Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1999)
H Page 6 • Thursday, April 1, 1999 ! ATE TheliBattalion Former Rice coach sues students HOUSTON (AP) — A former Rice University swimming coach is suing 14 student athletes she blames for bad mouthing her coaching ability until she lost her job. Kris Wingenroth, 45, coached men’s and women’s swimming teams at Rice for 15 years until her contract was not renewed last summer. Her tenure included five “coach of the year” awards in the Southwest Conference. But Wingenroth claims stu dents went on a mission to oust her, complaining that she was too soft just before her contract was not renewed. “There is not another single re ported case in the world of a coach suing the athletes who criticized the coach,” attorney Rusty Hardin, hired by the school to represent the students, told the Houston Chronicle in Wednesday editions. “Rice’s position is the students have to feel free to express their opinions. If they can’t do that, then the whole idea of a universi ty as a place to freely exchange ideas will go down the tubes.” Hardin said the school decided not to renew the coach’s contract after looking into the students’ concerns. Wingenroth’s attorney, James Adams, could not be reached for comment. Wingenroth, who Hardin said is now in Ecuador studying Spanish, initially sued two swimmers, Cory Teague and Christian Selchau- Hansen, in state court in Decem ber. She added 12 more to the list earlier this month. The former coach is seeking un specified actual and punitive dam ages for several legal claims, in cluding defamation, conspiracy to interfere with her contract and in tentional infliction of emotional distress. On March 7, her attorney filed a 75-paragraph document outlin ing what the swimmers allegedly did to get her fired. According to the lawsuit, Win genroth’s first confrontation with the swimmers occurred in March 1995, after she reported to univer sity officials that several swimmers had used illegal drugs at a party. University officials met with the students but did not punish them, the lawsuit says, and soon after ward swimmer Carrell Covington allegedly told Wingenroth she would make it her “mission” to get the coach fired. Chavez holiday pending in House AUSTIN (AP) — Chanting “Si, se puede,” and waving red flags crest ed with thunderbirds, hundreds marched to the Capitol in support of a bill that would make March 31 an optional state holiday honoring Lati no leader Cesar Chavez. Known as the civil rights activist with the “Yes, it can be done” battle cry, Chavez — who would have turned 72 on Wednesday — was re membered by a 2-foot birthday cake with iced red roses and an altar to the Virgin of Guadalupe. Among the marchers was Chavez’ younger brother Richard, 69. “It has been six years since he died, but he’s still organizing peo ple,” Richard Chavez said as he looked into the crowd that hailed from El Paso to Laredo. Earlier this month, the Texas Sen ate approved legislation that would allow state government employees to take off Chavez’ birthday with pay in place of any other state holiday that fell on a weekday. The bill, which is pending in the House, also has the support of Gov. George W. Bush. “I’ll sign it. It’s a nice statement,” Bush said. Richard Chavez said that if the bill passes, Texas would be the first state to enact such a holiday. “Ill sign it. it's a nice statement/' — Gov. George W. Bush On the Cesar Chavez bill “Cesar is being honored all over the country — hundreds of schools, libraries and streets have been named for him, and we’d like an air port too,” he said, referring to talks underway in San Antonio to rename its airport for the activist. As children, the brothers were farm workers who “picked every thing under the sun but pockets,” Richard Chavez said. Working conditions were atro cious, pay was low and insurance nonexistent back then, he said. Al though Cesar was warned that farm workers could never be organized, he began rallying for change in the early ’60s, ultimately founding the United Farm Workers, Richard Chavez said. Cesar Chavez led boycotts on grapes — the pesticides of which are harmful to those who harvest them — and began a series of hunger and labor strikes that lasted throughout his life. “The people he worked with hap pened to be 90 percent Mexican, but he went across the borders, touching everyone — blacks, poor whites. That is why this holiday is for every body,” Richard Chavez said. Toward the end of the rally, some of the marchers began chanting “Where is Bush?” They expressed disappointment that Bush, who has courted the Hispanic vote, did not participate in the rally. “Just because he speaks Spanish doesn’t mean he is for us,” Linda Herrera, president of the Texas State Employees Union, said. Linda Edwards, the governor’s spokeswoman, said their scheduling office was not contacted. Repairing history Steve Thompson and Mikey Scilio rebuild the roof of a historic home located off of GeorgeE. Drive Wednesday. The 100-year-old house was seriously damaged by a fire in January. . 6 A Bill may prohibit suing gun manufactu AUSTIN (AP) — A bill to limit Texas cities’ ability to sue gun man ufacturers won preliminary approval Wednesday from the state Senate, but only after lawmakers made sure the attorney general still could file lawsuits on the state’s behalf. The 22-7 vote came on the third day that the bill by Sen. Jon Lindsay, R-Houston, has been before the Sen ate. Twice last week, he withdrew the bill from consideration after doubts were expressed about its re strictions. His bill comes at a time when a number of U.S. cities have consid ered suing gun makers to recover the costs of gun-related violence. “This is kind of a backdoor way of the anti-gun people to put the gun industry totally out of business,” Psst... Did you know we are hiring people with these skiUs? Computer Science Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Systems Engineering Computer Engineering Biology Chemistry We are currently seeking undergraduate students for co-op and intern assignments, as well as juniors and seniors for entry-level positions. You would be amazed at what we do! If we have piqued your interest, fax your resume to: (703) 613-7884, ATTN: Henry Johnson; or mail to: Henry Johnson, Personnel Representative, PO Box 12727, Dept. RATAM0499, Arlington, VA 22209-8727. We will respond within 45 days if there is further interest. All applicants must successfully complete a thorough medical exami nation, a polygraph exammation, and an extensive background investigation. U.S. citizenship is required. Challenges For A Changing World Please visit our Web site at www.cia.gov An equal opportunity employer and a drug-free work force. 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 Class of 1999 How would you spend $99,000? -Endowed Diamond Century Club -Diversity Celebration Plaza ■The Texas ASM Foundation Center -QR. Simpson Drill Field Plaques -Muster Endowment -Class of I 999 Pavilion GO VOTE AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF March 3 I S April I 999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 Volunteer with Texas A&M EMS PARAMEDICS, EMT’s & DISPATCHERS •— <5 &■■■ > * 4 911 Ambulance Service Excellent Experience ' Student Health Enhance Your Resume Services - . , j. , A.P. Beute! Health Center No Experience Needed Training Available Individuals interested in a challenging volunteer experience, contact ft EMS at 845-1525 or come by Room 020-Health Center. T'L L\ f -ft Ijpi 3 h EMERCSEINIGY rviEDIGAL SERVICES... WE DOIXI'T IVIISS A BEATT’X A K K Ycrotlcdb, A<xrttliuj»ioit Asswdation f.>r Ambulatory Hcukh C’*r«, in,. said Lindsay, whose bill requires a final Senate vote before going to the House for consideration. An opponent of the measure. Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos, D-Austin, predicted the bill “will probably be back to haunt us.” “This is not local control ... You put earrings on it, put a little lipstick, put a little perfume on it. But it’s still an ugly bill,” said Barrientos. The measure would prohibit Texas governmental units — includ ing cities and counties — from suing firearm or ammunition makers or sellers for damages related to lawful manufacture or sales to the public. The prohibition would be lifted only if the Legislature approved such a lawsuit in advance. As originally filed, the bill also ome is wlr Rmunately would have restrictedthf^l ’earn, that general’s authority tobrinijin ; a Stella* But an amendmeni tairhup with Wednesday would leave iglhiiversity ney general with existing:. Ai home, A<S- to bring lawsuits withoio'ss coming ag lature’s approval. irli ics Baseb- Lawsuits brought by inr h comparis also would not be afeeJUi h-ranked bill, Lindsay said. Jad record fel It also would notprevfli h the game of contract or warrantyBig 12) fell governmental bodies crelhman pitc firearms or ajnmunfe 1 the first inr amendment added mortec^ength of jun for such things aslawsu nd home run age to government prop ae top of the ■ fective firearms and c« fhe Aggies - sonal injury or death,alf ot the ini" county is suing to recra has paid. fhjs Russ (7- f he Corn hue ?ge Station asi le (University 5 Askers’ winni" * 1 20x20 Party Canopy 40 Chairs 5 8ft. Banquet Tables 1 Beverage Cooler 6ft Grill 1702A Ponderas: College Station,H $155 + Tax DELIVERY AVAft "There’s a Reason to Party Everyday - Come to us to get your party startedlir A One-Day Conference Sponsored by the TAMU Navigator Ministry The No. 14 Feam will t ersity tor eru tis Center ®kend for 7th-ranked F ■he Aggie 'arch 24, wl fader again trsity and Id’s only inte to No. I lo. 4 Duke l ■The Aggii iubhock last fiders, 7-0. ■Tonight’s he 1 Aggies’ ■ch of the earn is hopi - Speaker: Jerry Bridges Author of several books including The Pursuit of Holiness. The Practicei Godliness. Trusting God. Transforming 0^ The Discipline of Grace. The Crisis of Ca# and The Jov of Fearing God WHEN: Saturday, April lOtli, at Rudder Tower on A&M Campus. Registration opens at 8:00 5 on Level 2; Meetings are from 8:30 a.nr 5:15 p.m., in Room 601 TOTAL COST: Registration $ 10 ea. at the door PROFITABLE NUMBER! 845-0569 THE BATTALION CLASSIFIEDS - Ticket (roger in Sole cl
