August 10, 2000
Texas A&M football coach R.C. Slocum welcomed back his veteran players Thursday night at Cain Hall on the A&M campus.
The returning players joined the Aggie newcomers for dinner and a team meeting before they begin full squad two-a-day workouts on Saturday morning.
"Everyone that we expected to be here is," Slocum said. "We did not expect Mike Pinesette to be here today. He is in junior college getting some final workdone. He will go through junior college graduation this weekend. It was just a matter of timing. We are expecting him to be here, but there are just some formalities that have to take place."
Mike Pinesette is a junior-transfer defensive back from Blinn Junior College and LaMarque High School.
A&M's newcomers have been through four workouts this week and Slocum was pleased with the class that reported to campus on Monday.
"I'm excited," Slocum said. "We've had four workouts with our freshmen and it doesn't take long for our coaching staff to get a feel for the quality of players we brought in. They have the potential to be a good group of players. They are good people, and good athletes. I don't think we missed on anyone."
As for the preparation of the Aggies returning players, Slocum said he has heard good things.
"The seniors have told me that they have had great workouts this summer," Slocum said. "They say they've worked harder than any other group. There will be a good focus in camp and I think they have an axe to grind."
The Aggies will use Friday for physicals and compliance meetings before hitting the practice field on Saturday for the first day of two-a-day workouts.
The No. 24-ranked Aggies will open the season on September 2 against Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., in a game that will be nationally televised by NBC Sports.