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How Jamie Morrison’s cohort of success stories came together to win A&M’s first national championship By Kynlee Joyner Editor-in-Chief The air was thick in the arena as all eyes locked on the service line, hearts racing and palms sweating, as the score “24-20” glowed on the T-Mobile Center jumbotron. Fans’ quiet yelps of hope filled the air as the ball passed over the net. Then, senior middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla delivered the final kill of her collegiate career — a career that ended in a national championship. This was the moment that “Why not us?” became “It is us.” On Dec. 21, 2025, 3-seed Texas A&M volleyball rocked the collegiate landscape by sweeping 1-seed Kentucky to win its first-ever national championship. But it wasn’t just breaking A&M records that made this run historic. The road to the final required a reverse sweep of 2-seed Louisville, a takedown highly favored 1-seed Nebraska at home and a sweep of 1-seed Pittsburgh — all before the championship. Then, A&M was left to face Southeastern Conference foe, 1-seed Kentucky — which defeated the Aggies earlier in the season — in the first ever SEC versus SEC championship. Some say it was a miracle, but senior opposite hitter Logan Lednicky said it was hard work that placed the trophy in their hands. “It’s just the testament to the hard work that this program has put in all year long,” Lednicky said after the win over Kentucky.
“ … ‘Why not us?’ has turned into ‘It is us.’ … All season long, all tournament long, we knew it was gonna be us.” While the Aggies had faith in their ability to make a championship run, their commitment shocked fans and players alike, as social media blew up with reactions, as a school with a historically average volleyball program managed to take down the most prestigious team in the nation. The team was built upon a group of seniors who came to A&M to build the program — not win a national championship. “There’s a group of them that were here from the beginning that said, ‘Hey, I want to be a part of this. I want to build this program,’” head coach Jamie Morrison said. “ … I think when we were selling what we were doing, it was building something that they could come back to in the future and be really, really proud of what they helped build.” Following the firing of former head coach Laura “Bird” Kuhn in 2022, Morrison and a revamped staff stepped into the ranks with one goal in mind — build the program. When Morrison approached the thenyoung players about his plans, they were ready to fight for a program they had faith in. “I think the coolest thing is … they weren’t here to go win a national championship,” Morrison said. “They weren’t here to be top 10 … they were here to help build, but … it’s so amazing to be able to see the fruition of our work now. … They wanted to build something. They wanted to be a part of something. And to go out with a national championship, I’m just really happy.” Despite the uncertain future that lie ahead, seniors outside hitter Lexi Guinn, libero Ava Underwood, Lednicky and Cos-Okpalla bought into the vision that Morrison presented, and from there the building began.
It started in 2023 with the addition of key players such as seniors OH Emily Hellmuth, setter Maddie Waak and MB Morgan Perkins. Then came senior libero Tatum Thomas in 2024 before Morrison took his biggest risk yet coming into the 2025 season — bringing in medically retired redshirt sophomore OH Kyndal Stowers. The former Baylor Bear, who took a year and a half off from the sport and watched the 2024 national championship game from her sofa, quickly climbed the ranks and became one of A&M’s biggest assets. “A year ago … I sat on my couch and watched some good friends of mine actually win this game, and now to be living that is genuinely surreal,” Stowers said. “It was a journey to get here. Good days, bad days. It took [Morrison] believing in me … to take me on his roster and coach me every single day. … And then all of these girls trusting me to come in and take that role on from the first day. … They were with me every single day, regardless of the highs and lows.” They were absolutely with Stowers in her highest moment, as she earned the 2025 NCAA Most Outstanding Player award for making championship plays such as her kill to secure the win against Nebraska. The team came into the season with a vision of success and gentle reminders every day from Morrison to always be themselves. Whether that led to them giggling and goofing off at 6 a.m. on the first day of practice, or all jumping onto the court together while holding hands during the tournament, each “little version” of themselves is what helped Morrison’s highly skilled players come together as a national championship team. “Jamie reminded us … earlier today and yesterday and every day leading up to this game, of, like, just remembering all of our lit-
tle versions of ourselves,” Stowers said. “ … I feel like that also just allows us to also trust each other.” Trust was an important for this team — as was knowing what individuals and the collective needed in moments of frustration and excitement. A notable takeaway for many fans this season was Cos-Okpalla’s calm composure, even after making game-changing plays. When reporters asked her about this reaction, she said it all comes back to knowing the team and following what Morrison said all season long. “I think Jamie is always talking, he instills it in us; it’s pretty much every day we’ve heard it, just be us,” Cos-Okpalla said. “Not only just us as a team, us as individuals. That’s what makes us us, or makes me me or Kyndal Kyndal or Logan Logan. We all bring something different to the team. I think we just mesh so well together. … When I’m doing my thing, they know it’s supposed to fire people up. When Logan is cheering, yelling, it fires people up. Everybody just has their own way of celebrating, being themselves. Everybody just bounces off of it.” And everybody bounced off it when Cos-Okpalla put down the game-winning kill and — for one of the only times this season — turned around with a celebration, yelling “come on” as the team rushed the floor. “After the match, obviously, there’s a lot of emotions and everyone’s giving hugs and everything, but I think when we got back to Reed is when it kinda hit a lot of people,” Lednicky said the morning after the championship. “Especially me, like, I’m not gonna get to see a lot of these girls … and so there were some tears shed and stuff like that, but all in very bittersweet moments, just knowing that, like, we accomplished everything we wanted to with the group of girls.”
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The Battalion | 01.10.26
How A&M volleyball aims to sustain success Armed with administration investment, fan support, Aggies hope to have profitable volleyball program modeled after Nebraska Cornhuskers By Ian Curtis Senior Enterprise Reporter It’s impossible to think about women’s volleyball without thinking about Nebraska. It’s not about the six national titles the Cornhuskers have, or their extensive list of All-Americans. It’s because of a volleyball culture developed over the decades that has tied itself to the very core of the state’s identity. It’s top-tier investment from administration, fans and community that has led not just to the program’s on-court success, but to T-shirts boasting that Nebraska is “the volleyball state,” a match that was the second-highest attended women’s sporting event in the world and, crucially, a revenue-generating Cornhusker program. Texas A&M volleyball head coach Jamie Morrison wants the Aggies to reach that level — and he doesn’t think it’s that far away. “When I took the job … I had a checklist of things, and one of them was where I could build something that is similar to here, where people really, really care about the sport of volleyball,” Morrison said before the Aggies’ first NCAA Tournament match in Lincoln, Nebraska, earlier in 2025. “And for me, it was about getting the 12th Man to get addicted to the game that we love. And I think that’s happening right now. So it’s not even like building there. I think we’re almost there. I think there’s a demand for season tickets next season. Things are happening along those lines where it’s going to get to that level.” Of course, Morrison and the Aggies are no strangers to reaching ambitious goals. This season, A&M won its first national championship in school history by defeating three 1-seeds in a row in one of the sport’s wildest NCAA Tournament runs to date, all in Morrison’s third year in Aggieland. But, to take that next step and build the sort of revenue-generating program that will stand the test of time, it’ll require more than just wins on the court. It requires buy-in from administrators and fans alike. Administration support Like many A&M coaches, Morrison — who was hired by former athletic director Ross Bjork before the latter left for Ohio State — felt uncertain about the school’s athletic director vacancy. Then came a major stroke of good fortune when, out of all candidates, the Aggies landed on then-Nebraska AD Trev Alberts, the Cornhuskers’ athletic director for, among other events, 2023’s “Volleyball Day in Nebraska,” a two-match event at Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium that featured an attendance of 92,003 — the world’s second-most attended women’s sporting event. “When I got hired, I said, like, ‘I want to become the second program to be profitable in the United States, and I want to give back to the athletic department,’” Morrison said before the Aggies’ match against the Cornhuskers. “To have somebody that doesn’t scoff at that and be like, ‘That’s impossible,’ but someone that says, ‘Oh, yeah, that’s possible. Let’s get to work.’ I think that’s huge. And I think to have someone that knows what it can be and knows how to build it to that has been a huge asset for me.” More than just having the experience of leading an athletic department that places an emphasis on volleyball, Alberts is a bonafide volleyball nerd. “He loves watching the sport, and I think he’s probably been at 80% of our matches at home,” Morrison said. “He sits courtside and gets nervous and loves it and talks to me afterwards and knows the game enough to … be able to go back and forth and banter about the volleyball game. And I don’t think that’s the case at most schools, and I’m very, very thankful for it.” Though that investment has to include the pocketbook. In the fiscal year 2024 — the college sports fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 — Nebraska topped all Division I public institutions with a women’s volleyball operating budget of $5,911,267. A&M was seventh on that list with a budget of $3,747,561, according to data access via public records requests and published by Extra Points’ Matt Brown. That does not include things like compensation earned via NIL or from revenue sharing with athletes. But the Aggies have confirmed that volleyball is one of the six programs that A&M is sharing revenue with athletes in. Both Morrison and Alberts seem aligned with a growth mindset that A&M can be one of those few revenue-generating programs that turns into a profit for the athletic department. And they aren’t afraid to use Nebraska as the template.
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Photos by Cooper Daniels — THE BATTALION
Clockwise from top: Opposite hitter Logan Lednicky (9) and llibero Tatum Thomas (3) make confetti angels during Texas A&M volleyball’s national championship game against Kentucky at T-Mobile Center on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. Middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla serves the ball during Texas A&M vollyeball’s national championship game against Kentucky at T-Mobile Center on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. Defensive specialist Addie Applegate (2) hugs a teammate during Texas A&M volleyball’s national championship game against Kentucky at T-Mobile Center on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. Opposite hitter Logan Lednicky (9), libero Tatum Thomas (3) and outside hitter Kyndal Stowers (37) celebrate in the confetti after Texas A&M volleyball’s national championship game against Kentucky at T-Mobile Center on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. Middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla (1) and opposite hitter Logan Lednicky (9) attempt to block a spike during Texas A&M volleyball’s national championship game against Kentucky at T-Mobile Center on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. Outside hitter Emily Hellmuth (4) spikes the ball during Texas A&M volleyball’s national championship game against Kentucky at T-Mobile Center on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. Opposite hitter Logan Lednicky (9) raises the National Championship Trophy after Texas A&M volleyball’s national championship game against Kentucky at T-Mobile Center on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. Outside hitter Megan Fitch (20) hugs middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla during Texas A&M volleyball’s national championship game against Kentucky at T-Mobile Center on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025.
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The Battalion | 01.10.26
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Trophy hunting: Detmer reflects on Wrecking Crew By Noah Ruiz Associate Sports Editor
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Clockwise from top: Safety Dalton Brooks (25) reacts after a turnover during Texas A&M football’s game against Miami in the College Football Playoff at Kyle Field on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. Wide receiver Mario Craver (1) braces for a tackle after a deep pass during Texas A&M football’s game against Miami in the College Football Playoff at Kyle Field on Saturday, Dec 20, 2025. Quarterback Marcel Reed (10) runs the ball during Texas A&M football’s game against Miami in the College Football Playoff at Kyle Field on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.
A&M enters offseason of change
On the other side of the ball, though, the For Elko, that distinction matters. Head coach Mike Elko forced brain drain will be felt more as offensive co“I said to the seniors who just played ordinator Collin Klein returns to his alma their last game, they left a mark on elevating to rebuild roster, overcome mater of Kansas State to be the head coach. this program that will never go away,” Elko departure not only means there will be said. “From where this program was two coordinator losses following The a unique spin on the scheme, but it means a years ago to where it is now, I don’t think defeat in first CFP appearance different voice in redshirt sophomore quar- that can be lost on people. … I don’t think terback Marcel Reed’s ear. Klein, whom Reed referred to as a “second father,” spoke with a trembling voice as he told the media following the game what the relationship meant to him. “Well, Marcel is dear to me,” Klein said. “I couldn’t be more proud of, first of all, the whole unit, but how he has grown into leading that unit. … I told him that he’s got a chance to be as good as anybody that has come through this program. I think the sky’s the limit for him. … It’s extremely bittersweet.” In the wake of Klein’s departure — and the subsequent poaching of three members of the coaching staff — Elko once again didn’t have to leave the building to find a succession plan: wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins. The second-year A&M coach spent time
we can turn our backs on the guys who just finished their careers here and everything they accomplished and everything that they did for Texas A&M football.” When the clock finally hit triple zeros As a whirlwind of change sweeps over and the College Football Playoff pomp and A&M’s uniquely beige campus, Reed recircumstance ensued as a group of players mains rooted as the face of the program. celebrated on the Kyle Field grass, sophoReed announced his return to the Mamore wide receiver Mario Craver found juroon and White on a reworked deal for his nior WR KC Concepcion and pulled him second season as the entrenched starter in in for a hug. an understated yet emphatic message on his It wasn’t Texas A&M football celebrating social media. Despite a dud of an offensive at the end of the home game — the first performance against the Hurricanes, Reed time in 2025 that this was the case — and led the Aggies to a top-20 scoring offense Craver wasn’t there to console his teammate in the country. after defeat. “I think we thought this season obviousHe had something more lasting to say. ly could have been a lot better than what it “I just told him thank you,” Craver said ended at, but we’re proud of what we acafter A&M’s CFP lose to Miami. “Thank complished,” Reed said. “Like I said earlier, you for everything he’s done. I told him he we’re growing. We grew from last year, and made me a better teammate, betwe’re going to grow again from ter person, better player in all asthis year.” pects of the game. I just told him Reed is no stranger to tranthank you, just in case he won’t I don’t hope it’s trending, it is trending. … We’ve sitions behind the scenes. Along be here next year.” with junior safety Dalton Brooks, The embrace between two got to continue to make positive strides building A&M’s signal caller has weathfirst-year Aggie transfer portal ered a full regime change after this program. additions is emblematic of the his freshman season and knows reality facing A&M as it turns the the work that is in front of the page to 2026. A reality of blinkAggies. Mike Elko and-you-miss-it championship “This is my third year of colTexas A&M Football Head Coach windows for teams as NFL Draft lege, and I was here for Jimbo declarations, the portal whisking and Elko, so just being here as a players away to other programs freshman and seeing the changand coaching turnover can rees that have been made and the shape a roster overnight. at six other FBS programs, including Ala- difference in the culture and how bought Now, three weeks after the Miami loss, bama, before finding his way to Aggieland. in our players are, it was great to see,” Reed head coach Mike Elko stares down the bar- Elko views the hire as a step toward a belief said. “ … Obviously we wanted to do more, rel of an offseason poised to shake the foun- in continuity as structural instead of person- but we have made tremendous strides since dation he has built in the past two years as al — the sort of institutional permanence our freshman year since we’ve been here. A&M begins the work of turning its first associated with the most hallowed programs I love this team with all my heart, all the CFP run into something sustainable. in the country. coaches.” “I don’t hope it’s trending, it is trending,” “Those are probably the philosophical As has become tradition for the two Elko said. “ … We’ve got to continue to things that I would like a Texas A&M foot- roommates who joined the team in 2023, make positive strides building this program. ball offense to look like,” Elko said. “ … The Reed and Brooks met after the Miami We were not an elite program ready to fundamental principles that won’t go any- game to discuss the loss, what could have compete for a national championship when where and then there’s obviously some of been and what the future holds. we took over. We’re still not. … We’ve got the smaller details that they’ll be able to put Now that those freshmen have grown a lot of work to do to continue to develop their twist on however they want.” into the upperclassmen tasked with leading this program into what ultimately it needs Those fundamental principles, though, the team, Brooks believes Reed is a linchpin to become. We’re still in the infant stages of are not confined to the sidelines. Elko must that can “[run] this whole thing.”That leadthat.” now steer the Aggies through a roster reset. ership — and the G.R.I.N.D. mantra that That work began with replacing Elko’s On offense, graduate offensive lineman Elko coined — is what Brooks thinks will two hand-picked coordinators. Defensive Ar’maj Reed-Adams and Concepcion have carry A&M through an offseason of change. coordinator Jay Bateman’s defection to already declared for the NFL Draft, while “Keep the culture, that’s the big thing,” Kentucky in order to reclaim playcalling redshirt senior defensive end Cashius How- Brooks said. “You’ve got to keep the culduties amounts to a largely like-for-like ell’s NFL future — whom Elko has referred ture together, keep the players together, and transition given Elko’s defensive expertise to as an “OG” for being among the first to really come back and start rebuilding just and the immediate internal promotion of buy into the defensive culture — leaves a like we did last year. Keep it going, keep Associate Head Coach for Defense Lyle leadership void forged long before results pushing, keep fighting, and keep everybody Hemphill into the vacated role. followed. in it.”
By Mathias Cubillan Managing Editor
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Take a moment and picture it: Christmas time 1990. The San Diego sun kisses the blue Pacific coast as it gently lowers its head to rest beneath the waves, ready to slumber until the cool winter’s morning awakens it for another trip across the sky. You revel in the moment you decided to follow your Texas A&M Aggies to their bowl game across the country, knowing you’re in for a treat as the Holiday Bowl has quickly become one of the most entertaining games of the college football postseason. The California coast paints a peaceful picture, yes, but a war is coming to nearby Jack Murphy Stadium, and the sun’s absence will bring a nighttime showdown complete with bands, All-Americans and action-packed football. The Maroon and White’s odds are stacked against them, as the competition is none other than quarterback Ty Detmer and the No. 13 BYU Cougars. Detmer, a Texas native, is fresh off winning the 1990 Heisman Trophy and the Western Athletic Conference. With over 40 NCAA records to his name, it won’t be an easy task to wrangle the Cougars, but luckily for the Aggies, they have themselves a not-so-secret weapon: the Wrecking Crew defense. “[Winning the Heisman Trophy] for me was pretty surreal,” Detmer said. “Growing up in Texas, obviously, football is pretty big down there, and with my dad being a high school coach, it’s something you never think could even happen.” But it did happen, as Detmer put together a legendary 1990 season that included taking down the reigning national champion, Miami, winning the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Awards and, of course, the Heisman Trophy. Additionally, the WAC had a contract with the Holiday Bowl, in which the conference champion would play in that bowl game every year, and 1990 saw the Cougars in San Diego for the second straight year. “The goal going into every year was to be able to go to San Diego and play in the Holiday Bowl, and you knew you were going to play a quality team,” Detmer said. Enter A&M, a gritty, defense-heavy squad headed by second-year head coach R.C. Slocum, who had previously served as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator. The mastermind behind the Wrecking Crew, Slocum’s unit had faced four Heisman winners before Detmer, besting all but Oklahoma State’s nearly unstoppable running back Barry Sanders. When asked if there was any chip on his shoulder entering the contest against the Aggies, Detmer said laughingly, “No, actually, it was probably the other way around, like, ‘Oh, crap, we got to play A&M’ because I’ve seen them play Heisman winners. I’m from South Texas, you know?” A well-placed sentiment, as the Aggies became the Heisman hunters of the late 80s and early 90s, taking on and defeating Auburn RB Bo Jackson in 1986, Notre Dame wide receiver Tim Brown in 1988, Houston QB Andre Ware in 1989 and finally Detmer in 1990, as they secured three bowl victories. “I knew about A&M and their defense, and they got some really good players,” Detmer said.“And then our tight end leading up to the game makes a statement, I believe it was something like, ‘Well, we wish we were playing a higher-ranked team,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, man, you just killed us right here.’” As it turned out, Detmer was right, because the Aggies were hungry to prove themselves more than capable of handling another one of the nation’s finest. “Like, these [Aggies], I know what they’re about, and it’s not gonna sit well,” Detmer said. “And so it was, it was probably the other way around because I didn’t have a chip on my shoulder, I knew they were going to have that chip on their shoulder and sure enough, they did.” A&M, led by linebacker William Thomas, was more than ready for the challenge against BYU. Thomas, one of the most feared defenders in the Southwest Conference, came into the Holiday Bowl with double-digit sacks and was eager for more against the Cougars. His final stat line of six tackles, two sacks and an interception earned him Defensive MVP honors as the Aggies kept their opponent on their heels all night. Detmer humbly acknowledged the talent he knew the Cougar offense would face in the Holiday Bowl, with cornerback Kevin Smith and LB Quentin Coryatt being among the names he saw bright NFL futures coming from. “Well, I believe at the time, they had Quentin Coryatt,William Thomas, and Kevin Smith was a corner,” Detmer said. “They had guys who were going to the NFL and had long careers, you know. So it wasn’t really like one guy. There were multiple guys.” But the biggest thing with them, like playing Miami, they were really basic. With A&M, it was multiple blitzes, people coming from all over the place, and the speed seemed faster than Miami. I just remember, like, man, they’ve got their ears pinned back, and here they come.”
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The Battalion | 01.10.26
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Left to right: Forward Rashaun Agee (12) reacts to his three-point play during Texas A&M men’s basketball’s game against LSU at Reed Arena on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Guard Rubén Dominguez (9) drives against SMU guard B.J. Edwards (0) during Texas A&M men’s basketball’s game against SMU at College Park Center on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
A&M flourishes under new identity
Aggies hit stride with SEC gauntlet on horizon led by head coach Bucky McMillan By Matthew Seaver Sports Editor
With the departure of former head coach Buzz Williams to Maryland and the graduation of eight seniors, including all-time leading scorer Wade Taylor IV, Texas A&M men’s basketball was left a barren wasteland. The Aggies retained just one player on their roster when head coach Bucky McMillan arrived in College Station from Samford. While there was excitement among the 12th Man for the debut of “Bucky Ball,” expectations for A&M remained tempered considering the drastic changes ahead of the 2025 season. “What I can say is that there’s going to be highs and lows, but veteran players have been through this before and have been through the lows,” McMillan said during a preseason press conference. It’s certainly been more highs than lows to begin the season for A&M, as it went 10-3 against out-of-conference opponents, not dropping a single matchup to mid-ma-
jor programs. But, the ball hasn’t stopped rolling quite yet for A&M, as it has begun Southeastern Conference play 2-0 with narrow wins against LSU and Auburn. While being 12-3 is nice, the Fightin’ Farmers still have a ways to go before possibly earning a spot in March Madness. With a trying schedule in the toughest conference in the country, according to Bracketolosigts, one thing is for certain about McMillan’s team: It has an identity. “We have to be what we are and who we are, and if it’s not good enough, we’ll shake your hand and say good job,” McMillan said following the win over Auburn. “But there can’t be any doubt about our identity. And when you watch Texas A&M play right now, we have an identity to who we are.We may be undersized, but we got some dogs out there that are going to scrap and fight and keep attacking.” With the combination of full-court press, high-tempo offense and a record-breaking number of 3-pointers, McMillan has turned a roster of misfit toys into gritty competitors to begin the season. Even with the loss of junior forward Mackenzie Mgbako for the remainder of the season, the Aggies have adapted, staying aggressive regardless of the score of the game or size of the opponent. However, the road certainly doesn’t get
any easier for the Maroon and White with several ranked opponents still on their schedule. In its next matchup, A&M will be in search of its second Quad 1 win versus a similarly competitive Oklahoma team on Saturday, Jan. 10, at Reed Arena. The Sooners are 11-4 overall and sit at the No. 48 NET ranking, just one spot above the Aggies at No. 49. With the loss of one-and-done star Jeremiah Fears to the NBA, Oklahoma and head coach Porter Moser have had to build around a new star, junior guard Xzayvier Brown. The Saint Joseph’s transfer has been extremely successful throughout his first season in Norman, Oklahoma, averaging 15.7 points, 3.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. Brown isn’t the only player the Aggies need to be worried about, as redshirt senior G Nijel Pack also boasts a formidable 15.9 points per game. Luckily for A&M, it also has several players contributing on the scoreboard, with five active Aggies averaging double-digit points per game. The leading scorer for A&M is sophomore G Rubén Dominguez with 13.7 points per game. The man known as “The Spanish Sniper” is shooting 47.3% from beyond the arc and broke the program record
for 3-pointers in a game, all during his first season of college basketball. But the most impactful player for A&M in 2025 has been graduate student F Rashaun Agee, averaging 13.1 points, 8.3 rebounds along with 1.8 blocks per game. Agee is a double-double machine and has certainly made the most of his final season after being granted an extra year of eligibility by the court system. With such a volatile team, any player on A&M’s roster is capable of exploding on the night, keeping opponents guessing at who’s going to let it fly next. The Aggies have also proven how difficult it is to prepare for the pressing defense, forcing 16.3 turnovers per game, the 12th most in the country. By embracing their identity, the Aggies have avoided the expected downturn from coaching and roster turnover. Bucky Ball has found its new home on the Reed Arena hardwood, and the players have fully embraced the expectation that comes with playing in the SEC. “I promise you to the Aggies, this is a team right now that it’s worth supporting this group, right,” McMillan said. “I mean, we’re giving up inches everywhere, size. But these guys scrap, they fight, they represent this university.”
New swings rake in new trophies Two standout freshmen contribute to success on course By Ava Loth Associate Sports Editor After an early conclusion to the Texas A&M women’s golf spring campaign in early 2025 during the NCAA regional tournament took away its chance at a deep postseason run, the tide has since shifted for the Maroon and White. The reloaded squad accomplished an undefeated stroke play season and took home four trophies.The Aggies opened the season with back-to-back wins, finishing with a lead of more than three strokes, followed by a second-place title in a match play event. Then, A&M rounded off its season with two consecutive victories, this time on Texas grass, where it pulled ahead on the third day and secured hardware — fueled in part by the swings of two rookies: freshmen Brynn Kort and Natalie Yen. The fall results could be a set stage for a conference title in the Aggies’ upcoming season. From Kingman, Arizona, Kort held the No. 5 spot in the 2025 class, according to the Junior Scoreboard ranking. Being one of the top prospects in the nation, Kort decided to exchange the Arizona heat for Texas heat as she stepped into her collegiate golf career. “I showed up to campus on my visit, and I was like, ‘This is home; when you know, you know,’” Kort said. “The coaching staff, our facilities, just like, the Aggie network and stuff, there’s so much support, not just around football. It’s athletics in general. I was like, ‘I love that.’ There was really no other school like that. And I was like, ‘I want to be a part of that.’” Qualifying for a spot in the opening tournament, Kort — now wearing maroon and white — stepped onto the Division 1 stage at the links of Pebble Beach. In her first glimpse of the caliber of competition, Kort pulled out a 3-over finish during the two-day tournament. As she settled into her game at a new level, Kort marked two top-five finishes in her next three stroke play tournaments. Carrying a 70.5 scoring average, she ended her first semester ranked No. 70 nationally. “If I’m good enough to be on A&M’s team, then I can play against these girls,” Kort said.“It was kind of like having to trick
yourself a little bit into being like, ‘It’s not that big of a deal,’ just so I didn’t freak out.” Kort led the Aggies in their win at the Folds of Honor Collegiate where she punched in a runner-up finish. Finishing out her season, she secured a fourth-place finish at the Bear Brawl in Waco and was, yet again, a top contributor to another notch added to A&M’s belt. With A&M earning the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation, it still had more depth to deploy from their starting five. Yen made a name for herself even before stepping into Aggieland. The No. 4 recruit in the country, according to the Junior Golf Scoreboard ranking, won the 2025 U.S.Women’s Amateur FourBall with her partner just three months before arriving in Aggieland. Yen’s decision to join A&M was curated by more than success rates, but, more importantly, by the culture that surrounded the program. “Just the support of the 12th Man, truly, it was like, ‘I can’t not pick it,’” Yen said. “There’s no better place for me to go.” The West Linn, Oregon, native backed up her commitment with her scorecards. She qualified for all five tournaments with the Aggies and pulled out steady rounds across all events. Yen finished 14th in the season opener at the Carmel Cup and capped off her season with an eighth-place finish at the Bear Brawl. She represented the Maroon and White well on the national stage, claiming No. 188 national rank and a 71.6 scoring average as the fall slate came to a close. With the spring season on the horizon, the question lingers if the Aggies will be back in contention for a conference title or a swing at a national title. With seven tournaments on its slate, including one hosted at its very own Traditions Club in College Station, these young talents could be the new catalysts needed to bring home victories during the depth of the season when A&M is bound to endure even stronger competition. “It’s knowing that we’re wearing that 12 on the last day of every tournament, we’re putting on the maroon and white,”Yen said. “And we’re representing every Aggie that’s come through the school on a national level and just the opportunity to show off the maroon and white and make a name for this amazing university; that’s what drives me.”
File photo by Chris Swann— THE BATTALION
Adriano Espinosa — THE BATTALION
Top to bottom: A player tees off during the Bryan Regional of the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship at Traditions Golf Club on Monday, May 6, 2024. A golf ball and driver during the Aggie Invitational at the Traditions Club on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
CAMPUS from the Dr. VR: combatting death anxiety Letter editor: It’s for you
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The Battalion | 01.10.26
A&M researchers use virtual reality to ease fear of death
By Kynlee Joyner Editor-in-Chief
By Julia Kazda News Editor As many college students hit an extreme period of change in their 20s, full of loneliness and stress, the contemplation and anxiety surrounding the premise of death skyrockets. According to medical publications such as PubMed, a phenomenon known as death anxiety spikes in most people’s 20s and then declines until a period around their 50s. In order to investigate and attempt to combat this mental battle, Texas A&M researchers conducted a pilot study that used a virtual reality, or VR, simulation to place numerous students in a near-death experience for roughly 12 minutes. After completing these sessions, there was a significant drop in anxiety and fear revolving around death. Led by assistant professor Zhipeng Lu, Ph.D., and his doctoral student, Praya Khandan, these sessions were conducted on around 60 students in the hopes of proving that technology can play an essential role in possibly mitigating a significant mental health crisis. “They wore a VR headset, and they went to a near-death experience simulation where they saw common scenes like floating about their body, being in a peaceful nature or in a light tunnel and being reunited with their loved ones,” Khandan said. “After the VR experience, actually before and after the VR experience, we measured their stress level and their fear of death using val-
Photo courtesy of Parya Khandan
Parya Khandan, a student participant for an on-campus study using virtual reality simulations to ease death related anxiety and stress, sits through a simulation.
idated questionnaires, and we realized that most of the participants showed lower stress, and they felt less afraid of death afterward, which shows that VR can positively affect emotional well-being.” Taking note of this success, Lu acknowledged that they would like to continue this pilot study by proposing to the National Institutes of Health that they conduct a similar study on terminally ill patients in the future. “They are more vulnerable, right?” Lu asked. “Before applying this AI-assisted VR near-death experience simulation intervention to those vulnerable populations, we want to test that in a relatively healthier
population. That was the intention about why we conduct this study in college students. But the result was kind of surprising to us as well.” Under the scope of a more focused lens, this type of virtual aid may help college students cope with the many stresses that come with work, classes and the general challenge of living on one’s own for the first time.
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‘Success is not the top of the ladder’
Titans of Investing aims to form long-lasting friendships, create significance, build wisdom By Fallon Ferguson Life & Arts Editor Inside the living room of investor and powerful asset manager Thomas Britton “Britt” Harris IV ‘80, couches and chairs lined with 20 to 25 students sit, listening, all eager to share their own knowledge and widen their perspectives as thoughtful discussion reverberates throughout the home. Students agree and disagree, nodding and shaking their heads with passion, waiting to interject with a counterpoint or support claims made by their peers. Some students watch and listen, taking note, while others boldly assert themselves, taking up space and making their opinions known; this weekly group discussion is referred to by the Titans of Investing, or Titans, as “Junto” — a term used by Benjamin Franklin to describe a group who discusses controversial topics in order to achieve mutual improvement for each member involved. The Junto ends with new lessons learned, wisdom shared and bonds strengthened. Titans, a course funded and founded by Harris, serves to aid up-and-coming industry professionals by creating investment portfolios, learning from high-profile business leaders and focusing on ethics, all with the goal of creating lifelong bonds; the course is currently available at both Harris’
Photo courtesy of Sharon Toulon
Students pose for a photo at the Titans Banquet.
alma matter, Texas A&M, and the University of Texas. Harris stresses the importance of significance over success, forming Titans in order to equip students with the skills a traditional education does not provide and build on their previous knowledge of the corporate world. “College is about, primarily about, maturing into adulthood, of course, but secondly, about acquiring a technical competency,” Harris said. “A plane needs to have two wings, not one, so you have your work ability over here … but if you don’t have your relational wing … you’re not going to
go very far.” The course offers admission every semester with Harris hand-selecting the new Titans for each term. Harris said he looks for people of all backgrounds and character who are actively engaged in self-improvement as well as interested in “achieving significance.”
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Bus 12 rolls toward 20th anniversary Decommissioned Aggieland staple in midst of renovation under new ownership
By Mathias Cubillan Managing Editor David and Amy Messersmith ‘96 bought a time machine. A portal into the past that more than 400,000 students have walked through — its interior lit by the glint of countless Aggie Rings, its rooftop still carrying the footprints of Yell Leaders. Except this time machine doesn’t have Seussian gizmos or Dahlian doodads protruding from every surface. It has four wheels, a crisp maroon and white paintjob and the familiar silhouette of a school bus. The couple are now the proud owners of Bus 12, a Texas A&M staple since 2006 that has followed the 12th Man from Kyle Field to away games, Ring Days and campus events. Bus 12 has been decommissioned for half a decade, but now the Messersmiths plan to bring it to a new generation of Aggies — just in time for the 20th anniversary of its debut. Bus that belongs to everyone For the Messersmiths, the pull toward A&M came in two ways. Amy was shaped by her years as a student, while David married into the Aggie network, and though he waited years to wear the logo before feeling like he earned it, he could tell that there was something special about Aggieland. “When you go to dinner and people walk by our table and see Amy’s Aggie Ring,
Steve Carrasco IV — THE BATTALION
David Messersmith, owner of Bus 12, poses for a photo during renovations on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.
they say, ‘What class are you?’” David said. “And next thing you know, they’re swapping business cards. That alumni association really means something. It’s been really kind of interesting to see that from the outside and slowly over the years kind of feel more and more ingrained.” That same sense of community is what first drew the couple to Bus 12.Years before an inkling of owning it ever entered the Messersmiths’ consciousness, the bus stood out to them as a unique totem of game day. It was a tailgate without a guest list, where Aggies and opposing fans alike were welcomed. “[Bus 12] just represented hospitality,
Aggie hospitality,” Amy said. “We always appreciated just how welcome we and others seemed to feel anytime they walked by the bus.” The openness was not accidental. Bus 12 was created by the original owners, the Lane family, to solve a practical issue. At an away-game Yell Practice, they could not see the Yell Leaders on the field, birthing the idea for an elevated surface on wheels.
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In an October 2025 study conducted by The State of Local News Project, it was found that over the last decade, 40% of all newspapers have vanished. Additionally, more than 130 newspapers have been shut down within the last year alone. While smaller online outlets have begun to emerge, they remain heavily centralized to highly developed urban areas, leaving the nation with a growing issue — news deserts. Today, 210 counties across the nation lack access to local outlets — a steadily growing number. Everyday, more Americans lose access to stable and reliable news outlets. In the fall semester, we saw the Indiana Daily Student’s — Indiana University’s student newspaper since 1867 — advisor fired, followed by the university cutting all print editions only hours later. Then, in December, student publications watched as yet another university lost not one, but two publications as The Crimson White — the University of Alabama’s student newspaper — reported that the university suspended both student magazines, Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six. As more publications begin to shut down or cut printing operations, we are all left with one question: Which publication is next? Sadly, I don’t have the answer to that question. However, I can promise you that if The Battalion is challenged, it will not go down without a fight. It didn’t in 2022 when former university President M. Katherine Banks tried to end all print editions, and it won’t now. However, it’s why it won’t end that’s important. It’s not for the editors, who love their jobs but admittedly way overwork themselves. It’s not for the staff, which keeps us afloat by finding and producing content. It’s for you. It is for the students of this campus who see value in news and storytelling. It is for the student who is quoted in a story we produce. It is for the professor who felt unseen but now sees their name in a headline. Yes, our editors and staff love the job — that’s why we do it — but we also do it for you. We are just like you. We love this campus, we love its traditions, and we want to carry them on, just like you. Each of us see value in the unique stories that Texas A&M has, including the stories we find within the people who make it what it is. We are not an outside news outlet, encroaching upon College Station with no idea of the history and traditions it holds. We know the history and traditions, because before we chose to join The Battalion, we chose to attend A&M. We walk the same halls as you and stand beside you at Midnight Yell. We are in your study groups and dining halls. We have the same experiences and concerns, and we want to be able to report on them, but we also want your voice to be heard. So reach out to us. Reach out to our news editors Julia Kazda and David Swope at metro@thebatt.com with news tips or things you feel are not being emphasized in the news that should be. Send a message to our life & arts editors Fallon Ferguson and Sophia Munoz at aggielife@thebatt.com with story ideas about outstanding students or interesting events happening on campus. If you have opinions on the latest trends or political landscape, our opinion editors Joshua Abraham and Maeva Elizabé would be more than happy to hear your thoughts through the google form for guest submissions. If you want to hear more up-to-date news about sports at A&M, send an email to sports@thebatt.com and our three sports editors, Matthew Seaver, Noah Ruiz and Ava Loth, will get back to you. But it doesn’t stop there. We have editors in charge of our social media accounts, Theresa Lozano and Julius Sjolie, who would be more than happy to hear from you via socials@thebatt.com, or even through The Battalion’s Instagram. Zoe Rich, our design and graphics editor, would love to hear your thoughts on past print editions and ideas for upcoming ones via multimedia@thebatt.com. And we can’t forget about our photo editors, Rocio Salgado and Steve Carrasco IV, who would love to know what the student body wants to see visually represented in our publication, so message them at photo@thebatt.com with any tips or ideas. And last but not least, our managing editor, Mathias Cubillan, and I are seeking suggestions, and our mailboxes are always open at managingeditor@thebatt.com and editor@thebatt.com. But it doesn’t always have to be through a screen either. Our office is located in what we like to call “the basement” of the Memorial Student Center in L400, and we are more than happy to welcome you into the chaos that is the newsroom. Whether that’s to chat about what we do here, listen to your concerns or even to show you how to apply if you’re interested, we always look forward to meeting new people and making new connections. We are looking forward to telling more stories this semester and cannot wait to continue being a part of the voice for the student body. I can’t wait to get started.
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OPINION
The Battalion | 01.10.26
Illustration by Zoe Rich — THE BATTALION
Opinion: Art for entertainment profit’s sake Attention to monetary value has trumped importance to produce original storytelling, content in film and television By Joshua Abraham Associate Opinion Editor As the new season of “Stranger Things” rolled out, many of my friends and family were excited for the release and looked forward to the epic conclusion of a nearly decade-long saga that has kept fans invested for so long. However, I was not. I couldn’t have cared less about something as big as this. The last time I watched an episode of this series, I was 14. Since then, I’ve aged significantly, grown about five inches and have sent details and plotlines from the show into a faraway chamber in my brain. And there’s one reason I haven’t opened the chamber again — nobody has time to rewatch a series this long and time-consuming. If I had to rewatch the entire show to prepare for the newly released Season 5, I would’ve spent approximately 35 hours on Seasons 1-4 trying to recap the series before the eventual 10-hour release of the new season. The amount of time and dedication required for this is insane, and it’s something
I will never do. However, many people have done this. And it’s only going to get worse. People often forget that anything related to the arts is, unfortunately, a business. In an artist’s utopian society, one could create and have their product released without caring if it will make money. The reality, however, is that many production companies and producers will only greenlight something if it guarantees it’ll make them money, and that’s a reality that hurts artistic freedom. What’s one way to guarantee money in content creation? Have it be attached to something. In 2025, original films like “Sinners” and “Weapons” have dominated the box office without being attached to another piece of intellectual property. That’s pretty much it, though. Of the top-20 highest-grossing films last year, only the two aforementioned films were original. Everything else, ranging from the long lineage of Marvel films to book or stage adaptations, makes up the rest of the list. That’s a win for producers; fewer risks were taken, and more money was made. The advantage of making content that everyone is already familiar with is that more people can relate to it more easily than something original. “Sinners” was one of the biggest risks the film industry has ever seen. A big and ambitious vampire story about the impact and
preservation of minority culture is something not many might’ve wanted to see. In this case, the risk paid off, but in many other cases it didn’t. “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” and “Ella McCay” were supposed to join the likes of “Sinners,” but instead joined the many other original films that flopped at the box office last year. Having names like Margot Robbie or Hans Zimmer attached to the projects made companies hope the movie would sell, but it didn’t. So, what do producers do? Completely ditch any effort to bring original storytelling to screens and opt for reusing and abusing intellectual property to make more money. And who wouldn’t? If you have the formula for success, why not use it? The problem is that there shouldn’t be a formula when it comes to the arts. Money isn’t the point of the arts — it’s supposed to be a tool for self-expression and communication. What this formula gives us is an upcoming spinoff to “Stranger Things.” Do we need it? Probably not. Even if the spinoff ends up being good, people will find themselves in the same dilemma I found myself in: deciding whether or not to rewatch the original series. More people will waste their time when it could be spent consuming other types of original content, and the only people it’ll benefit are the producers who will see the money coming in.
And people will rewatch, because they feel obligated to. They will feel a need to give their effort and time toward the show, when the only thing it wants in return is your money. Now, I’m not saying to stop watching films and television to fight against the ultra-capitalist film industry — that’s the last thing I want. Rather, find art that deserves your time. “Stranger Things” might be cool for many people, but Cooper Raiff ’s new original show, “Hal and Harper,” might also be a good use of your time because it isn’t asking you to commit — only to experience. There’s no need to extend something that doesn’t need to be extended. Too many shows and film franchises have fallen into this trap for profit’s sake. Many times, the final product is subpar to what originally preceded it. This shouldn’t be a standard that we become accustomed to. If you find yourself sleeping on your couch after trying to binge-watch “Stranger Things” or another show and your television asks, “Are you still watching?” — you’ve lost the battle. Art has become a tool for profit to keep the television running and increase revenue. What we, the viewers, need to be aware of is what deserves our time and attention. That’s the only way we can truly appreciate art. Joshua Abraham is a kinesiology senior and associate opinion editor for The Battalion.
Opinion: In-flight entitlement has skyrocketed most subjected to abuse is that of audition, yourself from the inhuman angle at which Don’t allow bad plane etiquette wiggle. Hard pass. as fellow passengers seem to not believe you were bent — courtesy of the seat’s deYet, the less-than-divine smell of strangheadphones, and, most notably, sign — is relayed by your proprioceptive to fly under the radar anymore ers’ feet is still preferable to the pungent inthewearing whine of an infant throwing a tantrum perception; you’re made aware of the arc-
By Maeva Elizabé Associate Opinion Editor They tell us to beware of things that go bump in the night — but what about things that go bump in the air? What about things that go bump in those things that go bump in the air? Forget about ghouls, demons and spirits — in-flight turbulence is far more frightening, and turbulent behavior scarier still. The seatback in front of you begins its dreaded descent, encroaching upon your already-meager legroom; your seatmate stakes their claim on the armrest dividing your fabric-covered territories, becoming as permanent a fixture as the indelible stain of mysterious origin on your headrest; you find you’ve been upgraded to a makeshift massage chair for the duration of your flight, compliments of the traveler at your back who has more in common with an overzealous woodpecker than a human child. You’re surrounded, boxed in on all sides by enemy combatants employing unsavory tactics to survive the dogeat-dog degradation of air travel — it’s a nightmare born not of monsters and beasts, but of people who have become far too comfortable in public spaces. I’m all for agency and free will, but there are some liberties that, for the sake of preserving humanity, just shouldn’t be taken, chief among them being the removal of one’s shoes and subsequent airing-out of one’s feet in the aisle for all to enjoy — especially when socks are quick to follow in taking flight, and toes begin to fan out and
aroma of fried, greasy meals, heavily spiced dishes and infamously malodorous foods that waft throughout the confined space of the aircraft and linger in the recycled air. There’s a time and place for culinary indulgences, and the cramped cabin area, from which passengers’ nostrils have no escape for hours on end, is most definitely not one of them. Unless that is, you fancy yourself a trailblazer, for you’d surely be paving the fast
competes in volume and persistence with the whine of the plane’s turbine engines. While you can’t exactly blame the child itself for their innate method of communication being to scream bloody murder, the lack of parental action that is often the response can understand-
Illustration by Zoe Rich — THE BATTALION
lane to nausea, allergy flare-ups and a healthy dose of sideeyes directed your way. Evidently, even one’s sojourn in a space as finite as that of a plane, for a period of time as limited as that of a flight, is rife with tactile, visual and olfactory assaults. But the body sense that I would argue is
ably be griped about — even if we can also empathize with their apparent desensitized apathy at the expense of our sanity. Being a neuroscience major, I have studied the numerous bodily perceptions in length and, unfortunately, can confirm that the torturous conditions of air travel have achieved the impressive feat of not sparing a single sense from their battery. The stiffness in your neck as you untangle
tic gust blowing from the spouts overhead on account of your thermoreceptive sense; your gustatory receptors inform you that the in-flight meal wheeled down the aisle by the cabin crew has assuredly not been prepared by a three-star Michelin chef. Now, these latter inconveniences, disagreeable though they may be, are an inevitable aspect of traveling by air, the price you must pay — albeit in addition to the already exorbitant financial cost — to discover the wonders of the world. In this regard, the end justifies the means. The former, however, are a different story altogether, being almost entirely avoidable if more travelers became grounded in reality and shed their sky-high entitlement. Alas, with the way the commercial aviation industry has progressed, it’s no surprise that the predominant mindset has deteriorated into one of every person vying for themself: First to board and first to deplane, not paying the additional junk fee to choose one’s seat and instead banking on the willingness of other passengers to swap and hogging precious overhead bin space constitute the ultimate aerial discourtesy trifecta. But you have the right to remain seated, and carrying extra emotional baggage does not equate extra suitcase space allotment. I may be flying blind, but I’d venture to guess that you don’t need to be a first-class passenger to have first-class etiquette. Maeva Elizabé is a neuroscience junior and chemistry minor and associate opinion editor for The Battalion.
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NEWS
The Battalion | 01.10.26
12 things you missed over break Associate Life & Arts Editor Sophia Munoz Dance Hall opens in Aggieland - Dec. 5, 2025 Dance Hall - 12/05/2025 By Associate Life & Arts Editor Sophia Munoz College Station’s dance hall drought has officially ended thanks to a new dance hall, Concrete Rodeo, celebrating its grand opening on Dec. 5. The establishment is in the location of what was once the Third Floor Cantina in Downtown Bryan, now featuring a mechanical bull, bar and dance floor to accommodate two-steppers during a DJ set of dosey doe. And in anticipation of everyone’s midnight cravings, a hot dog stand can be found just down the stairs most nights, making sure no one leaves hungry or sober. News Editor Juliadescriptions Kazda AI to rewrite course - Dec. 9, 2025 AIBy - 12/09/2025 News Editor Julia Kazda Various schools across Texas, including Texas A&M, have been using AI large language models to rewrite course descriptions to fit new standards sparked by the recent controversies at A&M, according to an article published by the Associated Press. So far, the majority of AI requests have been to read syllabi and replace words that could trigger conflict with broader language. AI experts like Emily Bender, a computational linguist at the University of Washington, have noted that these tools are programmed to produce words that would most likely be said, not what response carries the most reasoning. Editor-in-Chief Kynlee Joyner Dugong herd breaks charts - Dec. 10, 2025 Arabian Gulf By Editor-in-Chief Kynlee Joyner 12/10/2025 Two new studies co-authored by Texas A&M University at Galveston professor of marine biology Christopher Marshall, Ph.D., revealed Qatar as a hot spot for the world’s largest recorded dugong herd.The hot spot has been described as a fossil site that preserves the remains of ancient sea cows.The fossils show that the region has supported the evolution of sea cows for 20 million years. The team’s findings showed the resilience of the species that depends on seagrass to survive despite the rapid decrease of coral reefs in the region. However, the dugongs’ future remains at stake. Life Ross & Arts Editor Fallon-Ferguson Aiden wins The Voice Dec. 16, 2025 12/16/2025 By Aiden Life &Ross Arts -Editor Fallon Ferguson On Sep. 22, 2025, industrial distribution sophomore Aiden Ross made his Season 28 debut with his blind audition which received a fourchair turn. After hearing pitches from each judge as to why Ross should join their team, he eventually chose Niall Horan to be his team lead and mentor throughout the season. Ross delivered his own version of “The Winner Takes It All” by ABBA as his chosen song for the season finale. Ross was announced as the winner as confetti rained down and the crowd went wild. Former and current Aggies shared Ross’ success all over social media, expressing congratulations and well wishes for his future career in music. Social Media-Editor Theresa Lozano Newest former students Dec. 17-18, 2025 Fall Graduation - 12/17-18/2025 By Social Media Editor Theresa Lozano After waiting years to stride across the stage, over 6,000 names were called out as students were awarded their degree this past fall graduation. Reed Arena housed six commencement ceremonies on Dec. 17 and 18 for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students. A key tradition during the ceremony is when the new graduates turn their Aggie Ring outward, symbolizing their readiness to face the world. After the former students sawed ‘em off and headed forth, they left carrying the Aggie Spirit. CollegeAssociate GameDaySports at Aggie Editor ParkAva - Dec. Loth20, 2025 ByCollege Associate GameDay Sports Editor - 12/20/2025 Ava Loth As if an 11 a.m. kickoff time wasn’t an early enough playoff slot, ESPN’sCollege GameDay rolled into Aggieland before the sun, and the buzz of Kyle Field found itself at Aggie Park by dawn. Perhaps it was for a glimpse of screentime or for the chance to kick a life-changing field goal, both were true for business administration freshman Austin Roberts, who braved the winds of Kyle Field for a chance of winning $1.5 million.The icing from Pat McAfee spoke for itself as the freshman sailed it to the right twice. However, he can say he had a more promising gap than the other four missed field goals that day, which came from both teams. Sports Volleyball sets up futureEditor - Dec.Matthew 21, 2025 Seaver - 12/21/2025 By Sports Editor Volleyball Matthew Seaver After taking home the first national championship in program history,Texas A&M volleyball said goodbye to several of the Aggie stalwarts. A quartet of Aggies turned pro, joining League One Volleyball, including Logan Lednicky, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla and Maddie Waak, followed by Morgan Perkins to Major League Volleyball. After returning to College Station, AVCA Head Coach of the Year Jamie Morrison got right back to refilling the Maroon and White’s roster with transfer portal talent. The Aggies also signed five freshmen in their 2026 high school recruiting class. Associate Opinion Editor Maeva Elizabe TikTok secures American audience - Dec. 30, 2025 TikTok dealMaeva - 12/30/2025 By Associate Opinion Editor Elizabe And with that, the 2025 season comes to an end — almost. It seems that the vestiges of 2025 aren’t so eager to release us battered Americans from the year’s stifling grasp, as the news of an emerging TikTok-operations transference agreement between the Chinese-owned platform’s parent company and a group of American investors. The loyal TikTok community could be in for another upset, as the implementation of the deal’s terms may entail transitioning to an entirely new platform — one devised of an altered algorithm with which users would have to reconstruct their curated feeds wholly from scratch. Better get cookin’, Ags! ‘Stranger Things’ turns worldOpinion ‘UpsideEditor Down’Joshua - Dec.Abraham 31, 2025 Associate By Associate Opinion Editor Joshua Abraham Stranger Things - 12/31/2025 Aggies and fans around the world returned to the “Upside Down” for the finale of “Stranger Things.” As Season 5 was released in three volumes throughout the holiday season, its final volume was shown in theaters on New Year’s Eve, as audiences bid the show goodbye after a decade-long dominant run. From witnessing Will Byers gain superpowers, to viewers creating an endless amount of fan theories — including an alternate ending and a possible secret episode — and a viral TikTok trend recreating the now-iconic “Joyce, drive!” scene, the show has taken the internet by storm and looks to be crowned as one of the most popular television shows of all time. Groups protest Maxwell’s Managing Editor Mathias placement Cubillan in Bryan - Jan. 4 By Managing Editor Mathias Cubillan Epstein protest - 01/04/2026 The San Antonio and Central Texas Indivisible groups protested outside the Federal Prison Camp, Bryan, or FPC Bryan, on Jan. 3 against convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell’s placement at the minimum-security facility and for the release of more information from the Epstein files. FPC Bryan is 1 of 3 minimum-security prisons in the entire country. Janet Dudding, a candidate for House District 14, claimed in a press release that the Texas legislative session’s “protect our women” mantra “flies in the face of what’s happening right here in our city” with Maxwell’s placement at the facility being near residential areas. Associate Sports Noah- Ruiz Myles Garrett sacksEditor the record Jan. 4 Myles Garrett - 01/04/2026 By Associate Sports Editor Noah Ruiz Through the course of NFL history, few players have come close to the production of Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. The former No. 1 overall pick out of Texas A&M has kept a quarterback graveyard of his victims, and the headstone business has been booming, to say the least. The fastest player to reach 100 sacks since NFL Hall of Famer Reggie White, the Browns’ all-time sack leader has broken record after record, though the single-season record has eluded him. That is, until Jan. 4, when Garrett beat Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. off the line of scrimmage and grounded quarterback Joe Burrow for his 23rd sack of the season to rousing cheers of all fans in attendance. Garrett was carried off the field by his teammates after their 20-18 walk-off win, and though his career is far from over, the Aggie legend has now become an NFL untouchable. NewsSpace EditorForce David Swope Howdy, Earthlings: comes to campus - Jan. 12 Space Force - 01/12/2026 By News Editor David Swope Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government & Public Service will welcome 24 officers from the United States Space Force to its classrooms this January, in partnership with the Space Training and Readiness Command, or STARCOM. The inaugural cohort will enroll in a four-week Captain’s Leadership Course led by STARCOM instructors and A&M faculty designed to teach critical communication and leadership skills. The partnership comes as the university continues to cement its place in the space industry with a faculty of eight astronauts, the launch of two master’s programs — in space engineering and in microelectronics and semiconductors — and the construction of the Space Institute at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, set to open its doors this upcoming fall.
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Aggie’s moral compass Ceremony held on Aug 21st 3. Texas A&M’s own print newspaper “The ___” 4. Northgate’s new dance hall 5. Flag. 15 yard penalty 6. Chanted at the first football game of the 2025 season 7. Statement for remembrance 8. Hullabaloo Caneck Caneck 9. What you should do with The Battalion 10. Loud and at midnight 11. 2012 Heisman winner 12. Most all time TAMU volleyball kills 13. TAMU head football coach 14. TAMU starting QB 15. Tamu’s style of basketball 16. Jace LaViolette set this all-time home record 17. An Aggie’s end of semes-
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ter battle 18. From the ___ looking in you won’t understand it 19. Together we are 20. The home of TAMU Softball 21. Aggie ring numbers 22. Marcel our glorious “_____” 23. This ice cream brand and the home of the TAMU baseball team followed by “bell” Down 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
2025 TAMU national champions All time NFL sack record holder Remembrance ceremony held on Nov 18th The aggie alternative to booing Friendly reminder to do this at 2:30 Jan 10th The home of TAMU baseball Official Aggie greeting Separates west campus
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from central campus 9. BTHO 90 hours 10. Aggie tradition held on the second Tuesday of the month 11. 2025 first appearance in the College Football 12. From the ____ you can’t explain it 13. Building that showcases TAMU’s Medal of Honor recipients 14. The colosseum of college football 15. Fighting Texas Aggie Band leader 16. The day your right hand gets heavier 17. Tamu football ended its season with two of these 18. Texas A&M abbreviated 19. A larger brass instrument in the Aggie Band 20. 12 hours before Midnight Yell 21. Provided Northgate with “Dancing Queen” 22. Furniture store sharing an ethnicity with former TAMU Tight End