repeat itself and not end in Ole Miss’ favor. The SEC West showdown will kickoff at 6:00 p.m on Saturday, Nov. 13, in Oxford, Miss.

“Some things just happen in a game. At that point, it’s the next person up,” Cooper said. “Whatever the circumstance is, we have to just finish through.” And the Aggies were prepared to do exactly that. Freshman walk-on quarterback Blake Bost came into the game, ready to fight for Texas A&M’s fourth-consecutive Southeastern Conference victory. Bost didn’t get long to shine, however, as he returned to the sideline without attempting a single pass. In a matter of two plays, Calzada — with the help of the athletic training staff — had popped his shoulder back into place and was ready to return to action. After once again taking his place behind the center, Calzada helped the Aggies finish the drive and take the lead with a field goal by senior place-kicker Seth Small. Auburn never tied the game after that point, eventually letting the Aggies secure the 20-3 win. Head coach Jimbo Fisher said key moments — such as overcoming a serious injury within minutes — is what sets Calzada apart from other quarterbacks in the SEC. “Zach is a tough son of a gun,” Fisher said. “He got back in there, and I tell you, the team responds to that; they love that. That’s the way the leader of your team has got to be: The guy that’s taking those snaps.” And this wasn’t the first time this season the maroon and white saw this scenario play out. In A&M’s matchup against then-No. 1 Alabama earlier this season, Calzada was helped off the field with what looked like a season-ending injury to his leg, leading many fans to believe a Crimson Tide victory was all but guaranteed. But in true Calzada fashion, the quarterback didn’t stay down for long, as he was somehow ready to play again on the next drive. The Aggies went on to kick a field goal as time ran out, winning 41-38. As the saying at A&M goes, “If something happens twice, it’s a tradition.” And Calzada seems set on establishing a tradition of his own: leaving a football game with a serious injury before returning and leading A&M on a game-winning drive to defeat a top-15 opponent. To happen once is impressive. To happen twice is legendary. “I’m convinced he has a skull made of steel,” The Crimson White sports editor Ashlee Woods told The Battalion via direct message on Twitter. This reputation in turn earned Calzada the moniker of the “glow stick” of college foot-

ball, as he seemingly shines brightest after first being broken. Still proud of the signal-caller, junior Kenyon Green said protecting quarterbacks like Calzada is the reason it is satisfying to fill the position of offensive lineman on a collegiate football squad. “You see him when he’s out there. He’s into the game,” Green said. “Him doing that — him being focused and into the game like he is — brings me great joy.” Calzada’s actions have not gone unnoticed, and he has now set a standard for other offensive players on the team to follow on a daily basis, junior wide receiver Ainias Smith said. “That’s just the type of guy he is. He’s never going to back down,” Smith said. “There’s no room for error in the SEC. Anything can happen. You always have to bring your A-game, and … I’m expecting to score every drive.” Calzada was recruited by Fisher in high school, allowing the coach to evaluate the Under Armour All-American player on a long- term timeline. During his time at Lanier High School in Sugar Hill, Ga., the quarterback scored 40 total touchdowns while passing for 3,429 yards, so Fisher said he knew Calzada had “great arm talent.” What Fisher said he couldn’t predict was Calzada’s mental fortitude and grit. “He was very competitive. He was banged up his senior year, and he took a team that didn’t have a lot of great players to a state semi-final on his back,” Fisher said. “I saw a competitor, but you don’t really realize a guy’s toughness until you get a hold of him and coach him yourself.” Now A&M is on track to finish the season with what may become a seven-game win streak and wins over three ranked opponents, all earned with Calzada at the helm. Regardless of these wins or losses, Fisher said something even more important has begun to develop inside Calzada: leadership. How the quarterback’s college career — which still has two full years of NCAA eligibility — progresses will be determined by his ability to take charge of any given situation while setting an example for other members of the maroon and white, Fisher said. “That’s the thing about sports that people just don’t understand if they don’t ever play it: Being part of something bigger than you; being part of a support system; being a guy that takes the role nobody else wants,” Fisher said.