The Battalion — April 7, 2022 by The Battalion

6,509 students to participate in April Ring Day Need-to-knows for recipients, guests for April 2022 Ring Day By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel With continued construction of Aggie Park, the Kyle Field Ford Hall of Champions will welcome 6,509 Aggie Ring recipi-

ents and their guests on Thursday, April 7 and Friday, April 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the largest Ring Days of the year. Out of the 6,509 rings, 3,179, or 49%, are men’s while 3,330, or 51%, are women’s, according to a press release from The Association of Former Students. Various types of rings were ordered with 5,680, or 87%, as 10K gold, 688, or 10%, as 14K, 161, or 2%, as Polara and 62, or 1%, as white gold. Out

of all recipients, 38% have ordered diamonds in their rings. The classes of 2022 and 2023 make up a majority of the ring recipients, but there are also 193 students from the Class of 2024 included in the total and 102 from the Class of 2021. Students receiving their rings will be assisted by 73 Association employees as well as 375 volunteers, including 56 students as they pick up their Aggie gold.

To ease ring pick-up, the Association suggests students have their ring tickets ready when entering the gates at Kyle Field. Groups will be called at each entrance, with last names starting with A through G entering at the southwest activation tower and last names starting with H through Z entering through the northwest activation tower. Ring recipients should ensure they arRING DAY ON PG. 2

History of Aggie Rings

Kyle McClenagan — THE BATTALION

The Aggie Ring has changed in appearance and substance since its creation, as seen in the above rings from the classes of 1890, 1900, 1933 and 2020.

Beginning in 1889, the Aggie Ring has seen many changes in design, but maintains the embodiment of Aggie Spirit By Kyle McClenagan @KMcclenagan

ince 1889, the Aggie Ring has served as an iconic symbol of Texas A&M’s rich appreciation for the school’s traditions and values. The Aggie Ring has been around for 133 years and has faced several challenges and multiple iterations to become the ring that Aggies around the world recognize and wear today. Currently, the ring is available in four different styles: antique, natural, Polara and white gold. Each ring also comes in both a large and small size with the standard 10K gold or the optional 14K purity. Students also have

the choice of adding a diamond ranging from 10-point to 30-point for an additional cost. In 1899, the ring that began the lineage of the modern day design was created by the Linz Brothers Jewelry Company of Dallas and was accepted by the 1899 Class Ring Committee, chaired by then-business manager of The Battalion R.J. Poulter. This design was also adopted by the classes of 1900, 1901 and 1902, and cost students $10.50 — $350.47 today. Over the next two decades, the ring would see little change except for the state seal and crossed weapon charges changing sides in 1912 before returning to their original orientation in 1926, according to the Association of Former Students’ website. Scott Walker, Class of 1990 and vice president of the Association, said the ring hasn’t always had a strict style. “I don’t want to say it was a free for all, but in the early days it was kind of a free for all,” Walker said. “Every class did their own thing, [and] the designs might be the same for one year, or the next day they might go in a wildly

different direction.” The ring did not begin to become officially standardized until the 1930s, Walker said. “By the turn of the century, we started seeing elements that we would recognize today,” Walker said. “In the early 1930s to the mid-1930s is when it really started to get standardized, and it’s really only had small changes since then, the most significant one being when the college became a university and so the lettering changed.” Walker said standardizing the design was important so Aggies from different class years could still identify each other. “Part of the value of a class ring is that it’s recognizable,” Walker said. “If mine looks radically different from yours, then we would not have the ability to recognize each other across the airport the way Aggies do now.” Students had a hand in finalizing the standardization in 1933, when an official senior ring committee was created by then-university President Thomas O. Walton, Walker said. “As things are often done at Texas A&M,

[President Walton] said, ‘We’re going to let the students sort this out,’” Walker said. “He appointed a committee of students and charged them with cleaning up all of the chaos, so they brought together a unified design and unified requirements to earn the ring and unified manufacturing standards.” Walker said establishing manufacturing standards was important since the university had been cheated before by companies, placing lead in the rings rather than solid gold. “That was part of the impetus for President Walton bringing that committee together,” Walker said. “The students were being taken advantage of by, in some cases, unscrupulous businessmen.” In 1963, when the university began to diversify and allow women and non-Corps of Cadets members to attend, the student body decided the ring should be open to all students. “There were a lot of other things involved in diversifying the student body and who HISTORY ON PG. 2

From stadiums to screens

Going for silver

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

In addition to gold, Aggies may order their rings in a Polara or white gold finish.

Muslim students share why they chose Aggie silver instead of gold By Michaela Rush @Michaela4Batt This Thursday and Friday, April 7-8, 6,509 Aggies will receive their Aggie Rings, celebrating with friends and family, but not all will choose the traditional gold band to represent their Aggie pride. For industrial engineering senior Abdurrahman Arastu and other men of the Muslim faith, their religion affects how they wear their ring, clad in silver rather than gold. In Islam, men cannot wear gold, as instructed by religious text, Arastu said. “The primary reason that [Muslim] men

don’t wear gold is because that is a commandment that was shared by the Prophet Muhammad,” Arastu said. “He basically said that it’s forbidden for men to wear gold or pure gold jewelry, or things of that nature. At the end of the day, we always say that God knows best what the wisdom is, and we adhere to it.” Arastu said having the option to get his ring in silver allowed him to celebrate both his love of A&M and dedication to his faith. “I’m really glad that A&M provides these silver alternatives,” Arastu said. “Not only is it adhering to the faith, but you also have the financial benefit, it’s more affordable. I don’t feel like any less of an Aggie in any sense. There’s nothing different, it’s just the Aggie Ring and it has significance, same as AGGIE SILVER ON PG. 9

PROVIDED

12th Man Productions employs over 100 student workers, broadcasting all home A&M sporting events.

Campus broadcasting provides students experience, opportunity By Brad Bennett @Brad_Bennett13 For Aggies around the country, it’s easy to watch their favorite teams play: turn on the TV and go to the channel the game is on. However, the production behind this is not so simple. A lot of effort and time goes into preparing and executing a broadcast. For A&M, home games are broadcasted by 12th Man Productions. The director of broadcasts for 12th Man Productions Justin Argo, along with the aid of his coworkers and student workers, produces the sports Aggies all over the country consume and love. Argo, Class of 2008, worked for 12th Man Productions while studying at A&M. Upon graduation, Argo moved to Colorado, where he worked with FOX Sports for 10 years before deciding with his wife to return back to College Station in 2017.

The opportunity to return home and help out future Aggies with aspirations in broadcasting was important, Argo said. “We heard about 12th Man Productions and how they were expanding and growing [with] all the stuff they were doing with ESPN and SEC Network,” Argo said. “It was kind of a way to help my alma mater and the future generation with how to do broadcast television.” Argo said he considers his job as a mentorship because of the nearly 100 student workers under his supervision. “I look at my job right now as kind of being a football coach,” Argo said. “I’m working with college students right now. If I’m lucky I’ll get a star freshman that’ll play for four years, but for the most part we’re playing juniors and seniors.” What’s key for him, Agro said, is ensuring 12th Man Productions consistently improves and produces a great product year after year. “We’re trying to build a dynasty,” Argo said. “Just [because] these seniors left [doesn’t 12TH MAN PRODUCTIONS ON PG. 8

RINGDAY

The Battalion | 4.7.22

Ringing in 90 hours

FILE

Many students traditionally drop their Aggie Rings in a pitcher of beer and chug it to celebrate getting their gold, while other students do alternative dunks to mark the occasion.

While the phrase “Ring by Spring” might ring wedding bells to some, Aggies take the expression to a different meaning. With less than six weeks to go until the last day of classes, students at Texas A&M with 90 or more credit hours are eligible to re-

Aggies share Ring Day celebration plans, thoughts on getting gold By Hannah Shaffer @hannahsban

RING DAY CONTINUED rive no earlier than 15 minutes before their selected time slot and bring two forms of identification, including their ring receipt, driver’s license or student ID. Parking will be available for purchase for guests, and students can use their assigned parking passes in available lots. “Ring recipients and guests are encouraged to utilize paid parking in the West Campus Garage, University Center Garage and the Gene Stallings Blvd. Garage,” the release reads. “Dedicated

shuttles will not run to Kyle Field.” For live updates regarding Ring Day, recipients and guests can follow @AggieNetwork on Twitter for any announced changes to the regularly scheduled plan. “Any changes to our delivery schedule due to weather will be posted on these sites, as well as on AggieNetwork. com. Stormy conditions, including wind and lightning, could impact the Ring Day schedule,” the release reads. “Under such circumstances, guests are advised to take shelter in the northwest and southwest activation towers of Kyle Field, or in the Memorial Student Center or University Center Garage.”

ceive their piece of Aggie gold. On Thursday, April 7 and Friday, April 8, Aggie Ring days will be held in the Ford Hall of Champions inside Kyle Field. According to the Aggie Network, over 6,500 rings will be given this week.

HISTORY CONTINUED would be allowed certain privileges,” Walker said. “Ultimately, I think they made the right decision for all of these things, which is that an Aggie is an Aggie, and if you earn an Aggie Ring, you get an Aggie Ring.” Kelly Hutchinson, the Association’s director of campus programs, said the antique finish of today was actually the original, and only, option available to students. “It wasn’t until the ‘70s that the rose gold ring was offered, which is the equivalent to today’s natural finish,” Hutchinson said. “The ‘70s had some significant changes to the product offerings for the Aggie Ring.” The rose gold ring was not the only new addition during the 1970s, Hutchinson said. “The white gold was introduced in 1972,”

Ring recipients should bring their ring ticket and two forms of identification, whether that be a driver’s license, student ID or ring receipt. Recipients and their guests are recommended to park in West Campus Garage, and students with valid parking permits may park in any Lot 100 space. Students celebrate receiving their rings in several ways, but a common celebration is the famous Aggie Ring Dunk. Though most dunk their rings in stale beer, some, like telecommunication and media studies sophomore Avery Kary, christen their gold in other ways. “Since I am still underage, I am having an ice cream party. My friends and I are dunking our rings in ice cream,” Kary said. “I’m excited to see my friends and family come together to celebrate.” The Aggie Ring symbolizes a student’s hard work and dedication over the course of 90 credit hours. For Aggie Network Student Ambassador and industrial distribution junior Megan Tamplen, the ring holds a deeper meaning outside of the university. “I have started looking for Aggie Rings as networking opportunities outside of the university,” Tamplen said. “It means more in terms of networking for me and getting closer with the Aggie Network.” As a student ambassador, Tamplen represents the Association of Former Students for the current student body. Ambassadors educate the student body about the impact of the Association outside of their time at A&M, Tamplen said. For others, receiving their Aggie Ring is another way to celebrate A&M’s history of tradition. Nursing junior Peyton Shamp said receiving her Aggie Ring represents student unity. “I love all of the traditions that A&M has,” Shamp said. “I feel like people here are all pretty united under the tradition and school spirit that we have. It’s not something that you experience at a lot of other universities.”

Hutchinson said. “There is also another silver colored ring that is available, and that is the Polara finish, [which] is a ring that contains no precious metals and was first introduced in 1976.” While other schools also offer class rings, the Aggie Ring still stands alone in its value to the student population, Walker said. “For 94% of the students who earn it to actually buy it, it’s frankly unheard of, and it’s really a testament to the power of the ring and the power of the tradition and the power of the Aggie Network,” Walker said. Hutchinson said she is glad the Association is able to continue on the Aggie Ring’s legacy. “I am just so incredibly proud of the time and the focus that our team puts on maintaining the integrity of the ring, and part of the reason it is known worldwide is because of that Intentionality,” Hutchinson said.

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All its polish and ornate details may be gone, leaving only an amorphous wad of gold, but its owner sees it differently. For him, this old ring represents a special place and time where he learned

REDEFINE

who he was and what he could become. Neither he nor this ring looks the same as they did then, but they both still shine, nevertheless. Since 1953, donors to the Texas A&M

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RINGDAY

The Battalion | 4.7.22

FAMILY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES Recurring Events: Hullabaloo at Holleman Time: Thursday, April 7 to Sunday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Warehouse at C.C Creations What to expect: Discounts, free food and merchandise, student-athlete signings Aggie Mom Boutique Time & Location: Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Memorial Student Center on the 2nd Floor Texas A&M Track and Field: 44 Farms Team Invitational Time & Location: Friday, April 8 at 12:15 p.m. & Saturday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m at E.B. Cushing Stadium Tickets: Free to students with sports passes, $7 for non-pass holders TAMU Horticulture Club: Spring Plant Sale Time: Friday, April 8, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. & Saturday, April 9, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Across from Lot 100c on West Campus Professional Bull Riding: Aggieland Classic Time & Location: Friday, April 8 & Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m. at Reed Arena Tickets: Online at pbr.com/ tickets/

Friday, April 8 Softball vs. LSU Time & Location: 6 p.m. at Davis Diamond Tickets: Free to students with sports passes, $7-$10 for nonpass holders Corps of Cadets Unit Awards and Review Time & Location: 6 p.m. at the Simpson Drill Field

Fish Fest Time & Location: 6:25 p.m. to 9:25 p.m. at Kyle Field Plaza What to expect: Food, music, entertainment for the Class of 2025

Fish Drill Team Demonstration Time & Location: 11:30 a.m. at The Corps of Cadets Quad What to expect: Exhibition performance from nationally famous Fish Drill Team

Baseball vs Kentucky Time & Location: 6:30 p.m. in Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park Tickets: Free to students with sports passes, $10 for non-pass holders

CARPOOL/Aggie Wranglers Crawfish Boil Time & Location: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 8827 Gauge Drive in College Station Tickets: $30 at the door

Family Weekend Yell Practice Time & Location: 10 p.m. at Kyle Field What to expect: Yell Leaders, Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band and a lil’ story for ya, Ags

Open House: Cushing Memorial Library & Archives Time & Location: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cushing Memorial Library

Saturday, April 9 Brazos Valley Farmers’ Market Time & Location: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 500 N Main Street in Downtown Bryan Aggie Band Awards Ceremony Time & Location: 8:30 a.m. at Rudder Auditorium FRUGAL Bake Sale Time & Location: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rudder Plaza Downtown Street & Art Fair Time & Location: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Downtown Bryan What to expect: Art demonstrations, street performances, local artists

Black Aggie Family BBQ Time & Location: 1 p.m at the Lincoln Recreation Center What to expect: Dancing, games, music, food. Hosted by MSC Woodson Black Alliance Council Un Fin De Semana Con Su Aggie Time & Location: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Rudder Tower 601 What to expect: Guest speaker, food, Aggie lotería. Hosted by Hispanic Presidents’ Council Maroon vs. White Spring Game Time & Location: 1 p.m. at Kyle Field What to expect: Football scrimmage, No. 1 Class new recruits on campus

Lavender Graduation Celebration Time & Location: 6 p.m. at Rudder Theatre What to expect: Reception for graduates and family, followed by formal ceremony Soccer vs. ULM Time & Location: 6 p.m. at Ellis Field Texas A&M Singing Cadet Spring Concert Time & Location: 7 p.m. in Rudder Auditorium Tickets: Free for current students, $10 for adults at boxoffice.tamu.edu

Sunday, April 10 Gladiator Dash Time & Location: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 6250 SH-47 S in Bryan What to expect: Philanthropy 5K for Still Creek Ranch Buck Weirus Spirit Award Ceremony Time & Location: 10 a.m. at The Clayton W. Williams Alumni Center Mens’ Tennis vs Ole Miss, UTRGV Time & Location: 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at George P. Mitchell Outdoor Tennis Center Tickets: Free

Family Weekend Tailgate Time & Location: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rec Center Terrace Tickets: Free, register at tx.ag/ fwtailgate Dine Around Jones Crossing Time & Location: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jones Crossing What to expect: Live music, special discounts, proceeds go to Aggieland Humane Society Tickets: $15

2022 ConocoPhillips White House Lecture Series U.S. ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

FEATURING

5:15 p.m. Reception 6:00 p.m. Lecture

CONGRATULATIONS! Over 6,500 shiny new Aggie Rings will be delivered at the Ford Hall of Champions

Thursday, April 7, and Friday, April 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aggie Ring Tickets distributed online at: tx.ag/AggieRingDayTicket

Visit tx.ag/RingDay for more information to ensure the best experience for you and your guests. Arrive any time during your 15-minute ticket time slot. Do not arrive early.

Annenberg Presidential Conference Center

Celebrate responsibly.

1002 George Bush Drive West

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.

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ROBERT B. ZOELLICK

Current Ring Delivery protocols could change at any moment. Any changes will be communicated via AggieNetwork.com.

11th President of the World Bank Group 13th U.S. Trade Representative Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State 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.

RINGDAY

The Battalion 4.7.22

Perseverance prevails

PROVIDED

Visualization senior Zack Hillard’s friends surprised him with the money to pay for his Aggie Ring, which he could not afford.

Zack Hillard thanks fellow students who gathered funds for Aggie Ring By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel For many students, the Aggie Ring represents their hard work and dedication to their studies at Texas A&M, and it’s a constant reminder of their connection to the Aggie Network. However, for one student, it serves as a symbol of something else — friendship always prevails. After his close-knit group of friends found out visualization senior Zack Hillard could not afford to order his Aggie Ring, they secretly pooled together money, ensuring Hillard could order his Aggie gold, which he will pick up this Friday, April 8. Starting as a Blinn TEAM student in 2016, Hillard said he dreamed of becoming a part of the architectural program at A&M, but experienced some setbacks starting his freshman year. “I had a pretty major accident on the men’s

club ultimate team, where I had about a dozen fractures in my face, a week and a half before Thanksgiving,” Hillard said. “A rocky start combined with being out of class for like two weeks right before finals, that first semester was really rough.” In 2017, Hillard began taking visualization classes, quickly making friends. After getting into A&M as a full-time student in spring 2018, Hillard said he faced difficult math classes and had trouble acquiring an internship, which is required for visualization majors, eventually earning one that would be canceled due to COVID-19. “As it stretched on, funds got tighter,” Hillard said. “I’ve had to take out a couple loans to help pay for stuff and funds that were meant for more special things like my ring, [and I] had to make decisions really early in the semester, pretty close to the deadline to order a ring, before I graduate, had to make that hard decision to put that toward part of tuition instead of getting the ring.” Hillard and his friends have stayed connected via Discord, and when they found out he was not going to be able to get his Aggie

Ring, they secretly met to raise funds on his behalf, Cecilia Gonzalez, Class of 2020, said. “Immediately, a bunch of us were really upset for him, because Zack [Hillard] is just a really great guy and a great friend. He’s one of the hardest workers out of all of us. He was always somebody who was staying up super late in the studio, working on his projects and even helping others with their projects, helping people figure out, problem solve and really helping everyone to make the best projects that they could make,” Gonzalez said. “Even outside of the studio, he’s just a great friend. He actually volunteered to shave his head in solidarity with me when I was going through chemo a couple years ago.” To surprise Hillard, Rogelio Hernandez, Class of 2020, said he asked Hillard to jump on a video call on Discord to help him learn a program. During the call, their entire friend group joined to surprise Hillard and present him with the money to order his ring. “Everybody was pretty on board from the start. We set a goal initially to just see how much we could raise, a few $100 to see if we could help them out with it and just give them

the money,” Hernandez said. “But as soon as we did it, and we kind of set a date for it for him to be able to buy the ring, that we exceeded that goal.” With his ring pickup day quickly approaching, Hillard said the added surprise of the story behind his ring makes it even more meaningful. “[Getting my Aggie Ring] was already going to be really special, considering how much I have had to go through to get through my undergrad and getting to experience it with them has made it really, really special. I would say a large part of why I’m still here is because of their friendship and the help that they’ve given me through the years,” Hillard said. “The fact that every time I look down at my hand and see something that they got for me is going to make it all the more special.” Hernandez said he could not think of a better person to have the honor of helping and is thankful for everything Hillard has done for himself and their friend group. “He is super deserving. He has a bunch of Aggie Spirit, more than anyone else I know,” Hernandez said. “He’s just one of the most resilient people I know, and even when he’s going through it, he’s just so helpful to everybody around them and he’s always wanting to help other people and give back, so it just felt right.” Beyond a symbol of their Aggie ties, Gonzalez said she believes the Aggie Ring also represents their friend group’s story. “The Aggie Ring really just symbolizes all of those years that we got to spend together,” Gonzalez said. “In visualization, I think you’ve kind of get really, really close with all of your classmates because you spend all of these sleepless nights in the studio together working on your projects and you form really close bonds. “The Aggie Ring really is the fruit of our labors and symbolizes all of those sleepless studio nights that we spent learning and building our friendships. Being able to help [Hillard] get his ring, it’s kind of like the cherry on top of our friendship story.” To top off the excitement, Hillard said his sister will also receive her ring, and the two will get to experience the moment together and dunk their rings together at their Despicable Me themed dunk celebration. As he wears his Aggie gold on his finger daily, Hillard said it will always serve as a reminder of the power of hard work and great friends. “It’s gonna be a reminder that hard work pays off and that there’s always a good reward for hard work, even if it seems really far off and far away,” Hillard said. “Also that no matter what, if you’re not able to pull something off yourself, a good set of friends are always going to be able to help you get through it.”

RINGDAY

The Battalion | 4.7.22

PROVIDED

Cal M. Graham’s 100-year-old Aggie Ring (left) is the first of a century-long tradition of Aggie Rings in the Kraft-Graham family (right). Graham Kraft will receive his ring on Friday, April 8.

100 years of Aggie tradition Kraft-Graham family celebrate four generations of rings, lasting legacy By Kathryn Miller @KathrynMiller0 While many second- or third-generation Aggies may have parents or grandparents present them with their rings this weekend, the Kraft’s Aggie lineage goes back farther than most. Construction science junior and Squadron 17 cadet Graham Kraft will be receiving his ring this Friday, April 8, exactly 100 years after his great-grandfather, Cal M. Graham received his in 1922. Family friend Janet Stiles said Cal was in the Class of 1923, and his family recently found him in the 1922 Aggieland Yearbook as a member of the Corps of Cadets. “Nobody knew if Cal graduated or not,” Stiles said. “But he did get his ring and it was a Class of 1923. This family treasure is now worn smooth with wear and time and in the possession of his son, Gordon C. Graham, Class of 1958. We were unable to determine if Cal graduated, but [he] is listed in the 1922 yearbook as a junior.” After college, Stiles said Cal ran a dairy

farm that delivered milk to A&M students, who were all male cadets at the time, and door-to-door to Bryan and College Station homes, restaurants and grocery stores. “The Graham farm was located about five miles south of College Station on Wellborn Road. There is currently a road named Graham Road that was the site of this farm,” Stiles said. “The dairy farm lasted many years, and then Cal Graham and two partners built the Brazos Creamery in Bryan, where they had an ice cream bar that was a very popular spot for families in the Bryan-College Station area.” After the creamery went bankrupt in the 1950s, Stiles said Cal was forced to auction the dairy farm on Wellborn, and then with his wife Edith Sims Graham purchased the Blue Top Courts, a motel on what is now Texas Avenue, along A&M’s east entrance. Stiles said at the time, Cal’s son Gordon was in high school. Stiles, Gordon’s ex-wife, said he grew up in Bryan and moved to Dallas after he got out of military service. Stiles and Gordon then had two children, Graham Kraft’s mother Gaylan Graham, Class of 1992, and Stephen Graham, Class of 1990, who was also in the Corps of Cadets. “Stephen was a Sul Ross Volunteer and

was on the rifle drill team that was at the George Bush inaugural parade. He did a lot with the Sul Ross Volunteers,” Stiles said. “His son, Cal Graham … is going to go to A&M, Class of 2026. He just announced it last week.” Gaylan said the long lineage of Aggies is family tradition. “My dad [Gordon] grew up in Bryan and had [A&M] season tickets. Even though we lived in Dallas, we would come to almost all the home games,” Gaylan said. “From the time we were very small, it was ingrained in me. My father used to joke with me, I could go anywhere I wanted to go to college, but if I went to A&M he would pay my way. So, he was kind of joking, kind of not joking, but I’m not sure I really wanted to go anywhere else anyway.” David P. Kraft, Class of 1990, Graham Kraft’s father, said he originally wasn’t sure about where to go to college, but after a family friend told him all about A&M, he visited and was instantly in love with the school. “I’m a first-generation Aggie, I married into [the Grahams], but A&M is what I wanted my kids to have,” David said. “I think that there’s so much more that you get out of A&M than your education. You get camaraderie. You get the school spirit.

You get the tradition of the Corps of Cadets, the networking relationships. There’s just so much from that. It’s not just about academics and schoolwork, and that’s what we wanted for our kids.” Graham Kraft said he feels he is part of a legacy and the ring is his rite of passage. “My whole family are Aggies, l grew up coming to College Station, going to games and always saw the ring and always knew I wanted one since I was a kid,” Graham Kraft said. “It’s surreal to finally get mine on Friday. It’s crazy, I’m super excited about it.” Graham Kraft said he is excited to see his grandfather Gordon this weekend, and he is the one who is going to present him with the ring. Gaylan said Gordon is also bringing Cal’s original Class of 1923 Aggie Ring to Ring Day. Graham Kraft said this weekend with his family will be a celebration of his lineage. “I’m also in the Ross Volunteer company and we have a Parents Weekend performance on Saturday morning, and I’m really looking forward to that because both my uncle and my grandfather were in the Corps, and my uncle was a Ross Volunteer as well and have a bunch of family friends that were [Ross Volunteers] that will be there,” Graham Kraft said.

SPORTS

The Battalion | 4.7.22

Aggies secure 3 new recruits, 1 transfer to roster for next season By Grant Gaspard @grant_gaspard “I don’t think we have the best players,” Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams said following the 56-55 win against Florida on Feb. 15. “That is because the head coach is not a good recruiter.” Based on the 2022 rankings of best recruiting schools, A&M men’s basketball ranks 84th in the nation. So, in some cases, what coach Williams said is factual in some measure. However, after a long postseason run, finishing the season 27-13 and having most of the same team returning for next season, the Aggies seem to be in good shape. As of right now, A&M basketball has four combined recruits and transfers joining in the fall. Here’s a look at who will be joining this squad for the 2022-23 season: Solomon Washington — New Orleans, George Washington Carver High School This A&M basketball signee is a perfect fit for coach Williams’ turnover-reliant scheme. The 6-foot-6 small forward out of New Orleans is the No. 1 out-of-state player and was named the 2022 Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year. Projected as a Power-Five school starter by 247Sports, Washington is a dominant, 190-pound defensive hustler who averaged 11.1 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.4 steals per game in his last season, helping to bring his team to an LHSAA 4A State Championship. Washington had offers from four other schools in his home state including the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, McNeese State, Southern University and the University of New Orleans. The 3-star athlete ranks 39th in the nation at his position and 155th nationally as a player, based on 247Sports composite rankings. The only crack in his game is his inability to shoot behind the arc. Other than that, he is labeled as a powerful interior finisher with an explosive first step who loves attacking the rim. With his dominant shot-blocking and rebound capabilities, Washington will fit in just fine with coach Williams’ game plan. Erik Pratt — Lakeworth, Fla., Seward County Community College This junior college transfer has an arsenal of skills that will be a major asset to the maroon and white offense. For starters, this 6-foot-5 guard has extraor-

A&M men’s basketball’s 2022 recruiting class

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Head coach Buzz Williams has added four new recruits to the maroon and white’s roster.

dinary ball control with the ability to create space off an opposing defender with just one step back and has a quick first step to beat just about any defender to the rim. All Pratt needs is an inch of open space to make a 3-pointer. He can shoot from any distance, from any spot in the gym and his quick release makes it difficult for opposing defenders to block his shot. In the 18 games he played for the Spartans, Pratt averaged 13.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. In the 17 conference games he played, he averaged 49.1% from behind the arc, which is a statistic uncommon at any level of basketball. The Florida native will be a solid scoring addition for the Aggies and will be another key shooter behind freshman guard Wade Taylor IV, junior guard Tyrece Radford and sophomore guard Hayden Hefner that opposing teams will need to watch out for.

Jordan Williams — Houston, Second Baptist High School A football player turned hooper, this 6-foot3 point guard grew up in a family raised on the gridiron by retired NFL player Jermaine Williams with brother LSU junior running back Josh Williams. Jordan is joining up with an old friend, football and basketball recruit Chris Marshall, in College Station, who both played on the same AAU team Mo Williams Blue Chips. The 3-star ranked guard, according to 247Sports, has good court vision, a quick first step and is as tough as nails. Jordan is a 2019 TAPPS DII State Champion and MVP. By the end of 2021, he had 17 offers, including Michigan State, Baylor and Purdue. A point guard as strong as Jordan who can shoot the 3-point well is uncommon at the collegiate level and will be a valuable asset to the maroon and white squad.

Chris Marshall — Houston, Fort Bend Marshall High School On Nov. 6, 2021, A&M had the No. 3 receiver in the country sign his letter of commitment to its football program — and the basketball program, as well. From catching a touchdown pass to dunking a basketball, the two-sport athlete can do it all. According to Max Preps statistics, Marshall helped his team to a 28-3 record — 16-0 in conference — and averaged 21.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game. The 6-foot-3 forward can elevate with anyone in the gym and will be an issue for opposing players who plan on standing under the rim with Marshall driving to the paint. As for rankings, A&M is at the bottom of the list in recruits. When taking a deeper look at the guys they do have, they fit in perfectly with coach Williams’ scheme and add more depth to this already experienced A&M team.

RINGCOLUMNS

The Battalion | 4.7.22

PROVIDED

News editor Michaela Rush will be receiving her Aggie Ring in the Hall of Champions on Friday, April 8 at 11:30 a.m.

Worth the fight News editor Michaela Rush says this ring was always meant to be Michaela Rush @Michaela4Batt

have never known life without the Aggie Ring. As the daughter of two of the loudest and proudest members of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie classes of ‘94 and ‘96, the importance of a small loop of gold (or silver!) has not been lost on me. Whether it was in New York, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina or Indiana, the Aggie Ring would connect my parents to people, like some magical friendship magnet. As a young child, the decision was obvious. I’m a Texan by birth and an Aggie by the grace of God. I’d see the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band on Saturdays, get coffee with Dr. Richard Golsan, pass by the dome of the Academic Building on the way to class and eventually get my own piece of Aggie legacy in the form of my ring. But, as most things are, this decision was more complicated by the time I reached the end of high school. I had dreams of moving out of College Station, where I had spent five years of my life, forging my own path and wanting to become a music teacher. Fate had other plans. I soon learned that no matter how many tears I shed, that wouldn’t change the resounding “no” from each music program I applied to. By the end of April 2019, I had two options: Texas A&M University or Indiana University. I chose Indiana. I packed up, moved to the Midwest and put on my biggest smile. I joined the Marching Hundred Band, trying to keep the music in my life. I made friends, joined organizations and made a space for myself on campus. Still, something didn’t feel right.

I needed to go home. Back to Aggieland. I had so many questions: Was I doing the right thing? Was I just scared? Would I grow to feel at home in Indiana? I’ve moved so many times, why did this feel so different? When I came back for winter break of freshman year, I saw West Campus on the ride from the airport, and cried. Never had I been so happy to see the brutalist architecture and tan shade of campus. Fast forward, six long months, a “Spring Break” that lasted the rest of the semester and a million page refreshes. A&M wanted me back too. So for me, this ring is so much more than my time in College Station. It’s every hard decision I had to make, every tear I shed, every question I asked and every other vision I had for my life, every time I doubted myself. Despite the pain, anxiety medications, ADHD diagnoses, long nights, lessons learned the hard way, I wouldn’t have — and couldn’t have — done it any other way. I’m home, in the Visitor Center with the Howdy Crew, at Reed Arena with the Hullabaloo Band and most importantly, in the Batt Cave, with all the names you spot on bylines across the publication. To my parents, who always knew I would be an Aggie, to my siblings who were as excited about me being an Aggie as I was, to my grandparents, especially Moggie for her enthusiasm over being an Aggie grandma, and all of my friends in College Station, Indiana and everywhere else: Thank you for your unending love and support. I once believed love would be burning red, but it’s golden. Michaela Rush is an English junior and News editor for The Battalion.

TEXAS A&M STUDENT MEDIA INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR

Editor-in-Chief

BATTALION THE

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893

Summer 2022 & Fall 2022–Spring 2023 Summer editor oversees print, digital and special editions from May 23, 2022, to Aug. 14, 2022. Fall and spring editor oversees print, digital and special editions from Aug. 15, 2022, to May 21, 2023.

Qualifications for editor-in-chief of The Battalion are: REQUIRED • Be a Texas A&M student in good standing with the University and enrolled in at least six credit hours (4 if a graduate student) during the term of office (unless fewer credits are required to graduate); • Have at least a 2.25 cumulative grade point ratio (3.25 if a graduate student) and at least a 2.25 grade point ratio (3.25 if a graduate student) in the semester immediately prior to the appointment, the semester of appointment and semester during the term of office. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (4 if a graduate student) must have been taken for that semester. PREFERRED • Have completed JOUR 301 or COMM 307 (Mass Communication, Law, and Society) or equivalent; • Have at least one year experience in a responsible editorial position with The Battalion or comparable daily college newspaper, – OR – Have at least one year editorial experience with a commercial newspaper, – OR – Have completed at least 12 hours in journalism, including JOUR 203 (Media Writing I) and JOUR 303 (Media Writing II) or JOUR 304 (Editing for the Mass Media), or equivalent.

Applications are available by request from editor@thebatt.com or dpils@tamu.edu. They should be returned to Douglas Pils, Student Media General Manager, in MSC Suite L410 or dpils@tamu.edu. Application deadline: 5 p.m. Monday, April 11, 2022.

PROVIDED

Life & Arts editor Kathryn Miller will be receiving her Aggie Ring in the Hall of Champions on Friday, April 8 at 2:15 p.m.

Ring of my dreams Life & Arts editor Kathryn Miller says ring represents Aggie family

Kathryn Miller @KathrynMiller0

wish I could say I have a story about the life-changing moment I decided to come to Texas A&M after knowing nothing about it and then having a spiritual experience visiting campus or something, but I can’t. I literally had an “I spit up on t.u.” bib as a baby. After a lengthy admission process and anxiously refreshing my application page all senior fall semester, I got into A&M on Christmas Eve 2018. I was in my bedroom, packing for what — I didn’t know at the time — was going to be my last Christmas at my grandparents’ house in Olney, where I had spent every holiday for the last 18 years. I remember logging onto my application portal in between putting clothes in my bag, expecting the usual “Decision awaiting,” when I saw the words “Congratulations Kathryn! Welcome to the Aggie Family!” scrawled across the screen. I remember feeling my heart stop. That Christmas Eve is one I will always treasure — getting to celebrate continuing the Miller Aggie lineage with those I love most was a euphoric yet bittersweet experience. It was the last time the extended Miller family of 25-plus was together before my grandmother passed three weeks later that following January, and my grandfather that following June, just days after I graduated high school. I like to think they stuck around to see me finally become an Aggie and achieve these milestones. I came to A&M in the fall of 2019, and the ounce of normalcy I experi-

enced in college before the pandemic was magical. I was in awe that I was actually here, and casually passed parts of Aggieland I grew up idolizing, like the lot next to Olsen Field where my family tailgates, on my way to class. That semester, I had many new and exhilarating college experiences such as my first football game as a student, meeting some of my best friends in my freshman dorm, Rudder Hall, my first Midnight Yell and my first (not so exhilarating) 8 a.m. To my mom, I can’t thank you enough for the support and love you’ve given me — I would never, ever be here without you. You go above and beyond to make sure my needs are met and are the reason I am the person I am today. To my dad, Class of 1991, you’re my very best friend. Thank you for raising your little girl around the Spirit of Aggieland. Your endless hours of work and sacrifice to ensure my success is something I’ll never forget, and there’s nobody else I’d rather present me with my gold. And to Nana and Poppy, I wish you were still here, but I’m so grateful you were there for every other special moment. I trust you’ll be watching over this Friday. A&M has been everything I’ve dreamed of and more. This ring doesn’t just symbolize 90 hours. Apart from the hours of studying and reading and writing and stressing, it represents every moment and achievement I have had and will have as an Aggie, from Christmas Eve 2018 until the day my name is called at Muster. It will be my constant. Hopefully, it was worth the wait. Kathryn Miller is a psychology junior and Life & Arts editor for The Battalion.

LET’S BE FRIENDS @THEBATTONLINE

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@THEBATTONLINE

TEXAS A&M STUDENT MEDIA INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR

Editor

Aggieland 2023

Qualifications for editor-in-chief of the Aggieland yearbook are:

REQUIRED • Be a Texas A&M student in good standing with the University and enrolled in at least six credit hours (4 if a graduate student) during the term of office (unless fewer credits are required to graduate); • Have at least a 2.25 cumulative grade point ratio (3.25 if a graduate student) and at least a 2.25 grade point ratio (3.25 if a graduate student) in the semester immediately prior to the appointment, the semester of appointment and semester during the term of office. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hours (4 if a graduate student) must have been taken for that semester; PREFERRED • Have completed JOUR 301 or COMM 307 (Mass Communication, Law, and Society); • Have demonstrated ability in writing, editing and graphic design through university coursework or equivalent experience; • Have at least one year experience in a responsible position on the Aggieland or comparable college yearbook.

Applications are available by request from aggieland.yearbook@gmail.com or dpils@tamu.edu. They should be returned to Douglas Pils, Student Media General Manager, in MSC Suite L410 or dpils@tamu.edu. Application deadline: 5 p.m. Monday, April 11, 2022.

Myranda Campanella, Editor-in-Chief Julia Potts, Managing Editor Lauren Discher, Audience Engagement & Special Sections Editor Robert O’Brien, Photo Chief Ishika Samant, Asst. Photo Chief Aubrey Vogel, Co-News Editor Michaela Rush, Co-News Editor Kyle McClenagan, Multimedia Editor & Asst. News Editor Grant Gaspard, Asst. Podcast Editor

Cori Eckert, Design Editor & Business Manager Casey Stavenhagen, Sports Editor Kay Naegeli, Asst. Sports Editor Jordan Epp, Asst. Sports Editor Caleb Powell, Opinion Editor Nathan Varnell, Asst. Opinion Editor Kathryn Miller, Life & Arts Editor Caroline Wilburn, Asst. L&A Editor

THE BATTALION is published Thursdays during the 2021 spring semester (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media,a unit of the Division of StudentAffairs.Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising call 979-845-2697. For classified advertising, call 979-845-2697. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com. Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.

LIFE&ARTS

The Battalion | 4.7.22

PROVIDED

12th Man Productions offers an opportunity for student employees to learn the ins and outs of sports broadcasting, including television broadcast, photography and announcing.

12TH MAN PRODUCTIONS CONTINUED mean] you’re not going to be successful [in the future]. You hand the baton off, and it’s the next level. [Each] year we try to get better and [improve] our shows from the year before.” Argo said working with students is the best part of his job, he said. “[Students] come in, first couple of shows they’re like a deer in headlights — just kind of terrified,” Argo said. “They’re nervous and don’t know what to expect. Then they get some reps in and they’re learning. They get [to] a level where they’re on national television and doing a really good job, giving each other fists bumps as we go to break because the [show’s flowing] really [well]. Seeing them grow and develop is my favorite part of the job.” Elissa Killebrew, broadcast operations supervisor for 12th Man Productions, said relying on students can make live broadcasts more challenging. “The product we want to put out is so high level because we’ve had so many years of experience, but we’re constantly having to train kids and put students in positions where maybe they’re not exactly ready,” Killebrew said. “We just have to hope they emerge and grow in that position. Sometimes we fail and we have a subpar broadcast that we’re very disappointed in; sometimes we succeed with flying colors.” However, Killebrew said fighting through those challenges can lead to some truly rewarding experiences. “We are really nurturing these students in [both] their personal and career lives,” Killebrew said. “The ultimate payoff is seeing students graduate and go on to be successful in the industry.” Argo said a great example of this success was the Jan. 19 men’s basketball game against Kentucky. “When we did the men’s basketball game versus Kentucky, it was a big prime-time matchup on SEC Network and there were 14,000 [fans] at Reed Arena,” Argo said. “I remember looking around the control room thinking, ‘It’s pretty cool that some of these kids are 19 and 20 years old and they’re doing this.’ The show went really well. It was cool

for me to see them [go] from not knowing anything, to producing at a high level that meets the standard of ESPN.” Since sports are volatile and don’t follow a script, Argo said the job can be difficult for him and his coworkers. “[You] come in and think it’s going to be player A versus player B,” Argo said. “This is the matchup, then something happens and someone gets hurt. From a live event standpoint, you do all your research and come in prepared for a show to tell your [story]. You always have to be prepared for the unexpected.” However, Argo said the volatility can result in incredible games. A perfect example, he mentioned, was when A&M football upset No. 1 Alabama in October of 2021. “Right when you think you know what’s going to happen, something crazy will happen,” Argo said. “Like the Alabama football game, the Aggies were kind of struggling, and then they [came] in, and we have the most magical moment I can think of event-wise. That was really cool to be a part of. [Seeing] everyone storm the field. When I came into work that morning, I didn’t know it was going to be that kind of day [and have] a last-second field goal to beat the No. 1-ranked team in the country. It’s unscripted storytelling and it’s exciting.” This is why Tyler Honeycutt, senior broadcast producer and editor for 12th Man Productions, said communication is key to being successful. “Working in live television, you never know what’s going to come next,” Honeycutt said. “Just being able to react quickly [and] having a game plan. With all that going on, we have a crew of 20-30 people at most of the events that we work, so whenever those things do come up, just being [an] effective communicator is the most important thing for a successful show.” Argo said he learned a lot from his time working in Colorado, communication skills being chief among them. “[I learned a lot about] treating people the right way and working as a team,” Argo said. “That’s something I’ve tried to bring over here, and we have a good team here, too. There’s a lot of collaboration that goes on whenever you’re doing these broadcasts. Just treating people with respect and the way you want to be treated [and] communicating well. That’s been a big part of the culture I try to

instill over here.” In Colorado, Argo won seven Emmys and an individual Emmy. He said the Emmy he was most proud of was for a high school broadcast because of the competition it was up against. “The one that meant the most to me was [when] we had a high school football broadcast that beat out several other professional teams,” Argo said. “That was pretty cool and [meant] a lot to me because we put a lot of pride into that show even though it was a high school football broadcast. The other people that were submitting stuff were [from the] NHL, NBA and MLB teams. We beat out those teams that year with a high school football broadcast.” Killebrew said Argo’s best attribute is his ability to lead by example. The culture he has created is required due to the time commitment in the field of broadcasting. “[Justin] is definitely my favorite boss and favorite mentor because he’s the type of person that makes everyone want to be better,” Killebrew said. “He’s really good at leading and [setting] an example. He focuses a lot on culture, which in our industry is super important because we’re working nights, weekends and holidays.” During the events, Argo’s presence has a calming effect on the crew in what can be a stressful atmosphere, Honeycutt said. “[Argo] carries himself very well,” Honeycutt said. “Whether it’s just around the office talking with other people or actually in the producer chair during a broadcast or big screen show. He’s always cool, calm and collected in the chair. You can always look to him and he’s able to guide the ship and do it in a manner that is effective [while] everyone around him is having fun.” Much like the rest of the world, COVID-19 changed the way 12th Man Productions operated. Previously, ESPN would send producers to assist with the broadcast. “Traditionally, when I took this job, ESPN would send in a couple of [their personnel], including the announcers, onsite to help produce, direct or make graphics,” Argo said. “We got to a level right before the pandemic where they stopped sending as [many] people to our venues. It was more on us to do it.” Due to restrictions keeping ESPN from sending personnel, more of the onus of producing the broadcasts was put on 12th Man Productions. The experience changed the or-

ganization for the better, Killebrew said. “I feel like last year was kind of a turning point [for] 12th Man Productions but also in the sports television industry,” Killebrew said. “ESPN lost so much money and couldn’t send people because [of] Disney[‘s] guidelines. We were having to do productions where the talent was at their own house and they were calling the game through our production facility. [It] changed the industry completely. It saved ESPN a ton of money but it also generated more revenue for us and all the other schools involved in the SEC and ACC network.” This led to ESPN expecting other schools to do the same. Thus far, there have been mixed results, Killebrew said. “Every school involved in those ESPN networks is having to do their own productions on-site with no ESPN help,” Killebrew said. “There [are] some schools that can’t do what we do, but for the most part they’re wanting the schools to be more independent with their broadcasts.” Killebrew said, during a broadcast, it’s important to be as perfect as possible. It’s one of those situations in which you aim for the stars but land on the moon. “Someone told me a long time ago you’re only as good as your last broadcast,” Killebrew said. “On the other side of that, I’ve also been told you can never have a perfect broadcast. You’re always trying to aim for perfection and hope you don’t miss it by too much.” Argo eventually wants to give students the opportunity to potentially learn more about the industry in an academic setting. “I’ve been working on trying to tie this into academics a little bit more, where students can get course credit or learn this in a classroom,” Argo said. “I studied telecommunication media studies when I was in college, but there really wasn’t something this specific in video production to study.” Remaining among the elites in student broadcasting is important for Argo. This means 12th Man Productions needs to be continuously trying to keep up with an ever-changing industry. “[We want to] have [the] standard of being one of the best, if not the best, control room in the country for ESPN,” Argo said. “[We’re] finding different ways to push the envelope and make [our product] better year after year.”

RINGDAY

The Battalion | 4.7.22

AGGIE SILVER CONTINUED any other.” Arastu said his faith and love of the maroon and white are connected, as his religious community was a motivating factor in his move to College Station. “Coming from Oklahoma, I had many in-state schools to choose from, and I came to Texas A&M for two reasons; one, because of the opportunity that comes with the large network and such a large institution; secondly, because of the community, the faith community, I found here when I visited,” Arastu said. “[The Muslim Students’ Association] continues to play a large role in in my experience here. I hope that among the leadership of the organization now that I can help the organization to have that effect for students in years to come.” Biomedical engineering senior Hasan Khan is set to receive his silver ring on Friday, April 8, and is looking forward to sharing in this Aggie tradition. “To me, the ring is all about proving you’ve been there, it’s like when you wear your school colors on campus or wear your team’s colors when you go to a game,” Khan said. “You wear your Aggie Ring to show any Ags, these are my colors [and] I’m part of this group of awesome people.” Khan said two key parts of his identity, his religious beliefs and being an Aggie, have much in common. “[A&M and the Muslim faith] share a lot of the same values and same ideals,” Khan said. “You know, very strong positive values and ideals, so I see the Aggie family as just one more identity, something that I want to live. One more family that I join, one more ideal I want to live up to.” Mechanical engineering junior Afnaan Ahmed is also looking forward to receiving his ring on Thursday, April 7, but has come, physically, a long way to pick up his piece of

the Aggie legacy. Ahmed said his semester in College Station will allow him to bring the Aggie Spirit wherever he goes. “I go full time to the Qatar campus and I’m just here for a semester experience,” Ahmed said. “When you come here, the campus is much larger, has more spirit and you hear about Silver Taps, you hear about the spirit at football games or at basketball games.” Though Ahmed could have ordered his ring at the Qatar campus, he said being able to get his ring and participate in the “College Station tradition” is an exciting opportunity. “This month we have Ramadan, where we’re fasting, so most Muslims fast every day from sunrise to sunset for 30 days,” Ahmed said. “Once I get my Aggie Ring, I’ll be celebrating while I’m breaking my fast with my Muslim brothers and sisters.” Coming from a predominantly Muslim campus, Ahmed said the majority of his male peers have silver rings, but this is just a small example of how he’s experienced diversity across the two campuses. “I come from the United Arab Emirates, so I grew up my entire life in a Muslim-majority country,” Ahmed said. “Even though I’ve interacted with people from different religions before, being in a country where the majority is different religions, by going to events and meeting different people, I’m getting my perspectives open, and I’m getting to learn a lot more about people.” Though Khan is excited to receive his ring, he said what makes an Aggie is not the piece of jewelry, instead, it’s about character. “Some people, maybe they can’t buy one or maybe they get a silver one when all the other guys get gold,” Khan said. “But it’s just a physical thing, like an almost inconsequential thing to represent something that’s a lot more about who you are than what you’ve got on your finger.”

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ALL POSITIONS NEEDED: Drew’s Car Wash is currently hiring for all positions! Flexible schedules for students. $9 to $12 per hour with tips. Apply in person or email careerswithdrews@ yahoo.com. TUTORS WANTED for all subjects taught at Texas A&M, Blinn College and Sam Houston State. Pay starts at $15 an hour. Apply online at www.99tutors.com. Call 979-255-3655 with questions. BIT.LY/WORKATPEPES: Family-owned restaurant, in business over 50 years, looking for about 6 new team members. Perks include paid vacations, referral bonuses, half priced food for you when you work, and half priced food for your entire family once a week. Flexible scheduling, we’ll work around your classes or other commitments. Texas Food Handler’s card required. No experience necessary, just bring a great attitude and we can teach you the rest! Apply: bit.ly/workatpepes

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43 Trading place 45 Brass component 46 Period in the earth’s history 47 Chinese dynasty name 50 Delicate 52 Panic 54 Savory jelly 55 Embrocated 56 Mideast chief 57 Mexican moolah 59 Curly cabbage 61 First-rate 62 Hockey score 63 Part of SEATO 64 Poetic adverb 65 Egg cells 67 Attempt

SPORTS

The Battalion | 4.7.22

Perfect puzzle: The starting 5

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Sophomore guard Hassan Diarra (5) is lifted up by his teammates to dunk in Madison Square Garden on Thursday, March 31.

Starting lineup, 2021-22 team make mark on A&M basketball program By Kay Naegeli @KayNaegeli A third-year returner wondering if he made the right decision to stay. A Duke transfer and country boy at heart, looking for a home. An undersized, freshman 3-point-shooting guard who faced fear with confidence. A young, promising talent whose improvement landed him a starting spot. A fighter who never left coach Buzz Williams’ side, nicknamed after the material on his feet. These men are Texas A&M’s starting five. Walking onto the practice court for the first time, these five players stepped on the hardwood with no idea where their last steps of the season would be taken. “It’s new players, so it’s a different atmosphere,” graduate guard Quenton Jackson said. “This team is looking real promising. I enjoy playing with these guys.” They had no idea what the season had in store. They barely even knew each other. They were a collection of personalities, ages and backgrounds, but one thing was for sure: they believed in themselves and Williams. At the start of the season, the group had not quite come together. Williams made changes in the starting lineups for the first 27 games, rotating players to find the right fit, but nothing stuck. The hot 4-0 start in the SEC was a distraction from the fact that the Aggies never had distinguished leaders, more so players who would step up and fill each role when needed. That kind of dynamic can only get a team so far. In front of a record-breaking crowd at Reed Arena, the Aggies’ first SEC loss came at the hands of then-No.12 Kentucky. Loss after loss, the Aggies fell into an eight-game slump, five of which were single-digit games they couldn’t quite finish. Emotions were drained, and the Aggies simply lacked an answer. Amid the streak, changes were needed. “I don’t know if there’s a specific answer on what is the right way to handle an eightgame losing streak,” Williams said. “If there is, I haven’t read the book on it.” Williams and his staff gathered around and looked at the differences in how they prepared for the games lost versus games won. Among the common denominators was the starting lineup. Williams and his staff tested out nine different starting combinations throughout the season until one stuck. The Aggies responded with two wins after their skid, but it wasn’t until the Georgia game on Feb. 22 that their 10th and final starting lineup was announced.

It was another SEC matchup at Reed Arena. A&M announcer Andrew Monaco read off the provided starting list. “At forward, 6-foot-6 sophomore from Richmond, Virginia, Henry Coleman III.” Out of high school, Coleman was a top100 recruit whose talents landed him at Duke. After a year, he realized it was not the right fit and transferred to A&M. Coleman bought into the spirit of the 12th Man with ease. He loved the meaning behind being an Aggie, and dedicated every effort into making his university proud. “At guard, 6-foot-5 graduate from Los Angeles, California, Quenton Jackson.” Jackson was the oldest player of the five, and his plays on the court strengthened him as a person off the court. He considered transferring after the 2020-21 season, but quickly realized he had no reason to. He loved Williams and College Station, and his growth as a person and player over the past couple years was recognized by Aggies everywhere. His dunks demanded attention, and he simply loved the game of basketball. “At guard, 6-foot-4 freshman from Allen, Texas, Manny Obaseki.” Obaseki started the season as an underdog freshman and quickly turned into a momentum creator for the Aggies. He was a 4-star recruit out of high school with 11 offers, according to 247Sports, who chose A&M because Williams invested in him, not just as a player, but as a person. Obaseki’s improvement in a single season wowed the 12th Man, and he still had three more years to play. He was the team’s proof that hard work pays off. “At guard, 6-foot-2 junior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Tyrece ‘Boots’ Radford.” Not only does Radford’s nickname describe his toughness, it describes his work ethic. His true aggressiveness and athleticism as a guard completes this group of five. When Williams was hired at A&M, Radford stayed behind at Virginia Tech, but made the decision the next season to transfer to the coach that recruited him. The bond formed between the coach and the player refused to be separated by distance. “At guard, 6-foot freshman from Lancaster, Texas, Wade Taylor IV.” The 18-year-old undersized guard stepped on the floor with no fear. Some of his opponents towered him by 11 or 12 inches, but he had more heart than any of them. He was the true 4-star point guard out of high school the Aggies needed, and the only person who believed in him more than himself was Williams. One by one, their names echoed throughout Reed Arena. Each of them had started before, but never together. They all were unique in their own way, but it worked. Two had multiple seasons of NCAA experience, while two had none. Coleman’s height could guard the bigs, while Taylor stood eight inches shorter than him. Radford was a fight-

er, while Obaseki improved each and every game. Each starter was a handcrafted puzzle piece, joined through fate and hard work. The five-piece puzzle made a permanent impact on the program of A&M men’s basketball. On the road at Ole Miss, the same lineup was announced. Williams liked the direction they were headed. The starting 2-0 with this group quickly became 4-0 as SEC play concluded, and the only direction left to go was east. The Aggies headed to Tampa, Fla., attempting to make a statement to the NCAA that they were a postseason team. With the same lineup, the Aggies powered past Florida in an exciting overtime battle in the first round of the SEC Tournament. Next came the shocking upset over then-No. 4 Auburn that proved they could compete with the big dogs. “We look for a dog-fight,” Radford said. “We don’t expect nothing to be easy. We just gotta keep playing our ball all the way down until the last buzzer.” Beyond the starting lineup stood the guards: freshman Davin Watkins, sophomores Hassan Diarra and Hayden Hefner, juniors Andre Gordon and Aaron Cash and senior Zach Walker. The forwards stood even taller behind them: graduate Jalen Johnson, senior Ethan Henderson, juniors Everett Vaughn and Aaron Janecek and freshmen Ashton Smith and Javonte Brown. Once again, they were all different, each building onto the five-piece puzzle. They may have been the filler pieces or even the corners, but one could not complete the puzzle and see the picture without them. At the heart of the puzzle was Williams, who connected to each of the pieces in a different way. At the SEC Championship game, A&M fell to then-No. 9 Tennessee. The starters’ perfect 7-0 winning streak was halted by a fast Volunteer offense. The Aggies returned to College Station, waiting to see what direction they would head next, but this time, it was determined by the NCAA. Questions swarmed their minds. “‘Were they a tournament team? Was their performance in Florida good enough? Why did they lose eight in a row?’” The team was hungry. The players wanted to make noise. On Selection Sunday, they huddled around as a team, praying, wishing and hoping to hear “Texas A&M” called on the TV. It was Jackson’s final year and he had never been to The Big Dance, and he wanted to go oh-so bad. All 68 teams were announced, and their hearts sank. The NCAA deemed their performances as “not good enough,” but in a way, they had just fueled a fire. “It defies logic why we are not in the NCAA Tournament,” Williams said with tears in his eyes. “What has transpired is

wrong. I am so sad for all the young men in our program, especially those who decided to stay at Texas A&M with their COVID[-19] year of eligibility.” A&M was selected as a No. 1-seed at the National Invitational Tournament, and the Aggies could not wait. The same five took the floor in every game of the NIT, gliding past Alcorn State, Oregon and Wake Forest by double-digits. A&M was Big Apple-bound. As they arrived, the crisp New York air reminded them of the final challenges that lay ahead. A win over Washington State in the semifinals raised the starters’ record together to 11-1. Each time those five took the floor together, there was a 92% chance A&M would win the game. Then came their final challenge together: the championship game. It was Jackson’s final game as an Aggie, while the other four still had years together to improve. They all bought into Williams’ culture back in November, and it was moments like these, in March, that it would be put to the test. The entirety of the championship game against Xavier was a back-and-forth battle. Everyone in Madison Square Garden and watching nationwide knew the winner of the game would be determined in the final seconds, and both teams deserved to win. A&M’s 151-day season came down to a final 3.1 seconds. The Aggies were one shot away from finishing the job they had started. Radford lifted the final shot into the air, and time froze. The ball rattled in and then out. After the championship, Coleman answered his final question of the season, attempting to choke back the tears. Jackson consoled him by patting him on the back. Williams admired them, just as a proud father figure would do. “It’s not a numerical stat, [and] it’s not something you can write down,” Coleman said. “It’s in your heart. These guys mean a lot.” They were two boys who grew up on opposite ends of the country. That single moment represented not only the five who started, but the spirit of the team. They cared so deeply for one another. It was a raw, unfiltered kind of love. Love, trust and brotherhood glued the puzzle pieces together. There was not a force big enough in this world to separate the men of A&M basketball. Every piece had different colors, shapes and sides, but once those pieces interlocked, it created one memorable picture. It was the start of something special to come. “The belief, the work, the trust, the love, player to player, coach to coach, player to coach, coach to player, has scarred my heart in a way that I will never, ever forget,” Williams said. “[It has] changed our program forever.”