i battalion iotv in his 13th year Thursday, November 18, 1971 College Station, Texas Page 5 Ags equipment man is colorful fixture y JOHN CURYLO ■ttalion Sports Editor As the jet prepares to take off a Lubbock airport, the stew- fdesses are checking to make all the passengers have fold- i their trays up against the seat * front of them. Making her way to the back f the plane, one of the young ■Jjes encounters the A&M equip- en t manager, calmly eating a iicken dinner. His tray is still "Sir, please put your tray in He upright position,” she says jolitely. ‘‘We’re about to take "I can’t hear you,” S. M. Meeks itplies, pointing to his right ear. [turned off my hearing aid so [wouldn’t hear the jet engine.” Be continues eating his meal. “Put your tray up, sir,” she sjys again, getting impatient, federal aviation regulations re tire it.” “Yes, it is nice weather,” Meeks snaps, getting perturbed at the interruption. The plane takes off, and the stewardess rushes up to Meeks secldingly. "Sir, do you realize that you jut violated a regulation of the Federal Aviation Administra tion ?” Meeks looks up, less than awed it the admonition. "Take it out of my hide, baby.” Incidents like these have helped lighten the attitude of Aggie athletes for 13 years now, but the A&M karate meet nill be Saturday The A&M Karate Champion ships will be held Saturday, No- tember 20 in DeWare Gym the 14M Karate Club announced ;l!onday. The tournament will be open lo anyone wishing to enter. The meet will start at 11:00 a.m. with (liminations beginning then. All Hack belts should be there at 10:00 for a meeting. There will be two divisions, liimite, consisting of white belts, ■olored belts, brown belts and lack belts, and Kata with three tees: colored belts, brown i*lts and black belts are the divi- ■iws. The rules will be discussed immediately before the tourna- Mnt begins. Basically, there will 1* no head contact and the Hatches will be two minutes long. A five dollar entry fee is re ared. Trophies and certificates till be awarded for first, second ‘»il third places. There will be ® admission fee for spectators. Anyone wishing more informa- Jn should talk to David Jordan, Plainsman Lane No. 51 in n i or Mike Gregory at 822- |w45, Jctober ! ig this ] ;u dents i a. n "rids: OUR SPECIALTY 1/5 Carat Eye Clean Diamond For Senior Ring, $40 plus tax 0- W. Varner & Sons Jewelers Nort h Gate 846-5816 oh what a web insecurity weaves financial anxiety invest the answer insurance the way our program costs less now nreans security later call us today stop by soon we're here °n campus for you come 0 PROVIDENT MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA Gordon B. Richardson Campus Representative 07 University Drive, Suite 23 846-7027 humor of S. M. Meeks is in its last season at A&M. Now 65, Meeks is retiring at the end of next summer. Or so he says. Others contend that Kyle Field will crumble before the friendly, down-to-earth little man moves out. Originally hired by Paul “Bear” Bryant, Meeks worked here in the spring of 1958. When Bryant left for Alabama, Meeks stayed on under Jim Myers. Hank Fold- berg took over the coaching reins in 1962, but the equipment room was still the kingdom of the for mer sporting goods specialist. In 1964, Gene Stallings was named head football coach. This completed something of a cycle for Meeks, because Stallings was beginning his coaching career when Meeks first came to A&M. The office connected to the equipment room resembles a mu seum, and it takes a while to appreciate all the relics. An assortment of deer antlers decorates the walls of the office, and the inscriptions on the ply wood mounting boards are a chronological summary of Meeks’ life. “1920—killed by S. M. Meeks with a Bowie knife. “1938—strangled by S. M. Meeks using a shoelace. “1939—killed by S. M. Meeks with a bow and arrow. “1958 — S. M. Meeks getting older, deer was talked to death.” Between each set of antlers are some of Meeks’ favorite sayings. “I’d rather buy than lend, and the cost is almost the same.” “I’m a self-made man, but if I go through life again, I’m going to get some help.” “Some bring joy by coming, others by leaving.” “Lazy people have a lot to do tomorrow.” “We issue everything but guts.” Along with these and many others are “wanted” posters of Meeks and sevex-al momentos. The office is a combination of antique and rundown. If and when he moves out, the room will be bare without all the decorations. Meeks was born in Temple Nov. 1, 1906. He was graduated from Main Avenue High in San Antonio in 1924 and then attended Wesley College in Greenville two years. He coached at Wesley College for one year and at Celeste High for two seasons and then went to work for Humble Oil for 10 Computer predicts OU over Huskers TULSA, Okla.