The Battalion :akei in an interv, ,'s not a recipt ■base in thefal imrick of the; Jy Research Ct e issue isn’t ; eaks, but whe: ;ct the grass r is is a step in n." n conservat: iled, accordin; itrategists, is:; licked a mode it now turn to ;andidate as: hoice was rou,r mcheon Doleb ght of his pr: vals — wt. ped. ch, it is big la in a key posii Ip the gendw; n. Arlen Spec ■await mi of the pap [i •ectly contrai he governniB ry County k did not want, i either Ma; sent. i Guthrie as : . you in any? iscum or Hil /replied, sap he never en ceal the fill hat was need rote efforts, his home tor aw even win •er. He had*’ iis local roots uatn KmkfM’ >N ; Editor roe tor vxphics Editor carries Fowler, i er RosenfeW r- anor, (ames s Hecox, Ray ..sly, Michael ’ .awlikowsld ck James & ■—i Day Jniversity in * lism. 845-3313: r - lent by The ; -2696. For McDon- t 45-2678. • #ck up a sin- school year —an Express, Sng the fall sessions - sity. Texas WEDNESDAY July 1 7, 1996 Page 3 STOP, YOU CAN ONLY HOPE TO CONTAIN... The Rollerblading By Ray Hernandez The Battalion I t was not long ago that the number of rollerbladers skat ing around the A&M campus was about as small as the number of self- proclaimed Aggie Democrats. But recently, the Universi ty has become caught up in what is taking the rest of the world by storm — the rollerblading craze. Today, one seen rollerbladers going to class, playing roller hockey at the Grove or just practicing in front of the Zachry Builaing or any other open space on campus. Jennifer New, a senior en vironmental design major, says rollerblading is more ex citing than other traditional sports. “When I first thought of rollerblading, I just thought Stew Milne, The Battalion Ronny White, a senior electrical engineering technology major, slides down a handrail outside the Halbouty Building. it was like your usual skat ing,” New said. “But this is more daring — more fun.” Most people participating in the rollerblading revolu tion range from former skaters and skateboarders to people who have no experi ence at all. While exercise may be a motivator for rollerbladers, Tony Schilling, a senior mathematics major, said he started rollerblading for leisure and friendship. “My roommate came back with a pair (of rollerblades) and told me that 1 had to get a pair so we can have fun,” Schilling said. "Rollerblading is a good thing to come out and do with friends, have a good time and blow off a lot of steam.” Schilling has advice for those trying to overcome the intimidation of being a first time rollerblader. “If you want to learn and have a desire, then come out and skate,” Schilling said. “All you really need to do is come out and try and fall a couple of times. “If you fall a thousand times and finally nail that move, there is no greater feel ing. It makes you come out and want to keep trying.” Lately, a desire has sur faced among many campus rollerbladers to formally or ganize the sport at A&M. Several rollerbladers have mentioned a desire for a club on campus, as well as the con struction of a skate park in the Bryan-College Station area. Ronny White, a senior elec trical engineering technology major, said there is no telling how many rollerbladers hit the pavement at A&M. "There are [a lot] of us that skate on campus, usually not at the same time, though,” White said. “Sometimes, no one is really aware of just how many skaters there are out there.” There are a few drawbacks to skating on campus. Many buildings prohibit "If you fall a thousand times and finally nail that move, there is no greater feeling. It makes you come out and want to keep trying." — TONY SCHILLING senior mathematics major rollerbladers from skating in side, and the parking garages do not allow rollerbladers to skate down the ramps. The skaters also agree that the sport carries a negative reputation, especially among police and security guards. New said campus rollerbladers are often dis- See Craze, Page 4 Students retreat to TAMU Outdoors By Colby Gaines The Battalion If you have been searching for adventure this summer and have not had much luck finding it, then perhaps you’ll find it outdoors — Texas A&M Outdoors, that is. From scuba diving to rock climbing, TAMU Outdoors’ summer schedule has some thing for everyone. Patsy Cott, assistant director of TAMU Outdoors, said people who get involved can expect fun and a positive experience. “In the past, men and women have been overwhelmed,” Cott said. “They really enjoyed learning new skills and meeting other people with the same interests.” Cott said most participants have common goals. “These people like to get out doors,” Cott said. “Most of them set challenging personal goals [in ac tivities like] rock climbing and kayaking, and they can attain them through this.” Others come away just as satis fied with the fact that they are “getting away.” Shane Decker, a sophomore kayaking participant, said taking the class helped him achieve skills that he will use on future river floating trips. “I have always wanted to kayak down the wild rapids of Colorado,” Decker said. “Now, I have a head start on successfully doing that.” Decker said the outdoors course was entertaining as well as informative. “I met a lot of people in the class,” Decker said. “I also had a great time learning, which came as a big surprise.” This summer the TAMU Out doors program has already held sessions in scuba diving, windsurf ing, kayaking and hiking. Addition al instruction will be given in these activities during the second sum mer session, and several more out doors activities and trips have been scheduled. Dawn Hatfield, a senior who took part in a scuba diving session Tuesday night at the Student Recreation center, said she has big expectations after taking the out doors course. “Although I am taking this class to prepare for a trip to Cozumel, I’m hoping to learn enough to be able to scuba for the rest of my life,” Hatfield said. “I’m a real outdoorswoman, and I love the water. This class will be a good experience.” Alan Woods, a graduate student in finance, said the rock climbing clinic met his expectations. “I was able to reach one of my goals with the class,” Woods said. “I always wanted to be able to climb; now I can. In the process, I met a lot of people who felt the way I do about the outdoors.” In light of the steamy Texas heat, many of TAMU Outdoors’ events take place in the water, which include trips to the Bahamas and the Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels. “Many of our events are wa ter-related, so people don’t nec essarily have to deal with the heat,” Cott said. TAMU Outdoors offers classes in beginner and intermediate lev els, and registration is open for all events at the Center. Pat James, The Battalion Students receive instruction in snorkeling at the Open Water Diver Course held Tuesday night by the TAMU Outdoors Program at the Student Recreation Center pool. SW tfeat Me d&zt .. • A&M Intramurals offer indoor/outdoor options By Colby Gaines The Battalion For students who are bummed out about attending class five days a week during the summer, the A&M Recre ational Sports Department has an answer. If students are looking for excitement, competition or a break from class, the department’s intra mural sports program is putting the fun back into summer. Offering sports ranging from golf to table tennis, there is some thing for almost every sports ad dict — includ ing those who want to remain indoors. Drew McMillen, an assis tant director of A&M intra murals, said anyone who joins can expect the same type of sports that are available in the fall and spring; however, the teams will be smaller. “We offer three-man volley ball and basketball, table ten nis, golf, softball, tennis and racquetball,” McMillen said. “In the fall and spring semes ters, we have approximately 15,000 participants, but in the summer, only about 900 people participate per each (summer) session.” James Nash, an assistant director of A&M intramurals, said there are many benefits to participating in summer in- tramurals. “They are an outlet for stress, a break from class and a place to have fellowship with your friends,” Nash said. “The people who play seem to enjoy it because [summer in tramurals] are a little more relaxed than the fall and spring semesters.” Brent Mont gomery, a se nior journal ism major and summer soft- ball player, said he has de veloped some positive rela tionships from his intramural experience. “I’ve gained friendships and produced some cama raderie that, hopefully, will last a lifetime,” Mont gomery said. McMillen said playing summer intramurals is a good way to spend extra time that is not available during the regular semesters. "During the fall and spring semesters, there is a lot going See Intramurals, Page 4 COMMUNITY-WIDE WRITING CONTEST GUIDELINES Entries should be unpublished prose fiction of1500 words or less, typed Indude a separate cover sheet with name, address, phone number, and age category. Entries will oe judged for style, darity, and creativity. Entries should be mailed to: MSC Literary Arts Committee Tfexas A&M University Memorial Student Center P.O. BoxJ-1 College Station, TX 77844 DEADUNE: AUGUST 1,1996 AWARDS INCLUDE: •Publication of entry •Reception/ Reading at the College Station Hastings •Additional prizes! Questions? Call 845-1515 and ask for the Literaiy Arts Committee. Messina Hof’s Harvest Fuuun Starts This Weekend This could be the best party you’ll have all summer. Fuuun Saturdays & Sundays Your fuuun day could start with a stroll in the vineyards, grape picking and stomping (sign your T-shirt with your feet), a delicious European Harvest Luncheon feast and a Wine &Food Pairing Seminar. Plus fuuun free tours and wine tastings all day. Don’t miss the fuuun of Harvest. Reservations or more info, call the Harvest Hotline at 778-9463 Fuuun Sunset Concerts This Saturday night, enjoy the Rockafellas < one of the most popular & entertaining acts around. Hear great tunes from five decades. Imagine the romance, the vineyard view, the sunset, the starry night. Music starts at 8 pm and you can get it all for only $15. ($ 16/Gate) More info or reservations, call Designer Events’ Harvest Hotline at 778-9463 i. i