Around noon today, there was a man with his arms wrapped around a lightpole on Texas Avenue in College Station. He was in the vicinity of City Hall, facing the A&M campus on the west side of Texas Avenue. Does anyone know what this is all about? From what I understand,he has been there off an on before. Just curious.

Try GB and Wellborn, he's there more often then city hall. I can't remember his story but he gets talked about some on here.

Are you talking about the older male jogger or is this someone else? The jogger is Bart. He's famous/infamous around here, depending on who you ask.

Haha, that guy has a dirty joke for a beer policy. Give him a cold one and he will tell you some raunchy ones. Cracks me up.

He's a regular as somoene else mentioned on George Bush and Wellborn, usually around noon or so. He is fit as can be and likes to twirl himself around the poles.

...and he was recently beat and robbed. Glad to hear he is back up and around.

Really? Did they catch whatever jerks did it?

Glad to hear he's out and about. A nice guy if you ever get a chance to speak with him.

Don't know if the people were ever caught.
It was on KBTX a few weeks ago.

Are you serious about him being robbed? That is so sad. Thugs!

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Elderly_CS_Man_Injured_in_Robbery_104783519.html

Ohhhh, that guy. What is his story?

creepy old man

I've been in some 5k runs etc where he was a participant. Last time I talked to him he said he was 72yrs old.
He can use his upper body to extend out on a pole, which he will do for beer.
Last saw him on Wellborn and G. Bush doing his thing.
Don't think he' a "dirty old man", just seems like he's a funny guy that does tricks for beer. No harm in it as far as I can see.

Bart has been around A&M for years and years....
He is an "interesting" cat, to say the least. He is definitely an entertainer.

The Batt did an article about him awhile back. Here's the link:
http://www.thebatt.com/2.8485/bart-braden-veteran-runner-pole-climber-1.1188885

http://www.thebatt.com/2.8488/pole-guy-1.1199034 Another Batt story. I guess they have to rerun the story every 2 years.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2208834599#!/group.php?gid=2208834599&v=wall And here is a facebook fan page for him.

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/56746822.html And another KBTX story.

[This message has been edited by BigBubba (edited 10/25/2010 8:22p).]

Have known Bart for years! He ran in the Wiener Fest 5K on Oct. 9th. Hope the guy is caught and that Bart is ok.

Side-ways pole-hanging guy.

Here is the video of the story I did with Bart last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fOqq5paHTI

After getting to know him, he really is just a nice older gentleman who loves to run and talk to folks.

After hearing about his attack, I went to visit him at his Southgate Village Apartment, where the attack happened. The veteran lives by himself with very few possessions . His running trophies, pictures, racing numbers, and a couch is pretty much all he has.

Bart was beaten up pretty badly. The whole left side of his face was swollen up and his eye socket had been broken. The amazing part about Bart is a day after the attack, his spirits were already up. He is doing better last time I talked to him but he has a quite a road to recovery.

The last time I checked, the attacker has yet to be caught. According to Bart, the man spent several minutes in Bart's apartment, tearing it up and looking for money. The robber is described as a 30-35 year old black man, standing 5'10" tall and weighing 190 to 210 pounds. He has short, shaved hair and was wearing a gray T-shirt with red writing and dark colored pants.

According to Bart, the man needed money to get to Hearne.

During my time in Aggieland 2001-2005, Bart was always in the MSC in the afternoon, right after lunch. I remember I had a friend who told me he always creeped her out. I thought he was cool and always had a joke to tell. I'm glad he is still doing what he loves best and am sorry to hear about his attack.

From my experience, on campus at least, the guys tended to be cool with him while the girls tended to be a little weirded out by him.

I am really sad to hear that Bart got robbed. Back when I lived at Treehouse Apartments I would talk to him all the time.

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From my experience, on campus at least, the guys tended to be cool with him while the girls tended to be a little weirded out by him.

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Why do I think that is true about most 70+ year old men? They will probably say that about me one day!

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During my time in Aggieland 2001-2005

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Bart's been hanging around a long time. I used to talk to him when I attended 1982-1986.

Is he still around????

There was an old, shirtless guy walking down George Bush picking up trash yesterday, not sure if it's the same guy.

I think he used to ref HS boys basketball games. Was just as fast as the kids.

I believe I saw him in Kroger a couple of months ago.

He was in the MSC a couple weeks back.

He used to ref our high school games (late 80's-early 90's).

He's still kickin'.
Also, saw him @ Kroger in CS about 1 month ago.

This reminds me of the older guy who used to suspend himself from the street sign at Wellborn and George Bush when I was a student. He was very strong.

I see him in the MSC semi-regularly. Always chatting it up with students. Nice guy.