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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 22, 1977)
I > THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1977 Mama makes fullback By Carolyn Blosser As the old adage goes, behind e\ ery great man there is a great woman. George Woodard is no ex ception. The inspirational woman behind the life of Texas A&M’s 280-pound all-SWC fullback happens to be his mother, Mrs. Addie Smith, who Woodard says is largely responsible for his success in football. “Mama is probably the biggest reason 1 am where I am now,” said Woodard, whose easy smile and quiet, relaxed nature seem un characteristic of one of college foot ball’s most feared running backs. "She always gave me a lot of encouragement to do well. She made me strive harder and harder to get better.” Besides being the main motivat ing force behind Woodard’s career, Mrs. Smith is also her son’s biggest fan. She went to all of his football games in high school and now attends every A&M game. “Mama must make all of the games,” the 22-year-old Woodard said. “That’s a must. When the Aggies take the field to begin pre-game warm-ups, Woodard looks for his mother in the stands. When she waves back at him, he says he knows “everything’s fine then.” The second oldest of six children, Woodard grew up in Van Vleck, Tex., and began playing football in the seventh grade. He credits his cousin, Elmo Wright, as the one who first got him interested in football. Wright, the ex-UniVersity of Houston all-American wide re- AGGIES! AIM Douglas Jewelry offers Student ID Discounts! ceiver, played several years with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League before retiring. “Elmo inspired me to play, ’ Woodard said. “He made a name for himself in Kansas City and that’s what I want to do—make a name for myself. As an all-American at Van Vleck High School, Woodard set a school rushing record for most yards gained in one season. His record of 60 touchdowns in three years still stands. Woodard also participated in high school basketball and track. At one time he held the state record in the shot put (63’2 ”). Woodard received scholarship of fers from colleges all over the coun try, but he wanted to go to school in Texas. “1 didn’t want to get far away from home,” he said. “I wanted to be able to go home and see Mama and my family.” After visiting other Texas schools including Texas Tech, University of Texas, Houston and Texas A&I, Woodard finally chose to come to A&M. “I can’t put my finger on it but A&M has something no other school has. The spirit here is great. You can’t find it anywhere else.” After seeing the dormitory (Cain Hall) and meeting the coaching staff, Woodard said he was sold on A&M. Woodard’s ambition is to become A&M’s all-time leading rusher this year. Bubba Bean holds the record for most yardage gained in a career with 2,846. Woodard’s goal is to rush for 1500 yards this season. “To be successful you have to set your goals higher,” he said. T make myself work a little harder by striv ing for that goal. Woodard said he has gotten re cent criticism about his weight, which now fluctuates between 278 and 280 pounds. He said he is most comfortable at 255 pounds, and is currently running extra laps after practice in an effort to slim down. Woodard’s favorite form of relaxa tion is listening to music, mainly jazz. But Cain Hall is no longer Woodard’s home. Last June he mar ried his hometown sweetheart, Dar- ryel, and they live an in an apart ment with their 4-year-old daughter Kendra. Woodard, a Parks and Recreation major, says he would like to play professional football for about five years or longer, barring any serious injuries. After his playing career, he would like to coach some, and also work with young people at a YMCA or some other youth organization. “1 want to help young people help themselves,” he said. “I want to get them started off in the right direc tion and encourage them to go on. 15% off of $ 50 00 or more 10% off of under $ 50 00 CASH PURCHASE ONLY I'Ve reserve the right to regulate the use of this privilege. 212 N. MAIN 822-3119 DOWNTOWN BRYAN Sip into something able So smooth. Easy to sip. Delicious! Comfort®’s unlike any other liquor. It tastes good just poured over ice. That’s why it makes mixed drinks taste much better, too. Southern Comforf great with: Cola • Bitter Lemon Tonic • orange juice Squirt...even milk TIPTOP AND TAPES RECORDS V 1000 S. COULTER — BRYAN — 823-5745 Member Student Purchase Program (©TDK Blank Tape Quantity Prices STEREO: SALES & SERVICE . MUSIC BOOKS . 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CUERVO ESPECIAL® TEQUILA. 80 PROOF IMPORTED AND BOTTLED BY ©1977 HEUBLEIN, INC., HARTFORD, CONN. Mike Williams (No. 10) finds it tough going on a punt return against Virginia Tech. Williams will have his hands full against Texas Tech’s wide receivers, night at 7:30. The game begins Saturda; Battalion photo by Jamie Ailta Oilers get new kicke United Press International HOUSTON — The Houston Oil ers Wednesday sought to shore up an inconsistent kicking game and quiet discontented fans by signing former Dallas Cowboys soccer-style placekieker Toni Fritsch and waiv ing veteran Oiler Skip Butler. Butler, who was beginning his sixth year with Houston, missed four field goals and an extra point in Sunday’s game. The pressure was heavy on head coach Bum Phillips to make a change. Fritsch played in five games last season with the San Diego Char gers, but two weeks ago he was cut. Phillips took one look at him Wed nesday morning and signed him. “Toni does not have a lot of range, but he is consistent, I know that,” Phillips said. “He has a good touch on the ball from close in.” Fritsch, 32, was a celebrated Au strian soccer star when the Cowboys discovered him and brought him to this country in 1971. He kicked a field goal for the Cowboys in the first football game he had ever seen. Fritsch lost his Cowboys job to Efren Herrera early in the 1976 sea son, and this preseason Ray Wersch- ing beat him for the Chargers place-kicking job. During his four years with the Cowboys, however, the native of Vienna was a factor in helping Dal las gain the NFC title game three times and the Super Bowl once. He was the the NFL’s leading kick scorer in 1975 with 104 points and his career includes 72 of 109 field goals made and 130 of 135 extra points. Fritsch has had physical problems during his NFL career. He missed 0/ the 1974 season due to a hamstring muscle and last sea with the Chargers lie missed lb of 14 extra points before bei sidelined one month into these* by the same ailment. Phillips said he expected Bol to be c laimed off waivers by NFL team. “He will do well, you watel Phillips said. In recent years, Houston(i have alternatively booed n Ifyi cheered Butler. His release on following his worst perform* six seasons. He missed fieldgoi 46, 41, 41 and 27 yards Sunday, Fritsch kicks best off arlifn ime turf, so in the long run he couH stig; valuable to the Oilers, whoplij AstroTurf. But the next twoga at Green Bay and Miami art to stadiums with grass playing tf ms AGGIE CINEMA PRESENTS JAMES BOND FESTIVAL Friday Sept. 23 cm cr in nt S The avei e M )o v You mm nts ■ Imai THUNDERBALL TO RUSSIA WITH LOVE Sat. Sept. 24 GOLDFINGER YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE 8:00 P.M. RUDDER ADVANCE TICKETS AT RUDDER BOX OFFICE The We M The mm : fP ddu a esid The din md; iuttb hg cor Jus k Tsit} md. ■rvie Aggieland Pictures Freshmen & Sophomoresf I-L This Week Next Week M-S barker disk asiz You : actk Darker ~ photography 9hds Vs NORTHGATE 846-5766 this Vi< lr nm hon; l? isl