Q: Regarding this year’s Peach Bowl, why are the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs never referred to as Texas Christian University, but only as TCU by the media? Isn’t it a journalistic standard to refer to an entity by its full name on first reference and by abbreviations thereafter?
—David Wallis, Fayetteville
A: Every media outlet has its own rules regarding names of schools and organizations, but the Texas Christian University athletic department prefers TCU on all references, according to its 2014 football media guide. "Though the TCU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is a proud and integral part of Texas Christian University, it desires to be recognized as TCU (acronym only) Athletics. Ditto regarding references to its sports teams: TCU football, TCU baseball, TCU golf, etc. In all sports-related media references, we respectfully urge that the university's teams be identified with an appropriate appellation – TCU."
TCU, No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings, will play ninth-ranked Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Georgia Dome. Acronyms are widely accepted on first reference for many organizations, including the NCAA, CIA, FBI, NATO and FAA, among others.
Q: What happened to Jennifer Lopez on WSB-TV, who was hired about the same time as Katie Walls?
—Bill Fitzgerald, Cumming
A: Lopez is a freelance meteorologist who has filled in at WSB-TV at various times, Glenn Burns, chief meteorologist for Channel 2 Action News, told Q&A on the News in an email. She also works for the Weather Channel.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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