The Battalion - September 2, 2021 by The Battalion

Silver Taps

David James McLeod July 3, 2001 - July 31, 2021

Josh Cameron Bauerle June 1, 2000 - May 27, 2021

Jacob Towns Hardin Sept. 4, 1998 - Aug. 6, 2021

Samantha Lee Melanson Dec. 4, 2001 - July 3, 2021

Rocky Setiawan Jan. 18, 1986 - April 19, 2021

TRIBUTES ON PAGES 3-5

Kyle Field to honor anniversary of 9/11 Provided

Public health senior Caroline Uribe will make history as one of just 100 fellows chosen to be part of Pfizer’s nine year program.

A&M student in inaugural Pfizer program class Breakthrough Fellowship will improve diversity in leadership By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M and C.C. Creations have partnered to help recreate the 2001 memorial game by selling red, white and blue t-shirts to fill Kyle Field.

Texas A&M’s 2021 season opener against Kent State will recreate 2001 memorial game with red, white, blue stands By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel

n remembrance of the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Kyle Field will be blanketed in red, white and blue to recreate the 2001 memorial game.

As a way to honor an iconic moment in Aggie history, The Standing for America campaign — a partnership between Texas A&M, Maroon Out and C.C. Creations — will once again fill Kyle Field with a patriotic salute to those lost in the tragedies. Vice President of Marketing for C.C. Creations Ashleigh Krause said it is an honor to be able to lead the charge in continuing the legacy of the original game. “We’re really excited to be able to help in recreating that iconic photo,” Krause said. “We are really excited to be able to do this again for the community for all those new generations of Aggies, and we hope that everybody will be able to really understand the

significance as we remember those that were killed in the 9/11 tragedy.” In 2001, five students came to C.C. Creations to meet with CEO Kenny Lawson with a goal to fill the entire stadium with patriotic colors to honor those lives lost. Lawson was honored to participate in creating this vision, and his team took on the challenge of printing enough shirts for the entire stadium. “One of the proudest moments as an owner is that our employees without a hitch stood up and made that happen working 24 hours for nine straight days up until the 11:00 game that Saturday,” Lawson said to HONORING 9/11 ON PG. 5

A Texas A&M senior was inaugurated into the introductory class of Pfizer’s Breakthrough Fellowship Program who worked alongside the company while it manufactured the first Food and Drug Administration approved COVID-19 vaccine. As part of a broader commitment to increase minority representation at Pfizer, the Breakthrough Fellowship program was created with the goal of forming a team of minority fellows who will transcend the ranks of the company throughout the nine-year program to grow their career. Pfizer hopes to develop 100 fellows by 2025. “We are committed to developing [Pfizer] colleagues for long-term success, and we aim to ensure that our workforce and business model reflect the diversity of our patients and the communities we serve,” CEO Albert Bourla said in a tweet announcing the launch of the program. The first-of-its-kind program launched in April with the goal of advancing minority undergraduates to leadership positions in the company. Public health senior Caroline Uribe was one of 20 students to take part in the inaugural class this past summer. PFIZER FELLOWSHIP ON PG. 5

Celebrating 100 years of The 12th Man 12th Man merchandise will be available through fall semester By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel Texas A&M will celebrate the 100th year of the 12th Man throughout the 2021-2022 school year. The tradition of the 12th Man began on Jan. 2, 1922, when E. King Gill stood on the sidelines as the 12th Man to be called upon if needed at the Dixie Classic. Though he was never called in to play, he stood by at the ready. For this reason, the Aggies in the stands are now called the 12th Man — not on the field, but ever-supporting their team as a symbol of being ready to step in when needed.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary, fans can expect to see a variety of recognitions at athletic events as well as other campus activities such as concerts. Aggies can partake in the celebration by engaging in various activities, like the chance to be a part of the collection of A&M memories and stories and an Aggie spin on the Flat Stanley, the “Flat 12th Man.” As a part of the celebration, Texas A&M Athletics will release a 12th Man documentary in March which will showcase the 12th Man’s growth over the years, including the nationally famous A&M student section. To commemorate the celebration, 12th Man Centennial merchandise will be sold throughout the year. Additionally, at any athletic match-up fans can purchase a commemorative stadium cup. Fans will also have the

opportunity to receive specialty product giveaways at various games throughout the season. “Among the collectables designed for the Centennial include: special edition 12th Man Towels, 12th Man Statues designed by renowned sculptor Bob Hogan, 12th Man Centennial Challenge Coins, 12th Man Centennial Tervis® tumblers, Aggie War Hymn volleyball t-shirts, soccer vuvuzelas, commemorative track and field batons, replica #12 basketball jerseys and commemorative baseballs and softballs,” 12thman.com reads. The celebration kicked off with the 12th Jam concert during Howdy Week and will continue with celebrations in the fall sports’ seasons. The spring will kick off with the official Centennial on Jan. 2 followed by the 12th Man documentary premiere in March, fireworks at five SEC softball and baseball games

and a final concert in June. The scheduled 12th Man Centennial celebration events for the fall semester include: Aug. 28 — 12th Jam Concert Aug. 28 — Firework show at Soccer vs. Clemson Aug. 30 — 12th Man Centennial Merchandise Begins Sales Sept. 4 — Firework show at Football vs. Kent State Sept. 4 — Vuvuzela giveaway at Soccer vs. UTEP Sept.17 — Shirt giveaway at Volleyball vs. Texas Oct. 9 — 12th Man towel giveaway at Football vs. Alabama

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SILVERTAPS

The Battalion | 9.2.21

Silver Taps July 3, 2001 — July 31, 2021

DAVID JAMES McLEOD A humble example of Selfless Service By Nathan Varnell @newsncv

emembered for his humility and gentle, loving spirit, David McLeod embodied the Aggie Core Values long before making Texas A&M his home.

Born on July 3, 2001, to David and Sarah McLeod, David’s life was marked by constantly caring for those around him. “He wasn’t super gregarious or loud, but he would do anything for anyone else,” Sarah said. “He had such a sweet spirit and wanted to be helpful.” David was an older brother to Andrew and Callie McLeod, boyfriend to his high school sweetheart Cameron Sigua and an incoming crew chief for Walton Hall’s Student Bonfire crew for the fall semester. David came to Aggieland from McKinney, where he grew up spending his time reading countless books, playing football and volunteering through several local organizations. He met his closest friends on his middle and high school football teams, including Trent Nevelle, a current sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin. “At first glance, people might think he was quiet and reserved, but once you got to talk to him he was funny as hell,” Nevelle said. “He was really intelligent, too. Some people tried to hide their phones under their desks, but he would be reading under his desk.” Sarah said reading frequently as a child — and a particularly influential AP world history teacher — fueled David’s passion for history, which eventually became his major at A&M. “He enjoyed the fact that history was a story of everyone who has ever lived, their experiences and how we got to where we are today,” Sarah said. Growing up, David coupled his love for others and joy for hard work by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, the church his family attended and a chapter of Young Men’s Service League, where he was the life-skills chair. “David was such a selfless guy,” Nevelle said. “The thing our friend Joey and I always say is that the man never complained about anything and always put others’ needs before his.”

PROVIDED

David James McLeod (left) embodied selfless service through his work with Student Bonfire.

A member of the Class of 2024, David found his home within Student Bonfire his freshman year — just like his parents before him. David and Sarah were Class of 1999 graduates and crew chief and co-chair, respectively, in Bonfire. Sarah said they nudged him toward A&M and Bonfire like any other Aggie parents, but his fellow crew members quickly became his second family without much help. Will Shroud, animal science sophomore and Walton Hall crew chief, said as he and David became friends, David quickly turned into a critical member of the Walton crew. “I spoke to some of the upper-leadership guys and they said there was only one time David wasn’t out in the woods

working for the weekend when he was with [his girlfriend, Cameron], and they noticed a difference,” Shroud said. “The work we got done was just not the same; they could tell he was not there putting in the work.” Dion McInnis, Class of 2003 and Student Bonfire board of directors member, said in an email to The Battalion that David exhibited qualities he had not seen in his two decades of Bonfire. Quietly and by himself, David would do the work of two or three others, McInnis wrote. “He would always find the biggest challenge out there, do it and then not say anything about it for any sort of recognition,” Shroud said. “He would just do it to do it.” Dane Sigua, father of David’s girlfriend Cameron, bought land in east Texas shortly after meeting David, where they worked together for many weekends building a house, a bridge and other structures on the property. Dane said he got to know him through that work, and he came to treat David like his own son. “When freshman year was over and [David and Cameron] were still together, we had a family vacation to Florida at the end of June,” Sarah said. “I remember talking [with David’s father] about how David had found his person. They were pretty amazing together.” Shroud said no matter how busy he was with school or Bonfire, David always made time for his long-distance relationship with Cameron, who said they talked nearly every day while apart. Nevelle said Cameron brought him out of his shell in high school after becoming close during their junior year. Cameron recalled first spending time with David when he volunteered to give her rides to weekly events. “They really were meant to be together forever,” Nevelle said. “We often referred to them as the golden standard. If true love is real, it was theirs.” The Siguas said David touched many lives because of how selfless he was, always putting others ahead of himself while downplaying his own actions. “He was a genuine friend and the kind of guy that you don’t see a lot these days,” Nevelle said. “I truly believe that he left a lasting impact and lived a fulfilling life. He’s definitely left those of us who were close to him with a lot of great memories, and he’ll live on with us through those memories.”

June 1, 2000 — May 27, 2021

JOSH CAMERON BAUERLE A passionate outdoorsman with a heart of gold By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel

emembered for his love of nature, Josh Bauerle could light up a room with his infectious smile.

Born in Austin to Scott and Gina Bauerle on June 1, 2000, Josh was an affectionate soul who strived to make his family proud and have a positive impact on everyone he encountered. “He was passionate about caring for people,” Scott said. “A lot of people at a young age don’t understand how caring for other people works, but I think he was pretty mature in that way, where he understood that it made him feel better if he showed that he cared more for other people.” As a young child, Josh was full of energy and loved spending time with his twin sister, Lexi, and older brother, Jake. Serving as resident prankster, both at home and later in life with his peers, Josh always had something up his sleeve to get his friends and family laughing. “He was always a super nice, caring guy, but at the same time, [he] was competitive,” longtime friend Matthew Kehm said. “If you dish it to him, he could dish it right back at you. He was a prankster and jokester and all that; [he] would play like little pranks on me and my friends. But when someone needed help with something, he would help out. He was always nice to everyone in the group, and would always be a good sport about everything, just trying to make everyone laugh, make everyone smile and make sure everyone’s having a good time.” Spending time with family was very important to Josh. He often opted for a night in with parents or grandparents to grow his relationships and bond with those who were close to him. “He, like my other kids, was very family oriented, which my whole family has been. So he would hang out with his parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters,” Scott said. “He would call his grandma up and say, ‘Hey, do y’all want to have dinner Saturday night or something?’ He was just very kind hearted, just like his brother and sister.” In addition to family, Josh enjoyed spending time with his long-time friend group, or “squad,” as they called themselves, all who attended school in Dripping Woods. “He has gone to school with the same kids since pre-K, and they became a really close knit group of friends. They’ve been hanging out, some of them from three or four years old, so it’s pretty unusual in this day and time,” Gina said.

PROVIDED

Josh Cameron Bauerle, an outdoorsman who embraced the Aggie Spirit will be honored at the Sept. 7 Silver Taps ceremony.

Josh spent a lot of his time outdoors or traveling. He loved to take trips with his family and friends to visit places around the world, including the Colorado Mountains, New York and even Machu Picchu with his father. Josh was on a mission to visit the Seven Wonders of the World. “He has traveled quite a bit with his family and friends, including Peru, the Redwoods in California and Colorado,” Gina said. “He was at peace when he was in nature.” His most recent trip was in January 2021 when he traveled with friends to see the redwoods in Sequoia National Park. “There’s a small group of us that went to California, and we were kind of driving through the mountains on some really windy turns and just having a good time being in the wilderness,” Kehm said. “[We were] just laughing and smiling and enjoying the outdoors.” A creative mind, Josh was always thinking about new ideas or inventions he could create. His parents said from a young age they saw him potentially going on Shark Tank to sell his

own product. “He was always pitching ideas to me that he thought would be cool,” Scott said. “Some of them were really goofy and funny, but some of them were probably Shark Tank worthy.” Later in life, Josh grew a passion for cooking Wagyu steaks — a recipe which he was perfecting. “He was in a GroupMe with a bunch of men who talked about how to cook meat,” Gina said. “He made a really amazing steak, but he didn’t like it on the grill. He liked to make it in a cast iron skillet.” After high school, Josh first attended Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for two years where he worked hard to apply to come to the College Station campus. “Josh really wanted to go there — he wanted to get into A&M. He actually made some little inspirational videos and stuff about how bad he wanted to get in there,” Scott said. “He was inspired; he wasn’t one that was just gonna kick back and fall into the typical position of just settling in to be average, he always wanted to be above average. I think that kind of went with that whole spirit from the university, he felt like having a degree from there was above average.” During his time in Corpus Christi, he joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he was involved in every service opportunity he could fit into his schedule. “He wasn’t afraid to go out of his way to make sure somebody else was happy over himself, he put others first,” longtime friend and construction science senior Key Dube said. “When he was at Corpus, he was always volunteering for charity events, fundraisers, all those types of events. He was always going to be at those.” In the fall of 2020, Josh received his acceptance letter from Texas A&M at College Station to begin in the spring semester with a degree in agricultural economics. He was passionate about becoming a part of the Aggie family and wanted to take in every opportunity he had to become engrossed in Aggie traditions. “Whenever he came to A&M, he saw how the students are always kind of watching out for each other, same as the staff and faculty,” Dube said. “I think that was a big thing that really stuck out to him was just helping the community. He was always being a brother to whoever needed him. He was always sticking his neck out for you.” Gina said though he only attended the A&M College Station campus for one semester, Josh was honored to be an Aggie from the start. “He was so proud to be a Texas A&M student, he was so proud of that,” Gina said. “He worked really hard for it.”

SILVERTAPS

The Battalion | 9.2.21

September 4, 1998 — August 6, 2021

JACOB TOWNS HARDIN

A curious mind who always persevered By Michaela Rush @Michaela4Batt

nown for his giving spirit, Jacob Hardin had a hunger to climb to new heights.

Born in Odessa, Jacob grew up in Boerne with his parents, Jim and Donna Hardin, and younger sister, Melinda Hardin. Before he could walk, Jacob would join his family on hikes in west Texas. “When he was born, we lived in Alpine, Texas, out in west Texas, and I’d put him on my back and take him hiking in Big Bend,” Jim said. “As he grew up, he liked hiking on trails, especially mountains. Over time, he wanted to start climbing mountains. Eventually, we ended up hiking Mount Elbert, which is one of the highest in the lower 48 [states]. He always had that hunger to keep climbing; he wanted to go to Mount McKinley.” When Jacob was four, the Hardins took in, and eventually adopted, Melinda. When she first arrived, her speech skills were limited, but Jacob took it upon himself to teach his little sister how to communicate. “When we first got [Melinda], she couldn’t really talk. As a matter of fact, between ages three to six she was in speech therapy through school. To this day, she says that Jacob is the one who taught her how to speak and would make her practice all the time. He took that on like his personal project, to help his sister talk,” Jim said. “He was always wanting to help people out, with his sister, but just in general he wanted people to be happy. This relationship he had with his sister exhibited his relationship with people in general.” As he grew, Jacob continued to devote his time to others, and he became involved in the Boy Scouts, meeting lifelong

PROVIDED

Jacob Towns Hardin was involved in the Engineering Living Learning community during his time at Texas A&M.

friends and achieving an Eagle Scout rank in high school. As Jacob began to look into colleges, his father said he knew Texas A&M would be a great fit for him. “I wanted him to go to A&M for a long time. I really liked the values of people there, and I had never known Aggies until I went to law school at [the University of Houston],” Jim said.

“The Aggies I met were always extremely nice and well-mannered. I always had a lot of respect for Aggies in general. I thought that was the place for him to go, and he’d fit in well.” As Jacob transitioned to college as a member of the Class of 2020 and an electronic systems engineering technology major, he joined the Engineering Living Learning Community, or LLC, and attended every meeting and opportunity it presented. His LLC advisor then offered him a position for an on-campus job, which he would continue for several years. “After his second semester [at A&M], an advisor asked him if he wanted to do volunteer work at the 3D printing lab, and he said sure,” Jim said. “The 3D printing lab he really liked, and they offered him a job. When they moved from the old location to the new one in the Zachry Building — it’s huge now — they gave him a job there. He did that until they closed the campus for [COVID-19].” After being diagnosed with brain cancer in the fall of 2019, Jacob continued to be involved on campus, showcasing immense perseverance and a drive to follow through with his passions. “The big thing he had to fight for was perseverance,” Jim said. “He really found his stride. He enjoyed what he was doing every day. After he got diagnosed, he kept going. Everybody encouraged him and supported him in doing that.” From Jacob’s journey, his family hopes others will realize the importance of overcoming difficult obstacles and forging a unique path for themselves. “He kept pushing on. He never quit. I would say everyone needs to do that,” Jim said. “You may stumble along, it may be hard to find your way, especially when you don’t know exactly what it is you wanna work on, but you just gotta keep going. You gotta persevere like he did.” In Jacob’s honor, his family is in the process of creating a memorial scholarship for engineering students.

December 4, 2001 — July 3, 2021

SAMANTHA LEE MELANSON

An unconditional animal lover who changed lives By Kathryn Miller @Kathrynmiller0

emembered by her welcoming and selfless spirit, Samantha Melanson loved everyone she crossed paths with.

Born in Foothill Ranch, Calif. on Dec. 4, 2001, to Kim and Rick Melanson, Samantha came into the world with a pure heart and a passionate, loving spirit. She was a member of the C-1 outfit of the Corps of Cadets and a dedicated volunteer at J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center. Her mother said since Samantha was two years old, she wanted to attend Texas A&M and be a veterinarian. She loved animals, especially horses. “Samantha was so excited to be in the Corps of Cadets because her great uncle was a graduate of the Corps back in the ‘60s,” Kim said. “She loved all animals, and they loved her. They would just come up to her, and she had all kinds of pets growing up.” Not only did Samantha fiercely love animals, but she also loved people. Samantha was able to combine her love for people and animals by volunteering her time to the riding center, which provided therapeutic horse-related programs for children with autism or who are severely handicapped. “She only had to volunteer for 10 hours, but she volunteered for over 200. She just loved what she did.” Kim said. “She just was a loving, [energetic] person. She loved animals, loved to ride horses, loved the beach, loved her friends.” Despite the many adversities Samantha and the rest of her freshman class faced last year due to COVID-19, her mother said she persevered and insisted she went to campus so she could study and work closer toward her goal of being a veterinarian at the place she loved most. Samantha was her mother’s best friend and traveling buddy.

PROVIDED

Animal science sophomore Samantha Lee Melanson’s love for animals brought her to Texas A&M, where she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian.

“She loved to travel places,” Kim said. “We would do a trip every year just to go to Arizona, just go ghost hunting and just goofy things together, just me and her.” She was also a kindhearted older sister to her brother, 16-year-old Kenny. Her mother said that Samantha was a

friendly and gentle spirit to everyone she met and always saw people as who they were — people. “That was Samantha — she didn’t care if you were short, tall, black, white, gay or straight,” Kim said. “She just loves you. She changed the lives of everyone she met. From her friends in high school to her Corps buddies, she changed them for the better.” Her father, Rick, said Samantha had big dreams. “She was a bright star who always had a big smile on her face. She always put others before herself, and she really loved her family,” Rick said. “She wanted to have her own ranch with chickens and dogs and pigs and horses.” Angela Leist, Samantha’s close friend since middle school, said Samantha loved her way of life. “She was comfortable with herself. She was a beautiful person inside and out,” Leist said. “She was a very, very supportive person — the most supportive person in my life. She was like that to a lot of people, a very understanding soul. And she was a hell of a lot of fun.” Leist said her favorite memories with Samantha are latenight drives in Samantha’s “little red Kia Soul.” “She knew how to have a good time. She was really supportive, gave really good advice,” Leist said. “She taught others to just live happily. She wasn’t religious, but she was very spiritual. She loved the belief that everything is okay, everything has a balance. She taught people to just be happy and to not sweat the small things.” Samantha met the love of her life, Ethan Davis, at A&M in the Corps of Cadets. “She was head over heels for him, and he treated her so well,” Leist said. “I called her one day and she just ranted about how amazing this guy was. He was perfect for Sam. I’m so happy that she got to experience life with him and that he was with her when she passed. Samantha was a beautiful, beautiful person and the light of people’s day.”

SILVERTAPS

The Battalion | 9.2.21

January 18, 1986 — April 19, 2021

ROCKY SETIAWAN A brilliant and humble person Editor’s Note: A Silver Taps tribute article for Rocky Setiawan will not be published at this time. If you are a friend or family member of Rocky and are interested in speaking with The Battalion, please email editor@thebatt.com.

via agecograds.tamu.edu

Agricultural economics master’s student Rocky Setiawan will be honored at the Sept. 7 Silver Taps ceremony.

Provided

During Texas A&M’s first football game of the season against Kent State on Saturday, Sept. 4, Aggies in the stands of Kyle Field will recreate the historic 2001 red, white and blue game.

HONORING 9/11 CONTINUED KBTX. In 2001, 80,000 shirts were printed by C.C. Creations to wear at the game. Lawson said being able to recreate this moment is gratifying as they honor those lost. “We are honoring 9/11. We’re honoring the 20-year anniversary, but we’re also saying that we’re Aggies and we stand for our football,” Lawson said in a press release. “This time we have a couple of months to prepare. We’re excited as this is going to be a great

PFIZER FELLOWSHIP CONTINUED During the internship portion of the program, Uribe worked in the Pfizer Global Supply department, or PGS, where she worked under the office of PGS President Mike McDermott and his Director of Operations Erin Licari. “It was a really interesting position to be coming in as an intern being so high up,” Uribe said. “I was able to see the entire scope of Pfizer global supply, going from manufacturing to product distribution, and then even learning more about marketing and science and all the cool things in those different realms.” As an intern in the PGS department, Uribe was responsible for weekly reports and organizing team meetings and virtual visits. As a diversity ambassador, she created social media

thing for Texas A&M on a national level.” Each deck of Kyle Field will have a different color with the third deck being red, the second being white and the first being blue. Maroon Out Director of Outreach Celina Hernandez said the organization’s goal is to truly remember the lives lost. “After 9/11 as America, we did come together just to be there for one another and to repair those bonds that were lost that day,” Hernandez told KBTX. Since sales began in July, Krause said be-

tween all the partners, they have printed over 140,000 shirts for the upcoming game. “I know everybody, whether you’ve attended the game, seen pictures or heard of it, there’s that iconic photo right of the corner of Kyle Field that shows the red, white and blue deck,” Krause said. “It’s been really exciting for us to have played our big part in filling that space 20 years ago, and then now especially with the expansion of Kyle Field, there is a very large extended capacity compared to the original stadium.”

The shirts are being sold at C.C. Creations, Aggieland Outfitters, the Barnes and Noble Bookstore on campus, Brookshire Brothers, Academy Sports + Outdoors and Fanatics. Additionally, shirts are being sold at locations around campus throughout the week and will be sold at the game for those who miss their opportunity to stop by a shop before Saturday. Proceeds from the shirt sales will be donated to the President George W. Bush Point of Light Foundation and Texas A&M Task Force 1.

campaigns, including a Pride month series. “One of my goals for the summer was to be a new light in the Global Supply department,” Uribe said. “My hiring manager Erin was pretty excited about bringing in a fresh new face into these meetings, trying to get a different perspective.” Uribe said she was challenged to make 30 networking connections by her hiring manager during the three months of the summer internship portion. By the end of the summer, Uribe had doubled her original goal of connections. “It was really eye-opening,” Uribe said. “I saw there were so many different backgrounds, so many different ways of working and so many different skills.” Being a part of the first class, Uribe said she is excited for the opportunity to get to shape the program in its adaptations.

“Hopefully we leave some sort of legacy because it is a really awesome program,” Uribe said. “We were able to meet with the CEO, different executive members at Pfizer, so I hope that they’ll remember these were the first people [who influenced] it.” Uribe urges students interested in applying for the next class of fellows to grow their understanding of science and potentially help them find a career path they never expected themselves to follow. “Pfizer is such a big and welcoming company, there’s so many different things you can do there. And they’re also really good about pivoting,” Uribe said. “Don’t be afraid to make yourself uncomfortable. I am naturally super introverted, and I second guessed myself a lot. So, coming into this application process, meeting different people who were senior executives at Pfizer that had worked there for 20

or 30 plus years, I was so intimidated, but being able to share my own two cents on things or ask questions was awesome.” Students interested in the program should apply between Sept. 10 through late October. According to their website, the program begins with a summer internship during the student’s college careers and is followed by two years of full-time employment within the company, then a fully funded scholarship for the student to attend a MBA or MPH program of their choice. “This program taught me a lot about the company, about science and about networking to meet different people,” Uribe said. “But most importantly, I grew a lot as an individual, and I learned more about myself than I did about anything else. So, my advice would be just to step out of your comfort zone, ask questions, talk to people and push yourself.”

OPINION

The Battalion |9.2.21

OPINION

casualty rates — 700 civilians died in U.S. targeted attacks in 2019 alone. This collateral damage significantly tarnishes the U.S’s reputation and can undermine future relief or evacuation efforts. Lastly, Biden’s overconfidence and faith in the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, or ANDSF, was a major oversight. Sure, the ANDSF outnumbered the Taliban 300,000 fighters to 80,000. However, the Afghan military suffered from high illiteracy rates, yet relied on equipment necessitating highly-educated operators. In the rushed withdrawal, the U.S. left military equipment in the Taliban’s hands. Experts predict advanced weaponry like aircraft won’t be a significant concern since neither militants nor most Afghan pilots have the skills or tools to maintain the equipment. However, the Taliban can easily maintain and operate the quantities of small arms like rifles and land vehicles, enabling them to consolidate power in the region.

Creative Commons

Opinion editor Caleb Powell discusses the outcomes of the United States withdrawl from Afghanistan.

Bitter close to endless war Opinion editor Caleb Powell evaluates the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan Caleb Powell

@calebpowell23

fter 20 years, the Afghanistan War has reached its conclusion. As Kabul descended into chaos, the American public generally agreed that President Joe Biden made the right decision to pull out of Afghanistan but did so with horrendous execution. As Republicans like Sen. Lindsey Graham call for Biden’s impeachment, it’s time to review what Biden’s administration did well, where it failed and what the U.S. should do in the future. What did the U.S. do well? Biden made the right call in with-

drawing U.S. forces. The 20-year conflict claimed the lives of almost 2,500 servicemen, 3,900 contractors and over 4,700 Afghan civilians, and would have killed more had our presence continued. With former President Donald Trump’s deal to completely withdraw, U.S. troops and contractors would have seen more firefights as the Taliban retaliated had Biden chosen to reverse course and stay. The evacuation from Kabul’s airport elicited memories from the United States’s desperate retreat from Saigon as Afghan refugees clung to departing planes. Despite these disturbing videos, Gen. Frank McKenzie reported over 123,000 Afghan civilians were evacuated, and any lives the U.S. saved from authoritarianism should be considered a victory.

Where did the U.S. fail? Retreating without first evacuating all U.S. citizens and Afghan refugees was Biden’s most significant mistake. Secretary of State Antony Blinken estimated between 100 to 200 Americans still remain in Afghanistan. While that number isn’t large, those citizens are the most in danger from the Taliban. Without a military presence, “diplomatic pressure” will not be sufficient to evacuate any Americans who remain. The withdrawal should have been mandatory for any U.S. citizen — whether or not they wanted to stay — for their safety. Furthermore, Biden repeated previous administrations’ mistakes with his retaliatory drone strike which killed nine people, possibly including children. Drone strikes are notorious for high civilian

How should the U.S. act in the future? Withdrawing was not a mistake — the lesson the country takes away should not be to remain engaged in endless wars, but to commit more resources to evacuations. The U.S. presence in Afghanistan was acting as a respirator for the corrupt and crumbling government we established after first removing the Taliban from power. The Russian embassy in Kabul reported Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fleeing with cars of cash, and an Afghan ambassador accused Ghani of “[stealing] $169 million from the state coffers.” If the U.S. continued to support the Afghan government, taxpayers would have wasted more money, and the Taliban would have gained more military equipment. No matter how long the U.S. occupied Afghanistan, the government’s corruption was so severe that it was bound to collapse. Biden turned the U.S. withdrawal into a nightmare, but he made the right decision. If we continue to end our occupations in other countries like Iraq, the U.S. should start by securing all military assets to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. Mandatory evacuations should begin with all U.S. citizens and any refugees who wish to flee the country so they can be resettled. The last group to leave should be U.S. soldiers to ensure all civilians, personnel and equipment can be safely removed. The government has an obligation to make sure no U.S. citizen or ally is left behind without a way to safely escape. America failed in Afghanistan. Let’s not create another disaster. Caleb Powell is a biomedical engineering junior and opinion editor for The Battalion.

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ARTSCRITICISM

The Battalion | 9.2.21

via imbd.com

“Respect” details the life and career of Aretha Franklin on her journey to achieving success as a singer.

“Respect” tops charts with soul, civil championing Ryan Faulkner comments on the new Aretha Franklin biopic

Though the Queen of Soul became a household name half a century ago, new exposure in the movie industry is sure Director: Liesl Tommy to help the legend command even more Release Date: Aug. 13, 2021 respect with today’s generation. Directed by Liesl Tommy in her Runtime: 2 hours 25 minutes feature directorial debut, “Respect” chronicles the life and career of 18By Ryan Faulkner time Grammy winner Aretha Franklin. @ryanfaulk03 Starting with her childhood, the film does an excellent job of blending Franklin’s signature passions — soul music and civil rights activism — with advanced cinematography styles. Young breakout star Skye Dakota Turner opens the film as a Myranda Campanella, Editor-in-Chief young Franklin, captivating audiences while Julia Potts, Managing Editor Cori Eckert, Design Editor & stumping them as to Shelby McVey, Audience Engagement Business Manager Abbey Santoro, Photo Chief Caleb Powell, Opinion Editor how a child could posAubrey Vogel, News Editor Michaela Rush, Life & Arts Editor sibly be so musically Nathan Varnell, Asst. News Editor Kathryn Miller, Asst. Life & Arts Editor gifted — much like Casey Stavenhagen, Sports Editor Annie Wells, Multimedia Editor Franklin herself did in Jennifer Streeter, Sports Editor Lauren Discher, Special Section Editor her earliest days perRyan Faulkner, Asst. Sports Editor forming at her father’s church. Other charTHE BATTALION is published Thursdays during the 2021 sprint semester (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College acters, such as Maron Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center. Wayans’s Ted White and Mary J. Blige’s News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M Dinah Washington, University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of StudentAffairs.Newsroom phone: were also played ex979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com. tremely well, balancAdvertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or ing drama with subtle endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display humor throughout. advertising call 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Office The real standout, hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com. however, came in

“Respect”

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the form of Jennifer Hudson starring as Franklin. The Queen of Soul, who was involved with the film’s development before her death in 2018, went as far as claiming on CBS Sunday Morning that Hudson would win an Oscar for her portrayal of the legendary singer. The lead certainly didn’t disappoint in that aspect. In a movie filled with so many stars, Hudson shines especially bright. The film’s soundtrack, a brilliant mix of choral church hymns and Franklin’s greatest hits, suits Hudson’s voice so well that the audience is likely to forget they are not listening to Franklin’s original belts and runs. Paired with background vocals by a talented ensemble including Sayson Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore and Audra McDonald, the musical lineup doesn’t miss a beat. In perhaps the film’s most audacious directorial strategy, a large focus on human rights activism ends up paying off greatly. Because Franklin has such deep ties with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the inclusion of the civil activist in the film, played by Gilbert Glen Brown, presents an opportunity to send a greater message. Tommy took this chance and ran with it, likely citing recent legal rights movements as the catalyst. For all the good showcased in the film, it is not without its flaws. The 145 minute runtime feels excessive, with some of the slower moments dragging on. However, because the feature covers such a large span of Franklin’s life, many details are overlooked. All four of Franklin’s children just appear at various times throughout the movie, without any of

their fathers’ identities being confirmed. Other characters, like Albert Jones’s Ken Cunningham, fade into the background and are never given the opportunity to shine. Perhaps focusing on a more specific era within Franklin’s life would have solved this problem. Throughout the project’s runtime, it is hard to not draw parallels between “Respect” and 2019’s “Rocketman,” directed by Dexter Fletcher. Both Franklin and the “Rocketman” biopic singer Elton John faced adversity at a young age due to their places within a minority group, then proved the world wrong by using their musical abilities to find success. Along the way, the two battled abusive managers-turned-spouses, developed alcoholism and experienced falling-outs with their families. Though nothing can be done about the two stars’ similar upbringings, taking a different narrative approach would have helped “Respect” stand out within the musical biopic genre. Overall, “Respect” is a dramatic yet compelling story, successfully giving tribute to the late Franklin. Though aspects of the plot and character development leave something to be desired, the cast and soundtrack make up for it. As viewers exit the movie theater, they are sure to discover newfound respect for Franklin and an appreciation for her journey to the top. Ryan Faulkner is a journalism junior and assistant sports editor for The Battalion.

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SPORTS SPECIAL EDITION

‘Wake ‘em up’

FILE

Senior defensive back Leon O’Neal is using attitude and effort to transform the team environment and set a championship mentality.

Senior safety Leon O’Neal’s success begins with character building, intense training going into 2021 football season By Ryan Faulkner @ryanfaulk03

hen the world is watching, the most important set of eyes is one’s own. Senior safety Leon O’Neal Jr. made a name for himself by combining lock-down defensive gameplay with an infectious, positive attitude. Since entering the spotlight that comes with playing on a top-10 A&M squad, O’Neal has used his voice to preach a message of hard work, overcoming adversity and setting national standards. Before he could use football to build a platform, currently standing over 26,000 strong on Twitter, O’Neal said he used the sport to “save” himself. “Football has been a way of life for me off the field more than on the field,” O’Neal said. “The guidelines, principles and discipline that you have to go by with football are applied to life. When I was young, I struggled with what I wanted to do. Football gave me that pathway to figure out who I am.” For O’Neal, this “pathway” ultimately led to a constant presence on the field with the Aggies. The Cypress native, now entering his fourth season wearing maroon and white, has played in every single A&M football game since moving to College Station in early 2018.

During this time, O’Neal recorded 103 tackles, 11 passes defended and four interceptions, returned for a total of 77 yards. Along the way, O’Neal further expanded his reach by intentionally making a statement any time he stepped onto the field. For example, the color orange — typically frowned upon by Aggies — was embraced to celebrate Halloween by O’Neal through the use of neon gloves during A&M’s Oct. 31 game against Arkansas in 2020. O’Neal said these decisions are based on a commitment to always strive for the top. A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, one of the highest authorities on collegiate football, said there are few athletes as prepared to compete as O’Neal. This readiness to succeed stems from an “it-factor” built upon a total passion for the game, Fisher said. “One thing you can never doubt about Leon — he loves to play ball,” Fisher said. “He loves to work out, he loves to get [prepared] to play, he loves being at Texas A&M. You never see [a bad attitude] with Leon. He’s always going hard. You’ve got to have those guys that you can see, every day, that they love what they’re doing. His leadership in that role has been big.” As the player who “spends the most time with [O’Neal],” junior safety Demani Richardson said he has seen firsthand the influence O’Neal has on the rest of the team. This came in the form of setting an example for others while boosting squad morale. “When he’s up here [in Kyle Field], he’s about business, but he’s always trying to keep a smile on people’s faces,” Richardson said. “He lifts the team up, and [that energy] is always contagious. I try to talk and pick people up as much as he does. We all need that.”

However, this combination of leadership and passion does not exist without struggles, O’Neal said. At one point, the safety began “idolizing [himself] too much,” saying he lost focus of his original priorities. This impacted both his playing ability and his personal relationships with friends and family. After some “self-searching,” O’Neal said he used the lessons learned in football to develop a new life motto: “Wake ‘em up.” This slogan, which has found its way into the player’s personal branding and social media handles, represents the opportunity for self-introspection and character development, he said. “‘Wake ‘em up’ is a lot of things,” O’Neal said, “We’re all trying to chase something, but it’s more than that. It’s waking yourself up and looking in the mirror. That’s exactly what I did two years ago. I looked in the mirror and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got to be a better man and a better person.’” Because of the coach’s demanding role of overseeing the entire team, Fisher said he isn’t there to witness every personal struggle faced by each of his players, including O’Neal’s recent “transformation.” Instead, Fisher said he focuses on the positive, tangible changes that come as a result of everything “behind the scenes.” “What guys do on a team, a coach knows parts of, but you don’t always know [everything],” Fisher said. “There’s inner-workings, and Leon has really matured. He’s really done a great job of creating energy with his leadership. That’s the part I’ve seen.” Since overcoming his personal struggle, O’Neal has been able to focus on making the upcoming season his best yet. After feeling “snubbed” by the Aggies’ omission from the College Football Playoff following the 2020

season, O’Neal said he is determined to compete at the level of an athlete leading a championship-contending team. Richardson said he sees this determination and “willpower” from O’Neal every time the two train together. More often than not, O’Neal is the one driving the workouts and pushing him to his limits, Richardson said. “He’s crazy about working hard,” Richardson said. “We’ll box at 7 a.m., then go do a track workout, then we have another lift with the team in the afternoon. My best ‘Leon O’Neal memory’ [has been] this entire summer and his work ethic.” For O’Neal, this work isn’t in pursuit of recognition or fame. Instead, he does it to improve his own self-identity while helping his team succeed. “You want to prove [your worth] to the world, obviously,” O’Neal said. “But if you get caught up in the lights and the glamour of that, you’ll never get where you’re trying to go.” O’Neal will next face the aforementioned “lights and glamour” of Kyle Field on Saturday, Sept. 4, when the Aggies open their 2021 campaign against the Kent State Golden Flashes. As a leader of a defensive unit widely expected to lead the nation in many competitive statistics, all eyes will be on the senior and his ability to build upon the success of 2020. Finally returning for another “full-energy, full-capacity” campaign with the maroon and white, O’Neal said he is ready to make the upcoming season “his year.” “I have to wake up myself before I can wake up the world,” O’Neal said. “Well, I’m here now.”

SPORTS

The Battalion | 9.2.21

LETTER FROM THE SPORTS EDITOR Assistant sports editor Ryan Faulkner offers advice to newly named starting quarterback Haynes King

o the new face of A&M football: First and foremost, we as a sports desk are fully behind you. Every one of our writers and editors have dedicated their collegiate experience to the coverage of Texas A&M athletics, and your journey will be no different. We want to celebrate your highs, such as a potential 300-yard passing game against Alabama or a seven-touchdown exhibition against Ole Miss. When you succeed, so does the 12th Man. We also want to cover your lows. The

struggles you will certainly face as a leader on the team will likely mirror those of your teammates, fans and supporters, so we encourage you to be authentic and vulnerable at every given opportunity. Using your position of authority to open yourself up will inspire countless others to do the same. Whatever message you choose to preach, we are ready to amplify your voice and spread it across Aggieland. That being said, the Aggie Core Values should always be at the forefront of every action you take. As the quarterback of a nationally ranked, cham-

pionship-contending team, your name will soon become synonymous with the university as a whole. As such, take care to ensure you exemplify Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity and Selfless Service in all you do. Without those six pillars, there would be no university, and thus no football squad for you to lead. Lastly, take the time to slow down and look at the ‘why’ behind each of your teammates’ motivations. As sports editors and writers, we are often given the opportunity to dig deeper into the personal lives of athletes. Though we

can’t report on every single background, they are all there, hidden beneath the surface of each player who steps onto the field. Find the inspirations for each and begin unravelling the stories — deepening your relationship with your fellow players will allow you to greater succeed as a quarterback. Good luck, represent us well and Gig ‘Em. Ryan Faulkner is a journalism junior and assistant sports editor for The Battalion.

A&M to host Kent State for remembrance game Aggies are poised to out-play Golden Flashes in first game of 2021 season By Michael Horton @mhhort Texas A&M football will kick off its 2021 season against Kent State on Saturday, Sept. 4. After a 2020 season which came just short of qualifying for the College Football Playoff, expectations are high for the Aggies as they enter their new campaign. Nearing the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, A&M will be reviving its red, white and blue theme to open the season. The maroon and white is coming off its most successful season under the tenure of head coach Jimbo Fisher. The 2020 season, which was shortened to 10 games by COVID-19 restrictions, only featured opponents from within the Southeastern Conference. After an early loss against Alabama, the Aggies won eight straight to finish 9-1. The squad was ranked fifth by the playoff committee, just outside the four-team bracket. Ready for a fresh start, Fisher said he is optimistic about the new season, with hope after last season’s results and his squad’s showing at the team’s Fall Camp. “It’s game time,” Fisher said. “There’s

nothing like the excitement of the season and the first game out of camp. [I am] anxious to see us get out and play a game.” The team lost several key pieces to the 2021 NFL Draft this offseason, including defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, offensive tackle Dan Moore, linebacker Buddy Johnson and quarterback Kellen Mond. Despite these departures, the routine of strong recruiting during the Fisher era has allowed the squad to maintain momentum with new faces on both sides of the ball. A&M’s offseason was highlighted by a competitive battle for the role of starting quarterback between redshirt sophomore Zach Calzada and redshirt freshman Haynes King, who will be starting quarterback this Saturday King has plenty of returning weapons on offense this season. The Aggies welcome back the talented running back duo of junior Isaiah Spiller and sophomore Devon Achane. Spiller has been A&M’s feature back during the past two seasons, producing over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns in just 23 career games. Achane joined the scene in 2020, averaging more than eight yards-per-carry and scoring five touchdowns. The Aggies are also returning talent at the wide receiver and tight end positions. Junior double threat running back and receiver Ainias Smith and junior tight end Jalen Wydermyer led the way for the 2020 receiving

corps, with Smith compiling 564 yards and six touchdowns, and Wydermyer finishing with 506 yards and six touchdowns. The defensive side of the ball lost some notable players due to legal matters. Graduate defensive end Michael Clemons and sophomore defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson currently face indefinite suspensions due to legal troubles off the field. Clemons has been a member of the team since 2017, and Jackson is coming off a freshman season in which he looked poised to replace Brown in 2021. Despite these losses, the Aggies still boast defensive prowess. Junior defensive end DeMarvin Leal enters the season as a Walter Camp Preseason All-American and senior Jayden Peevy returns at defensive tackle, utilizing his extra year of eligibility. The squad also welcomes back key members of the secondary, as senior Myles Jones and junior Demani Richardson return at cornerback, and senior Leon O’Neal Jr. and junior Demani Richardson return at safety. In 2020, O’Neal led the A&M defense in interceptions and was second in tackles, with 48. Leal, Richardson, Jones and Peevy also made impacts, each breaking the 30-tackle threshold. The newest 12th Man will be making his debut for the Aggies. On Aug. 28, the team announced junior deep snapper Connor Choate has been selected to continue the storied

tradition. Choate is entering his third season as the team’s starting deep snapper and will likely don the number for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Kent State is coming off of a shortened season of its own. After the final two games of its season were canceled, the Golden Flashes finished with a 3-1 record, second in the Eastern division of the Mid-American Conference. Led by senior quarterback Dustin Crum, the Golden Flashes boast an explosive offense that scored more than 60 points in two of their four games last season. Saturday will mark the first meeting between the Aggies and the Golden Flashes in the programs’ histories. Although the Golden Flashes had an electric showing on offense, their defense struggled during the 2020 campaign. They surrendered 21 touchdowns and 152 total points in their four-game season, including a 70-41 loss to Buffalo. The squad is returning eight of their nine leaders in tackles, but they lost standout cornerback Tony Butler to graduation. The MAC is known for its emphasis on the passing game, so this experienced defense could present a covert challenge for King in his first career start. A&M’s game against Kent State is slated to kick off at 7 p.m. at Kyle Field.

SPORTS

The Battalion | 9.2.21

4 players to look out for in 2021 season opener

By Kay Naegeli @KayNaegeli

Haynes King - A&M Recently crowned “QB1’’ by Fisher, the redshirt freshman is poised to influence the dynamic of A&M’s offense this season. King was a 4-star recruit out of high school and is taking on a significant amount of pressure as a starting SEC quarterback. His ability to throw deep balls and scramble could potentially change A&M’s 2021 team into an offensive juggernaut. Kent State should be a great season opener for King to showcase his speed and ability to throw while giving A&M fans a preview of his potential.

Dustin Crum - Kent State With many fans considering A&M and Kent State’s matchup a “blow-out” game, they may not be aware of the Golden Flashes’ dominant offense. Averaging 49.8 points per game last season, Kent State finished first in the nation in scoring. Contributing to these stats is graduate quarterback Crum, who will be a player to watch out for this weekend. During his 2019 breakout season, he rushed for over 700 yards, threw for 2,625 yards and finished the season with 26 touchdowns. In 2020, Crum was named First Team All-MAC and threw for 1,182 yards in just four games. Crum’s experience and dual-threat skill set speak for themselves, leaving many excited to see if he can perform against an SEC defense.

DeMarvin Leal - A&M Veteran defensive lineman Leal, recently named a Walter Camp Preseason All-American First Team player, is back for his junior season. Leal’s versatility and aggressiveness made him a danger in the past, and he is only improving with age. The potential 2022 NFL draftee will have a chance to test his pass rush against this Kent State offense. Leal also plays a big leadership role on defense, which will be present this weekend and in weeks to come.

Ainias Smith - A&M Need to run? Put Smith on the field. Need to pass? Still, put Smith on the field. Claimed to be one of the most versatile players in college football, the wide receiver can do just about anything. Last season, Smith ran for 293 yards, received for 564 yards and finished with 10 touchdowns. No. 0’s athleticism and versatility on the field gives A&M a real edge on any opponent. To add to Smith’s resume, he is A&M’s main returner, documenting 447 yards between punts and kickoffs. Last year, Kent State’s defense gave up over 400 rushing yards to Buffalo’s Jaret Patterson, so Saturday could be a track meet for Smith.

SPORTS

The Battalion | 9.2.21

Million dollar coach

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M head football coach Jimbo Fisher capitalizes on new 10-year contract, making him second in pay to University of Alabama football coach Nick Saben.

Jimbo Fisher set to become NCAA’s highest salaried coach by early 2025 By Jennifer Streeter @jennystreeter Texas A&M has agreed on a new contract extension with Jimbo Fisher that will keep the head coach with A&M through the 2031 season, adding an extra four years to his original contract. The 10-year deal will pay the former national championship-winning coach an average of $9 million per season, starting on Jan. 1, 2022. Additionally, the annual salary will increase to $9,150,000 on Jan. 1, 2023, with the base salary increasing by $100,000 each year following. Fisher said he is thankful for the constant backing from Aggies everywhere and is looking to use his role to help A&M win a national championship. “The investment Texas A&M University is making in our program, coaching staff and facilities speaks to the vision of our leadership and their commitment to long-term success,”

Fisher said in a press release emailed to The Battalion. “I am thankful for the unwavering support of the administration, the faculty and staff, our 12th Man Foundation donors, the Aggie Network and the 12th Man — the largest and loudest student section in the country. It is an honor to be the head football coach at Texas A&M, and although I am proud of the strides we’ve made, we ain’t done yet!” This new deal replaces the previous tenyear, $75 million total contract agreed upon Fisher’s hiring on Dec. 4, 2017. Once his new salary goes into effect, the only NCAA football coach with a higher salary than Fisher will be reigning national championship coach Nick Saban from the University of Alabama. Saban is currently paid an annual salary of $9,300,000. A&M President Katherine Banks authorized the execution of Fisher’s employment contract in conjunction with Director of Athletics Ross Bjork. “I have great respect for Coach Fisher and his success with our student athletes,” Banks said in the release. “His ability to bring out the best in each of them is inspirational. I am confident that he will continue to raise Texas

A&M University’s football program to new heights.” Fisher’s salary will be $9,350,000 by 2025, $50,000 more than Saban’s, per the contract clause regarding the base salary increments. Bjork said Fisher’s quality of character is the reason for the increase in pay and contract extension. “Coach Fisher continues to demonstrate he is building our program for long-term success, and he is a perfect fit for Texas A&M,” Bjork said in the release. “Providing the appropriate amount of stability and continuity during this important time is critical as we support our football program at the highest level.” Whether Fisher will earn A&M a National Championship by that time, with Saban having already won six with Alabama, is to be determined. The contract extension and raise comes following the conclusion of A&M’s Orange Bowl Championship. Fisher said A&M provides everything he needs to build a successful program. “It’s a tremendous organization with tremendous people who give us all the support [we need],” Fisher said during Wednesday’s

SEC teleconference. “And they’re behind us 100 percent. I’m very appreciative of them and everything they do for us, that’s for sure.” With the Aggies, Fisher has a 26-10 overall record, going 18-8 in conference play. Fisher’s overall record as a head coach stands at 109-33, including his time as head coach for Florida State prior to coming to A&M in 2018. Fisher took over the Seminoles program in 2010 and won them a National Championship in 2013. Bjork said Fisher is among the best of all coaches in the NCAA. “As one of only five active head coaches to win a National Championship, Coach Fisher knows what it takes to lead a comprehensive program on and off the field and develop our young men beyond football,” Bjork said in the release. “There is momentum in all phases of our program, and we are excited about what lies ahead for Aggie Football. We appreciate Coach Fisher’s commitment to Texas A&M.” Fisher’s first game since the extended contract and increased salary announcement will be the 2021 season opener against Kent State, slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4.

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LAST CALL HOW TO GET YOUR AGGIE RING ON NOVEMBER 12, 2021:

Check Ring Eligibility by September 8 Order Aggie Ring by September 9 Aggie Ring Day: November 12, 2021

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If you meet the requirements after Summer 2021: 1. Login or create an account at AggieNetwork.com by September 8 to check your Ring eligibility. 2. In the Aggie Ring tab, click on "Order Your Aggie Ring". • Follow the steps to customize your Aggie Ring; your eligibility will be checked after this step. 3. If eligible, schedule an appointment to order in person or submit your order online by 5 p.m. on September 9.

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4. On your appointment day, visit the Aggie Ring Office to select your Ring size (with official Aggie Ring sizers) and pay for your Aggie Ring. • FULL PAYMENT IS DUE AT TIME OF ORDER. • Pricing is available online. • Aggie Ring Loans are available to qualified, currently enrolled students at the Short Term Loan Office. Visit AggieNetwork.com/Ring for full details.

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SPORTS

The Battalion | 9.2.21

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 1

By Ryne Ryskoski @rusty_ryskoski_

Over the upcoming week, SEC football returns with 14 games scheduled against out-of-conference foes. This weekend’s top game features the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs at No. 3 Clemson on Saturday night as No. 1 Alabama and Ole Miss kick off their seasons at Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium against No. 14 Miami and Louisville, respectively. No. 16 LSU travels out west to Los Angeles for a matchup with UCLA as No. 6 Texas A&M and No. 13 Florida each start things out at home. Vanderbilt, Auburn, Tennessee and South Carolina begin at home as well, kicking off new eras with new head coaches.

No. 1 Alabama @ No. 14 Miami (FL)

Louisville @ Ole Miss

Saturday, Sept. 4 – Mercedes Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Ga. 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC

Saturday, Sept. 4 – Mercedes Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Ga. 7 p.m. CT on ESPN Perhaps one of the more underrated week one matchups comes with the Rebels and Cardinals facing off in Atlanta on Saturday night. Quarterback Matt Corral is one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC entering the season and has Heisman Trophy potential written all over him. The junior threw for 3,337 yards and 29 touchdowns on 71 percent completion in 2020 with the fifth-highest yards-per-game average in the country at 333. Lane Kiffin’s Rebels will have to find a receiving threat to replace Elijah Moore with guys like Braylon Sanders and Dontario Drummond. Jerrion Ealy will be a suitable backfield threat for Corral. Louisville is fired up for this primetime matchup as it is coming off a four-win season. Head coach Scott Satterfield and his defense will have to create ways to contain Corral from having too much time in the pocket and create pressure from defensive linemen YaYa Diaby and Malik Clark. On offense, the Cardinals have signal caller and RS-Junior Malik Cunningham, who has seen increased playing time and improved stats over the last three years. In 2019 and 2020 combined he tossed 4,682 yards and 42 touchdowns with an average of 47.5 rushing yards per game. He remains a threat, but I predict that the Rebels, led by Corral, will simply outplay Cunningham’s Cardinals on the offensive side of the ball to win a high-scoring game. Ole Miss let up the most points per game in the conference at 38.3 last year, and I expect that to continue this weekend, but with an even better offense.

The number one-ranked Crimson Tide, 14-3 in 17 all-time matchups against the No. 14 Hurricanes, have a talented new signal caller in Bryce Young to replace Mac Jones. Young was a former five-star recruit and appeared in nine games last season, including the national championship win against Ohio State. He completed 13 of 22 passes for 156 yards and one touchdown over the course of his freshman season. Meanwhile, Miami has a far more experienced quarterback and team captain in D’Eriq King, who tossed for 2,686 yards with 23 touchdowns and only five interceptions a year ago before tearing his ACL and undergoing intense rehab to return this season. He will be returning for their season opener and has receiver Charleston Rambo and running back Cam’Ron Harris alongside him. Safety Bubba Bolden is one of Miami’s best defenders and playmakers to watch for with Alabama bringing Demarco Hellamns, Jordan Battle, Josh Jobe and Jalyn Armour-Davis to defend King and Co. Alabama ultimately has too much talent to not find a way to beat the Hurricanes, but Young will have to play well or else King and Miami threaten the ability to score quickly and gain a lead. In the end, Nick Saban’s defense and offensive line will lead them to a ranked neutral site win in week one. Prediction: Alabama 34, Miami 21

Prediction: Ole Miss 42, Louisville 30

No. 16 LSU @ UCLA Saturday, Sept. 4 – Rose Bowl Stadium – Los Angeles, Calif. 7:30 p.m. CT on FOX

Chip Kelly’s Bruins cruised to a 44-10 win over Hawaii in one of the first CFB games of the year last weekend and will host the 2019 National Champion Tigers at the Rose Bowl for a late night game on Sept. 4. UCLA’s offensive attack in week one featured Michigan transfer Zach Charbonnet, who rushed six times for 106 yards and three scores, and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He went 10 of 20 for 130 yards and a touchdown as three other rushers combined for 128 yards to overwhelm the Rainbow Warriors. LSU’s offensive strength this season lies in its running backs and sophomore quarterback Max Johnson. Myles Brennan had a chance to take the starting job, but he broke his non-throwing arm by slipping on a dock during a fishing trip in July and is still sidelined. Johnson returns after the 2020 season’s revolving door between him, Brennan and TJ Finley. John Emery Jr. and Tyrion Davis-Price provide great balance for Ed Orgeron’s offense in the run game as receiver Kayshon Boutte and Brian Thomas will most likely see the most passes from Johnson. If this game was in Death Valley, it would probably be an easy win for the Tigers, but in L.A. the Bruins will give them a much bigger fight on the ground. LSU’s offense will put together enough good drives though to get a second-half lead and beat UCLA in the end. Prediction: LSU 40, UCLA 30

WEEK 1: STAFF PICKS Texas A&M vs. Kent State

Rides between cities. First ride is free! CODE: AGSWIN6

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Saturday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. on ESPNU

Myranda Campanella

Editor-in-Chief @MCampanella_

As Harry Styles once said, “You’re [not] so Golden,” Flashes.

Jennifer Streeter

Co-Sports Editor @jennystreeter3

My original quote got cut, so gig ‘em Ags I guess?

MYRANDA

JENNIFER JULIA

Julia Potts

Managing Editor @juliaapotts

If losing was a good thing, then Kent State would be GOLDEN.

Casey Stavenhagen

Co-Sports Editor @CStavenhagen

News flash: Kent State ain’t that golden.

CASEY

CORI

RYAN

Cori Eckert

Head Page Designer @corieckert

We’re playing Kent State? I Kent State a reason why we shouldn’t win.

Ryan Faulkner

Assistant Sports Editor @ryanfaulk03

Were there not any top-500 teams available to play this week...?

AUBREY Aubrey Vogel

CALEB

News Editor @aubrey_vogel

Kent State needs to be prepared for the 651 days of energy the 12th Man has pent up.

Caleb Powell

Opinion Editor @calebpowell3

Since King “can throw the ball” according to Jimbo, I’m pretty sure we’ll win.

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