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No small task A&M's Slocum tries to rally troops in face of tragedy
Posted: Thursday November 25, 1999 12:17 AM
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) -- Big 12 football coaches say they don't envy Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum in preparing his team for Friday's game against No. 7 Texas following an unthinkable tragedy. But they understand. "Having dealt with deaths of family members and other players, [playing a game] is three hours where we can put it in the back of our minds and put aside the tragedy and go play," Kansas coach Terry Allen said Monday. "Our hearts go out to the whole A&M family." The Aggies practiced Monday for their second time since an intricate four-story log structure for the annual A&M bonfire collapsed Thursday, with several dozen students on various parts of it. Eleven students and a former student were killed and 27 people were injured. They were building a 55-foot bonfire that was to be lit on the eve of the Texas game. "It's the only way we can approach this situation," Slocum said. "They died working long and hard to create spirit for the game. If you could ask them, I think they would want us to go play the game." Most of the coaches have dealt with similar if not as massive losses. "There have been instances in my time here that have been difficult to deal with," Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. "I'm sure that R.C. will address it and say that the best thing they can do is prepare as well as possible. They have no control over what has taken place and what will take place, and the best thing for them is to make Texas A&M proud." Texas coach Mack Brown also must address the distraction. Although the two teams have battled physically and verbally in a series that's lasted over 100 years, Texas players and fans have reached out to the stricken A&M campus. They canceled the annual "hex rally," normally designed to put a hex on the Aggies, and replaced it with a unity rally. A blood drive in Austin drew 350 to 400 donors. The favored Longhorns could actually be at an emotional disadvantage, but that isn't something Brown will consider. "It will be a difficult week for both teams," Brown said. "It will be emotionally draining for both teams. For me to be concerned about the emotions of our team, when families are trying to understand the loss of sons and daughters, would be selfish on our part. "To put the game on the level of life and death isn't even worth talking about. But if you are going to play the game, you need to play hard and with spirit. I hope both teams realize that this puts priorities back in place," the UT coach said. The Aggies have dedicated Friday's game to their fallen comrades, and that's how Slocum has approached practice. "As we prepare for this game, the vocal part is a lot more subdued, probably for both teams," Slocum said. "It's not unusual in years past for a few guys from each team to make vocal comments about the game." Missouri coach Larry Smith understands why both teams would be muted. "It's something that's hanging over your head," Smith said. "You have to grow strong and fight your way through it and know that life is a heck of a lot more than a football game on Saturday. This puts everything in perspective." First-year Baylor coach Kevin Steele suffered through a season of adversity, leading the Bears to a 1-10 record amid several controversial plays that drew the fans' ire. "In a coaching situation, you can talk about fumbles and injuries and a lot of changes in one's environment," Steele said. "But when you talk about loss of life, it has such a tragic effect on people that it doesn't relate to anything that we went through."
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