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
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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
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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
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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
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WHERE A/1 X GOING
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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
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Nancy Andersen, Marcy Boyce, Mike Burrichter,
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Heed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College 5^'' 'l
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