The Daily Cougar editorial board used this space Monday to criticize those responsible for vandalizing the buses of the Texas A&M football team before their game against Texas Tech.
Since then, reports have surfaced that the claims were exaggerated.
It is not the intention of The Daily Cougar to mislead readers. However, we stand behind the editorial. Regardless of how A&M’s bus was vandalized, sports do not warrant such childish and criminal behavior.
Texas Tech released a statement yesterday saying that its investigation found that paint was not used — it was washable shoe polish. The substance found inside A&M’s bus was fish bait, not animal manure.
“While incidents such as the ones alleged are inappropriate and strongly condemned by Texas Tech, it is no less wrong to condemn the entirety of our university, students and supporters by posting inaccurate information on the internet for the purpose of sensationalizing the actions of one or a very few,” the release said.
The incident was first made public in a tweet from A&M’s Director of Athletics Bill Byrne.
Tech’s release said everything had been cleaned up before Byrne’s tweet, and then called him “careless.”
This shows the dangers of social media, and the ability to instantly share information. If Byrne did not see the scope of the damage, then the prematurity of his tweet was irresponsible.
But the type of bait involved in a prank like this undoubtedly has an unpleasant odor, and its appearance could have been easily confused with manure. It may not have been excrement, but the purpose was to create an uncomfortable atmosphere.
There was no police report filed, and there is little visual evidence. But NBC affiliate KCBD received confirmation yesterday from hotel officials that Texas A&M’s bus was indeed defaced.
Specific details have changed, but that should not belittle the intentions of the vandals. The destruction of property is immature and unlawful, and doing it in the name of a rivalry demonstrates a lack of sportsmanship — whether it was the “actions of one or very few,” they should all be reprimanded.
Bill byrne owes Texas Tech an apology for freaking out with out ever seeing the bus…Heres my question, WHY ARE THERE NO PICTURES?
Why does there have to be pictures? Many organizations have substantiated the incident: both Universities, bus company, hotel management. I guess, theoretically, Texas fans or Kansas State fans or even ATM fans could have committed the vandalism. Let's get serious; let's take responsibility. This childish, unsportsmanlike, disgusting [stink bait] vandalism may not be representative of all Tech fans but it was performed by some Tech fans. Regardless, Byrne's tweet is still accurate: buses vandalized and it's classless and wrong.
I see no reason why the entire university should be reprimanded. That serves no purpose. The solution to this is public discourse, which The Daily Cougar tries to address. However chastising an entire group of people based on the actions of a few is immature.
We should say that this is wrong, because it is, but we should not say that an entire university is immature, childish, and unsportsman like based on the acts of a few. It's not like we need any more reason to call Tech students childish, and immature, but let's at least call it like it is; A few students that went to far.
It's unfortunate that a few can ruin it for many. But that's what happens when hiding behind anonymity and the common bond is the brand of a university. The same association would occur if a camera would have captured the people and they were all wearing Tech shirts, but they were not physically captured. Ask the SMU business school why it's program tanked after the athletic program received the Death Penalty.
Unfortunately, Texas Tech has permitted this culture to develop through its inaction. The culture permits students to abuse visitng teams, the TT fans celebrate injured players from the opposite teams, they abuse visiting fans, etc. I have made a decision to stop hiring Texas Tech graduates until the Administration corrects the situation. I'd like to think a small minority is at fault, but what was seen and heard on national TV belies that thought.
Dave
Unfortunately, Texas Tech has permitted this culture to develop through its inaction. The culture permits students to abuse visitng teams, the TT fans celebrate injured players from the opposite teams, they abuse visiting fans, etc. I have made a decision to stop hiring Texas Tech graduates until the Administration corrects the situation. I'd like to think a small minority is at fault, but what was seen and heard on national TV belies that thought.
Dave