Issue date: 10/31/02 Section: Mail Call

In response to Richard Bray's Oct. 30 column:

Traditions roll call: Twelfth Man - cool. Midnight Yell - cool. Cadets striking unarmed visiting fans - not cool.

After driving twelve hours to College Station to watch my Huskers escape with a hard-fought victory on the road, I can say my experience in Aggieland was almost entirely positive. The fans, overall, were great people and good sports. I even visited a pre-game party hosted by A&M students and felt very welcome.

Then came the Corps of Cadets.

The Corps' Code includes words like "honor," "integrity," "bond of loyalty." Where exactly does body-slamming sorority girls fit into this code?

Yes, many Nebraska students rushed your field after the come-from-behind victory. Although this action was likely perceived as obnoxious and borderline disrespectful, it certainly did not warrant the violent and physical backlash unleashed by several members of the Corps.

Our students meant no harm. No one was planning on tearing down the goalposts. We were simply excited to congratulate our football team.

Second, most, if not all, students on the field were unaware of Kyle Field's self-designated status as a memorial. A simple announcement over the loud speakers may have solved the problem. Instead, our baffled students were met with fists.

You say it is necessary to preserve the integrity of those who have died at war by keeping fans off of the field. In what way does battery and assault honor the lives of fallen soldiers?

I recall the 1999 football season when A&M upset the Texas Longhorns and some of the student section rushed the field, trampling your precious memorial. Do the Aggies only respect war heroes when they lose at home? Surely the Aggie win in 1999 was not more important than the lives of dead soldiers. Further, the "sacred grass" was artificial turf until 1996! What a fitting and glorious memorial!

Give me a break, Aggies. It's a college football field, where 18 to 23 year-old young men often shove, fight, spit, take cheap shots and accept personal fouls. To call this a memorial is nuttier than squirrel poop. If you want a war memorial, invest in a garden. Don't lay some sod and call it a shrine.

When you come to Nebraska next year, we promise you a good experience. We'll be friendly. We'll be respectful. Most importantly, we will not physically assault you.

In the meantime, Texas A & M, take the toys from the boys. The actions of the Corps of Cadets on Saturday were a disgrace to the uniform and a disgrace to those who wore the uniform before them.

Ryan Wilkins

Student Body President

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Nebraska fans were not behaving in a ridiculous manner. After a win it is customary in college football for fans to congratulate the players and coaches. That is all the fans were rushing out to do. They meant no disrespect and certainly do not deserve any punishment for it.

Instead of those representing Texas A&M simply telling the fans they are not allowed on the field, physical actions were taken. All it would have taken was an announcement right before kick off or during half time to prevent what happened.

Nebraska fans did not know they were not allowed on the field or they would not have rushed out there. I have been a student here for more than three years and I did not know you were not allowed on the field following a game. Maybe it is because I am a graduate student that I missed that little rule. That rule was not publicized enough. Aggies themselves seem to be at odds over this rule as well because former students have been quoted in the San Antonio Express-News recently stating they did not know people were not allowed on the field.

Texas A&M can have its own traditions, and if limiting the football field to players and coaches is one that is fine, but there needs to be more effort to make that known to visitors before a game ends.

Edward Cargill

Texas A&M University Graduate Student

University of Nebraska Alumni

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