The Battalion — August 23, 2025

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SILVER TAPS

Megan Callahan-Krejcar, Lindsey Webster, Mingdian Cai, Colby Fisher, Quinn Stegall A2-3

SPORTS A&M football kicks o its season at Kyle Field on Saturday, Aug. 30 against UTSA in an in-state battle B1

Howdy Week marks the return of Aggie Spirit

people; it’s not, ‘What if?’ It’s, ‘How many will I meet, how many friends can I make, how many people will I have classes with?’”

Ushering in the return of over 72,000 students and the beginning of the fall semester, Howdy Week brings campus-wide events and traditions to new and returning Aggies. The festivities began on Aug. 20 and run through Aug. 26.

Offering both Featured Events, large-scale gatherings directly sponsored by a university office, student organization or department, and General Events, Howdy Week provides a variety of opportunities for students to engage with their Aggie community.

Though an annual tradition, this year’s Howdy Week includes the launch of two new initiatives from Student Life and the Division of Student Affairs: Howdy Hubs and Howdy Week Ambassadors.

Howdy Hubs are pop-up tables that will be present at all Featured Events. They are staffed by Howdy Week Ambassadors, student leaders who are equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources to help guide new students through life in Aggieland.

“Coming into A&M, it can be super overwhelming,” neuroscience senior and Orientation Team Leader Kortney Ammerman said in an insider podcast with the Division of Student Affairs. “I think Howdy Week is definitely one of the most important things for a student to attend because you will meet new

At the Ice Cream Carnival, engineering freshman Truman Betz said he experienced this firsthand. Alongside his childhood friend, engineering freshman Wesley Peters, the two experienced college life for the first time.

“Coming from a small town, I know a lot of people are coming out from Dallas and those places, so it’s just a completely different scene than back home for me,” Betz said. “But most people are geared towards wanting to know who you are and getting to see you.”

Transitioning to life at a school with over 72,000 students at just its main campus can prove particularly challenging. Peters and Betz noted that a key part of their plan for navigating A&M is doing it together.

“Me and Truman, we were just walking our classes earlier, and I feel like that was helpful in just kind of getting our bearings,” Peters said. “And then just having [Howdy Week Events] in the background has been really nice to where we can, if we wanted to, go to an event where we know people but also get to meet new people.”

Interested students can also attend the variety of General Events offered by different university departments, such as the Howdy Engineering! Scavenger Hunt.

To round out the Fall 2025 semester welcoming ceremony, Club Crawl, formerly known as MSC Open House, will be held on Aug. 31 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Memorial Student Center. Attendees will be able to interact with over 1,300 recognized student organizations.

“A&M really prioritizes that kind of feeling

of comfort and knowing people, and people are inviting,” Betz said. “So I think stuff like Howdy Week, stuff like Aggieland Saturday and all of these events that are going on right now … A&M does a really good job of providing those ways to meet new people, share a meal with somebody and just go and see new people, so I’m taking advantage of all of it.”

When I was up in East Texas for a family event last January, I met a former student who graduated from Texas A&M in the 60s. As two Aggies often do, we struck up a conversation about our time in Aggieland — what’s changed, what’s stayed the same and what I’m doing as a student.

That’s when the subject of The Battalion came up.

“Back when I was at A&M,” this Old Ag said. “The Battalion was just a bunch of liberals.”

It’s a sentiment many of you have heard before. If we’re doing our jobs correctly — opinion desk aside, of course — you won’t be able to tell if that’s true.

Growing up in College Station, I’ve seen the impact quality student journalism can have on this university and on the Brazos Valley. It’s no secret that the media and the field of journalism are not exactly well regarded today. But unlike “the mainstream media” so many people often deride, we are accountable to you, the students, because we are just like you.

We are in your dorms, classes and student organizations. You pass us on Military Walk on your way to class, and see us in Kyle Field every game day — you just don’t realize it. We report on this community because we are a part of this community. We do our job — to bring fair, objective and sometimes even entertaining journalism to Aggieland — because we love this place. And because we love it, we want to make it better by holding it accountable.

I’ve seen how this publication rallies when the odds are stacked against us, and the service we provide is truly needed. From just a few miles down Welsh Avenue, I watched as The Battalion persevered when former university president M. Katherine Banks tried to end our print edition and bring us under the thumb of the university in 2022.

While I’m deeply thankful that there is no current effort to end our 132 years of publication — that’s right, we’re older than most of the other traditions here at A&M — I can assure you that we will fight to keep our editorial independence if it’s ever tested again. Why? Because this place needs journalists who know the community and are accountable to the student body. When you see us every day because our newsroom in the Memorial Student Center is in one of the busiest spots on campus, you can approach us and tell us why you’re not happy. We’re not national media parachuting in and not understanding what makes Aggieland the place that it is. We get it. This is our home, too. And when we do make mistakes? Tell us. We’re approachable. My inbox is certainly open, and if you see me on campus I’d be happy to chat about our reporting or anything else you think needs to be said.

SILVER TAPS

Ceremony: Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 10:30 p.m. at

Megan Avery Callahan-Krejcar

April 1, 2003 - May 2, 2025

A vibrant and lively Aggie who never met a stranger

“She had the best laugh I’ve ever heard in my life, and the best smile, and her eyes twinkled,” Megan’s mother Grace Callahan said.

Megan Callahan-Krejcar had many passions, from soccer to Formula 1 racing, each of which brought out her bubbly personality — but nothing brought light to her eyes like her friends and family.

“She’s very loyal to her friends and family,” Grace said. “She’s very outgoing and bubbly and people kind of migrated toward that personality. People just loved her.”

Her relationships with people reached far and wide. Between working in the IT department at Texas A&M and participating in the Omega Phi Alpha chapter, many cherished her friendship.

These friendships, made at a university that she held near to her heart, brought her dreams of becoming a true Aggie to fruition.

“She loved A&M,” Grace said. “She loved the dynamic of A&M. She loved everything, you know. The school work, the party life. She just loved A&M.”

Knowing from a young age that she wanted to attend A&M led to years of anticipation for receiving her Aggie Ring, which she nally received last October.

“She physically got her ring about two weeks after she got in the hospital,” Grace said. “She was supposed to have the ring dunk with her roommates. We got to go up there one time so that they could hold up their pitchers. She of course

could not do the ring dunk because she couldn’t really be around anybody else, but it was very special for her.”

In October 2024, Megan was diagnosed with cancer. However, her mother said even this diagnosis did not stop her.

“I mean, I know it scared her,” Grace said. “I know that she was terri ed every day, but she was still upbeat. The last month she wanted to go see her friends in College Station a lot and she went. We went on a little trip to Galveston. She just wanted, I guess, to do as much as she could and live.”

Megan was not deterred by her diagnosis, but instead used it as a reason to make the most of the time she had left.

However, Grace expressed Megan’s concern for the people she would leave behind.

“She was worried about me while she was dying,” Grace said. “She was worried about how I was going to be after it. Always worried about me, always worried about her brothers and her dad. She just thought about people’s feelings.”

And being a caring person is exactly what led her to the public health program at A&M, where she was pursuing a degree in medicine.

“At the beginning, she wanted to be a nurse,” Grace said. “The reason she wanted to be a nurse was because when her grandmother was in the hospital, the nurses were the kindest to my mom and she always respected that.”

This kindness that the nurses extended to her grandmother and family was exactly what she wanted to give back to others.

Megan, with her empathy — and occasional stubbornness, according to Grace — was someone who lit up every room she was in with power and grace.

“She was just the bravest kid I knew and the bravest person I’ve ever come into contact with,” Grace said. “I’ve known a lot of brave people in my time, but she was the

bravest and she was so positive.” Her bravery and positivity remained with her and still shed light on those whose lives she crossed.

“Megan was a bright and joyful spirit who touched the lives of all who knew her,” her obituary reads. “Megan’s memory will forever be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Though she is no longer with us in body, her beautiful spirit will continue to shine through the lives she touched and the love she shared.”

Lindsey Cheyenne Webster

October 14, 2000 - May 14, 2025

ALindsey Cheyenne Webster grew up in Orange Grove, where she did something not many others had in the Coastal Bend — graduated high school at 17 years old with her associate degree. Charity Webster, Lindsey’s mom, said that she was a stellar student, showing up in the classroom and

for the many school activities she excelled in: basketball, softball, band, the mascot, Future Farmers of America and Faith, Career and Community Leaders of America. The momentum only continued as she pursued her biology degree at Texas A&M.

“She’s always come out on top,” her brother Colton Webster said. “She never once allowed other people to dictate what she did or where she went in the world, because she was so driven on what she wanted to do

Mingdian Cai

and what she wanted to become, not just for her career but for her kids, the family and everything. She never once gave up.”

In college, she tutored students, worked as a phlebotomist, fed lab rats and was a call girl for the Association of Former Students. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Lindsey moved back home, where she worked at the Meridian Care of Alice during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was then that she had the realization she wanted to pursue her doctorate in pharmacy, just a few days before the application deadline.

“I said, ‘Lindsey, that’s like in three days,’” Charity said. “She said, ‘It’s okay, I’ve got this.’ She had it because that was a passion that she pursued. She went through extensive Zoom interviews, elimination rounds through the process, them dwindling down the class, and she made the class.”

Lindsey worked hard not only for herself but for her two daughters, Reagan and Kennedy. Family was exceedingly important to Lindsey, and she never failed to show up for those around her, especially her nieces and nephews.

“I have a lot of kids, but she was their number one supporter in everything,” Colton said. “It did not matter what sport or school concert, she was always there. She made sure that everyone knew she was there, because she would be the loudest person yelling at whoever needed it.”

Channeling her energy to her family included keeping a close eye on her nephew shortly after his birth as he fought for his life in the hospital.

“One of the biggest moments was when my son was born and had to go to the NICU,” Colton said. “She made a spreadsheet to keep track of him. If I did not ll out the spreadsheet she made by a certain time every day, I would get a phone call.”

Faith carried Lindsey, as she was an active member of BT Church. She attended church every Sunday and volunteered her time for Sunday school and church events.

“I think that part of her legacy is that her mindset was to keep her eyes above the water and focus on the Lord,” Charity said. “It was a constant reminder to her, because even though she went to school and she was a distinguished scholar, she was so much more than the cords around her neck. She advocated for people, and she advocated for her children with every breath she took.”

On May 17, 2025, Lindsey graduated magna cum laude with her family proudly crossing the stage in her honor — o cially declaring her Dr.Webster. Despite the obstacles thrown her way, Lindsey persisted and achieved everything she set her mind to, having just recently secured an internship with the Department of Veterans A airs in Corpus Christi.

“Her journey wasn’t just all academics and accolades; it was revolutionary,” her uncle David Finto wrote in her obituary in the Alice Echo News-Journal. “Lindsey made space for others while blazing trails of her own. She had red hair and a recracker spirit to match. Lindsey was a pistol, bossy in all the right ways, a born leader and the most relentless, spunky, strongwilled soul you ever met.”

Mingdian Cai was a Ph.D. student studying agricultural economics at Texas A&M. Mingdian was an international student who traveled from China in order to continue his studies at A&M.

SILVER TAPS

ACeremony: Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 10:30 p.m. at Academic Plaza. Warning: There will be gun sounds at the ceremony. Please remember to remain quiet upon arrival.

Colby Brent Fisher

January 22, 2002 - April 17, 2025

n Aggie who followed his arrow with faith, love and laughter

A son. A brother. A friend. At 6-foot-1 and with a personality just as big, Colby was an Aggie who left a lasting impact on everyone he met.

He studied political science and was pursuing a minor in cybersecurity while he served as vice president of recruitment for Alpha Sigma Phi. According to his mother, Amee Fisher, he loved his brothers more than anything.

“He became like a second dad to his youngest brother, Cason, always so protective,” Amee said.

His mother said Colby’s love language was physical touch.

He cherished back rubs and the comfort of closeness. Just as he loved receiving attention, he gave it freely, whether through a bear hug or a compliment.

“When he worked at HEB, he would tell customers something like, ‘I love that shirt today,’ and always make sure he made somebody’s day,” Amee said.

A natural storyteller, Colby’s family said he could spin a tale about almost anything, often starting with “I have a story about that” in each conversation. His strong faith grounded him, and he was

known for sharing his knowledge of scripture with friends and strangers alike.

“He wanted to make sure that everyone was saved and knew Jesus,” Amee said. “That was his mission.”

Though born in Lubbock, Colby always knew he would be an Aggie. His mother said he loved Texas A&M traditions, and his favorite spot on campus was the Memorial Student Center, the historical heart of campus. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, he found ways to be connected through his humor and pranks.

Quinn YongQing Stegall

December 25, 2003 - June 29, 2025

A

“One time during class, Colby asked his professor if he could ask a question,” Amee said. “Instead, he dumped milk on his own head and wiggled back and forth as everyone laughed. He must’ve had a good connection with his class and the professor.”

Outside the classroom, Colby loved the outdoors; he hunted, shed and even started a drone shing business. He also enjoyed building and collecting guns and creating websites.

His father, David Fisher, recalled his son’s kindness, remembering how Colby once surprised a sorority sister with co ee and breakfast after losing her dog.

“He was very intuitive and could read people and truly cared about them,” David said.

Colby’s protective nature extended beyond his family. His brother, Calem Fisher, said he recalled when Colby, upon seeing an overturned truck during a rainy drive, immediately jumped in to help.

“Anytime he saw somebody needing help, he’d say ‘Go get him, boys,’” Calum said. “That’s who he was. He could distinguish between police and re ghting sirens and try to help as much as he could.”

Whether ensuring classmates got home safely, o ering words of encouragement or giving the biggest hugs, Colby dedicated himself to making others feel safe and loved. Amee said “The Arrow” by Aaron Watson is a song that describes how she wants her sons to live their lives.

“Colby ‘followed his arrow’ and accomplished in 23 years what most men can’t accomplish in 60 or 70 years,” Amee said. “Both his father and brother have tattoos with arrows and his nal EKG reading.”

Through his faith, compassion and deep bonds he built, his impact continues.

n Aggie who was always willing to lend a helping hand

Determined, bright and magnetic is how Quinn was seen by those around her.

A young woman fascinated with taking things apart, seeing how they worked and problem solving, Andrew Stegall said his daughter, Quinn Stegall, had the brain of an engineer.

Quinn earned her associate’s degree in engineering at Blinn College through Texas A&M’s Engineering Academy, but always had her sights set on becoming a “real Aggie.”

After initially being interested in the College of Engineering, Quinn ended up changing majors after realizing she could explore similar avenues in the College of Architecture and was accepted as a transfer.

“Once she was in, she was just ‘Gig’ em’ and ‘Howdy,’ and I mean, she just was all about it and was so excited,” Andrew said. “She came back from that transfer weekend when she was with my wife, and she had bought a ton of swag and bought me a bunch of stu . … And so I had to put on the shirt that she bought for me and to see her smile so big and be so proud of herself and proud, you know, made me so proud, you know, just she was so happy that I was happy.”

While at Blinn, she continued to explore another passion of hers, soccer. Playing since four years old and on the varsity team all four years in high school, Quinn played for the Buccaneers as she buzzed with excitement to eventually join an intramural league at A&M.

The athlete from Round Rock — the rst Aggie in her family — was excited to learn traditions, make connections and continue her

journey towards earning her Aggie Ring. Quinn’s mother, Laura Stegall, said she wants people to know that she was physically and mentally strong, and she worked hard for everything.

“[She was] just somebody you wanted to be around, somebody that could just make you feel good,” Andrew said. “Smiled, looked you in the eye, talked to you, just made you feel present. Just that type of person. And just always concerned about other people, always worried about other people more than she did even herself. … Getting out of that car and tending to that driver, that was just who my daughter was. She, you know, would’ve done it, over and over again.”

Quinn was struck by a drunk driver while helping at the scene of an accident, doing what she always did: lending a hand and helping someone.

Sharp, curious and kind, she took care of those around her, from her brother to her dog, Scooby, who she’s had for 17 years. She was big into origami, was the type of girl to work on her big white truck herself, was a “two-steppin’ nut,” her father said, and loved to mentor younger kids in soccer.

Quinn’s parents said she could make anything fun. A foodie and a people person, she was adventurous, and loved nature and her friends. She also loved to volunteer at her father’s work, where he worked with foster children.

He thinks it could be related to her own adoption and upbringing, when her parents adopted her from China in 2005.

“When we were in China and there was other girls that were being adopted and we were part

of a big group, there was one that was very sick,” Andrew said. “ …

She wasn’t doing well, and Quinn would feed her and you know, just try to kind of take care of her. …

She was a caretaker and a sharer, and that’s how she was. People keep on saying, ‘You raised this incredible daughter.’ Which, you know, she was incredible, but she came to us. She was pretty amazing already.” Captivating, humorous and protective of the underdog, her

father said, she was an engaging person who was about doing the right thing, the right way. “She lit up a room for sure,” Andrew said. “She had the best smile, the best laugh. … That type of person, like my wife said, that just kind of comes in the room and has a smile and a positive energy. And she would just talk to anyone and try to make them feel comfortable and just, you know, always had a smile on her face.”

Upon arrival in Kerrville, all expenses were paid by the students themselves and the few supporting funds they had. However, as news spread, donations trickled in. By the end of their stay, Bonfire had received over $12,000 in funding. Here’s the timeline.

Bonfire members aid in search and rescue, clean-up efforts in Kerr County after July floods

Grab, pack and go. That’s what lled the minds of the Aggies as they traveled three-anda-half hours deep into the heart of Central Texas.

The hum of slowing engines lled the air as trucks piled with Student Bon re members came to a stop. Supplies and a willingness to help is all they needed as they stared at the destruction ahead of them.

A sea of fallen trees, debris and utility ags marked their home for the next week. Without a second thought, the members stepped out of the car.

Twelve: A number sacred to Texas A&M — and even more sacred to the men

‘That’s

and women of Bon re. That’s how many dropped everything to aid in the midst of chaos.

No personal items packed. No clothes, water, food or thoughts for themselves. Only the want to help just as many others did on Nov. 22, 1999, when the Bon re Stack collapsed. On July 4, the world turned upside down for Texans residing in the Hill Country. Four months’ worth of rain came crashing down, breaking record-high levels for the Guadalupe River — quickly becoming its highest ood on record. Four days later, the death toll was recorded at 104, with numbers still climbing as rescue e orts continued.

As rst responders began their search, help from Aggieland arrived.The 12 members entered Kerrville on Sunday, July 6, to a scene lled with mass chaos. First responders scattered, searching for any sign of life among the destruction.

what

In order for recovery of debris and brush responders to begin

That Sunday, A Kerr County picture of destruction body to clear through. They lished chain of inhospitable environments; with clearing timber, But there was know.

He told the members were and that, while couldn’t make had to be their tacted one of the the time and was

“We’re already

With no resources packed for an overnight stay, the 12 prepared for a week-long journey.

‘It’s the Aggie way’

“On Saturday, six [members] tried to go down and volunteer but were turned away due to the fact that [Kerr County] wasn’t organized yet,” Junior Redpot Ethan Schre said. “They couldn’t take them or tell them what to do because they had no idea. So Sunday, we were called back out … and they were like, ‘Hey, if you’re willing to volunteer, we have a spot that y’all can come and work.’ And it was instantaneous.”

Immediately, 12 members packed their vehicles and headed to Kerrville. Schre described the number as small, but two A&M former students had other thoughts.

“It gives me McInnis said. wait to be asked, They went prepared. With were forced to them.

“It would have to say, ‘Perfect, McInnis said. came back to equipment, set where they got up with their mission they were deployed mobile debris

As the Aggies rescue teams, tives of Kerrville were dealing with

A member of the Knights of Columbus in Boerne, Mark Crews ‘79 was inspired by Bon re after reading a press release written by a member of the board of directors for Bon re, Dion McInnis ‘03. In his release, McInnis explained Bon re’s role in Kerr County and Bon re’s dedication to the cause. Crews was moved by Bon re’s e orts and immediately reached out to an old friend, Dennis Mudd ‘83.

“Dennis asked me a question when I’d sent him that rst article,” Crews said. “He said, ‘Man, what are you thinking?’... I said, ‘Dennis, what I’m thinking is that … the same values that you and I learned and left A&M with are still being passed along. … Here we are 50 years later, and these kids are stepping up, stepping out and doing the right thing.’ It just, it speaks to the university. It speaks to what being an Aggie means.”

“It was really, McInnis said. would hear talking to come in. Can we planning on only radio chatter at the end of center would ready to go, can just have no quit

But as the week more responsibility and more members By the end Bon re were only in clearing search and rescue.

Throughout this process, Crews described social media as an amazing way to share information and the story of Aggie Bon re — and share is exactly what he did. Crews didn’t solely reach out to Mudd, but instead to many friends, old and new, including former Kendall County Aggie Mom’s club president, Patsy Schwab, who helped raise over $12,000 to fund Bon re’s e orts.

Additionally, Crews shared McInnis’ press release to his own social media as well as those in his community, frequently reposting updates on Bon re’s condition. Crews’ passion to share Bonre’s story drew in the attention of many people, Ags and nonAgs alike, who shouted the praises of the Aggie crew.

“I mean, it’s the Aggie way,” Scher said. “You’re called, and we were already planning on going out, but they called and we were like, ‘How fast can we get there?’”

First responders to look for and covery e orts. bers were searching for smells and dogs to search.

“We would brush piles, and 70-foot trees stu ,” Scher ough, we would because you don’t But we were talking who was part of called to explain he’s like, ‘You rescue, which isn’t nor an easy task.’” The students, clear brush, tackled out question, — not just physically, work through.

‘We’re already here’

Despite being turned away at rst, the Aggies were called back when rst responders couldn’t e ectively process community support and realized that their manpower alone wasn’t enough.

“It was tough,” have a baby’s can’t let it go. And, er things that I mean, I’ve seen had a little bit and if I’m still have to think, ‘Well, is still with me, Sadly, nding only solemn thing After Bon re search and rescue, feat.

The members through the piles covered bodies Members would out any smells explained that the piles a minimum area for responders Bon re members miles on each stopping. Scher nal established helped them complete ciently. However, these to help bring

what an Aggie is’

recovery to get underway, miles brush needed to be cleared for begin their search.

Sunday, McInnis received a call.

County representative painted a destruction and chaos, with noa path for responders to get needed a group with an estabcommand and experience in environments; a group familiar timber, brush and debris.

was something McInnis didn’t

the representative that Bon re were in the midst of preparations while he would reach out, he the decision for them — it their call. However, when he conthe Redpots to ask if they had resources, their only response already here.”

me goosebumps every time,”

“They didn’t ask, they didn’t asked, they just went.” but arrived slightly underfew tools packed, the Aggies improvise, but this didn’t deter have been reasonable for them

‘Perfect, we’ll see you tomorrow,’”

“Instead, they immediately Aggieland, loaded up on their set an advanced scout team …

got the lay of the land … came mission for the next day … and deployed at that point as a tactical removal team.”

Aggies cleared paths for search-andthe members and representaKerrville quickly realized that they with a unique group. really, really tough out there,”

“I had a radio on me, and I talking about, ‘This group wants Can we take a break? When are on stopping for today?’ and the chatter around Bon re would be the day when the command come in and say, ‘Hey, we’re can you guys come back?’ They quit in them.” week went on, Bon re assumed responsibility as new tasks were added members arrived. of the week, 62 members of in Kerr County, helping not clearing debris but also in assisting rescue. responders trained Bon re on what and how to aid in rescue and reBy the end of the week, memsearching through debris, checking marking areas for the cadaver go through these di erent and I mean you would see 60, just swept over and piled on said. “Of course, being thorwould hit a pile at least three times, don’t want to miss anything. talking with [McInnis’] brother, of search and rescue. [McInnis] explain what we were doing, and know you’re doing search and isn’t an easy mindset to get into task.’” students, who initially came to help tackled every task at hand witheven ones that were di cult physically, but emotionally — to tough,” McInnis said.“I mean, I still onesie that I found because I And, you know, there were othyou saw and experienced, and seen some things in my life. I’ve more time to accumulate stu , a ected the way I’m a ected, I ‘Well, what about them? If this me, what about them?’” nding a baby’s onesie wasn’t the thing that occurred that week. members were trained on rescue, their task became no easy members were asked to search piles of debris, identifying unby the smell. would use their tools to plush for signs of cadavers. Scher their system was simple: hit minimum of three times, mark the responders and move on to the next. members repeated this task for 20 side of the river, never once Scher explained that their interchain-of-command is what complete tasks quickly and efthese Aggies weren’t just there peace to those who’ve passed.

Along their trek, members would stop to ask local community members if there was anything they could do to help them, always keeping Sel ess Service at the forefront of their minds.

This experience wasn’t just another job for Aggie Bon re. It was about serving a community and helping those in need.

“They did so much,” McInnis said. “They put so much of themselves out there. … When I was talking with my brother, he said, ‘Make sure that anybody that goes out there understands that they are going to see something that’s going to change their life. They can’t go in not knowing that.’ They were told that, they communicated that to each other. They accepted that likelihood, and then they did the job. I am progressively and more intensely impressed with them.”

‘We’ve come full circle’

Now, Bon re is home in Aggieland. They are back to the grind, preparing for this year’s Burn, getting ready for class and returning to normal. However, this experience is one that they’ve said they will never forget.

“I am amazed at how many people were willing and how many helped, even if they couldn’t show up,” Scher said. “It was just so the Aggie way. They care. … To see all the people that I’ve watched grow into great leaders, it was amazing to see that.”

But leaving to help in Kerr County didn’t just mean leaving home — it meant leaving right in the middle of Bon re prep.

During the summer, several members stay behind in College Station to help in fundraising and preparation for Bonfre, making sure that the cut site for wood is secured, cleaned and ready to go for the fall and that all vehicles are maintenance ready for transport.

Scher explained that they experienced quite a setback when they left for the Hill Country, mostly in fundraising.

To help raise money to pay for Bon re necessities, members can have anywhere from four to eight jobs a day helping locals in Bryan-College Station move furniture back and forth between homes.

These jobs — which are volunteer-based and paid at the customer’s discretion — bring in an average revenue of $8,000 per week, meaning the time spent in Kerr County set them back by thousands to meet their yearly quota of at least $90,000 to keep Bon re running.

Scher explained that the lack of preparation for departure set them back more than they had anticipated. Instead of missing one week of prep work, it essentially set them back by two, while being forced to reach out to customers and postpone until an unknown date.

“It has been rough and it has set us back, but we’ll gure it out,” Scher said. “We did the right thing. … We’d do it again, even if it was now, no matter how far it puts us behind. That’s what we’re about. Being out there and getting to assist was kind of a blessing to all of us to actually see what we do translate into the real world and actually be helpful.”

Despite the setback, Bon re members didn’t view the week as a loss but instead as a ful lled calling.

“When you build Bon re, one of the things that you learn … is that when you have an ability, you have a responsibility,” McInnis said. “If you can do something that needs to be done, then that’s not leverage for you. That’s not an opportunity for you. That’s a responsibility for you.”

Not only does the impact of this experience run strong in their hearts, but the lessons they brought back and the implementation of their values are what truly set this work apart from others.

“Putting all of our values, building these community-based, sel ess-service leaders and wanting to help people, all of these million things that you can describe an Aggie for, they embodied that in the best way possible,” Scher said.

This legacy that A&M has built of Aggies being there for Aggies was heavily showcased during this experience, catching the attention of many current and former students alike, 26 years after Texas came together to support the community after the Bon re Collapse.

“We’ve come full circle,” Crews said.

“When the football team came out and carried logs o the kids, and now the kids are paying back to the community.

Just as the community came to support and still honor the 12 fallen students of the Bon re of ‘99, 12 current students, just like the ones lost so long ago, came together, dove in head- rst despite the risks and helped a community in need.

“It is just A&M to its core. This is what it’s all about.”

Photos courtesy of Ethan Scherff
Aggie Bonfire members travel to Kerr County following the Guadalupe River flood in July. Members stayed in Kerrville for a week after arriving on Sunday, July 6, where they worked to clear brush and eventually aided in search and rescue.
THE BATTALION

Aspiring business owner set to open new club on Northgate

After word broke of the closure of two beloved bars, the Foundation Lounge and Shiner Park, in College Station’s Northgate district, the local community and Texas A&M student body have been awaiting news of what the future holds for Northgate.

The closing of Foundation Lounge, often referred to as Foundies by Aggies and community members alike, caught the attention of aspiring business owner Adrian Moreno as he began to see a real opportunity to forge his path in the College Station nightlife scene.

Moreno’s career began as a bartender at Whisper Sister Shots, a Northgate shot bar previously known as 315, in 2002. Over 10 years of bartending and managing clubs and bars across Texas has now led Moreno back to College Station, where he will become his own boss.

“I’ve always wanted to run my own place

Northgate rushing to fresh foundation

on Northgate,” Moreno said. “I’ve always thought I could do great things on the Northgate area. It’s just kind of tough to get in there. I’ve worked there for 10 years, and I really didn’t want to come back … unless I was the one running everything.”

After the owner of Foundies had to close up shop, he quickly got in contact with Moreno and his business partners. Within the next two days, Moreno’s idea for a nightclub, Rush Northgate, was coming to fruition.

Moreno worked at nightclubs in Houston throughout his career, and those clubs served as the inspiration for Rush Northgate, which will double as a cocktail bar in the evening and nightclub at night.

“I really like the Houston vibe, I like how you can go out in Houston early and it’s normal,” Moreno said. “You can go and hang out, have some fun, talk to some people, get some good drinks, and then, knowing that at 11 p.m., the DJ goes on, the lights come down, all the neons and everything we have in there comes on, and it is a party till 2 a.m.”

Moreno believes opening earlier will give Rush Northgate a unique opportunity that not many other clubs in the area o er:

the duality of creating a laidback environment in the evening while still catering to the nightlife party crowd once the clock strikes 11p.m.

He hopes to inspire other places on Northgate as well to expand business opportunities by opening earlier, which would elevate the Northgate club scene and draw in new customers.

“Everybody always opens up at 11 p.m. or 9 p.m., I just don’t see the bene t in that,” Moreno said. “All of them are nice, and that could be College Station Heights, or College Station Washington Street. All they do in Houston, we can do that here.”

The desire to change the Northgate scene is more than just opening earlier; it requires out-of-the-box thinking that Moreno and his partners believe they o er. He also stressed the importance of keeping the club scene fresh by bringing in di erent talent every week to keep the atmosphere changing.

“I actually want to rotate di erent DJs on Saturdays to keep it fresh, keep it new,” Moreno said. “I’m not saying anything negative towards the local DJs, but I mean, we’re going to be open six days a week, so they can be featured on their own days.”

However, Moreno is not planning on slowing down; he has plans to expand and acquire other properties on Northgate to maintain his vision of transforming the nightlife scene.

With his array of management experience, Moreno has amassed valuable connections in the entertainment industry, and he hopes to use these to continue improving Northgate.

“We’re actually one of the people that are begging to get Shiner Park,” Moreno said. “I think if we ever get that, we will for sure deliver the dance hall experience that people want, especially with our ties to big music agents. If we can get that, it’s going to be out of this world. Northgate will for sure love that.”

As work progresses on transforming Foundies into Rush Northgate, Moreno has received nothing but positive support from other business associates involved in the Northgate district. Rush Northgate is aiming to open the rst weekend of September.

“I’ve been here for a long time, I’ve done it all,” Moreno said. “If I can make it happen, I am going to make it happen. I’m never inside the box.”

Minor addition for major preparation

Texas A&M’s Mays Business School adds new artificial intelligence in business minor

As the world continues to adapt technologically,Texas A&M’s Mays Business School matches its progress stride-for-stride. Starting Oct. 6, 2025, Mays will be introducing an arti cial intelligence in business minor into its curriculum. This will include ve courses, including Business 465-Building Multimodal Gen AI Agents, starting in the spring of 2026.

This development is inspired by the reliance that business has begun to have on arti cial intelligence, Arnold Castro, the Dean of AI at Mays and the future professor of Business 465, said.

“So Dean Sharp, you know, he’s a visionary,” Castro said. “He likes to think ahead. He’s done a lot of great things here at Mays already in his sort of two or three years that he’s been here. He envisioned, you know, he saw what I’ve seen already in the industry, because I come from the industry, where AI needs to be a part of business in general. Really, part of every degree, not just us, but across the campus.”

As the current workforce requires most graduates to be familiar with AI, this type of thinking aligns with A&M’s mission of adequately preparing students for the ventures that lie ahead. Since this new team of professors will have the chance to set the foundation for business AI construction, they have a lot to be excited about.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the assignments they submit,” Betty Zhou, Ph.D., the professor of Business 460-Introduction to Machine Learning and Business Applications, said. “Because it’s a university minor, so people come from all di erent majors. They have all di erent backgrounds, and the projects I ask them to do will go back to whatever is their main discipline, their main area. So how are they going to use AI to get new ideas out of that? And also, I’m looking forward to being in-

spired to see how people are applying AI and predictive modeling in their area.”

Because the professors acknowledge that most students are at least familiar with tools such as ChatGPT for basic assistance, this minor will aim to dive further into the potential avenues that students can travel down to establish a rmer professional foundation.

“I’m excited for students to see the business applications and to learn more than just what they do through chat interfaces that they’re already using,” Jeremiah Green, Ph.D., the professor of Business 470-Business Cases for Textual Generative and Agentic AI, said.

Castro recognizes that AI is not new. However, it is quickly adapting. More than ever, there is a heightened need for people who are equipped to use this new technology in an advanced way.

“There is a shortage of jobs for a lot of entry-level positions, but there’s a shortage of people for higher-level positions,” Castro said. “Especially in the manufacturing world, where they’re looking for technology like this to help them. So yeah, I’m excited to see, to show kids or students, I should say, not kids, how to properly do this, how to integrate it into their lives — not just from a business perspective, but for their everyday work processes that they have.”

Due to the newness of the minor, students applying may be unfamiliar with the order in which to take the courses. Unlike other ladder-formatted specialties, these ve courses do not need to be taken in order.

“The reality is that you can take any of these courses in any order,” Castro said. “As long as you take 450 before you graduate to get the minor.”

In a world that is changing so fast, the AI in business minor aims to give students the ability to use new technologies for their own gain. Beginning on Oct. 6, A&M will give Aggies another chance to stand out in the workforce.

“And there’s so much that’s happening right now that we are learning and trying to teach this at the same time,” Zhou said. “I think students are doing the same. So the faster we go, it also requires us to sit down and re ect on things.”

The Foundation Lounge building at the Northgate District in College Station on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025.

A terrifying exploration of trauma and an eerie horror epic that’s sure to have you thinking, ‘WTF?’

Movie rating: 7/10

Spoilers ahead for “Weapons.”

Yeah, it’s o cial. Basements are ruined.

Zach Creggar’s “Weapons” has been one of my most highly anticipated movies of the year. I genuinely haven’t been this excited since Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance.” In fact, I was so determined to walk into the lm completely void of expectations that I closed my eyes every time the trailer came on. After his debut lm, “Barbarian,” Creggar became a bold new voice in elevated horror; “Barbarian” ran, and “Weapons” decided to run even faster. In leveraging high-concept premises with low-concept thrills — and adding in the occasional absurd moment — Creggar gives his audience a wickedly good time.

The storyline revolves around a group of schoolchildren who go missing in the quiet suburban town of Maybrook. At 2:17 a.m., 17 children from a single classroom each got out of bed, ran out of their homes and vanished into the night. From there, a

Criticism: ‘Weapons’ is a wild nightmare

grieving community is left to stew in outrage as the police persist in a futile search.

Now, it’s reasonable to think a horde of kids essentially t-posing at the witching hour is more ridiculous than terrifying. But Creggar takes such a silly little dismissal and turns it into a total nightmare.

Aside from clever twists and classic jump scares, the lm makes ample use of violent framing and deeply unsettling shots throughout. You’ll slowly be lulled into a false sense of security, just to suddenly be shown the most horrifying bloody tracksuit scene of all time.

But my favorite aspect by far was Creggar’s decision to have the story unfold from several perspectives. As someone who loves this technique in novels, I was kicking my feet to see everything happen through six main characters in a loosely non-chronological structure — reminiscent of Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia.”

It isn’t easy to balance so many characters and bring their intricate storylines together cohesively. But the multiple-perspective-based approach is a total knock-out; as more questions get answered, we’re simultaneously faced with even more “WTF” moments that create good pacing and a solid narrative.

Creggar also plays with tone in some pretty unexpected ways.

The opening scene is nothing but a black screen and the monologue of a creepy child.

As this unknown little girl gives the exposition, we’re shown a montage of all the kids running out of their houses — and the rst

song of the soundtrack plays.

While the title, “Beware of Darkness,” is tting, the tune’s blues and rock ‘n‘ roll vibes evoke emotions better suited to lovers in a bar. So, the heavy sense of unease we were initially led to feel is juxtaposed with what is a rather peaceful ambiance that de nitely threw me o .

This type of subversion seems to be part of Creggar’s signature style, especially with his use of randomly interposed comedy. But unlike in “Barbarian,” where it felt out of place and undermined the serious themes being discussed, the comedy in “Weapons” strikes a much better balance and even serves to elevate the lm at moments.

Given how quick critics are to box horror comedies into a lower-brow category, it’s very interesting to see Creggar put this notion that these lms can’t be treated on the same level as elevated horror lms on its head. Who says a horror comedy can’t be up there with the big boys? Refreshingly, “Weapons” is funny, depressing and terrifying all at once.

And nally: Gladys.

I live for horror movies, especially when they force the audience to re ect on disturbing but nonetheless important issues. In “Weapons,” those issues are manifested in a sinister witch made to look like an uncanny, bald Chappell Roan.

Gladys controls her victims’ minds while rotting them from the inside, and parallels can be drawn to an alcoholic’s downward spiral into decay.

Creggar’s decision to contrast her awful

makeup with innocuous behavior presents Gladys as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and he integrates parasitic imagery of Cordyceps to illustrate how she drains the vitality of everyone around her.

Like parents caught in the tumultuous cycle of alcoholism, Gladys’ victims are rendered apathetic, grotesquely sallow and catatonic. And much like how she snaps her wands, a drunken parent can snap at any moment. Her character serves both as a literal parasite, feeding on the life force of others, and as a metaphor for the parasitic e ects of substance abuse.

As if that wasn’t enough, poor Alex — the only surviving kid from the class of children who went missing — is cruelly stripped of his childhood.

At a mere nine years old, he’s reduced to spoon-feeding cans of soup that he can barely open to his parents and all the missing children hidden in the basement. The parents are emotionally and physically unavailable to the point that they are nothing more than breathing corpses, and Alex is left providing them the very same love and care that they’re incapable of giving him.

Home is supposed to be a safe haven, but unstable alcoholics allow the perpetual threat of chaos to permeate and fester. In this way, Creggar confronts us with the harrowing reality of how someone’s addictions can drain every gleam of joy from their loved ones’ lives.

Isabella Garcia is an economics senior and opinion editor for The Battalion

Opinion: Howdy desperately needs fixing

The new Howdy portal is awful Aggies deserve better than its confusing layout and sad millennial design

ti es its creation.

While it’s been in the works for the past year, the new portal will be completely in-

Bottom line: It’s not easier to nd the services provided by the new Howdy, yet that is its main function.

confusing and can be easily xed by combining them or creating a di erent icon for each one.

tegrated into the A&M system starting this fall.

I largely ignored it before because why would I use a new portal when I nally learned how to use the last one? Unfortunately, we are all now required to use the new Howdy, and we are all worse o because of it.

How many Aggies does it take to develop a good website? The answer is more than you would think.

Convenient software applications have never been Texas A&M’s strong suit. If you came here because you thought A&M had an outstanding online presence, I fear you chose the wrong university.

Even so, A&M’s website development and those behind its decisions cannot seem to get things right. With the controversial announcement of the new ticket pull system, students are now more upset than ever at A&M’s treatment of our online resources.

And can we talk about the visually unappealing design? I know it was a millennial who made this webpage with the students? I digress.

So, how can A&M improve Howdy for Start simple by looking at what works for the Howdy portal now. I like that it gives the option to favorite your most-used cards so you can quickly access them. After having to deal with this website for the past couple of weeks, I’ve de nitely done this for all of the services I use.

This gives students the freedom to customize the portal to their liking. Ideally, everything would be so easy to access that you wouldn’t need to use this feature, but

First o , we have to search through so many more tabs. To purchase a sports pass, for instance, you’d need to log in, nd the dropdown menu for optional services, click the sports pass page and then nally register.

While this may sound easy and

Another possible improvement would be to clearly mark where the most used and important services are. If I were a new student, I de nitely wouldn’t know what cards I’d need the most, so make those more apparent when logging on.

Oftentimes, login portals are a college student’s rst interaction with a university. These portals allow you to nd housing, get a meal plan and sign up for your rst semester of classes.

Ideally, they would be easy to navigate and all action items that need to be completed would be clearly stated and convenient to complete.

The new Howdy also has a feature that allows you to provide feedback directly to the Howdy team. Obviously, I’ve already provided feedback, but if you experience any problem with the portal, this is the most direct way of making those capable of providing change aware of these issues.

Illustration by Zoe Rich

I remember logging into the Howdy portal for the rst time as a senior in high school and being instantly overwhelmed with all of the links and not knowing where to start.

So again, how many Aggies does it take to make a good website?

But the worst part is that it still hasn’t gotten better.

The new Howdy portal doesn’t improve any shortcomings of its predecessor and fails to add any substantial change that jus-

relatively quick, it took me well over 10 minutes just to gure out how it all works. You could chalk this up to me being unobservant or lacking basic tech skills, but many Aggies are nding themselves in similar situations.

the sad gray menus. Also, why are we using the same icon for di erent cards? The Payment/Refund (Student Access), Payment/Refund (Parent Access) and Tuition/Fee Details all have the same dollar sign icon for their links. It’s

Apparently, it’s going to take all of us. We students deserve to have a good Howdy portal, and A&M is too large and amazing a university not to provide us with one.

Wyatt Pickering is a

Photo

Aggies set to chase down the Roadrunners

former A&M QB Conner Weigman got hurt and was subsequently benched, Reed won his rst three starts and engineered an impressive comeback against LSU. However, the Aggies went 1-4 down the stretch, culminating in losses to Texas and USC in the Las Vegas Bowl.

While the Runners’ defense may remain largely a collection of individuals in their rst game, strewn together about a sea of green, UTSA’s o ense poses a legitimate threat to Elko’s defense.

With new freshmen stumbling through the Memorial Student Center Chick- l-A line, Kyle Field’s new LED lights pulsing through test runs and the unmistakable aroma of maroon Kool-Aid wafting across campus, one thing is clear: Texas A&M football is back.

As the No. 19 Aggies open the 2025 season with a Saturday, Aug. 30 bout with UTSA, two in ection points will de ne A&M’s quest for the College Football Playo : redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed’s development, particularly as a passer, and coach Mike Elko’s return to defensive playcalling — a return to the identity established in Elko’s rst Aggieland stint.

Reed’s star burned bright in 2024, but never quite burned out — it just lost its luster. Thrust into the spotlight after

Reed’s legs ampli ed a dynamic rushing attack that leaned on an experienced o ensive line to churn out a Southeastern Conference second-best 195.5 yards per game, but A&M’s mundane passing o ense sputtered to the nish line.

In order to rebalance the Maroon and White’s o ense, Elko and Co. brought sophomore wide receiver Mario Craver and junior WR KC Concepcion in from the transfer portal, the latter of which leads active Power Four wideouts in career receiving touchdowns with 16. UTSA faces the A&M o ense with a dearth of experience of its own — returning none of its top- ve sack artists in a defense that nished 14th in the American Athletic Conference in the stat.

Redshirt freshman defensive lineman

Johnny Bowens III and redshirt senior linebacker Shad Banks Jr. arrived in San Antonio via the transfer portal from Oregon and TCU, respectively, and are expected to fortify the front seven.

That threat lies not between the white lines, but high above in the press box. Third-year o ensive coordinator Justin Burke is the type of tight-pansted o ensive guru every team is chasing, lording over the 27th-ranked scoring and 11th-best passing o ense in the country. Specializing in run/ pass options and generating explosive passing plays out of the pistol, Burke learned under former Roadrunner OC Will Stein — now at Oregon — to create a mimeographic version of the latter’s innovative scheme.

Redshirt junior QB Owen McCown provides his best impression of his father, former NFL quarterback Josh McCown, for the Roadrunners under center. The southpaw gunslinger threw for 3,424 yards and 25 touchdowns and tacked on three scores on the ground. Playing with a sort of ery je ne sais quoi, McCown threw 10 interceptions in 2024 as he toed the line between aggressive and reckless.

With the lasting memory of A&M’s defense being the USC Trojans launching a aming spear straight into its heart, Elko has an early challenge as the new playcaller

with the Roadrunners sprinting into town. The bombs-away nature of UTSA’s o ense has only been ampli ed with junior WR AJ Wilson’s arrival from Houston Christian. Wilson averaged 28.4 yards per catch for the Huskies in 2024 and now joins junior WR Devin McCuin as perimeter weapons for McCown.

To deal with the Runners’ speed, A&M will debut a revitalized secondary ush with new and returning talent. Redshirt senior cornerback Tyreek Chappell returns from a lost 2024 due to injury, and redshirt junior CB Julio Humphrey arrives from Georgia to buttress redshirt senior CB Will Lee III, who established himself as a premier cover man in 2024.

If the Aggie secondary takes some time to gel, their retooled defensive line becomes essential to disrupting McCown. After losing three players to the NFL Draft, redshirt senior edge rusher Cashius Howell steps into an expanded role after registering four sacks in 2024. For A&M to reach heights it has never reached before — namely the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playo — it must set the tone against its

the playo s.

As No. 19 Texas A&M football opens the season against UTSA, both old and new faces look to produce for the Aggies

Aggieland has waited in eager anticipation for No. 19 Texas A&M football’s 2025 season opener against UTSA on Aug. 30, and with the big day just a week away, it’s time for the Aggies to strap on the shoulder pads and defend the homestead.

But who can fans expect to see jump o the page in a battle against the Roadrunners? Here’s a handful of Fightin’ Farmers to keep an eye on at Kyle Field.

Reuben Owens II, redshirt sophomore running back

In a game that will likely see senior RB Le’Veon Moss earn himself ample rest time, fans will be delighted to see the return of Owens from a leg injury that limited him to just 16 carries last season.

UTSA would be wise not to underestimate Owens in light of his time o . The El Campo native was scorching through competition in his rookie season, which ultimately landed him All-SEC Freshman Team honors.

An incredible o ensive line and a chip on the shoulder are a deadly combination for a running back who has already shown ashes of greatness before. Let the revenge tour begin.

Tyreek Chappell, redshirt senior cornerback

Another player who saw limited action due to injury, Chappell looks to join Owens in a quest for redemption. A veteran of the A&M program, the Philadelphia native took his talents to College Station and has since been an established presence in the secondary.

Known for his speed and ability to read the quarterback’s eyes, Chappell has broken up 26 passes through three seasons of work and will have a chance to silence any doubters quickly with his return to the eld.

TK Norman, freshman wide receiver

One of the highlights to come out of preseason camp, Norman is a player who has received plenty of praise from the coaching sta , including Elko himself, in a fall camp presser.

“TK Norman has put on 20 pounds and all kinds of muscle,” Elko said. “He showed up at 165 and now he’s up to 185.”

As a high school junior in Alabama, Norman caught 10 touchdown passes while he helped G.W. Carver High School reach

Players to watch against UTSA SPORTS

Though the wide receiver battle has become a tight one as the season marches towards its beginning, Norman has used his 6-foot, 182-pound frame to turn heads in practice and has pushed himself into consideration to be one of the top receiver options behind the likes of junior and sophomore WRs KC Concepcion and Mario Craver.

If the Maroon and White can jump to a comfortable lead, look for Norman to shine in limited playing time.

DJ Hicks Jr., junior defensive tackle

Poised to take over the enforcer role on the defensive line after several key departures to the NFL, Hicks will nally have his shot to be one of the next great Aggie defenders.

Weighing in at almost 300 pounds, the Katy Paetow product will be eager to slam the door on undersized American Conference competition.

Playing in 24 games through two seasons, Hicks has been able to ash his e ectiveness by operating as a clean-up tackler and occasionally piercing through the line to grab his share of sacks. His strength goes further than just stats; his pressures have disrupted passing lanes as the defensive line closes in. Stay on high alert for this Katy wrecking ball.

Rylan Kennedy, redshirt sophomore defensive end

Another Maroon and White defender who can take a leadership role in year two of defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s system is Kennedy, a lightning-quick edge rusher who is sure to spook UTSA o ensive linemen.

A lean frame gives Kennedy an advantage to get separation from blockers and make plays on the ball carrier. Though his production hasn’t been the highest, he is no stranger to the eld, as Kennedy has played in 25 games thus far in his time at A&M.

Lamont Rogers, freshman left tackle

The nal player to keep an eye out for is a young star who will look to be the next in a long legacy of A&M o ensive linemen. A late swipe from Missouri on the recruiting trail, the once-Tiger commit Rogers decided to take his talents to College Station after the Aggies’ blowout 41-10 win over Mizzou on Oct. 5 in the 2024 season.

Another example of a player who will get a chance to go out and show his skills when the starters come out, Rogers has a colossal 6-foot-6, 337-pound build to power through defenders and open up lanes for the running back room.

Rogers will have his chance to shine in 2026, but perhaps a peek into his talents now will give the coaching sta an idea if he has what it takes to ll in if any starters go down with injury.

e Batt predicts season outcome

Members of The Battalion project how well No. 19 Texas A&M football will perform in the 2025 regular season and its end-of-season record

Ian Curtis, editor-in-chief

As long as the Aggies can stay healthy, there will unquestionably be improvement in their quality of play. With redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed having another year under his belt as a starter, along with a plethora of other returners, A&M football will be a force to be reckoned with. The question is whether or not that will result in an improvement in the Maroon and White’s record, because they’ll have to run a gauntlet of away trips to Notre Dame, LSU and Texas, not to mention games against surging South Carolina and Florida squads. Things will be a bit better, but expect to see the Aggies on the playo bubble this season.

Prediction: 9-3

Braxton Dore’, sports editor

Another year of A&M football likely means another year of disappointment. But coach Mike Elko might just be the man to change that revolving narrative the program has su ered from for years. In order to nd more success, consistency needs to be the major preaching point from the coaching sta . Consistency in staying healthy, and against opponents — not just the elite programs that the team somehow nds a way to overcome.

Prediction: 9-3

Matthew Seaver, associate sports editor

The Aggies always manage to y too close to the sun before having their season fall apart from underneath them. Expect A&M to win a game it shouldn’t versus a superior opponent then drop a handful of games it’s favored in. I fear my Battered Aggie Syndrome has fully developed, and killed any hope I’ve ever had for A&M. Unfortunately, the “Texas 8&4” nickname is far too accurate. The Aggies have the potential to start the season 7-0, but I could also win the lottery. With all that being said, I’m a glass-half-full kind of guy.

Prediction: 9-3

Mathias Cubillan, associate sports editor

With Elko nally tossing me a bone and bringing in a pair of wide receivers with pro les I can get behind, I’m con dent in saying that A&M has the requisite o ensive repower to compete in the Southeastern Conference. On the other side of the ball, Elko snatching back his playsheet — and a brief convening of the “Ewing Theory Committee” along the defensive line — gives me optimism that the Aggies will be balanced. The team is better on paper, I’m just not convinced it will show in the record. 8-4 until proven otherwise.

Prediction: 8-4

Noah Ruiz, senior sports writer Elko & Co. are fresh o a red-hot recruiting trail, and I believe it’s hot enough to transfer into the regular season. A starstudded o ensive line, a powerful running back room and the fastest quarterback since Johnny was dodging Big Red on Northgate.

All-American Taurean York will go full Dat Nguyen, and the “Wrecking Crew 2” will be in full swing. BAS, please don’t come for me.

Prediction: 10-2

Ava Loth, sports writer

This being my rst semester as an A&M student during football season, I can only hope I am the lucky charm the team needs for a football season unlike the rest. I’m holding out for a 10-2 record this fall. If my dreams are set too high, I at least hope for a win against that other Texas school in our conference.

Prediction: 10-2

Robert Blackburn, sports writer

I predict that A&M will go 8-4 this season. Although this may seem underwhelming for Elko’s second year, with losses in South Bend, Indiana, Austin, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, eight wins does not sound too bad. Along with failing to win three massive road games, I predict the Aggies to drop a very winnable game to South Carolina at Kyle Field. Despite winning almost every game they will be favored in, the typical four losses feels inevitable for the noblemen of Kyle Field.

Prediction: 8-4

Adriano Espinosa, photo chief A&M’s fate is largely in the hands of Director of Strength & Conditioning Tommy Mo tt, as sustaining a

Prediction: 9-3

Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION
Anna Haley — THE BATTALION
File photo by Chris Swann
Top to bottom: Junior defensive back Tyreek Chappell (7) tackles Arkansas junior running back Raheim Sanders (5) during the Southwest Classic against Arkansas at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Redshirt sophomore running back Rueben Owens II (4) tucks a pass and runs during Texas A&M football’s practice at Coolidge Practice Fields on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Junior defensive tackle DJ Hicks (5) during a Texas A&M football fall practice at Coolidge Practice Fields on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025.
Anna Haley — THE BATTALION Adriano Epsinosa —
Anna Haley — THE BATTALION

Aggie soccer gears up for a bounce-back year ahead of grueling conference schedule

2024 left a sour taste in Texas A&M soccer fans’ mouths after a disappointing nish in the First Round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament capped an otherwise forgetful season. The Aggies nished below .500 for the rst time since 2021 and lost associate head coach Phil Stephenson to retirement, a pillar of the program who’s been coach G Guerrieri’s right-hand man for the last 26 years.

The biggest question in the o season was who could ll the void left by Stephenson and what would recruiting look like on a team without him?

The answer has shocked the 12th Man as Guerrieri, new assistant coach Tim Strader and third-year assistant coach Seth Taylor pulled in a transfer class like no other seen at Ellis Field with 10 new faces, six of whom are California natives. The newcomer class hand-picked by Guerrieri also boasts ve true freshmen, two of which have already been given the nod to start in games.

Despite these profound changes, A&M soccer’s three regular-season matches have resulted in one win and two draws.

Three points compared to one is a nobrainer, especially to any collegiate soccer team. But the opponents were no pushovers either.

The win over Lamar was a closely fought and brutish battle from the rst minute to the last. The end of the match was played 10-on-10, with both teams issued red cards and each down a player each.

But that’s just the way it goes in collegiate soccer, at least in the SEC.

“Oh, you ain’t seen nothing yet,” Guerrieri said after the physical match against Lamar. “I mean that once we get to the SEC it’ll be, it’ll be that much more [physical].”

Which begs the question: Will they be ready by then?

“Well, we’ve had some consistency over the years as being the winningest, most consistent top-end team in this part of the world,” Guerrieri said after the win over Lamar. “That’s a reputation that our players have got to step up to. And the more that they play with each other, the more experiences like this of being able to ght through things, then the better o they’re going to be for the next challenge.”

That next challenge provided a result similar to the Baylor match, a 1-1 draw against Texas State on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

“The way I put this schedule together was to give us challenges that were going to be steadily giving us more and more,” Guerrieri said after the win over Lamar.

‘Oh, you ain’t seen nothing yet’ SPORTS

And that couldn’t ring more true with a team that thwopped the Aggies 6-0 last fall, UConn, coming to Ellis Field for round two on Saturday.

In that game — and throughout most of the season — a lack of scoring was the biggest issue that led to the Maroon and White’s 3-5-2 conference record. Now with the transfers, this hasn’t picked up per se, but it’s o to a start thanks to a pair from Tulsa and UNLV.

Hailing from the American Conference, junior forward Leah Diaz has already played the role of facilitator in the rst three matches, assisting on two of the Aggies’ three goals so far and scoring the other herself. Going from primarily a scorer at Tulsa with 12 goals and seven assists to the soccer version of a point guard at A&M will certainly be a change for the Richardson native.

Another key to the o ensive attack has been junior mid elder Trinity Buchanan, who put up the only goals for the Aggies in the last two matches.

Both goals happened in the last 10 minutes, and both were a sight to behold. The rst was a chip shot over the goalkeeper from outside the left crossbar as she baited the defense and perfected the nish with a ne touch. Against Texas State, it was Diaz who placed the ball perfectly in between the opponents’ back line for a one-touch punch from Buchanan.

Between these two and the rest of the new Fightin’ Farmers, UConn and the rest of the schedule should be fearful once more to play against the Maroon and White.

Morrison and Co. are back in the top-10

Texas Avenue resembles Manassas, Virginia, in the winter, and Lot 100 has started to ll faster than Target on Black Friday. Nearly 73,000 Aggies and their loved ones have made the annual journey back to Aggieland.

An exhilarating season is set to begin just o of Wellborn Road. Residing in the cauldron of Reed Arena, Texas A&M volleyball enters the 2025 season ranked ninth in the nation.

Coming o of an incredible season that produced a Sweet Sixteen berth, coach Jamie Morrison’s team has set its sights on even more. The Aggies return 12 players from the 2024 team, including the majority of the past year’s production.

A trio of returning seniors will be key to the success of the program this season.

Senior opposite hitter Logan Lednicky— the Maroon and Whites’ best player last season — is sure to turn heads this campaign. Having already received All-SEC Honors three times, Lednicky is a savvy veteran. Registering 492 kills last season, she acted as the Aggies’ o ensive engine. In order to match or exceed the results of last season, the Fightin’ Farmers will need another spectacular season from their star.

Despite her smaller stature and defensive role, coach Morrison will be thrilled to have senior libero Ava Underwood back for her senior season. Having spent the majority of her time in College Station anchoring the back row, it is reasonable to expect another high-quality campaign for Underwood.

It remains to be seen if she will be able to match her nearly 400 kills from last year, but like Lednicky, the Maroon and White will need another stellar season from their stopper to reach the pinnacle of success.

The third veteran poised to be an impact player for the Aggies is senior middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla. The Flower

Mound native is a force to be reckoned with near the net and was crucial to the Fightin’ Farmers’ e orts on o ense and defense. With a spectacular hitting percentage of .374, 228 kills and 161 blocks, Cos-Okpalla stu s the stat sheet at borderline Russell Westbrook levels — and it’s extremely rare in college volleyball to have a player who excels in all three areas on a roster.

What makes the Fightin’ Farmers special is having both an o ensive juggernaut in Lednicky and a dominant force at the net in Cos-Okpalla. However, the plethora of front-line riches does not end there.

A talented redshirt sophomore and outside hitter, Kyndal Stowers made her way down Highway 6 to join the Maroon and White from in-state rival Baylor.

Stowers, who had an impactful but injury-riddled season for the Bears, brings a dynamic threat to the lineup.

Texas’ former No. 1 ranked high school player is an athletic force. Despite her comparative inexperience, Stowers has the opportunity to provide a boost to the Aggies that was missing last season.

While the Maroon and White’s lineup appears fearsome on paper, they will have an opportunity to prove its dominance early in the season.

To open the campaign, the Aggies take on the No. 11 Minnesota Golden Gophers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Soon after, coach Morrison’s team travels to take on three other nationally-ranked teams. First, No. 23 Utah in Salt Lake City, then to Dallas-Fort Worth to take on No. 10 SMU and No. 25 TCU.

The grueling schedule does not end there. In the Southeastern Conference, which hosts four top 25 teams, easy games will be di cult to come by.

Fortunately for the Aggies, three of these showdowns will occur in College Station. Taking on No. 15 Texas, No. 7 Kentucky and No. 17 Missouri with the support of the Reed Rowdies will vastly increase the likelihood of a victory. Visiting No. 16 Florida in Gainesville, Florida, will certainly be a challenge, but the Fightin’ Farmers should feel lucky to only have one ranked SEC road trip.

Top to bottom: The Aggies celebrate junior forward Leah Diaz (20) after scoring a goal during the Texas A&M vs Texas State game at Ellis Field on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. Texas A&M junior midfielder Trinity Buchanan (16) celebrates with her team after scoring during the Texas A&M vs Lamar game at Ellis Field on Sunday. Aug., 17, 2025.
Steve Carrasco IV —

ENTERTAINMENT

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