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The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Friday
September 30, 1977
The Aggieland connection
By LEE ROY LESCHPER Jr.
Battalion Editorial Director
Ask an Aggin for a list of his impossible
dreams and it s a safe bet somewhere in
that list he’ll put “more seats in Kyle
Field.”
But that dream is on the way to becom
ing reality. The Texas A&M University
System Board of Regents okayed basic
plan work earlier this week to add 14,600
seats to Kyle Field in two third-level
decks.
Yet that addition involves more than
just tacking on a few seats. It’s a complex
project that involves as much bureaucratic
engineering as construction. It’s a good
example of how closely football is linked to
other parts of the University.
The addition plan the regents approved
provides for, on the west side of the field,
a 6,800-seat third deck, a new press box
and women’s dressing facilities, plus rein
forced concrete columns to permit adding
office spacg. there later.
On the east side, next to G. Rollie
White Coliseum, plans call for a 7,800-seat
third deck, new men’s athletics meeting
and training rooms and Physical Education
classroom and teaching space which will
connect the east stands with G. Rollie
White. New stadium lights and a taller
scoreboard will also be added.
The estimated price tag for the plan ap
proved is about $15 million. The new
decks would be ready by football season,
1979. Bill Plots, president of Lockwood,
Andrews and Newman, the Houston firm
which suggested the third deck and engi
neered the field’s second deck in 1968,
promised the regents.
The regents’ planning and building
committee spent over an hour arguing
over at least six variations of that plan,
ranging from very basic, at $9.9 million, to
a “loaded” model for $18.4 million
Now $15 million is a pretty good in
vestment, even for Texas A&M’ especially
since it can’t come from the same source as
most construction money.
Most buildings constructed on the Uni
versity campus are funded through the $20
million Texas A&M receives annually as its
share of the State Permanent University
Fund. But the University has never used
permanent university funds for an “auxil
iary enterprise,” such as athletics. Until
now, that is.
Analysis
Ihe seconddeck added in 1968 was fi
nanced by the Aggie Club, the organiza
tion which raises funds for the athletic de
partment through alumni donations. To
raise the funds for the second deck, the
club sold ticket options, guaranteeing the
buyer he would be able to buy football
tickets within a good seating area of the
addition for a number of years.
Ticket options were sold in 1968 for
$150-$250, with a 10-year guarantee.
Clyde Freeman, system vice-chancellor
for administration, told the regents
Monday that Aggie Club members had
pledged the club can raise $1.2 million in
donations annually if the club gets control
of 6,800 of the new seats. Aggie CLub rep
resentative Harry said Tuesday the club
could raise at least $600,000-$700,000 per
year with that number of seats.
But that still left a major chunk of fund
ing unclaimed. The building committee
had to resolve that problem Monday. Re
solve it they did, after some of the most
spirited debate seen in a regents’ commit
tee meeting in some time.
Committee members and the Univer
sity’s administrators argued over whether
to use permanent university funds for the
expansion.
Because the Physical Education space to
be included in the expansion is technically
academic space, it could be financed
through the permanent funds, system
chancellor Jack K. Williams said.
But there was a problem, Vice-
Chancellor Freeman explained. Because
the University has been working on tight
construction schedule for some years, the
$20 million in permanent funds the Uni
versity receives annually has already been
allocated through August, 1979.
“Can we get $10 million?” committee
chariman H. C. Bell asked.
Only by delaying construction on one of
four buildings slated for construction by
August, 1979, Freeman said. So the'com
mittee decided to delay construction on
the $8 million Agricultural Administration
Building for one year.
Not everyone agreed with that decision.
University President Jarvis Miller ques
tioned whether permanent funds should
be used for the stadium. If such funds
were used only for Physical Education
facilities included in the project, then cer
tainly $10 million wasn’t needed, he said.
But the will of the majority won out.
“Of the two needs, Ag Administration
and Physical Education, I would urge
Physical Education,” Williams said. “Now
we don’t have Physical Education in
adequate quality.”
P.E. classes are not being held in every
one of the department’s classrooms, every
hour of every day of every week, depart
ment head C.W. Landiss said.
So with a few adjustments Aggies will be
able to fight over another 14,600 seats in
Kyle Field Why all the work to add those
seats? It isn’t simply so more Aggies can
watch their football team play on Kyle
Field.
“Big-time football is here to stay,” As
sociate Athletic Director Marvin Tate told
the regents Monday. And big-time football
is big business, with big money.
“How much do we take home?” That’s
the first question most schools ask when
they discuss signing a football schedule
contract with the University, Tate said.
Kyle Field’s 48,000-seat capacity, because
it’s sim filer th an most major university
stadi urns today, cuts the attendance
money which the universities split. So it’s
tough to get other "big-time” football
powers to play Texas A&M on Kyle Field.
“Big-time” football powers attract offers
television coverage, which bring hand
some returns for the athletic department.
In that way the addition very much helps
pay for itself. But there are other ways.
Those 6,800 Aggie Club seats in the .
west third deck will be filled with Aggie 1
fans who have already made healthy con
tributions to the Aggie Club and who very
often make donations to other parts of the
University. For years there has been a
special president’s box above the press box
on Kyle Field to entertain special VIPs
and potential donors.
So the board of regents delays one
building a year to build space for another
department while adding football seats
which make other schools more willing to
play Texas A&M before faithful alumni
with money to give to the University to
help other departments whose students
get a better education and better football
seats.
As much as ever, football is an integral
part of Texas A&M.
Carter courting cantankerous Congress
By HELEN THOMAS
UPI White House Reporter
WASHINGTON — President Carter’s
energy program is being ripped apart on
Capitol Hill, and he isn’t doing too well on
other key pieces of legislation.
But so far, he has not attacked backslid
ing members of Congress. The fact that
both Houses have Democratic majorities
undoubtedly guides his approach.
No president in recent times has tried to
be as accessible and amenable to Con
gress. Carter came into the White House
determined to shed his reputation as a
very stubborn, uncompromising execu
tive.
Washington Window
Such a label was pinned on him when he
was governor of Georgia and struggling
with the Georgia legislature.
He has five to 10 meetings a week with
members of Congress. The Democratic
leadership meetings are held every week.
Individual lawmakers who seek appoint
ments with him generally get them. Car
ter has issued a “call me anytime” invita
tion to congressmen and senators.
He also has invited all of the House Re
publicans in separate groups and Senate
Republicans to breakfast meetings to talk
about their problems. Once a week, he
holds private dinners at the White House
for a key senator or congressman and his
wife.
In addition, Carter has lunch with an
Letters to the editor
influential legislator about once a week in
the Oval Office.
Still they treat him like a new boy in
town. “Lve got a lot to learn,” he says of
ten. And they appear to agree.
All of his predecessors going back to
Harry Truman, with the exception of
Dwight Eisenhower, served in the Senate
or House, or both, and has a feel for the
“club.”
Clearly, there has been a power shift in
Washington after years of a strong execu
tive branch, foddered by the Vietnam War
which centralized decision-making in the
White House. In the dying days of the
war, Congress took back some of its re
sponsibilities in war, peace and other mat
ters.
Now Carter is in office at a time when
Congress is feeling its power again. The
Democratic leaders are in the driver’s seat
and appear to be calling the shots. In many
ways they have helped Carter to remold
bills to make them more acceptable to the
House and Senate.
Carter has had the constant counsel of
Speaker Tip O’Neill and Senate majority
leader Robert Byrd, along with that of
Sen. Russell Long, D-La., chairman of the
Senate Finance Committee. Long’s power
and influence appear to be growing.
It is they who decide how much action
Carter will get in this session. The leaders
also decided that tax reform and welfare
reform could not be considered this year.
Byrd has ruled out any vote on the
Panama Canal treaties, and Carter cannot
yet count on his help because the West
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THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. "
Virginia Democrat has announced that he
has not decided whether to approve the
accords.
With Byrd sitting on the fence. Carter’s
hopes for early ratification of the canal
treaties are by the board.
So despite wooing his own congressional
leadership. Carter has a lot of trouble
ahead and apparently little leverage. It
may be that he eventually will go over
their heads to the people. But that would
spell more trouble for him on Capitol Hill.
Furthermore, it is not likely that a pres
ident would want to denounce Democrats
in Congress as a “do nothing” Congress
next year — an election year — especially
when he has promised to be out on the
road campaigning for them.
So (.'arter continues to express optimism
that he will prevail despite some of the
ravaging setbacks in the Senate on his
energy package. He also expresses his con
fidence that he will still be able to build a
record of accomplishments.
It’s time for the ‘Tech incident’ to be forgotten
Editor:
I am a student presently enrolled at
Texas Tech University and there are a few
things I wish to say about the past
weekend.
Naturally, I was disappointed at the
outcome of the Texas A&M-Texas Tech
game. However, the Aggies obviously
played better as the score suggests. The
game was exciting and it suggests that we
have a strong rivalry on our hands, which
Slouch
brings me to my next question.
Has the rivalry gotten out of hand? I was
disgusted at the manner in which many
Aggie students were treated after the
game. The two A&M students who stayed
with me over the weekend were verbally
abused while waiting for me to arrive from
the stadium after the game. Had I not ar
rived at the dorm any earlier, the abuse
could have become physical.
by Jim Earle
em-l*
“WHOA, PRINCE! HE JUST DOESN’T KNOW HOW SENSITIVE
WE ARE AROUT THE GRASS!”
Also, I talked with three Aggie girls
(Maggies, I guess) who related instances
depicting the rudeness shown to them.
Another example of the post-game hos
tility occured on the streets of Lubbock in
the early morning hours of Sunday. An
Aggie student was riding in the back of a
pick-up truck. When some Tech fans
asked if he was an Aggie, he replied yes
and was promptly hit in the eye with a
bottle. He required treatment at the hos
pital for the injury.
I am sure there are more related inci
dents. But I believe I have made my
point. After the game it crossed my Red
Raider mind to fall in line and ?Saw Varsi
ty’s Horns?. I think that the rivalry is great
but I just hope the students don’t go to the
extreme and ruin it.
I would like to finish with these two
statements: 1) Not all Techsans are bad;
we’ve got some of the best here in Lub
bock, and 2) Beat the hell out of Michigan.
—A Red Raider
Editor’s note: The Battalion has received
numerous letters on incidents relating to
the Texas Tech game last week. These let
ters have fallen into two groups: those de
ploring or defending Aggie conduct when
Tech quarterback Rodney Allison was in
jured, and those deploring what they call
Tech’s “poor sportsmanship” after losing
that game.
Everyone seems to have their own idea
of whether Aggies watching the game
when Allison was sacked cheered because
he was sacked or because he was hurt.
We doubt one Aggie in a hundred would
cheer when a human being is hurt. That
viewpoint has been well expressed on this
page in recent days.
As the letter above points out, there
were plenty of “poor losers” in Lubbock
last weekend. But just as every Aggie did
not cheer for Allison’s injury, every Tech
student didn’t leave the game with blood
in his eye seeking revenge.
Deadly serious fans and undying loy
alty make college football the unique
phenomenon that it is. The intensity of
those traits make football games like last
week’s and tomorrow’s worth remember
ing. But the negative side of those games,
the poor sportsmanship and hard feel
ings, need to be forgotten.
Grass is memorial
Editor:
In response to John Purcell’s letter con
cerning the memorial grass around the
MSC, we would like to voice these com
ments. We do not think it is irrational to
have the area around the MSC as a memo
rial. Hundreds of Aggies died in wars so
that we might still be able to attend this
great University. It isn’t too much of an
inconvience to use the sidewalks instead of
walking on the grass. As far as lounging is
concerned, there are many benches out
side of the MSC and a nice lounge inside.
What are these places for if not to be used?
Mr. Purcell, if you must eat on the grass,
there are many other grassy areas around
this campus that are not memorials and
could be used. Sure some of us go about
reminding people to stay off the grass in
the wrong ways. But to us, the area around
the MSC is a measure of our pride, love,
and fond memories of those Ags who have
died for our country and our freedom.
—Ray Godsey ‘79
Kerry Roper ‘79
Campus
A&M Rodeo Center to open
The new A&M Rodeo Center will open this weekend with an
All-Aggie Rodeo. The event will begin Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m,,
and Sunday at 2 p. m., with a dance following the Saturday rodeo. For
more information, contact Corkey Sandel at the International Stu
dent Office, or phone 845-1824.
Peace Corp to be on campus
The Peace Corps will be holding interviews Monday, at the Place
ment Office, which is located on the 10th floor of the Rudder Tower,
They will also have a booth set up in the MSC, Monday, Tuesday,
and Wednesday.
State
Sketch aids in Denton manhunt
Denton police are checking tips prompted by the publication of a
second composite sketch of a suspect in the apparent abduction of
12-year-old Suzie Mages. Several persons reported seeing the girl
talking and leaving a restaurant Sunday about 3:20 p.m. withamanin
his mid-20s. But police have not been able to find witnesses who saw
the pair after they left the restaurant. Though the first sketch pro
duced no tips, police chief Robert Mills hopes the new sketch will
lead to the girl’s return.
Nation
Caputo challenges Jatvorski
Rep. Bruce Caputo, R-N. Y., is challenging Leon Jaworski’s leader
ship in the House Ethics Committee’s probe of Korean influence
buying. Caputo is complaining that Jaworski has not done enough to
investigate current congressmen and has failed to speed up the in-
quiry because outside commitments are taking up his time. Jaworski
quickly responded that Caputo’s remarks were made through ignor
ance of the facts or for self-serving publicity. “In our work,” he
added, “which is proceeding objectively and is time-consuming, we
will not be diverted by idle discourse with Mr. Caputo.”
Evidence against Zamora listed
The prosecution laid out its step-by-step presentation of evidence
against Ronny Zamora, Thursday, in Miami. Zamora is the Jo-year-
old youth who is pleading insanity by “television intoxication” to the
charges he murdered his 82-year-old neighbor during a robbery at
tempt. Miami Beach police Sgt. Ray Duncan testified his investiga
tion found a 1972 Buick, a television set, a . 32-caliber Colt revolver, a
sterling service and more than $400 in cash were missing from Mrs.
Haggart’s home when her body was found June 8.
Carter signs grain prop bill
President Carter Thursday signed into law higher support prices
for the* nation s grain farmers and changes in the multibillion dollar
food stamp program for the poor. Other provisions call for expanded
research programs in solar energy and human nutrition and the “food
For peace” foreign aid program. Under the new law, the poor
would receive no more focxl stamps, but by allowing (qualified indi
viduals to get their food stamp allotment without a cash payment,
about 3 million more persons are expected to enter the program.
Siamese twins live separately
Siamese twins Linda and Brenda McCall have been apart for two
days after being joined since birth nearly seven months. A team of 15
surgeons at North Shore University hospital’s Payson Whitney Tower
in Manhasset, New York, separated the twins in a 4-Vi-hour opera
tion. Dr. Kenneth Kenigsberg, head pediatric surgeon at the hospi
tal, said, the girls had been conjoined at the sternum and outer
margins of the rib cage. Though the children shared no organs, the
stomach and intestines in each twins body could slip from one to the
other. Dr. Rita Harper of the hospital’s maternal and child health
center,said Wednesday, the twins sleep close together in the hospital
nursery facing each other in the position they had when joined. She
added they cry and are irritable when put far apart but that stops
when they are placed close together, facing each other. Though the
girls won t have belly-buttons due to the operation, Kenigsberg said
the girls “should have perfectly normal bodies,” and lead a “perfectly
normal life.”
World
Terrorist free 5 of 156
Japanese terrorists freed five hostages Thursday, in Dacca,
Bangledesh, but threatened to kill 151 captives remaining on board a
hijacked jetliner unless their demands are met within hours. The
hijackers are demanding the release of nine fellow terrorists and $6
million in ransom. The guerrillas said they would launch a terrorist
campaign on a “global scale if the Tokyo government backs down on
its promise to deliver. The freed hostages said the terrorists became
nicer when they learned their demands would be met.
Weather
Partly cloudy and hot through Saturday. High both days mid-
90s. Low tonight low 70s. No rain.
The Battalion
Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the
editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily
those of the University administration or the Board of Re
gents. The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting
enterprise operated by students as a university and com
munity newspaper. Editorial policy is determined by the
editor.
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subject to being cut to that length or less if longer. The
editorial staff reserves the tight to edit such letters and does
not guarantee to publish any letter. Each letter must In
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number for veriftca tion.
Address correspondence to Letters to the Editor, The
Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College
Station, Texas 77843.
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MEMBER
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism C.’ongr
Editor Jamie
Managing Editor Mary Alice Wiw^
Editorial Direc tor Lee Hoy Lesdf
Sports Editor Rnf.W
News Editors Marie Homcyer. CanJ' l,v
City Editor HiisM- 1 ”
Campus Editor Kind"*
Copy Editor Belli b
Reportei
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