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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 2, 1980)
Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Thursday Octorer 2, 1980 A Slouch By Jim Earle ‘We all need to be ourselves once in awhile. ‘Agscam’ investigation has pluses, minuses “Agscam” is apparently over. For the time being anyway the investigation into alleged drug use by Texas A&M football players has run its course. Eight players were investigated in the in cident; six have been cleared of any wrong doing. The other two have been suspended from the team, but are reportedly still in school. Several concerns have arisen out of the entire affair, with Coach Tom Wilson receiving critic ism and plaudits from all corners. Comments from both sides are appropriate. First, Wilson’s statements that he was going to “clean up this team, no matter what it takes” are admirable. They reflect a determination to fight head-on a social ill that is a rising problem in intercollegiate and professional sports. It’s an attitude that he hopes will demons trate to team members, students, former stu dents and administrators his resolve to help make the Texas A&M football squad as unique as the student body. The attitude does appear to be carrying over. Wilson has received a lot of support for his stand from those he has intended to impress. Team members for the most part support Wilson’s efforts. However, it seems as if Wilson may have jumped the gun a little in his initial suspension of three players, and in the subsequent state ments to reporters about the extnt of team members’ involvement with drugs. The dismissals of Elroy Steen, Cal Peveto and Darrell Adams were termed just that — dismissals. One athletic department official, when asked if the three would be reinstated should a University disciplinary panel clear them, replied, “Hell, no.” Sidebars By Dillard Stone It’s that kind of hasty judgment, action and statement which bring to mind whether justice was indeed meted out in this case. Even Wilson’s statements about cleaning up the team sound a little grandiose in light of the total of two suspensions. For the two players who were found guilty by a student affairs hearing, the hearing was mere ly a formalization of what they should have expected for getting caught. But for Darrell Adams, who was cleared of any wrongdoing, it’s the kind of “guilty until proven innocent” action which really serves no purpose, and which could hurt a man’s attitude and reputation for years. It’s entirely possible that Adams’ innocence led Wilson and others to investigate five players prior to any more formal suspensions. That much is a credit to the coach’s desire to be fair. And while those five are still associated with “Agscam,” they are implicated to a lesser de gree. However hasty Wilson’s actions seem in hindsight, it’s hard to believe he thought he was doing anything to deliberately hurt the team or any players. But he’s nonetheless dealing with players’ futures in the episode — and a future can be irreparably harmed by hasty reaction. A fable for our times By WILEY GILMORE Battalion Reporter Lissen up, Ags. I’ve got a fable for ya. Once upon a time, there was this Aggie foot ball team. It was a good one. Everyone had high hopes for this Aggie foot ball team. The players; the students; every county agent from Wills Point to Crane; every Daddy Big Bucks from Houston to Midland. But things turned sour in a hurry, and prog ressed to rancid and thence to rotten. A last-minute score zapped the Ags in the first game of the season on national TV. Then came three more losses by an aggregate of 16 points. This preseason powerhouse faced a battle to avoid a losing season. “Why?” intoned the press. “Injuries and inexperience,” answered the coaches. “Wait til next year,” croaked the county agents. “New coach!” bellowed the Big Daddies. “Farmers fight!” roared the Twelfth Man. Game No. 5 shaped up as another Farmers Fizzle, with Ole Army facing 11 seconds on the clock and needing a touchdown to win. The Aggie quarterback retreated to pass; he scrambled; he ran; time ran out; TOUCH DOWN! Well, didja like that, Ags? There’s more. In this fable, the Aggies won the rest of their games, the Southwest Conference champion ship, and the Cotton Bowl. But, ya know sumthin’, Ags? That warn’t no fable. The team was the 1967 Texas Aggies. The month was October. The opponent in game No. 5 was Texas Tech. Warped By USCI HWf There is on-indusl gan any ot In resear Kd source: idevelopir Rich has a an be usee !|Dr. Ed in I the Te erimentati ses of glan “With a ' ion bales o nut the s ouId be fe led,” Lus; Toprepai |e seeds ar lehulled ai pasted. [Ut prest ■owing the in 90,000 oi fltton field James T. Beer at th larch Cen Hiety of TAMU nut, ■ the re ested seve {landless sc ffThe Fooi center nov Seer It’s your turn Exeeutivi ■ir-day se V&M Univt ime manaj solving nakiiijr, anc Fish, non-regs not lesser r- Editor: In regard to Albert C. Gross’ letter that appeared in The Battalion on Sept. 25, 1980, why does he decide to exclude members of the Corps of Cadets? Don’t get us wrong, the Corps is an important part of this University and sets it apart from other schools. However, are “all freshmen and most ‘non-regs ” lacking in re spect for the traditions of this fine University? We don’t think sol If the freshmen were told it is a senior privilege to “walk on the ‘wood,’” they probably wouldn’t be on the “wood.” There are other traditions that have “roots” in Kyle Field. The yell practice that was held after the Aggie football team was outscored was mis sing some members of the Corps of Cadets. There were many “non-regs” reminding the Corps members of the yell practice, but they left anyway. There are “bad Ags” in all acade mic classifications, the Corps of Cadets, and the “non-regs” of this University. We are tired of being considered “lesser” Aggies just because the form of research work. I have learned from a very reliable source that Dr. Brown was under the assumption his duties here were to be solely to instruct and teach students. But unfortunate ly, in the eyes of the administration, Dr. Brown is not worthy of permanent residence here at Texas A&M. we are freshmen and/or “non-regs!” Richard A. Blair ’84 Editor’s note: This letter was accompanied by 13 other signatures. So students, the burden of proof rests on bur shoulders. I believe Fain speaking for everyone when I say that Dr. Brown’s classes have taught me the most practical and necessary talents required from a future Horticulturalist. His be nefits as a teacher are in my words, indispen- sible. This University is nothing without students and it’s time that we take a hand in directing what Texas A&M is to become. This letter will be accompanied by a petition and be sent to the administration concerned. The petition is located on the Floriculture/ Ornamental Horticulture club board in the Plant Sciences Building. Your name will carry weight and any help you give will be ap preciated. Robin D. Fuller Sarah Haynes chance. There are those of us who don’t little humor based on college life. Eveni strip does offend a few people, it couklnt been THAT serious; serious enough toe an entire strip. What would you replaceil anyway? Unfortunately, “Thotz” is gon let’s try to get along with what we have Noe Gutiei Editor’s note: This letter was accompanit 28 other signatures. ] n I Currer are: Ward Ward Ward Univer Aston/ Colleg Leave traditions toothi coiieg Colleg Editor: This is in reference to Albert C. Gross’ to the editor on Thursday, the 25tli wholeheartedly agree that there should l rudeness shown to anyone performing group of people. This is common com usually shown anywhere. But Mr. Grosl Colleg Colleg really shock a nerve on your second poit ,? Gradu. Colleg Colleg Appli< Goverr | be tur A letter to the faithful A plus for ‘Warped’ Editor: Keep your spirit high and you will triumph. A hundred and four years of courage and tradi tion can not be undone. Good luck in the up coming weeks and beat the hell out of Texas Tech. Frank Charles James Schumacher ’80 Brown victim of‘injustice’ Editor: It is necessary to bring to your attention a great injustice which is being perpetrated upon one of the most respected members of the Horticultural Sciences faculty here at Texas A&M, Dr. Oswald Brown. It seems all that has ocurred here is a gross misunderstanding which will have nominal effects upon ourselves, but extreme repercus sions on Dr. Brown and all future horticultural students. Editor: We are glad to know a new tradition has been started at Texas A&M and thank Steve McDa niel for his “Letter a-la Keeton.” (Remember her and her complaints on panties in the pick up?) Now, people are not only trying to control the behavior of others in public but are trying to control what we read as well. Just what is so stomach-turning about a comic strip with a kis sing couple? (Notice Mr. McDaniel did not spe cify why it made him sick.) What’s next? Will you try to censor other newspapers and maga zines to protect our virgin eyes? How about making it unacceptable to kiss in public? (Yes, people actually do what is in that particular comic strip.) O.K. Maybe this is a little severe, and maybe the “Yes, ma’am!” comment wasn’t necessary in the last frame. But for Pete’s sake, give us a First, Mr. Gross who ever heard ofail taking their hats off in a football field when and how was Kyle Field made a men! stadium. We probably figured out how.l ably happened when a couple of C.T together at midnight yell and decided I every one to take their hats off, to prove “special supremacy,” no doubt. Sec® there is not “wood” in Kyle Field, butifyo refering to the aluminum seats, how an supposed to get to them, walk over eve| and pray that we don’t accidently toucj aluminum? Now about yell practice lose. How can you yell your heart out for«j that loses? Maybe if we show the teaml really feel after they lost that they migj something about it. /OOD ■Dra S-Dra There are many things which happed that can happen at only military schools they are forced to do so) but Texas A&Mi military school anymore (although it wasJ ' one at one time.) But now it is a Uni' f J where ordinary people would like to com' get an education and not be ridiculed t following a few “improvised” traditions Russell C. Halvorsf 6-Dra The administration has seen fit to refuse to grant Dr. Brown tenure because he has not brought any benefit to the university system in Bp Scott McCullar AT LAST, I FINIALL7 Fou/VD SOMEONE IN THE BUILP/VG WITH CHANGE FOR A $5\ /VOW X CAN Get Qi/ARTERS COIN MACHINE. X CAN FROM THE Bi uu$ OH NUTS’, ALL THESE ARE. \A/R|NKL-EP like usep Kleenex! the machine's NOT gonna TAKE THESE HEV GREAT! THETVE INSTALLED A DOLLAR WRI/VKLE - PRESS, BILL CAN... SSt? WHERE A/1 X GOING TO GET THE CHANGE? The Battalion USES 045 360 MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Dillard Stone Managing Editor Rhonda Watters Asst. Managing Editor Scott Haring City Editor Becky Swanson Sports Editor Richard Oliver Asst. Sports Editor Ritchie Priddy Focus Editor Scot K. Meyer News Editors Lynn Blanco, Gwen Ham, Todd Woodard Staff Writers Jennifer Afflerbach, Kurt Allen, Nancy Andersen, Marcy Boyce, Mike Burrichter, Pat Davidson, Jon Heidtke, Uschi Michel-Howell, Debbie Nelson, Liz Newlin, Cathy Saathoff, Rick Stolle Cartoonist Scott McCullar Photo Editor Pat O’Malley Questions or comments concerning any editorial > should be directed to the editor. LETTERS POLICY Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words inM and are subject to being cut if they are longer. The editor*] reserves the right to edit letters for style and length. M make every effort to maintain the author’s intent. Each'] must also be signed, show the address and phone numbei 1 ] writer. Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, and* 1 * subject to the same length constraints as letters. Addn inquiries and correspondence to: Editor, The BattiliN’l Heed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College 5^'' 'l 77843. ' EDITORIAL POLICY The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting newspaper op erated as a community service to Texas A&M University and Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or the author, and do not necessarily repre sent the opinions of Texas A&M University administrators or faculty members, or of the Board of Regents. The Battalion is published daily during Texas A&M * spring semesters, except for holiday and examination P* 1 Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester, $33.25 p er!t ] year and $35 per full year. Advertising rates furtiisM quest. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald® 11 Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. United Press International is entitled exclusively 10 for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it- reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX Ho w<