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Football preview When the Missouri Tigers visited Kyle Field in 2010, they walked away with a 30-9 victory. Should the Aggies be worried about a repeat performance? Get the game preview at thebatt.com.
thebattalion ● friday,
october 28, 2011
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2011 student media
sports
Kennedy addresses diagnosis of disease
Arch 101
Chandler Smith
There’s a lot to consider when designing building layouts. Get inside the head of an architecture student in a video at thebatt.com.
The Battalion Texas A&M men’s basketball coach Billy Kennedy has been diagnosed with early stage Parkinson’s disease, according to a statement released Thursday by A&M’s athletic department. Kennedy’s health concerns were made apparent after taking a temporary leave from coaching due to back and shoulder injuries. After days of stress and lack of sleep Kennedy due to pain, Kennedy sought information on the root of the problem. “Through testing, it has been discovered that I am dealing with an early stage of Parkinson’s disease,” Kennedy said. “At this time, I am heeding the advice of my doctors and addressing the disease and its symptoms.” Despite the diagnosis, Kennedy expects to return to coaching soon and said he appreciates the support given from the surrounding Aggie community. “We have begun a long-term treatment plan and recovery. My doctors are encouraged and are tell-
coming monday
Campus spooks Students may dress up to look like ghosts this weekend, but are there any real spirits lurking around A&M? Find out Monday.
inside sports | 3 Starting line The Aggie women’s and No. 24 men’s cross country teams welcome conference opponents to town for the Big 12 championships this weekend. Get the preview inside.
Burnt orange No. 23 women’s soccer heads to Austin on Saturday for the final meeting between the Aggies and Longhorns as Big 12 foes.
See Kennedy on page 2
Jay Kapadia — THE BATTALION
Junior receiver Ryan Swope kneels in the end zone before playing Baylor on Oct. 15 at Kyle Field.
Keeping faith Junior receiver Ryan Swope has defensive coordinators praying for answers Austin Meek
voices | 4 Wasting time Students waste too much time in useless classes, says guest columnist Gerald Spencer. He wants to know what the real value of his degree is.
The Battalion Texas A&M, Baylor, Colorado State and Duke recruited the shifty running back from Austin Westlake. A three-star recruit, the No. 66 rated ball carrier in the state didn’t figure to make headlines on any school’s sounding board. But A&M head coach Mike Sherman liked what he saw on the field and inked junior wide receiver Ryan Swope’s commitment March 3, 2008. Three and a half years later, Swope has indelibly etched his name in the A&M record books and tossed his name into the “best receiver in school history” conversation. And it happened because Sherman took a flyer on this flyer, hoping his coaching staff and players
could coax Swope out of his ball toting ways and transform him into the elusive receiver he’s become. “In college football today it’s important in those slot positions to have a hybrid guy that’s played some running back and can catch the football and do something with his hands,” Sherman said. “What he did in high school demonstrated him to be able to play that position for us.” Swope managed to make an impact his freshman year in limited playing time, featured primarily as a special teams threat and a backup receiver. He showcased his play-making potential by taking 10 of his 19 receptions for either first downs or scores.
Saturday’s match-up ◗ Missouri vs. No. 16 Texas A&M 11 a.m. at Kyle Field
On TV: FX
◗ Check out photos and a game reaction after the game at thebatt. com
See Swope on page 5
bryan-college station
Film eyes Mexico violence Joanna Raines The Battalion Gunshots ring in the background as a schoolteacher sings nursery rhymes to her 5- and 6-year-old students. They lay face down on the floor, trying to avoid the crossfire. This story is not abnormal for many Mexican citizens. Living in cities overrun by drug cartels means living in fear. Charlie Minn produced the documentary 8 Murders a Day to create awareness about the violence happening in Mexican border cities. Screenings begin in Bryan today and continue next week. “I’m very victim-driven,” Minn said. “I’ve been around so many victims lately. You can always tell when you’re around a victim; their smiles are not as pronounced. They don’t laugh so hard.” The film was released in February 2010. Minn said it is a close examination of what he considers to be the worst human rights disaster in the See Cartel on page 6
Game 7 tonight
campus
General studies program to be cut Emily Davis
ASSOCIATED PRESS
St. Louis Cardinals’ David Freese hits a walk-off home run in the 11th inning of game 6 in the World Series against the Texas Rangers Thursday night. Get the game recap online at thebatt.com.
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The Battalion For approximately 5,000 students who claim general studies as their major, change is on the way. The University is beginning an initiative to get students who are in the general studies program into their majors of choice. Lesia Young, associate provost for undergraduate studies, said she is asking the colleges to allow the general studies students to go into their majors of choice. She said the move away from general studies is one for the benefit of students. “We are doing these things to make sure the students are successful,” Young said. “These problems have been here for many years. My goal is to try to ad-
dress the problems and not allow them to just continue to be here.” While students are being encouraged to change into their major of choice, Young said the University is not doing away with general studies altogether. Students who enter A&M with no idea what they want to major in can still declare general studies as their major. Also, students who are in programs such as Blinn Team and Gateway can still major in general studies. However, students who are not accepted into their first- or secondchoice majors when entering A&M will not be admitted into the general studies program. “The data shows that there were only four freshmen who chose general
studies as their first and second choice,” Young said. “If we have that case again where students don’t know what to do then we will let them in to general studies, but we are really trying to get the students into a major so they don’t have to wait to get into a major.” Young said she worries about students who are “closet majors” — majoring in general studies while taking classes to pursue another major — who waste expensive semesters in the general studies major. “It’s a problem and we need to address it,” Young said. “What if they’re closet majors and then they don’t actually get into the program they want? That’s the part that concerns me. See General studies on page 6
10/28/11 12:18 AM