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Battalion
Thursday, October 26, 1978
College Station, Texas
News Dept. 845-2611
Business Dept. 845-2611
HEW changes tune on doctors
The United States should quit
encouraging so many students
to become doctors, says HEW
Secretary Joseph Califano. See
page 4.
The United States doesn’t
have to convert to the metric sys
tem, contrary to popular belief,
the General Accounting Office
says. See page 7.
Bellard says he resigned
to preserve his dignity
tlhave two major concerns in this matter. First, that the people of Texas
A&M understand why. I’m not turning my back on them. It’s not that I got
ped up and quit. I didn’t.” — Former Texas A&M University head football
each Emory Bellard UPI photo by Carter Smith
By DAVID BOGGAN
Battalion Sports Editor
It was a tearful but dignified Emory Bel
lard who spoke with reporters Wednesday
afternoon at a period in his life that he
considers “frustrating and disappointing.”
Bellard, who suddenly resigned Tuesday
as Texas A&M’s athletic director and head
football coach, quietly entered the press
room in Wofford Cain Hall with a prepared
statement printed for the reporters. He
then sat down to answer questions about
his decision to resign.
The room was reverently silent. This was
a side of Emory Bellard that the reporters
had never seen. They had experienced the
happy, free-talking Bellard in the winners
locker room. And they knew what to expect
from the solemn, cliche-ridden coach after
a loss. But this somber man with a forced
smile and an occasional anecdote created
an unusual air of respect among the re
porters. Questions were asked with care;
answers were given with sincerity.
“Anybody who has been in coaching for
30 years has moments of frustration,” the
51-year-old Bellard said. “I don’t like to
look on the last two weeks as being the
reason for my decision though.” Texas
A&M lost to Houston and Baylor in Bol
lard’s last two games as the Aggies’ head
coach.
“I have two major concerns in this mat
ter,” Bellard continued. “First, that the
people ofTexas A&M understand why. Tm
not turning my back on them. It’s not that I
got fed up and quit. I didn t.
“My second concern is for those young
men on that football team, the coaching
staff and the whole athletic family.
Why then did Bellard resign?
“I think I made that clear in the printed
statement I gave you,” Bellard answered
courteously. The statement said that Bel
lard had been told of intentions by Texas
A&M President Jarvis Millerand the Board
of Regents to ask him to relinquish his
coaching duties at the end of the season and
remain athletic director.
“I have never had to give up my dignity
in any endeavor that I have ever engaged
in,” Bellard’s statement said, “and I felt
strongly that I would have to give up my
dignity under such an arrangement and I
refuse to do that. Miller later said he had
no intention of asking Bellard to give up the
job of head coach.
Bellard denied rumors that he received
pressure from Texas A&M alumni to re-
sign.
“This school has a bunch of great
people,” he said. "To say that there weren’t
people who were unsatisfied would be un
realistic. But the bulk of Texas A&M
people are the greatest people in the world
and I mean that sincerely. That is one of the
things I cherish most about Texas A&M.
“I’d bet my last penny in hell that I d get
nine and a half votes (of support) out of 10
from these people. And that’s not because
of the way I am. That’s the way these
people are. They are good people.
Enthusiastic people.”
Bellard was asked about his plans for the
future.
“I have no immediate plans,” he an
swered and then joked, “That should be
very comforting to my wife. I borrowed
$300 to get married. I borrowed pajamas
and a suit to get married in. And I’ve been
working ever since ...” His smile disap
peared at the sudden admittance of an un
sure future.
Does the former Aggie coach plan to at
tend any of Texas A&M’s five remaining
games this season?
“You know, that’s something I’ve never
done is go to a football game as a fan,”
Bellard replied. “I’ve often thought that
looks like a heck of a deal.
“I can tell you one thing. I’m going to he
pulling awfully hard for a bunch of guys in
maroon and white Saturday,” Bellard said.
He paused to wipe away the tears of an
emotional moment.
“They’ve got a lot of injuries . . . It’s going
to require a lot to perform well . . . I’m sure
they will respond and I’m sure Tom (Wil
son, new head football coach) and the staff
will do a heck of a job to help them re
spond.
Finally, Bellard was asked if there was
any difference from his earlier decision to
retire from athletics permanently.
“No, I haven’t changed my mind,” he
said slowly. “1 made a decision a long time
ago that Texas A&M was ...
Bellard’s comment was left unfinished in
an emotional pause, but his meaning rang
clear.
Miller
didn’t
says
force
he, regents
Bellard out
esignation helps none,
brmer students agree
By SEAN PETTY
Battalion Staff
lie main question concerning Emory
lard s resignation is, was there pressure
rtedandifso, who exerted the pressure
t forced him to resign as head football
ich and athletic director of Texas A&M
ersity?
ifferent people have different views,
lard said in his press release Wednesday
It the Board of Regents insinuated he
luld be asked to step down as head coach
■he end of the season but remain as ath-
Mc director.
iome A&M football players said it was
ause of alumni pressure. They said the
iple with the big money had too much
iver.
ive members of the Association of
rmer Students Clubs had mixed views
jut where and how the pressure was
rted, yet all agreed that a minority with
ot of money could have influenced Bel
’s decision. All were in agreement that
: move and the way it was handled hurt
school, its tradition, its students and
imni alike.
Some went so far as to say, “We re not
Dud to be Aggies.”
Some said they had ideas of where the
issure was coming from. Some said they'
Jewwhere the pressure was coming from,
ndsome blamed clubs in other cities for
incident.
All of the members expressed concern
Bellard and his future.
I called about 25 different Aggies and
body was jumping up and down about
ft. said Kermit Vodkel, president of the
iptiol City A&M Club in Austin. “We
can idea of where the pressure came
[)m, but all I know is that I don’t know of
yone in our club that had negative feel-
gs towards Bellard.
“We were hurt, sad and depressed be
cause Bellard’s resignation hurt the school
and the recruiting for next year.
"If someone gives money to a club like
this, he should let the people in charge do
what they want with it and not try and run
the show like some people with a lot of
money try to do, Vodkel said.
“We want to find out all there is to know
about his resignation before we choose up
sides.” said Jerry McFarland, president of
the Dallas A&M Club. “I know that there
was no oppostion from our active alumni in
the club, but then there are a lot that are
not active and have money.
“Let’s face it, in football, politics or busi
ness the more money there is the more
power one can exert. And the people with
the money feel their opinions should be
heard,” he said.
“We have officially responded to his res
ignation by sending Bellard a telegram of
fering our support now and always,” said
Richard Kistner, president of the San An
tonio A&M Club.
“We feel bad. Were not proud to be
Aggies when something like this happens.
We don’t believe real Aggies go out and
give ultimatums like that.
“To be frank, the pressure is coming
from the alumni. There are a select few who
do this and always will.
“Two years ago, I heard the Houston
alumni tried to raise money to buy up Bel
lard’s contract and I believe that the pres
sure is Houston-based. It has been in the
past. ”
“Shocked and disappointed,” said John
C. Pavlas, president of the Southwest
Houston A&M Club, when asked what his
reaction was.
“The general feeling here is appreciation
for Bellard. We remember all too well the
2-8 seasons of A&M. We appreciate all he’s
done with the addition to the stadium, the
new baseball stadium and the athletic pro
gram in general.
“I’d love to find out who applied the
pressure because I would not like to be
associated with them at all. They have more
money than brains.
“And those people with a lot of money
represent you and me, I sure wish they
would come to me and ask me how I feel.
“This whole thing has made A&M a
laughingstock. People are saying, “That’s
some Aggie spirit: the coach loses two
games and they get rid of him.’
“I know most of the heavies in Houston
and they think it’s embarrassing and an
injustice to Bellard, the team and the
school. Maybe we don’t need a 12th man
like that, because if that’s what it’s all ab
out, I don’t care, I don’t want a part of that
kind of thing.
“I’ve heard that the pressure was coming
from Dallas because they were always
down on Bellard up there. The papers were
always criticizing him in Dallas,” Pavlas
said.
“To be realistic, there are former stu
dents who are very influential,’ said
Michael E. Casey, president of the Hous
ton A&M Club. “I am not aware of any
group that wanted that kind of action
against Bellard in the Houston area.
“We were highly disappointed that it was
outside pressure that made him come to his
decision. There may be individuals in the
Houston club that wanted him out and
there are a lot of influential members in the
club.
“There may be a handful of people who
can exert that kind of pressure in Houston,
but our club has always supported him and
appreciated everything he has done for the
school.
“He brought A&M from a loser to a win
ner. He will always be a friend of A&M’s
and ours too,” Casey said.
By ANDY WILLIAMS
Battalion Staff
Contrasting press releases concerning
the resignation of Emory Bellard as head
football coach were distributed Wednesday
by Bellard and Texas A&M University
President Jarvis Miller.
Bellard’s statement said he was given in
formation Tuesday morning "by a very reli
able source that the intentions of the Presi
dent of the University and the Board of
Regents were to ask me to relinquish my
coaching duties at the end of the season,
regardless of the outcome of the remaining
games, and remain at Texas A&M as Ath
letic Director.”
It continued, “This was the first inkling
that I had of any such movement. I went to
the Office of the President, Dr. Jarvis Mil
ler, and visited with him. I suggested that it
might be best for all concerned that I re
sign. He suggested that a better alternative
would be to announce that I would relin
quish my coaching duties at the end of the
year and remain as Athletic Director, and
at that point I knew the information I re
ceived was factual; and at that point I knew
I no longer belonged at Texas A&M.”
Miller’s release said, "There is no truth
whatsoever to the insinuation that Coach
Bellard was forced out as Athletic Director
and Head Football Coach. While it is
rather obvious that there have been
numerous conversations about the team s
two - recent losses, there was no discussion
between myself and the Board of Regents
about possible changes.
“Coach Bellard called Tuesday morning
and asked to see me. At the onset of the
discussion he tendered his resignation. I
was astounded and urged him to recon
sider. When it was obvious that he would
not do so, I suggested that as an alternative,
he remain as Athletic Director. He re
fused. In addition to my efforts to get Coach
Bellard to reconsider, Mr. Wells (Board of
Regents Chairman Clyde H. Wells) called
Coach Bellard and also asked that he recon
sider. ”
Both Millerand Marvin Tate, former as
sociate athletic director who was promoted
to athletic director with Bellard’s resigna
tion, said they didn't know who Bellard’s
“reliable source” was.
“I have absolutely no idea,” Miller said
concerning the identity of the source. “He
did not tell me he had heard that informa
tion when we talked, and the first I heard of
it was yesterday afternoon."
Of the information Bellard said he had
gotten, Miller said, “It is not correct.
A person who answered the phone at the
Bellard residence Wednesday evening Said
Bellard would not make further statements
to the press until Thursday.
Wells could not be reached for comment
on the situation.
Israeli cabinet approves pact
to establish peace with Egypt
United Press International
JERUSALEM — The Israeli cabinet
Wednesday overwhelmingly approved the
Washington-drafted peace treaty between
Egypt and Israel and Prime Minister
Menachem Begin said it adopted amend
ments he made in the document.
The vote was 15-0 with two abstentions.
Begin emerged from the more than six-
hour meeting on the third day of the debate
and told reporters that Foreign Minister
Moshe Dayan and Defense Minister Ezer
Weizman were instructed to return to
Washington to complete the treaty talks
with Egypt.
Begin said in an earlier interview that it
may be mid-December before a pact is
signed.
“The cabinet approves in principle the
draft peace treaty between Egypt and Is
rael that was brought before it by the dele
gation to the peace conference in Washing
ton,” he said in a prepared statement.
“The cabinet approves the amendments
proposed by the prime minister to the draft
peace treaty,” Begin said. There was no
immediate indication about the nature of
the amendments.
In Cairo, an Egyptian spokesman said
Wednesday that President Anwar Sadat
also finds the U.S.-drafted peace treaty ac
ceptable, although he is seeking some alt
erations in the text.
Mansour Hussein, spokesman for Sadat’s
National Democratic Party, said the Egyp
tian President hopes the treaty will be con
cluded as soon as possible, even before the
target date of Nov. 19.
“President Sadat says that in general the
draft is acceptable in almost all points,”
Hussein said. “There are only some points
on which we asked for alterations.”
Hussein did not specify the amendments
Egypt was seeking, but reports in the local
press said Cairo wants the linkage between
the treaty and a solution of the Palestinian
question to be spelled out in stronger lan
guage.
Sources said approval of the draft was
likely, but the government is expected to
request changes. The sources said Begin
was unhappy with several of the draft’s
provisions and would seek amendments.
Egypt also has requested basic amend
ments to the proposed treaty, the semi
official Al Ahram newspaper reported
Wednesday in Cairo. Those changes were
not made public.
President Carter, who hammered out
the Camp David frameworks on which the
treaty is based and intervened to forge the
draft, urged the Cabinet in a message
Wednesday to approve the draft pact.
In Washington, site of the negotiations,
diplomats said the Egyptians had raised
questions about the wording of the pream
ble that links the Egyptian-Israeli treaty to
the wider negotiations involving the West
Bank and Gaza and the Palestinians.
The Egyptian government also was re
ported to have sought clarification about
the pace of establishing relations with Is
rael and how that would be coordinated
with the Israeli withdrawal from tin* Sinai.
Israeli sources said the draft being con
sidered was in three parts: a treaty, its an
nexes and a series of accompanying letters
where linkage to autonomy for residents of
the occupied West Bank of Jordan was
mentioned.
These sources said the letter contains a
commitment from Israel to start prepa
rations for the autonomy plan one month
after signing of the treaty with Egypt.
Three or four of the 17 cabinet ministers
were expected to vote against the agree
ment because of reservations, most pre
dominantly on the linkage issue.
Mike Beasley, a senior P.E. major, blows a bubble gum bubble in an
attempt to win The Blow Off. He blew and blew and blew a five and
one-half inch bubble. But then — what’s that about bubbles burstin’? The
‘And he huffed and he puffed
contest, sponsored by Hassle-Free, was part of a week of activities to get
the off-campus student more involved in campus life. A roommate session
is scheduled for today in the MSC. Women meeJ in room I37A, men in
room 137C. There will also be several parties this weekend to be held at
different apartment complex party rooms. For more information, contact
the Hassle-Free headquarters in the MSC. Battalion photos by Paige Beasley