Big 12 Showcase

Texas A&M

Located in College Station, Texas A&M University sits on a 5,000 acre campus with 48,000 plus students. This school has many rituals & long lasting traditions which completely fascinate me. In fact, I need a guide every time I visit to make sure I stay in line with what's expected and with what comes so naturally to its current and former students. The campus is conservative and every piece of everything has meaning - trees, grass (don't step on it!), buildings......the list is endless.

Reveille - the First Lady on campus

I am excited to have 2 guest bloggers to represent Texas A&M!

The first is 16 year old Blake L. who tells us of his yearly trip to a football game with his grandparents, and the second is Tracey S. who re-lives Thanksgiving Day 2008 when Texas A&M played Texas.

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Guest writer Blake L with his twin brother Scott posing with a member of the Corp of Cadets before a football game a few years ago.

Gig Em

"Every year, Poppy and Gammy take Scott and I to a Texas A&M Football game. This year we attended the Texas Tech vs. A&M game. Poppy and Gam picked us up bright and early at 5:30. (The game was at 11:30.) We made it to College Station in no time with Poppy's Daytona-like driving. Once we entered the town, the issue arose of what street we should turn on to get to the stadium. We ended turning on the right street, which led us to our parking lot, compliments of Mr. M. Monical. There you could see the different tailgators getting ready to BBQ. It was a little chilly, but great weather for the game. We made our first stop at the Memorial Student Center (MSC). In the MSC is the cafeteria and bookstore. The MSC honors the Aggies who have given their life in the different US wars and conflicts. As well, it honors the Aggies who are currently serving in the US military. Mine and Scott's attention was drawn to the bookstore. Any type of Aggie merchandise is sold there. Scott and I both bought a t-shirt. Next, we ate in the cafeteria. In years past, we've eaten in the BBQ line. However, lunch is served at 11:00, and we were there at 10:00. Instead of BBQ, we ate a tasty breakfest burrito. After eating the burrito, we decided to go watch the team march in, but I didn't know that the team had already marched in. So, I led Gammy and Poppy across the campus. Somehow, I managed to lead Gammy and Poppy to the Corp's dorm area. All the Corp members were lining up in their individual groups. It was quite interesting. After walking all that way, Poppy decided to ask when the team would march in. We found out that the team had marched in an hour earlier, but the Corp was going to march in in 15 minutes. So, we found a good spot along to watch them. They were led through the street by the The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band. It was amazing to see the number of men and women who are in the Corp. After 10 minutes of watching, we decided to head towards the stadium. Our seats were awesome. They were right on the 50 yard line. Sadly we watched the Aggies lose 43-25. The experience was awesome and I 'm looking forward to next year."

Thanks Blake for the wonderful re-cap of your experience on campus this year!

I get completely mesmerized by the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band. I could watch them for hours.

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Tracey's writing talents are on display as she captures the Texas A&M vs. Texas game in poetic fashion.

Brody & Kavan - Bill & Tracey's Boyz

Bill & the Boyz grilling chicken for Thanksgiving & for the big game

Thanksgiving Day
With the Spurgeon’s
GIG ‘EM AGGIES

Twas Thanksgiving day
at the Spurgeon household.
Where the grill was warm
and the beer was cold.

The food non-traditional,
Pasta salad and Wings.
The conversation was "AGGIES"
among other things.

Brody wanted a jersey
Burnt orange for U.T..
You can imagine the response
he got from his daddy!

So everyone dressed
in AGGIE attire.
Game time approached
And the excitement got higher.

The boys played ball
On our backyard field,
While the chicken got cooked
And the potatoes got peeled.

1st quarter...there’s hope,
The AGGIES could win!!!
2nd quarter…it’s over,
The cuss words begin.

Brody in maroon
Flashes the “hook ‘em” sign,
Kavan’s getting grumpy,
The day is starting to decline.

3rd quarter…28 – 3
Boys are out…
Sound asleep…
Then Bill begins to SHOUT!

“Tackle ‘em AGGIES
Where have you been ---?
Just go ahead AGGIES
Let ‘em win”.

4th quarter…
’Nuff said
Diehard AGGIE fans
Are ready for bed.

The clock is still running,
There’s still time.
Even though the score is
49-9.

Game over….
No close call
But there’s always next year.
For AGGIE football!!

So from the Spurgeons
Aggie Fans with no shame….
Happy Thanksgiving to All
And to All good game….

tailgating in the backyard

This is truly one of the most hilarious things I've seen. Kavan went to Build-A-Bear and selected a longhorn for the stuffed animal and dressed it in Aggie attire! Give the little guy a break! He's only 2!

Their team may not have won but I'd say the BBQ chicken drumsticks are BIG winners! How delicious do they look??

His stuffed animal may be of the wrong breed, but I'd say he makes up for it with the house shoes!

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Thanks again and AWESOME job to Blake L and Tracey S for writing your Texas A&M stories.

There isn't a bowl game to promote for the Aggies this year, but we'll be waiting because we all know that when the Wreckin' Crew makes it back, they'll be back big and with a vengeance!