The Battalion - August 29, 2018

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2018 STUDENT MEDIA

Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

Sophomore Kellen Mond is the expected starting quarterback for the season opener.

Mond emerges as likely starting quarterback Reports indicate Fisher has selected true sophomore as starter By Angel Franco @angelmadison_ Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher may have found his starting quarterback. Monday evening, several reports surfaced claiming true sophomore quarterback Kellen Mond had won the starting job over redshirt sophomore Nick Starkel. Brent Zwerneman, A&M beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, wrote that an A&M insider confirmed the initial reports by 247sports.com earlier in the day, despite Fisher not officially making the announcement. On Aug. 23, A&M held its weekly pregame press conference looking ahead to the start of the season. At the time of the press conference, Fisher had yet to make a starting quarterback, but did have rave reviews for Mond’s fall camp performance. “His hand placement… his eyes [while going through progressions] have been tremendous,” Fisher said. “[Mond] is throwing the ball much more accurate down the field… He’s been throwing the ball with his feet and his hips very well… does a great job of keeping his eyes up in the pocket, making throws, delivering on time.” Beyond footwork and technique, Fisher said Mond’s team management skills have been improving as well. “Kellen’s accuracy, development and demeanor [have improved],” Fisher said. “Even his leadership. Kellen was a very quiet guy as QUARTERBACK ON PG. 4

Jesse Everett — THE BATTALION

Chancellor John Sharp presented University President Michael K. Young with a ceremonial key to the Doug Pitcock ‘49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center at the grand opening ceremony on Aug. 27.

Checking in Campus hotel accepts guests ahead of Aggies’ first football game By Anthony Pangonas @apangonas Texas A&M leaders came out Monday morning to celebrate the grand opening of the Doug Pitcock ‘49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, which has begun welcoming guests in time for Thursday’s football season opener. While the 250,000 square-foot hotel and conference center was set to be completed in time for the Sept. 8 Clemson game, vice chancellor of business affairs Phillip Ray said

the process ran ahead of schedule. The hotel project is one of many utilizing the university’s public-private partnership program, used to complete other major developments such as the adjacent Cain parking garage. “This is just another in a long legacy of projects that we’ve built on behalf of the benefit of Texas A&M without using a single dollar of university money or student tuition money,” Ray said. Also in attendance were Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, University President Michael Young, chairman of the board of regents Charles Schwartz and the namesake of the hotel, Doug Pitcock. A long-time supporter of the university, Pitcock graduated with a degree in civil en-

gineering and went on to become one of the nation’s leading transportation infrastructure developers. During his career, Pitcock co-founded the major highway construction firm Williams Brothers Construction, became part of the National Transportation Policy Study Commission under Gerald R. Ford’s administration in 1976 and served as president of Associated General Contractors of America in 1984. Before becoming the namesake of the new hotel, Pitcock made his mark on Aggieland by funding numerous scholarships, fellowships and research projects. Schwartz said A&M’s hotel is the HOTEL ON PG. 4

Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION

The Jimbo Fisher Era of Texas A&M football will begin with the home opener against Northwestern State on Aug. 30. at 7:30 p.m.

Five things to know for Football Thursday Aug. 30 marks the first time Texas A&M football has hosted a Thursday game while school is in session, excluding Thanksgiving games and the 2005 Texas State game in late September which was moved to Thursday in preparation for Hurricane Rita. So you might ask, ‘What do I need to know about Thursday?’ Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

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PARKING, PARKING AND PARKING

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ARE BUSES RUNNING THE SAME?

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IS CLASS CANCELLED?

Starting at noon, certain parking lots will no longer allow vehicles to enter. Noon - lots 61, 62 and 74 1:00 p.m. - lots 48, 60, 65, 67, 69, 72, 95, 97, 100, WCG, CSS and UCG. Certain lots will be vacated to make room for game day visitors. Be sure to move your car before your lot or garage’s designated time: 2:30 p.m. - lots 61, 62, 65, 67 and 74. 3:30 p.m. - lots 48, 60, 69, 72, 95, 97, 100, WCG, CSS and UCG. 5:30 p.m. - lots 18, 30e, 64, 70, 73, 98 and 114.

On-campus bus routes will operate under their normal schedule until 3:30 p.m., when bus route frequency is reduced. At 5 p.m., many buses will transition to gameday service, meaning some regular stops may be unavailable or moved. Most off-campus routes will also start out on their regular schedules, but some routes may end early or be altered to accommodate gameday routes. A full list of changes is available online.

No. (Unless your professor says otherwise).

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FILE

Reveille VIII, pictured with former handler Ryan Kreider, served as mascot from 2008 to 2015.

ALTERNATE WAYS TO GET AROUND

Reveille VIII’s funeral

If you are one of the many students affected by the parking changes, you might want to consider taking an Uber or Lyft to class. Both rideshare services are offering $10 dollar discounts alid for two trips. If you and your roommates or friends have similar schedules, carpool. Not only will you reduce the number of cars on the road, you help save the environment. Or if you live close enough to campus to bike, Ofo is offering 10 free rides with a promo code. Finally, if you’re alright with braving the heat, you can walk to class.

Thursday morning, Reveille VIII will be laid to rest at the Reveille Cemetery at The Zone Plaza by Kyle Field. A service to honor the former first lady of Aggieland is set to begin at 8:30 a.m.

WAIT, WHAT TIME IS MIDNIGHT YELL? Unfortunately, you can’t sarcastically say “Uh, midnight” when the freshman in your class asks what time Midnight Yell is this week. Yell Practice will be held on Wednesday at 10 p.m.

For other helpful tips, bus schedules and a complete list of changes, check out footballthursday.tamu.edu.

By Angel Franco and Hannah Underwood

Due to the ceremony, there will be road closures affecting transit in front of the MSC and Kyle Field. The portion of Joe Routt Boulevard between Stallings Boulevard and Houston Street will be closed from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Commuters looking to enter or exit Cain Garage will need to use Old Main and Stalling Boulevard during this time. Staff Report


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