The Battalion
Vol. 87 No. 130 GSPS 045360 12 Pages
Colleae Station, Texas
Monday, April 11,1988
Director: Withheld names shield coaches
By Tracy Staton
Senior Staff Writer
and
Anthony Wilson
Sports Writer
When Texas A&M released the NCAA
[allegations against its football program, the
[University refused to disclose the names of
[athletes and coaches involved in the possi-
[ble violations of NCAA rules and proce-
[dure.
The student athletes are protected from
[disdosure by the Buckley Amendment, a
[federal regulation that prohibits release of
[educational records without the student’s
[consent. But the regulation does not pro
ject faculty, staff or alumni.
Lane Stephenson, director of A&M’s Of-
[fice of Public Information, which released
[the retyped version of the allegations, said
the students’ names were deleted in accord
ance with the Buckley Amendment. But the
coaches names were withheld to protect
their reputations.
“We cannot release the names of stu
dents under the Buckley Amendment, so
the decision was made to comply with the
federal regulation,” Stephenson said.
“In the aspects of coaches, these are
strictly allegations and we think that a num
ber of those will be cleared up,” he said. “If
we released the names of the coaches now
and they were cleared later, it could reflect
adversely on them as individuals.
“If you release those names now and they
end up being completely exonerated, as we
hope will be the case, you can never go back
and undo the fact the names had been re
vealed and linked to allegations. If there
proves to be a basis for them ultimately, I’m
Sure the identity of those individuals will
tome out eventually.”
But two other Southwest Conference
schools that were investigated by the Na
tional Collegiate Athletic Association did
release the names of coaches and alumni.
In its 1987 NCAA investigation, the Uni
versity of Texas disclosed to the media the
names of all coaches, alumni and recruits
suspected of the violations. But UT witheld
the names of student athletes.
Knox Nunnally, a Houston attorney who
served as UT’s counsel during the investi
gation, said university president William
Cunningham wanted to release all possible
information to the media.
“I had a president at the University of
Texas who made it quite clear that we
should do everything we can to provide that
information that we could except for that
that laws would prevent us from providing
to the media,” Nunnally said. “That was a
partial reason why we took a liberal ap
proach in the way we dealt with the media.
“We looked at the matter and it was our
assessment that it was something we had to
do and should do.”
Texas Tech University took an unusually
broad-minded view by releasing a word-
for-word copy of its 1987 letter from the
NCAA. Included in the document were the
names of registered student athletes who
are usually protected under the Buckley
Amendment.
“Texas Tech released the letter they re
ceived verbatim, which goes to show that
nobody probably ever sues under the Buck-
ley Amendment anyway,” Nunnally said.
A&M has until June to give the NCAA a
detailed report of its findings regarding the
38 possible violations. Arno W. Krebs Jr.,
one of A&M’s lawyers, said the University
will not release any other information about
the allegations until its investigation is com
plete.
“We feel that to release any other infor
mation at this time would hamper or chill
A&M’s doing its investigation in response to
the NCAA’s request,” Krebs, a Houston at
torney of Fulbright and Jaworski, said. “We
need to get this done and get it done cor
rectly and that’s the best way to get it done
in our opinion.”
Nunnally said the names of coaches ac
cused of wrongdoings may be made public
through legal procedures before A&M
faces the NCAA’s infractions committee.
“I would imagine that with the Open Re
cords Act, somebody will be getting some
thing that is more detailed and also the
names of the coaches involved,” he said.
A&M General Counsel Ted J. Hajovsky
Jr. could not be reached for comment.
Airshow brings
warplanes, pilots
to perform feats
Photo by Jay fanner
Above: Crews prepare their hot
air balloons for liftoff at Eas-
terwood Airport Saturday. Ten
hot air balloons and their crews
from Bryan, Houston and Aus
tin participated in the first an
nual College Station Noon Li
ons Club Airshow. Le/t: Juniors
Matt Marion, Pete Sanguesa,
and Rob “Maverick” Clam, all
from Houston, investigate a
vintage bi-plane at the airshow.
Photo by Sam B. Myers
By Tom Eikel
Staff Writer
The sky above College Station
was filled with the hum of propel
lers and the roar of jet engines
this weekend as warplanes past
and present were flown in the
College Station Noon Lions
Club’s “Airshow 88.”
The two-day event began at
dawn Saturday with the liftoff of
ten hot air balloons from Eas-
terwood Airport. Shows on both
days followed the same schedule.
Gates at the new north en
trance to Easterwood opened at 9
a.m., and patrons strolled the tar
mac to look at the aircraft and to
meet the pilots. Shortly after,
some of the aircraft performed
flyovers as a warm-up for the
flight demonstrations that began
around 1 p.m.
Saturday’s flight demonstra
tions began with a formation
flyover from a group of World
War II AT-6 trainers followed by
a solo performance from one of
the planes.
More than half of the pilots
participating in the airshow grad
uated from Texas A&M.
Next, two A-10 Warthogs,
modern ground support and at
tack aircraft demonstrated their
maneuverability through a series
of low-altitude passes. The A-10
is equipped with a 30mm cannon
capable of cutting a tank in half.
Other WWII aircraft were next
to fly, including a P-51 Mustang,
but one of the best displays was
the Coors Light Silver Bullet mi
crojet performace.
The Silver Bullet is the smallest
plane of its kind in the world,
measuring 12 feet long with a 17-
foot wing span, and weighing
only 432 pounds. Its microjet en
gine is capable of powering it to
speeds of up to 250 knots.
I he Silver Bullet s exhibition
was narrated In the pilot bimsell
;ts he performed a varietv of
stunts, including rolls, loops and
stalls.
Immediateb after the micro-
jet's performance,, an F-lb Air
Force fighter took to t he skvs. giv
ing a loud demonstration of its ait
combat capabilities.
Members of several wings of
the Confederate Air Force re-en
acted historic battles, including
Pearl Harbor and Midway, which
were accompanied by explosions
and narration:
Probable the nunt mini' '■''aye
11 i ” h i i 1 . • Mi
t ine (iorps AY-8B I larrier “jump
jet.” The Harrier showed its
unique ability to hover and to
make vertical takeoffs and land
ings. It even took a mid-air bow in
front of Saturday’s crowd of
more than 7,()()(). Sundae s crowd
was onlv about 2,300 because of
the weather.
Bill Lav. first vice president of
the College Station Noon Lions
Club and project coordinator for
the airshow, said he was happv
with the turnout and the Lions
received support from all those
involved.
“We plan to make this an an
nual event,” Lay said.
Proceeds f rom the show' will be
dedicated to the club’s project
fund to be donated to both local
and worldwide charities.
Reagan hails
Soviet plans
to withdraw
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) — Presi
dent Reagan said Sunday the ex-
f iected withdrawal of Soviet troops
rom Af ghanistan was “a major con
tribution” to improving East-West
relations and pledged continued
U.S. military aid to the Afghan re
bels.
Differences over U.S. and Soviet
aid to rival factions in Afghanistan
had been a major obstacle to nego
tiations in Geneva on a settlement of
the eight-year war and the withdra
wal of an estimated 115,000 Soviet
troops.
However, the two sides appear to
have agreed on a compromise under
which the Soviets will continue pro
viding aid to the Marxist govern
ment while the United States gives
assistance to the anti-communist in
surgents.
Reagan, in a speech to the annual
convention of the National Associa
tion of Broadcasters, said he antic
ipated an agreement would be
signed in Geneva “in the very near
future” for a Soviet withdrawal.
The pact, negotiated under the
auspices of the United Nations, is ex
pected to be signed this week, with
the Soviet Union and the United
States guaranteeing a settlement of
the war.
“If that accord is complied w'ith,
and the Soviets withdraw irrevocably
from that long-suffering country,
this will be a great victory for its he
roic people, whom we shall continue
to support,” Reagan said.
‘It will also be a major contribu
tion to the improvement of East-
West relations,” he added.
The United States had offered to
cut off aid to the Afghan rebels, but
insisted that the Soviets Stop supply
ing the Afghan government. The
Kremlin balked, saying it was obli
gated by treaty to aid the Kabul re
gime.
Ammunition
explodes, kills
more than 60
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — A
jhuge ammunition dump exploded
Sunday, sending flames 500 feet into
the air and grenades and anti-air
craft missiles screaming in all direc-
jtions. Officials said more than 60
people were killed and almost 800
[wounded.
The Pakistani capital looked like a
[city at war after the exploding dump
showered it and adjacent Rawalpindi
with weapons of all shapes and sizes.
“It’s the worst disaster we’ve ever
[had in Islamabad,” an emergency
room doctor at the National Medical
Institute said as he directed ambu-
i lances with a bullhorn.
Prime Minister Mohammad Khan
[Junejo ordered a high-level investi
gation into the blast, which officials
said was apparently caused by a fire.
Casualty counts were still unoffi-
[cial Sunday night in the twin cities,
[which have a combined population
|of more than 4.5 million.
“Our hearts are broken and our
[eyes are welled up,” President Mo-
[hammad Zia ul-Haq said in a
[statement from Kuwait, where he
was to attend an Islamic summit.
He announced he would return
[immediately to Islamabad.
The initial explosion occurred at
9:55 a.m. shortly after the start of
the Moslem work week.
Within minutes, hundreds of gre
nades and missiles took off, some ex
ploding more than six miles away.
For the next 35 minutes, projectiles
jwhizzed overhead, slamming into
buildings and roads. Some scored di
rect hits on buses and cars.
Parents of the Year chosen for loyalty, dedication
By Jeff Pollard
Staff Writer
From its beginning in 1922 as an
“open house” for mothers con
cerned about the well-being of their
sons, Parents’ Weekend has given
parents a chance to check up on
their children and at the same time
has given students a chance to give
thanks for all the years of help that
parents provide.
In recognition for all of this help
and support, students began select
ing a Mother of the Year and pre
sented the award on the Sunday of
their parents annual visit to A&M.
The title was changed in 1974 to
“Parents of the Year” to recognize
the outstading mother and father of
a student.
At Sunday’s award ceremony, the
1988-89 honor was given to John
and Peggy Erickson of Dallas. David
Purinton, chairman of the Parents’
Weekend Committee, said the Erick
sons were chosen by his committee
from a list of 17 nominees, more
than twice the number of nomi
nations that the committee received
last year.
John Erickson is an A&M grad
uate (Class of ’63) and was football
quarterback in 1961 and 1962. He is
a member of the Lettermen’s Asso
ciation, a member of the Aggie Club
Board of Directors and has been a
distinguished visiting executive to
the College of Business. In the past,
he has volunteered his time to the
Departments of Management and
Science and to the College of Agri
culture.
Peggy Erickson is the former
president of the Dallas A&M Moth
ers’ Club and is currently a vice-pres
ident at large of the same club. She is
the chairman of the Hullabaloo in
the Kitchen Cookbook committee
and the secretary for the Friends of
Sterling C. Evans Library Board of
Directors.
When the award was re-estab
lished in 1974, its stated purpose was
to “recognize parents who, through
their example, have shown their
family and friends how to lead a
meaningful life through devotion to
one’s family, dedication to one’s
community and loyalty to Texas
A&M University.” Purinton said the
Ericksons epitomize these qualities.
After the presentation, the couple
was seated on stage with the other
dignitaries to view the rest of the cer
emony, including the presentation
of the Gathright Academic and the
Buck Weirus Spirit awards.
The Gathright Academic Excel
lence Award is presented every year
to the top sophomore, junior and se
nior in each college at A&M. The
award was was established in 1973 by
the A&M student government in
honor of Thomas S. Gathright, the
first president of Texas A&M Col
lege. Its recipients are chosen based
solely on their academic achieve
ments and thirty students were pre
sented the award on Sunday.
Provost/Vice President of Aca
demic Affairs Dr. Donald McDon
ald, Chairman of the Student Sen
ate’s Academic Affairs Committee
Tom Black and President of the As
sociation of Former Students Wil
liam Clayton presented each award
winner with a plaque and an A&M
watch.
The next presentation was of the
Buck Weirus Spirit Award. This
award is given to student leaders in
recognition of the time and work
they give to the University. Each
year five freshmen, 10 sophomores,
15 juniors, 20 seniors and 2 grad
uate students are chosen by a com
mittee made up of faculty staff and
students.
Dr. Carolyn Adair, director of
Student Activities and one of the
Weirus Award presenters, said the
award recipients are those who have
gotten the most from A&M’s “other
education” in leadership and outside
activities.
Making the presentations with
Adair were Clayton, Randy Matson,
executive director of the Association
of Former Students, and Buck Wei
rus, director emeritus of the'Former
Student Association.
Also included in the ceremony
was the presentation of the Corps of
Cadets individual awards. General
Thomas G. Darling, Commandant
of the Corps, and J. E. Loupot,
owner of Loupot’s Bookstore and
Sarge’s, were among the 40 present
ers of 49 awards recognizing more
than 100 cadets. See pg. 3 fora list of
the award winners.
Hijackers threaten ‘slow and quiet massacre’
LARNACA, Cyprus (AP) — The hijackers
of a Kuwaiti jumbo jet offered to trade pas
sengers for fuel Sunday and threatened to
crash the aircraft into Kuwait’s royal palace.
They also warned of a “slow and quiet mas
sacre” of their hostages if their demands were
not met.
A flight engineer said the hijackers, who
are demanding the release of 17 pro-Iranian
terrorists imprisoned in Kuwait, had started
to hurt one of the passengers.
It is believed that 53 people remain aboard
the Kuwait Airways Boeing 747, including
three members of Kuwait’s ruling Al-Sabah
family and at least six hijackers.
In Lebanon, a pro-Iranian group threat
ened to kill kidnapped American and French
hostages if any attempt was made to storm the
plane.
A statement from the Islamic Jihad terror
ist group was delivered to the Reuters news
agency in west Beirut, along with photo
graphs of journalists Terry A. Anderson, an
American, and Jean-Paul Kauffmann of
France.
“To the families of the hostages, we declare
that we shall execute the Western captives in
Lebanon if the plane and holy warriors (hi
jackers) aboard are subjected to any military
foolhardiness,” the statement said.
In Cyprus, the Arab hijackers, who have
killed one passenger since seizing the plane
Tuesday, threatened to kill their captives, but
a noon deadline passed without any additio
nal slayings.
One minute before a second deadline ex
pired four hours later, the engineer, relaying
the hijackers’ messages to Larnaca Airport
control tower, said, “They’ve already started
to hurt one of the passengers.” He gave no
details.
Later, the hijackers offered to free 20 of
the passengers in return for fuel, but that was
rejected at Kuwait’s insistence.
Negotiators talked with the hijackers for 20
minutes late Monday and Cypriot govern
ment spokesman Akis Fantis said, “There was
an important contact right now, and by to
morrow morning we shall know the result
that we would hope to be what w’e wish to
have.
“It’s the same offer always, the release of
the hostages for fuel.”