Alex Castriota, 18, has never been in love and would rather diepeacefully than in a random accident. According to his MySpaceprofile, the Berkeley Preparatory senior who lives in Tampa, Fla.,fears the...

TCU's Board of Trustees met for its spring meeting Friday and decided on a $293 million budget for the 2006-2007 academic year, said Brian Gutierrez, vice chancellor for finance and administration.This year's budget is an 8 percent increase from last year's budget, which was $271 million, Gutierrez said.

The $22 million increase can be attributed to a series of initiatives that will fund programs ranging from Academic Affairs to student life, he said. Rising utility costs were also factored into determining next year's budget, Gutierrez said.

If for some odd reason you have ever walked by the University Recreation Center at 5 a.m. and wondered who would actually be in the weight room that early, the answer is simple: the TCU swimming and diving team.Even in the offseason, the team dedicates itself to early morning practices to go along with some afternoon training sessions in order to better itself for the next season, head coach Richard Sybesma said.

"We have to make a commitment to the offseason to start with a stronger team in the season," Sybesma said. "Offseason commitment equals in-season success."

I've been writing sports for a pretty long time now, or at least as much as my age allows. I've done all sorts of teams with infinitely varied types of leaders that enjoy countless degrees of success. Not to sound jaded, but I've pretty much heard it all before.So when TCU's head baseball coach, Jim Scholssnagle, told me on Feb. 28 that "we have a team full of good players that's not a very good baseball team right now," I have to admit that I was skeptical. You know how many times I've heard that?

"Guten Tag" was the phrase of the day here Saturday as more than 100 high school students studying German poured onto the TCU campus.Dallas/Fort Worth area high school students spent the day with about 40 TCU German minors, who served as hosts, speaking only German and learning all about the culture at "Deutscher Samstag" or "German Saturday," said Jeffrey Todd, associate professor of German.

Everybody has a different appetite.Some people eat like birds, others like lions. Some eat two meals a day, others eat five. Some only settle for greens, others want straight meat and potatoes.But despite...

The first Gary Patterson 5K Run/Walk will be held Saturday at Amon Carter Stadium in an effort to help the children of the community and introduce them to TCU, said the secretary treasurer of the Gary Patterson Foundation.Kelsey Patterson, wife of head football coach Gary Patterson and secretary treasurer of the foundation, said the Gary Patterson Foundation was founded in 2005 benefiting children's organizations that include life skills programs, health and family services, and educational programs.

Praise Fest 2006, "Boasting in Christ," will be held Saturday to promote unity among different denominations and to support the Invisible Children campaign, its coordinator said.Feleceia Benton, a senior...

Although alcoholic beverages will not be served, the student body will get a free taste of "Everclear" as Texas-country singer Roger Creager performs after the baseball game Sunday against Air Force.Creager, who is known for his laid-back music, puts a distinctive twist on traditional country as demonstrated in some of his most popular songs such as "The Everclear Song," "I Got the Guns" and "Love."

More than 200 students will venture out to community centers and YMCAs Saturday to volunteer as part of TCU LEAPS spring 2006, a campuswide day of community service.Students will perform various tasks including sorting clothes, painting, landscaping and interacting with children.

TCU has held LEAPS in the fall since 2000, but LEAPS was canceled last fall because of the threat of Hurricane Rita entering the area.