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Wednesday, January 4,1989/The Battalion/Page 5
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Slocum, Crow: Clean program 1st, winning 2nd
Jackie Sherrill, pictured here during the Dec. 1
game against Alabama at Kyle Field, resigned less
Photo byJayJannrr
than two weeks later amid allegations that he paid
“hush money" to former player George Smith.
Faculty body backs Mobley
just before Sherrill resigns
By Juliette Rizzo
StafT Writer *
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Sherrill resigned Dec. 12, the Texas
A&M Faculty Senate passed a reso
lution backing President William H.
Moblev and his “complete authority
to resolve current difficulties in the
University’s athletic program.’*
Meeting as a Committee of the
Whole, a committee that hears the
Senate's complaints and grievances,
the Senate approved the resolution
less than an hour before Jackie Sher
rill resigned and was replaced by
R.C. Slocum as head football coach.
The resolution started by Senator
Jerome T. Rapes, professor of edu
cational psychology, originally stated
that the Senate gives President Mob
ley “the complete authority to take
wnatever action is necessary to seek
resolution of the current difficulties
in the Athletic Department and fully
supports him in this matter.”
The resolution was later amended
after several senators suggested that
they would not necessarily support
just any action Mobley was to take in
supporting Sherrill.
Also discussed at the meeting
were the issues of bicycle safety on
campus and a one-term summer ses
sion.
The Bicycle Safety Subcommittee
of the Senate’s Planning Committee
discussed safety problems on cam
pus involving the interaction of pe
destrians with bicycles and other
“motor-powered” vehicles such as
motorcycles and scooters.
Some senators daimed the bicycle
safety issue has been ignored in the
past.
Senator Mark Busby, associate
professor of F.nglish. proposed that
separate pedestrian lanes and bicycle
lanes be implemented on campus
along with specific dismount areas.
Other senators supported the ar
gument addressing the fact that
there arc no defined bicycle lanes on
campus and no rules publicly avail
able concerning bicycle safety. The
issue will be resubmitted to the Plan
ning Committee who may consider a
formal resolution to be submitted
and approved at the Senate's next
meeting.
The Academic Affairs Committee
also moved to adopt a resolution for
a one-term summer school session
with "a schedule of classes in which
there is only one summer session of
a 10-week duration, nine weeks of
which shall be devoted to classes and
a tenth to final exams and gradua
tion.”
After a proposal for an 11 -week
session was verbally defeated, the
Senate decided to return the 10-
week resolution to committee for
further review and discussion with
various departmeni’heads.
Due to the holidays, the Senate
has rescheduled its next meeting for
Jan. 16.
‘Stars’ could bring stardom
to long-overlooked Almond
By Chuck Lovejoy
Reviewer
Substantial commercial success is the
one thing that has alluded British song
writer and vocalist Marc Almond
Consistently praised by music critics
for his superb songwnting ability, di
verse stylistic range and distinctive
voice, Almond is no newcomer to the
music scene. But his latest album and
first for Capitol Records, The Stars We
Are, may be the catapult that launches
him to his deserved stardom.
Almond began his musical career in
the early 1980s as half of the British
dance musk duo Soft Cell. Best known
for their offbeat dance hit "Tainted Lo
ve,” Almond and Dave Ball, the duo’s
other half, accumulated a small but loyal
following.
After the duo dissolved in 1984. Al
mond recorded the first of the seven al
bums bearing his name Still, even
though his music was acclaimed crit- ^
ically. the records never sold in the nu
merous quantities the record companies
wanted them to.
Consistent commercial failure sent Al
mond label-hopping, and he released
four albums on four different record la
bels.
Following his departure from Virgin
Records, Almond was signed by Capitol.
In the interim he also released a book.
"The Angel of Death in the Adonis.
Lounge,” a collection of songs and verse
written over the course of his career.
With songs ranging from melancholy
introspection to dark descriptions of love
affairs in Turkey, the partly autobiogra
phical The Stars We Are once again
shows Marc Almond to be a diverse mu
sical talent.
Almond displays a surprisingly clear
songwriting style throughout the'album
Rather than cryptically describing his
feelings, he digs deeply and tells the lis
tener exactly what he is experiencing.
For instance. Almond describes his
childhood, which is rumored to have
been traumatic, on the somber title track
and reveals his deepest hopes and wishes
on “These My Dreams Are Yours.”
“Bitter Sweet.” one of the album's
best tracks, likewise conuins personal
confessions from the artist. Almond
writes, “I’m the crime and I’m the siren'
I’m a fighter in the ring of life.”
On another song. “She Took My Soul
r
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By Anthony Wilson
City Editor
As the Jackie Sherrill era came to an end Dec 12. the two
men selected to replace him as athletic director and head foot
ball coach vowed to create a new age at Texas A&M — one of
winning and integnty.
University President Dr. William H. Mobley chose Asso
ciate Athletic Director John David Crow to assume Sherrill's
responsibilities as athletic director. Assistant Head Coach and
Defensive Coordinator R.C. Slocum was selected by Mobley
and Crow to replace Sherrill as the football program's head
coach.
Slocum reinforced his commitment to running a violation-
free program by requesting a clause in his contract calling for
his dismissal if anyone on his staff knowingly breaks NCAA
rules
“Dr. Mobley and I have talked about having in my contract
that if myself or any of my coaches knowingly violate any
NCAA regulations which lead to any problems with Texas
A&M. I’ll be terminated immediately without any compensa
tion,” Slocum said at a Dec. 13 press conference. “My
coaches will have the exact same thing.
“We’re not kidding about the direction we’re going. We’re
serious about it. 1 hope we can speak to other people across
the country and without blinking an eye. tell them exactly
what we’re were going to be about at Texas A&M.”
Since that time. Slocum has followed through on that prom
ise by not rehiring two assistant coaches implicated in an
NCAA investigation that resulted in A&M receiving penalties
in September
Offensive coordinator loe Avezzano and receivers coach
George Pugh will not be retained on Slocum's staff next sea
son Both coaches allegedly lied to NCAA investigators, paid
players and offered recruits illegal enticements to attend
A&M
Slocum also did not retain strength and conditioning coach
Keith Kephart. Earlier this year. Kephart's name surfaced in a
Sports Illustrated artklc concerning the rampant use of ster
oids while he was coaching at the University of South Caro
lina.
Slocum has refused to detail specific reasons why three
coaches were not rehired. But at his Dec. 12 press conference,
he had pledged not only to recruit the best players he can. but
also to find coaches who will agree with his philosophies con
cerning football and ethics
“I will evaluate the best combination of men who represent
what I want as far as football, integrity and leadership.” Slo
cum said. “I've coached 20 years at the major college level m
three major conferences I know coaches across the country. I
know guys who can coach football, provide leadership and
come in here and recruit football players by the rules. I know
other good coaches I’m going to bring in — hopefully guys
smarter than lam — to assist me.”
Crow placed the integrity of the athletic depart me ni fore
most on his list of prioritks and said he wanted a return to the
emphasis of an education for student athletes.
“1 firmly belkve we can go out and recruit fairly under the
NCAA and SWC rules and be successful.” Crow said at the
press conference “If that’s building integrity first and win
ning second, then that's the way we are.
“I firmly believe there’s a place in intercollegiate athletics
for student athletes. And that’s what we want here — student
athletes who want to get an education. 1 certainly think they
can receive a great one here.”
Slocum has been associated with A&M football for 16 of
the past 17 years. His first stint at A&M began in 1972 as a
defensive assistant coach, a position he held for eight years. In
1981, he moved to the University of Southern California
where he was defensive coordinator of the top-rated defense in
the Pac-10 Conference. Slocum returned to A&M in 4982 as
the Aggies' defensive coordinator and engineered A&M’s
famed Wrecking Crew defenses. He was named assistant head
coach in 1985. •
Crow holds a spot in A&M lore as the school’s and legend
ary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant’s only Heisman Trophy winner.
Crow won the award as the country's best collegiate player in
1957 when he rushed for 562 yards and led the Aggies to an 8-
3 record and the Gator Bowl. That year. Crow also was an
Academic All-Amencan and earned collegiate Who’s Who
honors. He graduated from A&M in 1958 with a business ad
ministration degree. ,
Crow played 10 years in the National Football League, re
tiring in 1968 He returned to A&M in 1983 as associate aUi-
letk director
Since settling his contract for approximately $500,000 and
resigning. Shcmll has yet to comment on the rash of recent
allegations of NCAA rules violations
A&M received a two-year probation from the NCAA Sept.
9 for various violations. Former A&M running back George
Smith claimed in a Nov. 18 Dallas Morning News artklc that
he received $4,400 in “hush money” from Shcmll including
one payment of $500 Sept 13. Smith later recanted his story,
saying he lied to Morning News reporter Doug Bedell to en
hance possible book sales and that Sherrill had simply loaned
him the money he received.
Prior to Shemll's resignation, rumors had been circulating
around the A&M campus that if he were to leave, the Univer
sity would pursue former A&M All-Amenca linebacker and
current University of Houston head coach Jack Pardee But
Mobley said that because of Slocum’s character and philoso
phies, searching for a candidate outside the system was unnec
essary.
“I have great confidence in Coach Slocum.” Mobley said.
“I think there’s a need for stability and continuity. There’s a
great deal of uncertainty within the University. The fact that
we had a strong internal candidate is all the better We had a
capable and quality individual available and I'm looking for
ward to working with him ”
Because of the attention given to A&M's NCAA probation,
its internal investigation into the George Smith incident and
the coaching change. A&M has fallen behind in the recruiting
race Slocum has been asking all recruits to refrain from per
secuting A&M until he has a chance to talk to them person
ally.
“We’ve asked players to withold judgment and give us a
fair shake,” he said. “Give us a chance to get in your home, sit
down and tell ypu what we’re all about. And 1 hope we’ll get
enough of those players, and I think we will. I think this is a
strong enough institution
“As far as the integrity of the program, he (the recruit) will
have to make a decision. I think I can go into a young man’s
home and look his parents and him in the eye and tell him
what our direction is going to be at Texas A&M
"That young man will have the opportunity to believe that
R.C Slocum is telling him the truth.”
Although like Crow, ethkal behavior is at the top of Slo
cum's goals, he also wants to be a winner on the field. Slocum
said he has turned down head coaching jobs in the past be
cause he wanted a position where he could win consistently.
He said he believes A&M can remain a national football pow
erhouse.
“We can win and have good football teams,” Slocum said.
“It’s my objective to be as good as anyone in the country. At
the same time. I don’t want to do that by sacrificing our integ
rity. It defeats the whole purpose if we’re one of those teams
and not one of those class programs
“1 will take my best shot at Texas A&M doing it that way.
If it doesn’t work that way. I’ll ride off into the sunset. I’m not
a big ego guy who’s going to go jumpatff a cliff The winning
thing is not something that concerns me We will win at Texas
A&M. and we’ll do it the right way."
in Istanbul," a draining love affair is de
scribed: “And hell had never / Seemed so
good / As when 1 lost my soul / Became
a fool for love.”
Other highlights of the album include
the soft, inspirational “Only the Mo
ment" and the driving ’Tears Run
Rings,” the first single. On both songs
Almond displays a clear vocal style and
good range, accompanied with excellent
musical arrangements
A disappointing song on the album,
however, is “Your Kisses Burn," Al
mond’s duet with the late songbird Nko.
vocalist for the Velvet Undergroud and
Andy Warhol’s protege. Nko’s growling
vocals are almost indisceiftible from Al
mond’s. and the entire song sounds
muddled It is unfortunate that this song
was the last Nko recorded before her
death
Despitejhis di&sapoiatment. the album V
as a whole remains a heartfelt, enjoyable
look into the life of Almond. Although
the record does not blaze any new musi
cal paths, it does not regress into muskal
tedium! either. Hopefully for Almond it
will mark his rightful place in the musk
industry
Photo by Jay Janner
John David Crow, left, and R.C. Slocum meet the ball conch, respectively,
press as A&M’s new athletic director and head foot-
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