Business leaders often struggle to define corporate culture. The right culture is elusive and fragile, and if it’s not a carefully protected part of what you’re about every day you can lose it. This weekend I got a lesson in organizational culture I’ll never forget. I went to my first football game at Texas A&M University.
These guys get it.
This weekend the Aggies played their first game as newest members of the mighty Southeastern Conference. The University of Florida Gators had come to town, and although their last season had been a disappointment, Florida was only a few seasons removed from its dominant run of two national championships in three years. The Gators represented SEC royalty, and they had been picked to travel to Aggieland so A&M’s inaugural conference game could be played at home. This was to be an epic game, the dawn of a new era at A&M on college football’s biggest stage.
The game had been sold out almost since the more-than 83,000 tickets were printed. Saturday broke crisp and electric, the weather gorgeous and the energy palpable. The city was awash in maroon and RVs had been parked for days. History was being made, and everyone within 5 miles of historic Kyle Field felt it.
Into this other world walked about 5,000 Gator fans. 
My son and I were among them. We wore our Gator jerseys and our orange and blue hats. We steeled ourselves for the harsh and sometimes insulting epithets to which we had become accustomed in less hospitable environs, places where foreigners are often considered fair game and common expectations of decency often suspended on game-day afternoons. As we emerged from our car and into the maroon milieu we thought we had prepared ourselves for anything. We were wrong. We weren’t prepared for the one thing we found.
Genuine friendliness and hospitality. It was pervasive and natural.
It was a culture.
People smiled at us and welcomed us to the campus. They thanked us for “letting them into our conference”. They wished us luck before the game, and after a Gator win they congratulated us with sincerity. Members of the famed Aggie Corps of Cadets posed for photos with enemy Gator combatants. People offered directions when we appeared lost, waited so we could go before them at every queue, and let us know that they were glad we had come to the game.
It was a remarkable experience, and as the day wore on I realized that I was witnessing perhaps the most pervasive positive culture I had ever seen. Sure, to a person they were passionate about the Aggies. But at their core, they were just as passionate about being polite hosts and friendly neighbors. They were welcoming us to their home, and it was important to them that we had a great experience.
Understand, I’m not talking just about elderly and statesmanlike alumni. I’m talking about students, and parking lot attendants and concessionaires and ushers and every single person who’d paid god-knows how much for the chance to see their beloved Aggies win their first game in America’s premier football conference.
That kind of culture doesn’t just happen. It’s built, and it’s nourished. It’s taught and it’s passed on. Ultimately it becomes part of the fabric that makes up what and who you are. And the Aggies have it. In spades.
My hat’s off to Texas A&M University and the Aggie nation. On a beautiful Saturday afternoon you showed me what culture is all about. Well done.
Business is tough. Hang in. If we can help you, just let us know.
Jeff Whittle is Managing Director of Cogris Consulting, and the President of The Alternative Board – Metro Dallas. We kick around business issues regularly on this blog, and on his Twitter account. You can follow him @jeffwhittletx, and be sure to check out our Facebook page.
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Thanks for the write up! Your fans were equally as polite. It’s easy to be pleasant to pleasant people.
What a nice compliment! Thank you for your kind words. They were meaningful and heartfelt! I have a son in the Corps, and we were there this weekend to witness this history in the making, and I would agree that you Florida fans were just as kind to us Aggies fans!
I didn’t get to go to this game but you captured Aggieland in it’s truest form! Aggie game days are something special and I’m glad to hear you had an awesome experience. Having lived in Huntsville, AL for two years before coming back to Dallas, I got an excellent “schooling” on the SEC and I can humbly say we are honored to be a part of the SEC family. Gig ‘Em Aggies!
Gig’em!!
Hey Jessie! Reading the same articles?
Trying to manage in today’s culture in America is a challenge; and being a Texas Aggie and raised in that culture has a specific set of morals and expectations that one lives by and manages with….to read this experience framed in a business sense is refreshing! Thank you for tying together the big picture of how business cultures can be improved in so many ways by the light of positivity – the Aggie Spirit….God Bless You! Whoop!
This makes me very proud to call myself an Aggie! I wasn’t able to make it to College Station for the game this past weekend; but what you described here is what drew me to A&M back in high school! This also makes me even more excited to be a member of the SEC!
Thank you so much for words about our world. We talked to really nice Gators——-we enjoyed Saturday so much——wish the score had been different—–come again anytime—–glad to know we made you feel welcome
I was very impressed with the gator fans I met. Just about invited us to come stay with them when we come down there. I think these two schools just have a lot in common.
Glad y’all had a great time, and everything you wrote is spot-on about the Ags. We have a saying about the Aggie Spirit that “from the outside looking in you can’t understand it, from the inside looking out you can’t explain it,” but it looks like you got a pretty good idea from your visit. Thanks and Gig ‘Em
You are probably just too young to remember the game in 99 so I will forgive you. Everything is about what you put into it. Act like a thug be treated like one. Act like a man be treated like one.
Thank you for your kind words. I was one of the many Aggies welcoming Gators to Kyle Field. As Terri said above, it’s easy to be pleasant to pleasant people. One of my seatmate Aggie friends graduated from Florida so she wore her Gator cap & an Aggie shirt celebrating her husband’s school. We are celebrating being part of the great SEC! Gig ’emAggies!
Wow! Thank you for the kind words! This makes me a proud Aggie for sure and excited for what is to come being a part the SEC! Also, good game and congrats on the win!
I have no hard feelings towards the Aggies, but if you had come to Kyle Field for a game against Texas wearing burnt orange then you would have had the complete opposite experience.
LonghornFan….No offense but maybe the reason you didn’t get the same reaction is due to the way your fans have conducted themselves at Kyle. I realized not all tu fans act this way, but the majority of your fans don’t conduct themselves in a respectful manner. It’s kind of like my old football coach told us when we scored a touchdown…”act like you’ve been there before”!
Agreed, most t.u. fans come drunk and obnoxious to games whether its Kyle Field or Royal Stadium.
TMelder, you sound like a Junction Boy. Gig’Em.
Longhorn fan, I live in Austin and love many a Longhorn. Our school cultures are very different. I do believe that TMelder has a valid point.
Agreed!
Please… This come from the school who likes to fling poo at the Texas Band?
Ignore trolls (even if they have horns) and don’t allow them to ruin such a positve, inspiring article. It is a proven fact that trolls can’t survive without replies, they go elsewhere for attention.
As far as the article, I am proud to be at this game, and the ’04 Clemson game – both had inspiring write ups about the A&M gameday atmosphere and hospitality. As ambassadors and fans, it is our responsibility to represent the values of our school, and unconditionally support our team.
I am glad that we did that for the most part, but I am disappointed that there were boos during some of the injury timeouts. Questionable or not – someone goes down, you say a little prayer, someone gets up – you clap – there is no other acceptable response.
We’re the same way to all teasips on campus. All those except you, of course.
@LonghornFan: Isn’t it funny how a lack of respect begets a lack of respect? Or vice versa? The truth of it is, whether the burnt orange faithful want to admit it or not, most fans visiting A&M seem to come away with a positive experience. That’s not to say that if you like a jackass, you won’t be treated like a jackass. Texas fans might want to apply a little introspective.
So glad you won’t have to burden yourself anymore….
Yet you felt like you needed to make a disparaging remark about A&M on an article solely about A&M. Why do soo many formal rivals feel the need to the run Aggies down when we no longer play each other. It’s honestly makes y’all look like a crazy ex that can’t let go. We have. I suggest you do as well.
And thanks for the kind words in your blog.
Longhorn Fan… did you ever go to a game at Kyle Field?
Sure…. there are a few knuckleheads in every fan base, but I doubt you can say with honesty you were treated poorly (unless you were asking for it with your actions).
Gig’Em Maroon Blood ’47, ’78, ’05, ’13
Didn’t take long for a longhorn to show up and talk some trash out of the side of his mouth. I was at the game and there was in fact a longhorn there wearing burnt orange. At the end of the game he walked by a crowd of Ags with his horns up shouting “welcome to the SEC” and laughing. Didn’t hear any taunting or vitriol from the Ags there, just a lot of heads shaking in disbelief.
I had a similar expierence. Sat behind a sip that came with his Dad. Taunted us the whole second half and made remarks about what a joke we were and the SEC was going to own us. Joke was this – EVERY Gator fan I met and had a chance to talk to/have a beer with/ talk football were all great fans. Not one taunt or snide comment from the folks that actually beat us. Thanks sips….stay classy.
Oh and thank you for the blog sir, it made me proud to read about your trip.
Come back and see us, your fans travel great.
I was at the Aggie-Kstate Big 12 championship in ’99, which we won in 4 OT’s. It was in St.Lous, with about 20 times more KState fans than Aggies. Walking out after the game, all I heard was ‘good game’ and ‘what a great band’ from all the KStaters. They knew class when they say it. I also, was a freshman in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band in 1965 when we played tu in Austin on Thanksgiving. We lost, of course, as that was during the height of Vietnam, and most of the Aggies were in the Corps of Cadets, preparing to serve their country in the military. As we marched out of the stands, 80,000 teasips chanted ” Poor Aggies”. I will never forget it, and the taste is still as bad as it was those 47 years ago!!
Thank you for commenting on something that has nothing to do with you or the Longhorns.
Longhorn fan….Really?
I would have to agree with this, and I’m not even a Texas fan. I’ve been to Kyle field for the Texas Tech game, Kansas State, OU, OSU, and the Texas games. I went to Kansas but my family went to A&M so I go to a lot of games with them. I’ve been appalled by the behavior and disrespect shown by most aggies (including my own family). I’m happy to see that they decided to be gracious hosts for the Gators, but this is not generally how they behave, at least not in the Big12. Maybe they’re actually trying to make friends in the SEC, but I don’t see it lasting too long. After all, their hostility and lack of respect is what makes Kyle Field one of the most hostile arenas in college football.
Horse hockey. This isn’t the 1st article that’s been written about the congeniality of Aggies. We actually take a certain pride in ensuring we treat visitors with respect. If you act like a jerk you’ll be treated accordingly. We are nice… not door matts.
I disagree with this, it is not hostility that makes this a hard stadium to play in, its the spirit. Aggies are far from hostile, we go out of our way to be gracious hosts. (this is just a general statement of course you cannot say that every fan is like this). And I’m from Austin, I was a long horn my entire life until I came to school at A&M.
Big12fan: Good comment you had a lot of people believing you were serious. Really had them going there. Nobody could be stupid enough to post this knowing there are hundreds of thousands of Big 12 fans who know it to be idiocy who would just call him a moron. So I will take the postive assumption and believe you to be a comedian. As an Arkansas grad whose been to a few games at Kyle I can basically ditto the article. As can many Iowa State and OSU folks I know.
Totally disagree. I too went to Kansas and live in Houston. Last year I had Aggie season tickets as my son was living in College Station. Tis article is right on the money. Bathe Aggies have a spirit and culture that is amazing to me, and something that I have never seen on a college campus. It’s taught from Fish Camp that Aggies are different and that difference is pride, humility, honor, integrity and compassion for others. I have worn my Jayhawk crimson and blue to several games and have always been treated with nothing but kindness, enthusiasm and at Aggie spirit. While my allegiance lies with the Hawks, I wish more people could witness the Aggie experience.
Wow, this must be a joke because I received some of the most ingratiating complements as an Aggie (current and former student). I have never heard Aggies chant “poor longhorns,” “poor jay hawks” or anything of the like and I’ve been to most every A&M game for the last 12 years. The reason I know you are full of bull is no one I know would EVER be rude to a Kansas fan. I’m sorry to hear about your concern though.
Big12fan – Do you say this because you are upset we left the Big12? What you say is completely false and I have NEVER experienced or heard from a credible source any of what you claim,.
I’m sorry about your experience with your family of Aggies. They don’t sound like the Aggies I know. Maybe their behavior was learned at home (since it seems to be a behavior shared by the whole family) and not from their time at A&M.
Was about to say the same thing LonghornFan…and lord help you if you accidently walked on the Corps Parade Field…the beat down would have commenced…
That would be the Joe T. Haney Drill Field. Its considered the most disrespectful thing you can do to the band since like the MSC, it is a living memorial. It’s kind of obvious we don’t want others on it considering that THE WHOLE THING IS ROPED OFF.
Anyway, we were glad to host the Gators, and every fan I met was nothing less than congenial and respectful in every way. Reminded me of when we went to OU, and yes, that’s a compliment. Gig ‘Em!
I’m sorry you had that experience LonghornFan, but you should know that a great many of us feel the same way about UT and treating them the way this gentleman feels he was treated. My entire family are UT alum (I’m the black sheep!) and they often spoke well about their experiences at A&M (and they came to EVERY A&M vs. UT game). Notably, when I was a freshman they treated me to breakfast and left their Longhorn gear at the table while we grabbed some food. My cousin asked “shouldn’t we be worried that our burnt orange stuff is here? Won’t it get stolen?” My uncle replied, “not here.”
Certainly, in a school with 50,000 undergraduates not every person is going to be an exemplar of good manners, and I’m sorry you’ve seemingly experienced interactions with only those folks. But personally, I never witnessed a Longhorn being treated the way you said you were.
Jeff, I’m so glad you were impressed. I would have expected no less, and am happy it was a great game (even if I couldn’t be there)!
Sorry you feel that way LonghornFan…and being an Aggie and attending a good number of A&M – UT games, I can’t say that I would agree with you. I have numerous longhorn friends and I’m sad to see the rivalry go. If the UT AD ever decides to play us again, I hope you come to Kyle to see how we treat our oppentent’s fans.
Loved the article by the way, and even though we came up short, my degree from Texas A&M is one of my most cherished possessions…and my time spent on campus, the friends I made and coming back to see our fans welcome in the Gators only validates this article.
Thanks, and gig ’em!
Yes, pretty much the same rotten experience I got when I went to a game in Austin wearing my maroon Aggie clothing.
Don’t let LonghornFan fool you. The experience would not have been anywhere near as nice had the game been in Austin against your Gators. They’ve built their culture based on arrogance and have honed it to a fine art. That level of arrogance brings with it a level of hatred and disdain for others.
LonghornFan- your statement is absolutely untrue. Short of a few bad apples, you would have had a similar experience in Aggieland.
Yep, it’s not about the longhorns anymore…and like they said before, it’s easy to be pleasant to pleasant people…Gig ’em!
Yeah…no you wouldn’t. Aggies are polite no matter who you are.
No, Aggies are absolutely NOT polite no matter who you are. We have experienced their hatefulness time and time again.
Have you seen the billboards they have placed all over the place? Polite, I think not!!
…typical response from a longhorn…never do they have anything good to say. That’s okay, we’ll be the polite ones that represent Texas the way “most” Texans want to be represented. longhorn fan, I think your post
represented your school perfectly…well done.
And a typical response from an Aggie, always trashing others, but God forbid anyone say negative about A&M. That right there tells all!
This is totally incorrect. Texas fans are treated with respect unless they become obnoxious and drunk, which is normally the case. I’m glad we left their sorry a$$ in their minor league.
i was at the A&M-tu game last year–tremendous game in which the Ags lost. However, I did not hear one Aggie being a jerk to a Horn fan or vice versa. Sometimes people bring bad things to themselves by the way they act. Maybe it was all about you LonghornFan. BTW–I was at a big tailgate tent before and after that game and we had several tu fans stop in to visit and snack. Hopefully if the series ever restarts, you will have a better experience at Kyle Field.
Are you kidding? TU? Bitter much?
I believe we all experience the thrill of “rivelry” however, it is how we react to it. I must say we have all at one point or another had someone act inappropriately at said functions. Whether it be an Aggie or a Longhorn. I have to say that I have been at many games and never seen a negative word between the fans(ones that were meant to be hateful or vengeful) and I have attended several where I have experienced some horrible judge of character. With this said Longhorn fan remember the road travels both ways. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones! I am saddened that we can not enjoy the rivalry without doing or saying horrible things to or about the opponent! I must say I enjoyed visiting with all the Gator fans the same as I always enjoyed visiting with the Big 12 fans! Gig’em Aggies!!
The problem is that LonghornFan is just a fan. Most of the people who actually went to the school in Austin hold themselves to a higher standard. The main problems come from fans who never could get the SAT scores to go to their choice of school. I hold respect for most ‘horns and remember that many of them came to CS when we had the first bonfire memorial. It was raining and cold any they were there at 2 a.m. in droves. The fans stayed home. Seriously, play nice or pay the price. And quit making the people who actually went to school in Austin look bad. They do not appreciate your lack of class.
Gig ’em and thanks for the article.
tu fans are called TeaSippers here at Aggieland (and many other schools) because their arrogance and disrespect for anyone but themselves emanates from many of their fanbase. There are certainly good people there, but the lack of humility from most is hard to love. They come to their home games and many leave after halftime. It is a different attitude and loyalty that Aggies share. A philosophical difference. I wanted to go to tu because of this aristocractic reputation, but thank my parents every day since for putting me into A&M.
The traditions, loyalty, brotherhood, compassion and intellect coming from A&M is second to none. Wearing my Aggie ring (we have only one to choose from which is recognized by ALL in Texas) is a sign to all of the fabric you are bred from and has helped me professionally my whole career. I can honestly say that no other college, at least in Texas, has anything like this.
Thanks to all my fellow Aggies, and I am sorry if I have offended any of the “good” teasippers.
Your comment was expected, part of your culture to get things wrong.The divorce was due. You ever had your 7 yr old daughter cursed sitting your stands ,,never mind what happens to me when I was there. I quit going to austin , I think 98 was the last time. Maybe by the time in the far future longhorns will learn 1st grade manners.
As a former student, Class of ’94, I would like to thank you for your understanding of what it is to be an Aggie.
I missed this game since I have been out of work for a while, but your story made me realize that I am always home. Maybe the next time Florida plays in Aggieland, I can buy you a beer.
Best of luck to the Gators this year.
Glad we were able to share the greatest aspects of Aggieland with one of newest family members. Glad you had a great experience!
Gig ‘Em Aggies!
Jeff, as a 2nd generation Aggie, son of an Aggie football player and former cadet of The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets, I am humbled and grateful for your article. We are honored to share our culture and heritage. Your are correct in that it is something passed through generations. As I read through your article, I was glad to see that we are living out what we were taught and I was reminded of how many of us learned to act that way. This is where I learned it anyway…
Colossians 4:6 MSG
5-6 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don’t miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.
Thanks again, Jeff!
Gig’em and God Bless,
Tim Nichols, ’96
Great post. If only the culture and spirit could be applicable to more important things…like social issues.
http://www.thebatt.com/news/broken-traditions-1.1310585#.UE4QdqT9NiY
I am proud of the fact that Aggieland is one of the most conservative schools in the nation. I wonder if that has anything to do with the orginal premise of this blog?
Texas A&M isn’t against the Gay community as much as you say. We are conservative, but we’re also friendly towards everyone. That’s not to say there aren’t some bad apples out there that are hostile towards people who are different.
I don’t believe political views are the same as respecting a shared humanity or cohesion of corporate culture, for that matter. And he didn’t say anything, the actual LGBT community of Texas A&M said they feel unsafe. I went to A&M for undergrad and received a fair amount of homophobic remarks. The intention is not to politicize the issue, but to underline that Aggies have a good sense of sportsmanship that unfortunately does not transcend to the population’s hetero-normative culture off the field.
I loved reading this. As a former student and one who was on campus Saturday, this is a wonderful article about the feel of Aggieland. I’m proud to be a part of it, and glad you could come.
here we go again, another longhorn/big 12’er coming in to claim how terrible of a school, fans, etc that A&M is. Like someone else said above, “It’s easy to be nice to pleasant people.”
Thanks for the kind words about the school I love. Very glad to see and hear most Gators truly enjoyed interacting with A&M and dismayed ya’ll left with the win. We will return the favor =P
Glad you had a good time! Thanks for coming out!
Yep, you encapsulated us Aggies quite neatly. We can be a quirky bunch, and we’re not perfect–no human culture, corporate or otherwise,is–but being an Aggie is not merely a college choice, it is a life attachment to a way of thinking and behaving. And it seems to work. Gig ‘Em!
That’s great that A&M treated Gator fans so wonderfully; maybe Gator fans should take it as a lesson and do that same. I’m an LSU fan who has been to every SEC stadium at least once for games and was treated the worst at Florida. We had stuff thrown at us and in bars that we went to before the game, we sometimes weren’t served b/c we were wearing LSU stuff; didn’t make a difference that we were there to spend money and help the Florida tourism industry. I swore I’d never go back. There are obnoxious and rude fans from every school, but that’s not always the majority. When my group has tailgating parties on LSU gameday, we welcome visitors to our party, we give away food and alcohol since we have so much of it and since it’s too hard for visitors bring in all that stuff. If you’re going to talk badly about another school, look at your own ‘CULTURE’.
I have to agree with you. I was a victim of a few disrespectful remarks by Florida fans at the game Saturday, nothing over the top but having been to A&M games for the past 4 years, I have never been taunted at a home game by the opposing teams fans.
First of all, he didn’t speak badly about another school, nor did he compare the culture at A&M to that at Florida. In fact, the name of the article explains that he considered it a LESSON, meaning that he doesn’t see the same treatment being extended in Gatorland. It is lovely that you are a gracious host at LSU home games and I’m sure that some Gator tailgaters in Gainesville are equally as generous, but the same cannot be said for the general atmosphere in either location (or most of the SEC schools) when it comes to opposing fans. I wish that ALL schools would take a lesson from the Aggies. (Btw, I am not an Aggie)
Thank You for writing this piece. There is so much more to being an Aggie than winning a football game, and I am glad you got a glimpse of that. We are very excited to be in the SEC! Gig’Em!
Thanks so much! Proud to be an Aggie!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write up this story. While I am not surprised of your experience I am ever so thankful you let us know about it. Typically it seems we are picked on or put down. Aggies are not angels but being a statesman and having integrity is emphasized at A&M. I’m sorry that “LonghornFan” has had negative experiences while at Kyle Field. However you must be open to having a good time there when you go. Gig’em and thanks again!
Glad you had such a nice time, but Coach Muschamp said it best after the game “it’s a great feeling to send this crowd home disappointed”. Just make sure you don’t start your own network!
Coach Muschamp was just showing off his poor sportsmanship. Most coaches would have said something like, “The Aggies played a great game today” or “They have a lot of good players on their team and a great future ahead of them”. Instead, making a stupid comment like “These are statement games. You come out here in this environment and to be able to disappoint these people is a lot of fun” just made him look like a classless clown. Of course, we know where his roots are, don’t we.
Funny how Muschamp comes from tu. I hope he doesn’t spread this type of classless sportsmanship amongst his team or his school. I expect more from a class institutions like UF.
What a typical attitude from a longhorn. You can’t stand it if anybody says anything nice about A&M. You can’t stand it if the attention is not on Texas. So, you must come up with something rude to say. Congratulations. You have aptly shown the difference between our schools.
Muschamp did learn something while he was at tu then didn’t he. How to be arrogant when you should be gracious.
I beg to differ longhornfan. The 12thMan has always been a very hospitable and friendly fan group, it is a shame that many longhorns could not look past their own arrogance to see all the good Aggies possess. As an Oklahoma fan I have always enjoyed my times with Aggies and will truly miss having them as an conference member. Good luck in the SEC ags, I see great things coming from this new team. Boomer Sooner and Gig’em!
Clearly you aren’t around Aggies enough! I am not a Longhorn fan, but live in Texas and have never been treated more poorly than a group like the Aggies. If they are so welcoming, why in the world do they not let any cheerleaders or band from the opposing team on their field?
What are you talking about? No cheerleaders and band makes us bad? Opposing bands march on the field all the time. This has to be a troll. Aggies are some of the most polite and hospitable fans in the nation.
You seem to have never actually been to a game in College Station. Every away team that brings a band takes the field at halftime. And of course the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band wins the halftime show. As for cheerleaders their place is on the track near their own fans. Why would they need to be on the field? That makes no sense at all. Our Yell Leaders aren’t on the field either. You should visit College Station on a game day and actually speak with students about the customs. I’m sure they’d be happy to talk with you.
You sir, are very misinformed. I have been a season ticket holder at A&M since 1998. Any time an opposing teams band has brought their full band and wishes to have time during half time to perfrom they do so. If we do not allow other people’s bands on the field how do you explain last year against t.u. when the Texas band spelled out “Thanks ATM” on the field. I have pictures to prove it. You have this image built up about A&M that you clearly have fabricated in your mind and there is no truth in it.
I am not telling you that your experiences did not happen, but maybe you should take a long look at the company you keep. If you surround yourself with idoits, don’t be surprised when you get and idiotic reaction to situations.
Bottom Line: Every school has their knuckleheads, some have more than others. I am convinced that A&M simply has less knuckleheads that are too obnoxious for their own good. And do you know why? Other Aggies will not tolerate it. I am not an “old ag” but I do not hesitate to call out one of my own brothers when they act like a fool. This is my school and I refuse to let it be tarnished by a drunk person with a loud mouth.
Gig ‘Em Ags, Class of 2008
I’m not sure what field you’re talking about. If you’re talking about Kyle Field, you are mistaken. Bands from many schools have marched on Kyle Field. Florida’s cheer team even ran their flags across Kyle last Saturday. I was a member of the Aggie Band. If you have questions about that, you can ask me. I’ve seen Baylor’s Golden Wave band perform on Kyle from the end zone as I waited as part of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band for our turn on the field. And let me tell you, the Band sure does love your baton twirlers.
Bill,
If you are talking about Kyle Field, you’re wrong. If you are talking about the Band’s drill field, then yes, you can’t walk on it- not even Aggies who aren’t in the band can walk on it! It’s about respect and honoring the tradition and the work it takes to become a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. Get over yourself.
That’s kind of a silly question. You must not watch the games, as the opposing team’s band and cheerleaders are always on the field at halftime. The thing that mystifies me is the rudeness of fans from other schools that like to go into the MEMORIAL Student Center with their hats on, just to be disrespectful. This is a a memorial to the war dead. We ask that men remove cover as a sign of respect for those that gave their lives for our country. To wear your hat on purpose is disrespectful to the war dead, not Aggies.
As always, we assume you either didn’t see the sign or forgot in the few seconds it took for you to open the door and enter. Any Aggie will step up and mention our tradition. Most people remove their hats immediately, but some are trying to start a fight. How immature. (sigh)
While we were in the Big 12, we were always treated with a lot of respect from the OU fans. I think I will miss going up to Norman.
Agreed. Living in OKC now and I was treated very kindly at several tailgates last year when the Ags came to Norman.
I truly wish I could have experienced the same respect in Norman as you did. I went to the A&M game in Norman last year as a freshman so it was my first college away game experience and I was appalled at the level of disrespect shown by the OU fans. I have never felt more unwelcome in my life and even after the game several belligerently drunk grown men went out of their way just to taunt me about A&M leaving the big 12. Needless to say, had I known beforehand the treatment I would receive for simply wearing maroon I would not have made the trip to Norman. Having only attended games in College Station I never even considered it being socially acceptable to treat visitors so rudely.
Thanks Pat…most of my experiences with OU has also been great!
Gig Em Ags and Boomer Sooner!
Whoop! Thank you for posting this. I’m definitely part of the Aggie family as well as my OWN Aggie Family (3rd generation, graduate #6 out of 7 so far). Just makes me proud to know that you and your son were treated with respect and had a pleasant experience down in Aggieland. 🙂
So would the Gator Fan if he had visited tu.
I can assure you that Longhorn Fan and is ilk probably instigated something as otherwise that does not happen. Been going to A&M/t.u. games for thirty years and I have never seen any ill will towards a Longhorn.
The jealousy of the Longhorns is so thick you could cut it with a knife.
Enjoy the Little 10 conference fellas!
Not a Longhorn fan, but we are absolutely going to love our conference without A&M! Time for some classy schools. Enjoy the SEC!
Lololol, Tech is “classy”?
Sorry, I couldn’t resist. 😛
Bill, do you not have a job or something more important to do than to make bitter remarks on everyone’s posts? Your name has shown up far too many times for you to be employed, a student, or simply a productive member of society. Clearly the Aggies have moved on and you should do the same. More importantly, show some class whether you feel you get it in return.
76-37-5. Trust me…we’re really not jealous.
Then why are you posting here?
I beg to differ with the longhornfan…I have been to many games against tu and it has always been civil. The spirit is large but never a true insult toward either team. I do feel there are those that will find fault in anything they are unhappy about. Thanks for all the kind words and Good Luck to Dear OL’Ags!
I was equally pleased with the Florida Gators fans. We had two Gators sitting behind my family on the Alumni side of Kyle Field. They were not obnoxious. They were not rude. They cheered for their team and let us cheer for ours. That kind of behavior does not always happen, but it’s so much more pleasant when it does. I’ve experienced fans from other teams who tell us to “be quiet” at our stadium, or who get into yelling fights over a call the referee made. Fans like that put everyone on edge and ruin the experience. I do like to think of fans from other schools as our guests, and I feel privileged to share even a little taste of the Aggie traditions, spirit, and hospitality with them. I’m happy to do it. I was a member of the Corps and the famous Aggie Band. I am a Keeper of the Spirit and a Guardian of Tradition in my very core, and there’s nothing I love more than sharing my school with others. Fans from other teams need to remember that they are our guests and to conduct themselves properly. All of the Gator fans that I met this weekend were very respectful guests to our school and our stadium. I wish all fans were as nice as that. I would applaud Florida on the culture that they’ve instilled at their school and in their fans. I would say that they’ve got it right as well.
Hey Jeff,
Aggies have a saying, “From the outside looking in, you can’t understand it. From the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.”
You just explained Texas A&M better than anything else I’ve read. Thank you.
Typical burnt orange sour grapes….. This isn’t the first article saying this about A&M students and alumni while at home or away. It’s hard for tu to maintain to any culture because they are just fans. Fans buy t-shirts after they get that A.A. from ACC (Austin Community College) because alumni in Austin think competitive sports are fascist and demoralizing.
You don’t realize they value of this passionate, polite and decent environment till you attend another university that only embraces booze, frats and hook ups on mom’s weekend. Like Moscow…..
Just an observation: I have not read any articles written about the Aggies joining the SEC that did not have longhorn fans making negative comments about the Aggies. It truly appears they are obsessed with trying to build themselves up by putting the Aggies down. For the record I am not an Aggie.
As a current A&M student but FSU alumni, I was very proud of how gracious A&M was to the gators. My experiences with gator fans have included having trash thrown at our marching band, being cussed out while sitting in the football player family section at away FSU vs UF games, having things thrown at me from cars while walking down the street in mandatory FSU gear while at track meets, taking hours to be served in Gainesville when we went out for team dinners after meets, and being flipped off I don’t know how many times, repeatedly being insulted by gator fans anywhere in the state when I was wearing FSU gear. No wonder Gator fans were surprised to find genuine hospitality at A&M…
What a wonderful article. As an aggie, and college station resident, I can truly say I LOVE this community. So much so, that after graduation 15 years ago, my husband and I just couldnt bear to leave it. So we didnt. Glad you enjoyed your time here.
Blessings,
The Suels
Thank you so much for this amazing article! It means a lot to myself and other Aggies out there!
– Tori Johnson, Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of ’05
Clearly, you weren’t a minority. If so, things would’ve been very different. As a Texas alum, experiences at Kyle Field weren’t so “great” with the racial slurs and countless fight attempts by grown men. I guess I forget that they’re supposed to be the ones with class and honor.
Excuse me? I highly doubt any of what you recount. Typical sip bs coming onto an article, not even about them and talking trash. GET ON WITH YOUR LIVES!
This is one of the biggest problems I have with people trashing A&M’s reputation. Just a little bit of news for you, I work with college students in San Antonio (a LARGE percentage of which are minority students). I can’t tell you how many have said they had great experiences at A&M and poor experiences in Austin when they too had these biased ideas of the friendliness/acceptance of students of color on the two campuses.
There are good and bad people at every school. Quit trying to make broad generalizations to make yourself feel better.
The Aggie Spirit is infinite.
But more importantly our fellow SEC Gators will forever be welcomed in Aggieland. With fans like yours who were equally respectful and kind, our difficult road ahead has been made a little more bright. Thank you Jeff for your kind words they mean more than you’ll ever know.
Thanks for the kind words and I am glad you had a pleasant visit to our campus. Our SEC visitors were prepared for a negative experience and were met with friendliness. What would they have experienced in Austin, LonghornFan?
My experience was similar as the one expressed in the article. Went to the game with 5 Gator couples and had only positive feedback from everyone we met. A family took us to the firing of the cannon before the game which was followed by the band and cadets. Was probably explained from at least a dozen different Aggie fans about the history of this pregame ritual and enjoyed each ones interpretation. We were included in BBQ as we walked through the tailgate area. Thanks to all the good people in College Station. Please come to Gainesville and expect us back in the future.
Thanks for sharing UFG8Rs…Our door is always open to all and glad you walked through it. I plan to come to a UF game and look forward to bringing our spirit there!
My wife and I are life-long (multi-generational) Longhorn fans. Our daughter was interested in the business honors program at Texas and we encouraged her to “at least look at A&M”. But after two trips to College Station it was no contest. The culture at the UT business school and the University of Texas as a whole was not even in the same league with A&M’s. I really couldn’t believe how impressed I was with A&M. They are delivering what others just talk about.
Thanks for sharing Robert!
Gig Em and Hook em!
Longhorn fans show up at Kyle Field with their “hook’em” horns in your face, their sneering noses looking down on you, insults flying about what an inferior school they think A&M is, and in unison, by the 2nd quarter they start yelling “poooooooooorrrrr Aggies!” As mentioned earlier, it’s easy to be pleasant to pleasant people, and to show good manners to people who practice good manners. See why A&M is just a better cultural fit in the SEC?
Longhorns scream “Pooooooor Aggies” over and over. UF fans were screaming “It’s great to be a Gator” over and over.
That there sums up the difference!
Thanks for your participation Gators! You are always welcome!
I love this post! It’s great…to be…a Florida GATOR…and in the SEC family. Welcome Aggies.
Jeff Whittle (from phone) TAB Metro Dallas 214.240.6787 http://www..TABMetroDallas.com @jeffwhittletx
Wow. This blog post gave me goosebumps! I’m thrilled that you and your son had a great experience in Aggieland. I am an Aggie Grad that went to this game and can honestly say I was blown away by the Gator fans that I met. So much so, that I, too, posted in my blog about how kind the Gators were as our visitors at sweetsassyandabitsmartassy.com. Thank you for your kind words and I hope you visit again in the future! Thanks and Gig ‘Em!
Aggie fans want desperately to be accepted by SEC fans. After a few years of being cellar dwellers, we’ll see how welcoming they are to gator fans. Will Muschamp knows better, just read his comments from after the game.
Aggie fans want desperately to be accepted by SEC fans. After a few years of being cellar dwellers, we\’ll see how welcoming they are to gator fans. Will Muschamp knows better, just read his comments from after the game.
LonghornFan, obsessed much?
Thank you for your kind words. You beautifully articulated what I love most about Texas A&M. Winning the game on Saturday would have been very nice, but after hearing about your experience I consider Saturday a win despite the outcome of the game! Congratulations on the win – we look forward to many more meetings with the Gators!
HOWDY!!!
There’s a reason Texas A&M is referred to as the Friendliest Place on Earth.
And I’m going to disagree with LonghornFan. Despite the treatment I frequently saw the Corps receive during march-ins in Austin, I cannot recall a single instance of Longhorn fans being rudely treated on campus. Blinders on my part? Perhaps. But the game day atmospheres are COMPLETELY different in College Station and Austin.
I also attended the game Saturday with 16 other members of GatorNation ranging in age from 24-70+. Jeff’s experiences were exactly the same as ours. After the final whistle had blown and we were back gathered around the tailgate there was a little bit of armchair analysis of the game but the majority of the conversation was on the hospitality of EVERY aggie we encountered, including sitting in the middle of the students for mid-night yell. Thanks for a most memorable weekend and welcome to the SEC!
Great article, one thing that is significant is that we are a Family and the Ring allows us to recognize fellow Aggies anywhere we travel. ‘Nations’ don’t behave as most Aggies do and that is because of the Family that has held together through all that life and the years have dealt and we’ll be fine moving forward as The Aggie Family.
TSIP you must understand your culture and how you treat people at times rubs off. Suggest you look yourself in the mirror and contemplate a change and then you will earn the respect of others. This has not happened over time but has been instill in the students and alumni that attended TU. It certainly will take time for your culture to change.
So glad to hear that you had a great experience in Aggie Land.
However to the Longhorn Fan that posted above me….the same can be said about an Aggies’ reception in Austin.
Oh, LonghornFan, there’s no need to tarnish such a positive and uplifting post! Most of America knows about the bitter, yet celebrated, rivalry between UT and A&M. Longhorns are equally as passionate about their school as Aggies are about their own. Heck, I couldn’t graduate from high school without most every Longhorn and soon-to-be-Longhorn I knew telling me that I was inadequate and would be suffering in the A&M world of all that is “reversed”, “redneck”, “hillbilly”, and “backwards”. UT is a wonderful school that holds a lot of merit, but just because that is true doesn’t mean that A&M is still the TAMC is used to be.
Leave it to a Texas Fan to post the only negitive comment. You obviously do have some hard feelings or you wouldn’t find it necessary to comment on this wonderful article. Thank you Mr. Whittle for embracing true sportsmanship!
And leave it to aggy to butcher the spelling of negative.
Why do you think the SEC extended their invitation? Academics????? Athletics?????? It’s because aTm is located in the GREAT STATE OF TEXAS. It gives the other SEC schools an annual whipping boy and the chance to recruit the hotbed of football talent that is TEXAS.
And leave it to a Longhorn fan to misspell the team they were making fun of.
Hook ’em, first off we are a successful academic school (with one of the most consistently employable student bodies), we’re a great athletic school (maybe not on the level as your school, but still pretty dang good), and the SEC doesn’t need a whipping boy they already have Vanderbilt. And so many Texas athletes already attended SEC schools even back in the Southwest Conference days. Sorry, I just couldn’t let your argument stand. Thanks & Gig ‘Em and I’ll also add Hook’ em. (Best of luck this season, now that we’re out of there I can hope my little cousin’s team takes the conference this season.)
why was your comment even necessary? you’re just proving how arrogant you are on a subject that wasn’t even being discussed. and I’m sorry but did you have a personal conversation with the SEC as to why an invitation was extended? I didn’t think so. please take your unwanted, self righteous thoughts on A&M joining the SEC to a wonderful post about t.u.’s hospitality, if such thing exists, and hop off your high horse.
gig ’em!
Hey Hookem…I think if you look closely…A&M has beaten tu in the last 5 years of the Director’s cup (overall sports rankings, not just football) and has been in the top 10 of ALL schools in 3 of those years. I also think you should read WSJ or others that rank A&M as a better overall education then tu. In fact, A&M is the hardest school to get into in the public schools in Texas. Perhaps you should do some fact finding first?
Thanks Mr Whittle
I am a proud Aggie Former Student and have 2 children – one in the Coros of Cadets. Wr are proud of our university and also want to represent our school with grace and class. So glad you had a positive experience. I also will say your fans were rowdy but not disrespectful.
Gig ’em
Thank you so much for your kind words. My son was in the Aggie Band and you would be surprised how fans would treat them when they went to out of town games. Your description of your experience is what makes Texas A&M a great college. Thanks again
LonghornFan, What the hey? This story didn’t involve you! Why are you commenting on it? You know, I have been to a dozen or more games at your place and my wife and I were never treated as badly anywhere else as we were by your fans. You guys may not be the absolute worst, but you aren’y far from it. I don’t ever expect to ever see a story written about how glad someone was to visit your stadium or to have you come for a visit.
lol wat
Glad you were able to come to the game and experience AggieLand! It is a different world down here, something some of the former conference teams really never understood or accepted. We are thrilled to be in the SEC!!! You come back anytime!
I attended yell practice and the game in the student section wearing my Gator colors.
TAMU is a class act. Proud to stand tall with our new SEC brethren. Kudos Aggies!
I have no hard feelings towards the Longhorns, but if they had come to Kyle Field for a game against the Aggies wearing burnt orange then they would have acted like arrogant assholes the whole time and would have likely had an opposite experience from friendly Gator fans.
Whoop! Thanks Jeff for such a great description of your experience. The Aggie spirit is a wonderful thing. LonghornFan’s comment is also correct. If you were able to follow the words to The Aggie War Hymm, you would have noticed that an Aggie’s passion & desire is to “beat the hell out of tu!”. “tu” is a reference to The University of Texas, A&M’s arch rival since time began. There usually is rudeness on both sides, whether in College Station or Austin. It used to be considered that a 1-10 record at A&M would be considered a “successful” season as long as the 1 win was over Texas! I think we’re slowly moving away from that but even though A&M and Texas are now in different conferences, that match-up will always be desired annually, if for nothing more than state bragging rights. Whenever the Ags come to visit Gainsville, we hope to leave with the same positive impression. Gig ’em!
Enjoyed the Game. It was nice to see a different shade of Orange and different opposing fan attitude. We met several Gator fans, even on one from Key West! Thanks for the write up!
Thank you for your kind words. Sure makes an old Aggie feel good about our school and our traditions. Class of ’59
I am not going to be rude, but honestly come on. If they were so great and well behaved they would have stayed in the conference that they are supposed to be in, The conference with all the other Texas schools. But they got their feelings hurt and pitched a fit. This article in no way reflects that behavior. Who knows maybe they have turned over a new leaf.
This is not a new leaf. Here’s a write-up from Clemson fan who also had a great experience in Aggieland, back in 2004: http://tigerpregameshow.blogspot.com/2011/05/archive-scott-rhymer-reflects-on-texas.html
p.s. Not all Texas universities are in the “Big 12.”
thanks for posting that link…great article and further affirmation for what I already know about Texas A & M…..
Texas tried to leave for the PAC before A&M considered leaving.
It’s a honeymoon period. Just wait. Aggies are some of the most childish, insecure fans around ….
You are absolutely right!
Lol, says the sip trolls coming on here looking like children themselves. My how arrogant you all are. Go back to your little conference and play your cupcake schedule.
Not much I can add to the comments above from my fellow Ags. This is a move we have been waiting for since the early 90’s. My favorite memories are of road trips to Baton Rouge to play LSU. The SEC and its member schools exemplify the passion of A&M. And the culture of A&M is instilled in all of us (or at least 98%!). Thank you for your kind words and willingness to publicize your thoughts. We look forward to the next 100 years as proud members of the best league in NCAA sports. Gig ’em!!
Thank you for your beautiful take on A&M culture and your visit to Aggieland! Glad to have you… just sorry we didn’t pull out the win. You’re welcome back anytime!
@longhorn fan – I am going to disagree with you on that statement and I will say that when you have an obnoxious longhorn fan screaming obscenities at children and elderly I would think you would get unwelcomed response. I live in Austin and I have experience this here and my kid are 13,3 and 8 months why would you feel the need to tell kids that young the suck and are going to hell?? We’re wearing our maroon cause were proud Aggies and were not haggling them so why the need to be so stupid? Oh and I have taken my son to a UT game and had to leave because of the Longhorn fans and the horrible things that come out of there mouths during the game, and if I leave because it’s that bad then it was pretty bad!
P.S – a few years back we had midnight yell practice at the capital and a bunch of Fan parked in a parking garage. Anyone who had an A&M emblem or sticker on their cars te tires were slashed. Not just one but all!
Not a Longhorn Fan, but so sorry to hear what you’ve experienced. That is unacceptable coming from anybody no matter what team they like.
Unfortunately the same can be said for many Aggies that our family has run across. We are Baylor Fans and are constantly badmouthed and treated poorly by Aggies. We won’t even go to any sporting events against A&M due to the vulgarity that comes from the mouth of the Aggies. Like you, I refuse to expose my children to that. A&M even put billboards up here in our town making fun of Baylor. Try explaining that to your children in the car!
What is there to explain? The billboard didn’t have either A&M or Baylor on it. It just said “Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor’s Conference Deal”
Aggies are not as bad as you say they are. Isolated experiences you may have had. You may have provoked it too. We don’t have the full story. But Aggies by and far, are the better fans.
Bill,
How in the world are you comparing that billboard to telling little children they suck and are going to hell? If in your mind that is the same poor behavior, you must have some very confused children yourself. There is a huge difference between poking fun at a rivalry and threatening little kids.
The covet Conf billboard would have not appeared in Waco had Baylor not tried to stop us from leaving the Big 12. Everyone needs to let it go that we left the Big 12, we did not want to be there anymore. The SEC is better for A&M overall, the tradition filled SEC schools are better matches and will help us continue to grow our school, expand our academic excellence and become an even stronger competitor in ALL sports, not just football. This was a great post about a great experience at A&M that is the experience that anyone visiting should experience. Anyone not welcoming to our guests should be and probably are corrected for their behavior (but outsiders will probably never witness the correction). Thank you for the post and if you are just here to be a troll, I am sure you can find better things to do with your time!
Bill – You and Longhornfan seem to be about the only one’s trolling this blog posting multiple responses and posts. I have a feeling you may be one in the same.
Melissa,
Wow. Your comment brought back memories of a trip I made to Austin my freshman year to visit my best friend who was attending tu. We drove my car out one night to a country bar, and I had my Aggie sticker on the back window. When we got back to my car, the entire left side passenger door had been kicked in! I was just this little five foot tall freshman girl whose car had been kicked in by some drunk Longhorn! He didn’t even know who I was, but the fact that I was an Aggie was enough for him to damage my car! I know my story has nothing to do with this amazing write up which I thoroughly enjoyed reading, but your comment reminded me of something I haven’t thought about in years.
Jennifer, sorry about your car…honestly there are crummy fans everywhere (including Gainesville). I had no idea how widely this post was going to get circulated and had I known I would have been a little less cavalier about calling out Tennessee and LSU fans. Most of them are nice folks, but it only takes one bad one to ruin things. Sorry that happened to you.
Congrats on being an Aggie…you should be proud.
Jeff Whittle
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I disagree LonghornFan! I have seen the same great hospitality for Longhorn fans at Kyle Field. However, when fans of opposing teams show up drunk and carrying a chip on their shoulder, it can sometimes be a problem. I have witnessed bad scenes like this before in College Station AND in Austin, but I’ve seen it more in Austin. The Aggies appear to take more pride in being hospitable. In my eyes…College Station is much more inviting to opposing teams than Austin.
LonghornFan, all I’ll say about that is you reap what you sow.
Jeff, glad you enjoyed your time in Aggieland!
To Jeff W. – Thank you for relating your experience in Aggieland. This is something that is hard to explain to most people of you have captured it succinctly in your paragraphs.
To LonghornFan – Funny, sounds like a bit our sour grapes to me. Did you ever stop to think that possibly it’s YOUR attitude that is reflected back and not what is given? Frankly, I was said to see A&M leave the legacy of the old SWC but you might want to consider the that it was YOUR administration that precipitated our departure by virtue of your greed with the failing Longhorn Network (and yes, it is a failure – ESPN would LOVE to get out that contract, I assure you). No where else in the country do you find what you do at A&M, certainly not at Texas or places like Tech in Lubbock. Rudeness and being inconsiderate are hallmarks of your schools. Take a lesson from this, simply because your think your important doesn’t necessarily make it so. Have a nice time in the Big 12.
Thanks & Gig’em!
What a nice blog!!! Aggies have a motto to act this way, but of course a few bad apples are always in each bunch. We found your fans to be as classy as you. We were sad though by the comment your coach made in the postgame interview. He said the BEST part of today was disappointing this many people in College Station. He had an opportunity to say something nice about his players or fans, but chose to make this very tacky comment on national TV. We look forward to the rest of the season and we hope all Gators had a safe trip home.
To all of the nay-sayers on here. As I said before it’s easy to be pleasant to pleasant people. This isn’t the 1st article written on the congeniality of Aggies. We as a group do *try* to be nice to our visitors. Naturally there are knuckle heads in every fan base.
That being said we attempt to be polite… not door mats.
I thank you for your kind words and am glad you enjoyed your stay. We hope to receive the same welcome out on the road as we go to the Aggie games on the road. This is not something new for the SEC. For as long as I can remember we have opened our tailgates to any opponent and offered the kindnesses displayed in this article. It is sad that your article, which so generously shared your opinion, was met with so many nasty response from others in Texas. Win our lose it is always how you conduct yourself at a game. Kind is met with kind, and rude with rude. Your parents even taught you when you were young, treat people the way you want to be treated. Seems not everyone here has learned that.
Why won’t you open the field to the cheerleaders and bands of other teams?
Bill, I don’t get why you are stuck on this. This is not a Longhorn article. Nobody is going to your articles and arguing with every post like this 1.because they don’t exist and 2.because we are over the big 12. We have moved on and you should too. And you obviously know nothing about A&M games. Opposing bands play on Kyle Field all the time and cheerleaders of other schools belong on the track in front of their own fans. Our Yell Leaders don’t go on the field, so why would cheerleaders of other teams do it? Typical Longhorn-getting into other peoples business assuming they are better than everyone else. Go back to Austin and stay there. If you are so happy with A&M leaving, then leave us alone. Go read articles about how much you pay your players.
We have visiting bands and cheerleaders all the time! Did you see the Gator cheerleaders there on Saturday?!? We don’t shut our doors to them.
We do. I have had the privilege of watching several opposing teams bands at half time on Kyle Field and there are almost always cheerleaders on the sidelines. Please stop trolling an article that has nothing to do with Baylor and trash talking an institution you obviously know very little about.
I am proud to say my son graduated from A & M and I thank you for the article you wrote. It truly describes the school, the town and the people. The people that wrote in contrast to the story…shame on you. This was not a story about UT or any other school but the two in the article: Florida and Texas A & M. How sad that you decided it was necessary to throw in your petty remarks. My heart will forever reside in Aggieland…gig ’em Aggies!
We learned that kind of behavior from the Aggies! Just take a look at the billboard you guys put up in Gainesville, enough said.
Again, the article was not about you…or UT…Mr. Whittle did not have disparaging remarks about your school. He simply wrote about what he experienced in College Station. I am sorry you feel it necessary to enter into a conversation that was not about you.
In addition, I do not know how old you are, but having the name Bill makes me think you are an adult. If that is the case, show some maturity and act your age. There are rotten apples in every bunch and everyone knows Vandy is #1 in academics anyways. Once again, Move on.
Are you really going to be this obscene on every single comment posted, Bill? If you have not caught yourself up on the news yet, we did not post that sign in Gainesville. The address was traced to somewhere in Houston. Texas A&M had absolutely nothing to do with it, so you can stop pulling that card. Also, we do let other school band’s step on Kyle Field if the band travels with the school. Get your facts straight before slamming them all over the internet. Exactly when did cheerleaders ever get to step on the field? They are always on the track, just like our yell leaders, and just like every other school. Clearly you have never been to Kyle Field, and if you think our behavior is so bad, maybe check your own attitude when you traveled to College Station. Glad we no longer are playing Baylor. Good riddance.
The billboard was put up by a group of longhorns…Clear Channel released the address that ordered the billboard…same address as the longhorn forum shaggybevo.com
Longhorns trying to make us look bad, just like you sir. It must be exhausting following any and every aggie article and commenting falsities to make us look bad.
Please, please move on, sorry your feelings are hurt, but please focus on OU.
You really think an Aggie put that up? C’mon now.
I can assure you that any billboard that says “Aggie Nation” was NOT put up by Texas A&M, nor do we support it. Five generations of my family have attended A&M and not once did I ever hear that term used.
Bill, get your facts straight! A Texas-Ex put up that billboard in Gainesville. It was apparent when it was from the “Aggie Nation.” And A&M are the ones who had the billboard taken down.
You certainly are hung up on those billboards…
Thank you for your kind words! I am proud to be a Fight’n Texas Aggie, and your message could not have explained better. It’s a culture to be experienced. Thank you for te recognition.
Raegan ’96
Jeff – I had forgotten that you were a Gator, but glad you got to experience Aggieland first hand. There is a quote, “Aggieland: from the outside looking in, you can’t understand it; from the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.”…or something like that. You appear to have not only understood it, but did a very fine job of explaining it. Thanks so much! Gig ’em!
I’m glad you had such a great experience this weekend here in Aggieland. As a current student here this SEC move has been extremely exciting. Y’alls fans were courteous as well, an older gentleman with a cigar in his mouth took it out and told me before the game, “Welcome to the league.”
Here’s to a new chapter in A&M history and a continuing healthy relationship between our schools. Gig Em! Come back any time you’d like. We’d love to have you.
Ben Lancaster, Proud Member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2014
Fellow Ags, if you just ignore what the Sips say, they will go away. They are only here to get the fights started. Just ignore the problem, and it goes away.
Seconded
I totally agree. They are entitled to their own opinions, and I hate to say that some people have not had great experiences in College Station. *Gasp*. Yes I said it. But let’s not provoke those that want to complain. Bickering online underneath an article that was written about how awesome we are only gives more weight to their arguments. Think about it.
Glad y’all had a great time. I am still extremely hoarse to the point I’ve gotten sick.
I wish that I could have yelled louder to help out our Ags, but unfortunately I couldn’t.
I was told several times that we were too nice. I am ecstatic that you all felt that way.
We’ll be a little more SEC like when LSU comes to town and provokes a negative response.
Thanks again for coming and Gig ‘Em.
I was at a game years ago with my brother, not long after the Zone was built, and we had come back at the last second to beat tu. This longhorn and his daughter were sitting not too far from us and he started to leave right before the final whistle. As he was leaving, he turned around and spit on all in the area that he could before grabbing his daughter and running like a coward as my brother chased him down the ramps. My brother never caught him, but many other longhorn fans were shaking their heads and apologizing on behalf of there ‘poor sportsmanlike’ fan. I felt bad for them that they felt responsible enough for his actions to apologize for him. There are always losers in every crowd, and I’m not referring to whether their team won or lost.
My son and I had the same feelings about the Aggies. It was great being there. We will not forget it.
As a Gator alum I have attended away games at every SEC venue except Miss State. We were fortunate enough to have a A&M grad from the 60’s show us around campus Friday and get us into several buildings that we may not have been able to visit otherwise. I have never been so impressed with the friendliness displayed to us by both the alums and students while we wer on campus or tailgating before and after the game. I cannot tell you how many times I heard “Howdy Gator, welcome to Aggieland” while we walked around campus. The fact that the greeting were sincere was greatly appreciated and respected.
We also attended midnight yell with 40,000+ passionate Aggie students and wish our students supported our school in the same manner. On Saturday, to watch the corp march into the stadium sent chills up the spine knowing that many of these young men and women have committed to serving our country following their enrollment at A&M. We did not get to witness silver taps or some of the other traditions that are obviously a big part of the A&M culture but wish we could at some time.
All-in-all , I cannot thank or praise the Aggies enough for the courtesy and respect we were shown while at College Station.
GatorJohn – Thanks so much for posting! You gave me goosebumps of pride to know and share what I already know. I am so glad you got to experience it and hope you will come back again soon. I and most other Ags are so proud to be an Aggie and more proud to share it.
Tom ’88
Good post Jeff. I’m glad yo finally had the experience that the rest of us sometimes take for granted.
Howard
My son is a senior and my daughter is a freshman at A&M. We started going to games many years ago and found immediately that there is a genuine sense of respect for all at Aggie Land. Oh I’m sure there are a few that we would like to have attend more etiquette classes but all in all, most folks wearing Maroon have a good demeanor. At last years tu game some very good friends of ours who happen to be tu fans showed up wearing their burnt orange and asked if it was safe to walk around the campus and see all the festivities. Well, I stayed with them and not one negative comment was heard. After the game all I heard from one of them was “listen to all the whining and crying”. I blew it off as ignorance and ARROGANCE that seems to show through most tsip fans! At any rate, I did notice multiple acts of kindness and general courtesy at the Florida game and I am certainly proud to be an Aggie Parent! Gig Em!
For the Big 12 & Longhorn fans posting comments:
1) If A&M is irrelevant, why are you reading and responding to anything about A&M?
2) OK, so your experience was different. That doesn’t make the author’s experience less valid. But sometimes what you find is driven by what you expect. To the author’s credit, he was able put his expectations behind him and just enjoy the experience.
3) I live in Austin area and have a number of Longhorn friends that have respect for A&M while still remaining loyal to their school. For those who don’t, that their problem, not mine.
4) Enjoy playing in your conference and we will enjoy playing in ours. Maybe one day the emotions will die down and we can play each other as out of conference opponents. If not, I can live with that, too.
Its sad, but I must admit true. I have relatives and friends that have attended both schools and I seem to call down my Horns friends much more than the Aggies. As you said, there are fans from every school that we don’t claim but its some peoples nature to be obnoxious. I know many great and courteous UT fans but I also know many idiots that wear orange too. Id say the article is spot on. Good luck to the Aggies in the SEC.
Mr. Whittle,
I cannot express how happy I am that both you and your son had a pleasant experience at Kyle field. I am a longhorn who as attended a few games at Kyle field myself and have found, for the most part, that the fans, staff, and other students were courteous to me as well. I hope that this continues to be your experience and the experience of all of the other gator fans who have posted here.
I would caution you, however, not to make broad assumptions about the Aggie culture. As some of my fellow longhorn alum have tried to point out, Aggies have also been responsible for some pretty heinous and unfriendly actions as well.
In 2005, my sophomore year at UT, I was in college station for our annual Thanksgiving time game against the Ags. On Friday and A&M Cav member threw a shove full of horse feces at our band members on Kyle field. While the Longhorn band did not press charges the Cav member was still charged with criminal mischief. I also have several friends who have had aggie fans spit on them at games.
I believe that the Aggies, for the most part, are very hospitable and that has been my personal experience. However, I also know of many incidents involving vandalism to opposing students vehicles, fights, cursing, etc. in addition to the specific instances listed above.
Again, I hope you continue to have pleasant experiences, but I do not think that one trip to Kyle field can give you the full picture of what we in Texas know to be the true Aggie culture.
Again, isolated incidents. Aggies are among the best fans and the friendliest. Thanks for trying to detract from the article. Plenty of horns have been unfriendly and have done heinous acts. Don’t act like your fan base is innocent. True Aggie culture he experienced this past weekend. Go back to the Big 12.
I’ve never been more proud to be an Aggie after reading this. Florida fans, it was great to share such an important moment in Texas A&M history with y’all! I can’t wait for our next meeting, whenever that may be! See y’all on the court in January!
Well said “aggiemom”. Thank you for your kind words. I was also at the game on Saturday, it was a special day and I enjoyed it greatly eventho the outcome was not what I wanted. I will always have nice feeling when thinking about that game.
As a proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2001, I got chills while reading this! Thank you for your kind words…I’m sure the Aggie fans in attendance were equally impressed with Florida’s fans. 🙂
Gig em’ and God bless!
Thank you very much for your kind words! We try very hard to be kind and polite. Of course there are bad apples in every group, but for the most part we try to be very hospitable.
Thanks and Gig em’!
As a current student at Texas A&M, I want to tell you how proud I was reading this article. I loved watching this article spread all day today and hearing how honored we all felt that you got a taste of what being an Aggie is all about. I even heard that a lot of our professors were reading this to the students during lectures!
When I decided to go to A&M, my aunt told me I was joining a cult! I wouldn’t go so far as to say we are a cult, but I can at least speak for myself and consider every Aggie, current or alumni, to be like family to me. I have had my fair share of experiences with the crazy fans that get a little out of hand and I can proudly say that I have stood up and told them to remember that they are Aggies and to remember what that means to all of us.
My boyfriend is a current Longhorn and all of my best friends decided Austin was the place for them also. I love them all and I hate to see the rivalry turn into these childish arguments.
I will never say a bad word about The University of Texas or their students, or any other school for that matter. As our mothers told us once, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, keep it to yourself.”
As college football fans, we need to celebrate the passion and love we all have for our universities and show each other some respect.
I will always be proud to call myself a Fightin’ Texas Aggie!
Thanks & Gig’em 🙂
That statement makes me so proud to be an Aggie! You talk about a good business leader…. It all starts with how you treat people with respect! Very proud that you were treated with the upmost respect! We hope you come back to Aggieland! And congrats on your Gator win!
Amazing article that did justice to the word Aggie! I recently attended a game at the Unviersity of Houston and was astounded by the behavior of the fans and students! People did not know why I was so upset!
Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 1987
I was at the game and had the chance to speak with many Florida fans. They were equally as polite and excited to be in College Station and learn about our traditions. They all expressed what a good time they were having. It was a fun weekend with a great atmosphere due to both parties!
Thank you so much for this article.
Mr Whittle:
As you can see from the posts, Aggies (and their detractors) are a passionate bunch; there is no objectivity and no middle ground.
I am an A&M grad, a Texas grad, and an FSU grad (Why work for a living when you can stay in grad school….). I consider myself an Aggie though, and it was an unforgettable experience being a student. As a ‘Nole, I have mixed feelings about Gators, but while at the game I found them to be alternately bewildered by the 12th Man, nervous about the game (At least until the second half when the Ags, as is becoming customary these days, chose for some reason not to appear.), and impressed when Aggie fans said “Howdy!” to them, and meant it. They were, overall, FAR more civilized than when they come to Doak Campbell, and seemed genuinely appreciative about their welcome. The thing that most impressed them was how the 12th Man stayed after the game locking arms to sing “Saw varsity’s horn’s off” (which took a bit of explaining).
A very nice Gator sitting behind me summed it up perfectly, saying: “A&M is a weird, wonderful place; I think you’ll fit right in [in the SEC].” Her husband chimed in and pronounced himself a fan…of Shiner Bock….
It’s a start.
This article gave me goosebumps! Thank you, Mr. Whittle, for taking the time to write such an amazing article about Texas A&M and your experience you had in College Station. We enjoyed getting to talk to so many Gators– all were very friendly and positive. It’s great to be a part of such an awesome conference! Many thanks!!
What a kind thing to say Kristen, I’m flattered. The Aggies are now my second favorite team 🙂
Jeff Whittle
The Alternative Board – Metro Dallas | http://www.TABMetroDallas.com
LinkedIn.com/in/jeffwhittledallas
TW: @jeffwhittletx | FB: Facebook.com/CogrisConsulting
9646 Douglas Avenue, Suite 210 Dallas TX 75225 | 214.240.6787
did you think you’d get such a response upon posting your story?? it has been awesome reading the posts all day! thanks for reminding us why we are Aggies!
I was not at the game but so proud that my Aggies represented themselves as noble men and women. I grew up in Louisiana- my family still bleeds purple and gold. And I know just how harsh that crowd can be. I was born into the SEC but left because I felt the Aggie Spirit before I ever understood what it was. Thank you for sharing what you experienced and I’m sure we’ll feel the same welcome when the Aggies visit the Gators for future games.
Thank you! We strive for this and hope things like this are more prevalent in stories about us aggies than the negativity we are so often accosted.
The proudest member of the fighting texas aggie class of 2006,
Kate
I acted like a total a$$hole… for that I am sorry, I was expecting some serious smack talk and sometime after my 7th jack and coke or so I convinced myself that it was us against the world. Hmmm, good to know that the SEC added a very classy program like aTm. Next time I will conduct myself much more professionally. Go Gators!
Having graduated from Texas A&M in 1989, I do feel disconnected from the current culture of today’s student body. And at my age, that’s to be expected. However, I do still live in College Station. An although it’s been 20+ years since I walked on campus as a student during a Saturday home football game, it was very refreshing to see that both the Aggie Spirit and Aggie Hospitality were still alive in our students. I too, witnessed Current and Former Students offering guidance, invitations to tailgates and pleasantries to our visitors in Orange/Blue. And even though the final score of the football game did not end in our favor, I do feel like we (as Aggies) were winners all around. And your comments Jeff, confirm my feelings. Gig’em.
Once and Aggie…ALWAYS an Aggie…this culture hasn’t changed in 100 years…”Aggies do not lie cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do” That is an Aggie credo which encompasses hospitality, friendship, loyalty and doing the right thing. This is what an Aggie is.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m glad that you and your son enjoyed yourselves. The game was fun to watch and the Gators played well. We’ll all look forward to another game.
Wow, I am quite amazed that such a wonderful glowing article turned into t.u nonsense commentary. I was so proud to read the glowing words of Aggie hospitality because it is what I would expect from my alma mater! I have encouraged friends to go to games with no connection to either team and they are always amazed by the complete Aggie experience. We are excited to be part of the SEC and our first game was quite exciting! I wish I could have been on campus to experience all the hype. Gig ’em! Whoop!
Jeff,
Thanks for a wonderfully complimentary article. I am class of ’87 and my son is in the Aggie Band in his sophomore year. I’m very proud to be an Aggie and proud of my son and the way you were treated. We talked to some Gators while waiting in the entry line and they were polite and even explained some of the SEC stadium rules that we didn’t understand. Looking forward to playing y’all again in the future, and hopefully winning! Whoop.
Glad you had a good time and welcome back anytime.
As the first time parent of an Aggie freshman, i have been amazed by the Aggie culture. Our son was accepted into some of the top schools in the nation, but he chose A&M, probably based on having gone to a number of football games with his friends.
We have now made three trips to College Station and each one has confirmed how different it is from other colleges. I used to operate businesses in other college towns and can’t imagine how much better it must be for businesses in College Station to employ hard working and courteous college students than the places where we used to operate.
I understand now why A&M is at the top of the list when it comes to corporate job recruiters. Plenty of colleges produce educated graduates while it appears that A&M is also training up men and women of character.
Howdy,
I am An Aggie Class of ’02. I wish I could have made it to the inaugural SEC game. We are all very excited to be in the premier Athletic Conference in the Country! I am so proud to be an Aggie and happy that you and your son had a good time. The culture has always been that way in College Station. I was a member of the Corps of Cadets and I am especially proud of them for their hospitality, (taking pictures with y’all). I have serious respect for some of the other schools that have traveled to Aggieland and shown respect and appreciation for our welcoming culture (Nebraska and Virginia Texh come to mind). I can’t wait to visit some SEC schools to see what the culture is like. Again, thanks for the blog, you really hit the nail on the head! Gig’em!
Thanks for the note, Zach. We’re proud to have you guys in the conference, you’re going to be a perfect fit.
Jeff Whittle
The Alternative Board – Metro Dallas | http://www.TABMetroDallas.com
LinkedIn.com/in/jeffwhittledallas
TW: @jeffwhittletx | FB: Facebook.com/CogrisConsulting
9646 Douglas Avenue, Suite 210 Dallas TX 75225 | 214.240.6787
Great article! Good for you guys.
That is the way it should be.
The Aggie fans should be very proud of
of themselves.
I always did like Texans. Even if they do
cheer for A&M
Give Katie a hug from us.
Love,
Bob & Midge
As an Aggie used to opposing team’s hostility, I believe that the Gators were some of the best fans we’ve hosted at Kyle. As I was walking to the game I had several Gators say “Thanks for having us, welcome to the SEC” with a warm smile. Even after the game I didn’t see/hear one Gator taunting us or being disrespectful as I often would after a loss to the Longhorns or Red Raiders.
Yes, every school has quite a few fans that will act inappropriate and unwelcoming. But as a whole, we Aggies pride ourself in our friendliness.
I am so glad you had a positive time in Aggieland! Thank you for a great inaugural SEC game!
Thanks so much Rachel…you guys made yourselves proud, and we’re proud to have you in the family.
Jeff Whittle
The Alternative Board – Metro Dallas | http://www.TABMetroDallas.com
LinkedIn.com/in/jeffwhittledallas
TW: @jeffwhittletx | FB: Facebook.com/CogrisConsulting
9646 Douglas Avenue, Suite 210 Dallas TX 75225 | 214.240.6787
I sat next to a bunch of Gator fans as well…they were awesome! My mom is an alum. I got all the Gators around me to join arms with me and my party and sway to the Aggie fight song with us. They did honorablty; although a bit confused. They are honorary Aggies in my book and I told them so. I invited them to my house in Dallas as did they in Tampa and hope to meet them at our next meeting, I was both proud and gracious for our hospitality given and respect received from the UF fans…My mom picked a great school and sent me to an equally great one!
Jeff –
I’m so glad that you enjoyed your time in Aggieland. My husband and I are both former grads, and the best times of our lives have been at Aggie football games. Reading this story about you being treated so well filled my heart with pride and joy. Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh, and sorry for the rude unnecessary remarks from our former rivals tu/t-sippers. Honestly I’m not at all surprised. I believe they’re just a tad jealous they don’t get to play in the SEC with awesome teams like yours and get all the media coverage (although there are still a couple of great teams in the Big 12 so no offense to them)! 🙂 Thanks again and Gig ‘Em!
To the sip fans,
All you have is a better atheletic program against A&M thats it.
WoW you can play football is that all you T-Shirt band wagon fans have. We are better on every other standard will let you win the football lol
I assure you us Aggies went to A&M for a education and going to sporting events are just a plus.
Please do something productive with your lives and yes I’d like fries with that lol.
Boone – We have a much better overall sports program. Their football team may have more national championships, but our overall sports program has been better for 4 of last 5 years and top 10 in the nation in last 3 of 4 years. National Championships in Golf, women’s and men’s track and field 3 years in a row, women’s basketball, Equestrian and conference championships in baseball, soccer and others…
Thank you so much for the wonderful article!! It is a part of the Aggie way of life to treat others with respect and I hope that is a tradition that lives on forever in the hearts of all Aggies.
Aggies – Don’t let the jealous and the whiners on this site get you down or upset…ignore their comments. They just can’t stand to hear the positive about Aggies and Aggieland.
This weekend was amazing! We have already had so much more positive coverage of A&M since we joined the SEC than we did in all of the years in the Southwest Conference and the Big 12 combined.
Good things are ahead Aggies….brush of the negative (we are not a part of that anymore) and keep the excitement!!
Thank you. Well said. It is the Aggie way. As I drove into town early Saturday morning With my Aggie lic plate proudly displayed (gig mmm) honked and waived welcome to a family car plastered with gator tags. Suprised, they happily waved a greeting back. It’s the way folks should be and it was a pleasure to see them Happily wave back!
How very nice of you to give us some credit! Although I wasn’t able to attend this game, I am glad you had a good time and the tradition is still going strong. Sincerely, a former student and 3rd generation Aggie!
Gig ’em!
Last year after our last game against Texas as I was leaving Kyle Field a lady in front of me bent down and said to her little girl (about 5 years old) “Aggies suck.” I said to her “We may not be very good at football but we’re pretty good at protecting your freedom.” She harumphly put her nose up in the air and stomped off.
Glad you had a great time there! It is something else, alright. But, please refrain from the words ‘Aggie Nation’ as those words do not exist. Spread the word that a non-Aggie placed that billboard. We’re not afraid of a little smack talk but we don’t do things like that.
Good luck in the East Division this year.
Gld you enjoyed the “Spirit of Aggieland” and y’all come back again. If your ever in the Tyler are look us up and well buy ya a coke or coffee.
James Wilson, class of 89
Or come to Dallas and I will buy you a steak or a Shiner!
As I read Jeff’s article I thought the attitude may change after rivalrys develop. The comments showed that Longhorn-Aggie, Florida-Florida State rivalrys do bring out the worst sometimes. As a Razorback I have sat in the middle of Aggies Former Students at Kyle Field with my Aggie wife. I proudly wore my Hog hat and got kidding but no more than that. But that was back in the Southwest Conference days. Ultimately, it would be great if all sports experiences were like Jeff’s but alas, it doesn’t even happen at church league games. Glad you shared your experiences, Jeff.
Two sons who are class of ’04 and ’06, the youngest was a member of Corps outfit E-2 who care for Reveille. One year during Christmas he and about 8-10 of his Corps buddies came through town on their way to ski in Colorado. My mom, who’s elderly, met them at a restaurant and when she began to sit, all boys stood. They were well-mannered but were also having fun. As they all were leaving, my mom had several patrons ask her who those mannerly and respectful young men were. She told them proudly that they were Texas Aggies. Even away from campus, it’s an obvious culture that emphasizes doing “what is right.” great blog!
Glad you had a great visit in Aggieland! My husband and I live here (I’m class of ’93) and we went to the Dixie Chicken on Friday night….where I made it my job to welcome every Gator I saw! This article warmed my heart and made me proud! Thanks for the write up!!
On another note….I am currently launching my private label shoe line (www.rockandmerlot.com) and am always looking for great business advice! I signed up to follow your blog and look forward to reading more from you! 🙂
Gig em!
Wendy Isham
Thanks Wendy, good luck with the line, I know you’ll do a great job. I’ll make my next blog about everything I know about shoes…won’t be very long!
Take care.
Jeff Whittle
The Alternative Board – Metro Dallas | http://www.TABMetroDallas.com
LinkedIn.com/in/jeffwhittledallas
TW: @jeffwhittletx | FB: Facebook.com/CogrisConsulting
9646 Douglas Avenue, Suite 210 Dallas TX 75225 | 214.240.6787
I am not an Aggie graduate but I am an Aggie fan. My son is a senior this year. The first time I ever set foot on the A&M campus, my son was 2 years old and we came for a football game. Every student who passed by us greeted us with “Howdy!” or “Can I help you?” Some things never change. Proud Aggie Fan.
Classy way to conduct yourselves and treat opposing fans, Aggies. You should be proud.
Gil Daley II
UT ’96
Gil…Thanks for comment and support! There are a LOT of great UT people…you seem to be one of them. Humility and compassion are admirable traits. Thanks for your contribution.
Tom ’88
Gig’Em, Jeff. A truly unique perspective about culture & Aggieland that, as a business owner, you’ve given me a lot to ponder about building & nurturing culture. WIth the Gators, I’m reminded of the Tebow quote that has been infused into each Gator player. At the end of the game, that sad sad game, from this past Saturday, I wondered how much that quote ran thru your players’ minds as they worked through the final two quarters. Perhaps something for you to ponder. 😉
Come back for some baseball, a little Shiner, and lots of Blue Bell. Those last two things? How can an Aggie go thru life with a bad attitude!?! 🙂
A Shiner float…doesn’t sound half bad.
Jeff Whittle
The Alternative Board – Metro Dallas | http://www.TABMetroDallas.com
LinkedIn.com/in/jeffwhittledallas
TW: @jeffwhittletx | FB: Facebook.com/CogrisConsulting
9646 Douglas Avenue, Suite 210 Dallas TX 75225 | 214.240.6787
This is a great article about one persons experience on the A&M campus. About a culture that I stand behind 100%. Why turn it into an argument about who is nice and who isn’t? Ags, accept the compliment and move on. Don’t be pulled in to the negative conversations by those who feel the need to complain.
Thank you for your kind words. The Aggie family is so special and I swell with pride reading your story. I am so glad you enjoyed your time in Aggieland and hope you visit again soon. Gig ‘Em!
The Proudest Member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2002,
Lauren
Sooner’83
Having grown up in OK during the Big 8 & SW conference years and being an ’83 Sooner grad, I did not know much about the SW conference except for the OU/UT rivalry. After graduating and living in Texas for the last 28 years and experiencing the combination of the two conferences, I still did not understand the Aggie culture until my two daughters attended the school. Whether it was the spirit at football games, a “howdy” in passing, or just an unsolicited helping hand from a student as I moved my daughter into the dorm on a hot August day, I knew the students and the culture of the Aggies were special. The traditions, the spirit, the friendliness are all present; win or lose…..and as far as football goes, the winning percentage is nowhere near the status of OU or TX, but that does not mean the Aggies are not winners. When it comes to fans, poor conduct and bad sportsmanship, OU, TX and A&M (or any other major college) are not without fault or blame especially when heat and alcohol get mixed in with rivalries and competition. However, there is a positive and unique spirit pervasive in Aggieland; I have witnessed it as an OU alum & fan, an Aggie father (and fan) and especially on that one special Saturday in the Spring at The Big Event. Aggies, you should be proud of your school, traditions and culture and you are part of the fabric that makes the college life so special whether a student or an alum.
Good luck in the SEC and Gig’em!
Thanks Mickey!
Congrats to you and your daughters! We appreciate your input.
“There’s a spirit the ne’er be told…it’s the spirit of Aggieland.”
Boomer Sooner!
The love and kind words y’all have posted here are SUPERB! You guys are making me happy.
Have been there and it is awesome I must say!
Folks, I had the pleasure of attending Saturday’s game and regretfully seeing us get outscored at the end of the game, much as happened last year. The day was beautiful, everyone seemed to be in good spirits and about the only drawback was that our new Quarterback didn’t perform in the second half as well as he did in the opening half. Surely he will do much better as he matures and gains experience, much as I’m certain our new Coach will also.
Reading Jeff Whittle’s comments about Aggieland has given me goosebumps for they surely reflect why I’ve been so proud of being an Aggie all these many years (52). I can assure you that they more than made up for all the “Poor Aggie” chorus’ coming from countless rude, opposing fans as we left Kyle Field following games where we came out on the short end of the stick…which reminds me of the following: cheerleaders do go on the playing field at Kyle, as certainly occurred Saturday afternoon.
Some four or five of the most beautiful girls gathered on the South side of the field waiting to lead the Gators to their bench before the opening kickoff. Being an old Navy Captain, I assure you that many a young Aggie freshman who sat in the Southside bleachers nearest to where they were standing fell in love many times over, LOL!!!
I am in the process of writing a book about the Corps of Cadets Honor Brass (the insignia worn on the Aggie uniforms). Some of the Florida fans may have visited the Sanders Corps of Cadets Center and at the entrance saw the large bronze plaque that relates how the Corps device came about. With Mr. Whittle’s permission, I would love to include in the book, his excellent commentary which best describes who we are and what we represent. I am so pleased that he took the time to pay us that tribute. Ags, you’ve made us proud!!!
Troy you deserve to be proud. And I’d be proud to be included in your book if you’ll allow me one slight edit. In retrospect I wish that I had not specifically called out Knoxville or Baton Rouge to make the point that there are bad fans out there. The fact is that there are bad fans everywhere — including Florida. I was just making a point in a blog that almost no one ever reads (until this week!). I’d appreciate it if you would let me revise that part of the content to make my observations less specific to those two schools. LSU and Tennessee are great rivals and though our passions run deep when we play them they are SEC family…as the Aggies are now too.
Deal?
Jeff Whittle
Cogris Consulting | http://www.cogris.com
LinkedIn.com/in/jeffwhittledallas
T: jeffwhittletx | FB: Facebook.com/CogrisConsulting
1717 McKinney, Suite 700, Dallas TX 75202 | 214.240.6787
Troy you deserve to be proud. And I’d be proud to be included in your book if you’ll allow me one slight edit. In retrospect I wish that I had not specifically called out Knoxville or Baton Rouge to make the point that there are bad fans out there. The fact is that there are bad fans everywhere — including Florida. I was just making a point in a blog that almost no one ever reads (until this week!). I’d appreciate it if you would let me revise that part of the content to make my observations less specific to those two schools. LSU and Tennessee are great rivals and though our passions run deep when we play them they are SEC family…as the Aggies are now too.
Deal?
Jeff, just wanted to thank you again for the nice article on A&M I am proud to be an Aggie. I also wanted to tell you that your article made the Austin American Statesman which is the newspaper for Austin, Texas. I have signed up for your blog as well and look forward to new articles in the future. Gig’em!
Many Aggies hold tradition and values close to their heart. To us,”Howdy” is more then just a Texas greeting. It is a pride in the culture you were witness to. We may have run out of time and not gotten enough points on the board, but we will still managed to win in the hearts of Aggies everywhere and the hearts of guests to our home. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to play in the SEC and also share our culture in return. Gig’Em
Makes me proud to be an Aggie and congrats to Florida on their win. What’s unfortunate is the response of the Gator’s – in our section. As we were honoring our State, standing and singing ‘Texas, Our Texas’, a group of Gator fans came into the section and hurled rude, loud and obnoxious comments the entire time they were marching up the steps to their seats. As the rest of us were being quiet, showing our respect, their shouts could easily be heard over two or three sections. Its one thing to enjoy friendly banter between schools, but this was an attack on our great state! A very sad and distasteful display. Their ‘boasting’ only exaggerated their ignorance.
Gail, there’s a bad apple in every bunch. Sorry about that. I had a great time and appreciate the hospitality.
Jeff Whittle
Cogris Consulting | http://www.cogris.com
LinkedIn.com/in/jeffwhittledallas
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Gail – That shouldn’t be brought up here…Jeff has respected and praised us…why not do the same in return?
Thanks for that kind blog. I am an Aggie and proud of it! We are not perfect and no doubt emotions run high against former rivals. You have set a high bar for us to strive for… but then that is what the SEC is about. Gig ’em Ags!
Amen Don. Welcome to the family.
Jeff Whittle
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Thank you so much for taking the time to write about your experience in Aggieland! Honestly, I was concerned about the welcome we’d recieve from the SEC. I am now so excited to enjoy tough competition, but friendly completition.
I totally agree with the observations made about Aggie culture so well stated by Jeff Whittle. There is an Aggie Culture of civility, fair play and decency that permeates throughout the Aggie community in all aspects of life.
I continue to have the pleasure of working and serving with Aggies who are business associates, community leaders, civil servants and just plain old friends. To the person, my Aggie associates and friends exhibit those admirable traits that exemplify great people and great leaders.
Tailgated Saturday in the 12th Man RV lot. Lots of Gators there; guess they ponied up some big bucks for a spot to park their rigs. I hear the SEC folks travel a lot, and far as I am concerned, the more that show up the better. The Gators I came in contact with were polite and friendly. I am not surprised that Gator fans had a good experience.
So having read all the comments, here is my take: there are still lots of jerks out there.
– The Gators are good sports, good visitors, and know how to conduct themselves when guests at a game. Didn’t meet any jerks.. Muschamp’s comment makes him a semi-jerk.
– The sips who post trash here should get a life
– A tip for Gator fans: don’t ever schedule Tech in Lubbock. You might not make it back to Gainesville in one piece or with all your goods.
– IMHO 1% of Aggie fans are jerks, 50% of sips are jerks and 99% of Tech fans are jerks. This from personal observation over 50 years of attending games.
I was all for going to the SEC because I was sick of the jerk-factor in the Big 12. After one game I am glad to see I might be right. Jury still out until we see how the Arkies and Cajuns act later this season. I already know the Mizzou’s are OK.
To finish off my little rant, the big test is when the Ags go to Baton Rouge and other venues east. I lived in Baton Rouge for 5 years and attended many games. Hope the LSU folks will be glad to see us. They did not treat the Gator fans very well at the games I attended!
Thank you very much for the lovely compliments and we hope you come back often!
As a UL Lafayette fan living in Houston, I have had the opportunity to go to many Texas college football games. Rice, UH, A&M and Texas. I have to say this guy hit it on the head. We tailgated at the A&M game and many students came up to us, asked if we were having a good time and even invited us to their tent. Can’t say the same about UT folks. Not all bad of course, but the jeers, obscene gestures and lack of class was showing on quite a few of them. No dog in this fight, but wanted to add what an underdog fan has seen at the game.
Just curious, aggies, are you going to start calling The University of Florida fu? How about a “better” name for Gators? I’m a Longhorn, not a t-sip, I went to The University of Texas, not tu. I call aggies, aggies, not anything else. Perhaps the “class” shown by aggies doesn’t apply to Longhorns. A couple of you say that Longhorns “get what they give” when it comes to hospitality. Maybe ifyou learned the name of our school and our team, you would be better respected.
@hornfan – well the most common name y’all call us which was even posted as a comment on this article is “faggie Aggie” I don’t believe we’ve ever called y’all anything like that. It amazes me that you would even let that come out of your mouth since UT is in Austin and is the 2nd largest Gay and Lesbian city. And that a large portion of the school is gay or lesbian. To me you are not only disrespecting A&M but you are also being disrespectful to the Gay and Lesbian community, the city of Austin and UT. And last time I checked you are not the only UT (University of Tennessee) and they claim to be the original UT. Also in regards to spelling you should let your buddies know that Aggie is spelled with and “ie” not a “y”.
@longhornfan – oh and please tell your fellow longhorns to stop bring fido to A&M to try and save Fido from dying. I don’t have enough dings and toes to count the number of longhorns that don’t want to put their dog down due to tumors and cancer and they want to try and see if they can save them. If we’re so bad then don’t ask us to help you put the dog down!
W T F Senor Gator, who wants a lesson in “corp-fakin’ sheep-humpin’ hick-luvin'” Nazi-wannabe goose-stepping culture?
wow…how sad that you are that ignorant and hate filled. God Bless you and show you the error of your ways
Thanks, Jeff. We Aggies win & lose graciously. Our school is built on traditions – a lot, I’m sure, you witnessed first hand. Now you know why we say the hard core (corp) fans really do bleed maroon. We like to think we never meet an enemy, just another friend. Lime you, we know how it feels to go into an opponents”territory” and be ridicul, chastised and even physically threatened or abused. We’ve had our tires slashed on many occasions.
Just wanted to say thank you, and “HOWDY”. We hope you enjoyed your trip to Aggieland & Kyle Field. We hope to see you again. Stop by with the whole family one day for a tour of the campus & don’t miss the George Bush Presidential Library .I’m proud to be an Aggie, and what you experienced, is just one of the multitude of reasons why I’m proud to call myself an AGGIE.
Gig ’em.
Carin c/o ’89
Jeff, I am President Bush 41’s chief of staff. He saw your blog and loved it. It’s exactly why he put his Presidential library at Texas A&M. You made him very proud of the Aggies — again. He wanted me to find and thank you. He also wanted me to say to you, “Go Aggies.” — Jean Becker
Jean, thanks so much for your note and please let President Bush know how honored I am that he asked you to passed along his kind words. I’d be proud if you would let him know how grateful I am for his thoughtfulness, and please give him a big “Go Gators” for me!
Best regards.
Jeff Whittle
Cogris Consulting | http://www.cogris.com
LinkedIn.com/in/jeffwhittledallas
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I’m honored and humbled.
Jeff Whittle
Cogris Consulting | http://www.cogris.com
LinkedIn.com/in/jeffwhittledallas
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We love and miss the Bush family! George? Let’s go parachuting over College Station…it’s been a couple years for you now!
Thanks for your maroon blood George! We all bleed the same color!
I’m in. Jump at 12000, pull at 3000. The best 120 seconds ever.
Jeff Whittle (from phone) TAB Metro Dallas 214.240.6787 http://www..TABMetroDallas.comh @jeffwhittletx
Thank you so much for your comments….I am so blessed to be able to live and work in AGGIELAND. You are an inspiration….God Bless
Jeff, What a gracious and kind post you wrote. Thank you for capturing this aspect of The Spirit of Aggieland so well. You might find this stunning 9/11 tribute as moving as I found your story: http://www.aggieathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205276289
There’s a spirit can ne’er be told…it’s the spirit of Aggieland
my son still has his red Stand Up for America shirt…what a grand day that was….an amazing sight to behold!!
A quick word to the author, and to others from the SEC, about what playing those low-down, no-good rotten Aggies will be like. I should know, since I’m a damned, dirty, tea-sipping hippie Longhorn. At its heart, the State of Texas considers football almost a religion, and as one of the most passionate rivalries in the nation, you would think that there would be some definite “bad blood” between the burnt orange and maroon. You would think. Fact is, despite there always being those drunk and rowdy fans who make us all look bad, the majority of our games were a “gentleman’s rivalry” so-to-speak. At the end of the day, we were/are all Texans, and we know how to play football right. It’s not just points, it’s making a point. When a player got hurt, both teams took a knee. When I visited Aggieland for one of our rivalry games, sporting my burnt orange shirt, I was greeted with good-natured banter from those in maroon, but all in fun. We teased, talked trash, made fun of each other in every way we could think of, and then still held the door and shook hands. It’s like that. So if the Aggies remain the Aggies that I knew in the Big 12, then you can always look forward to good sportsmanship, both amongst the players and fans alike. So even though we’ve spent the better part of our existence as rivals, my hat’s off to those stinkin’ Aggies. Thanks for the best rivalry, and times, that I’ve ever known, and for spreading the Texas hospitality to the SEC. Hopefully, we’ll meet again.
Well said….
as i started to read your reply, i worried at first with the way you started but mercy, your post was amazing! my brother and his family are avid Longhorn fans as my family bleeds Maroon. I will miss our Thanksgiving day rivalry, with half the table wearing burnt orange and the other maroon…..and we talked smack the whole meal. thank you for reminding us we all are Texans…awesome!
Cheers to a great sentiment.
Jeff Whittle (from phone) TAB Metro Dallas 214.240.6787 http://www..TABMetroDallas.com @jeffwhittletx
Longhorn fans were so incredibly respectful after the bonfire collapse…I will never forget that…and while in each school there are bad apples…I will always respect UT for the behavior and respect shared after the bonfire (which is an Aggie tradition for the burning desire to beat the hell outta UT) collapse. Class act that week I wish we will both always embrace and remember!
What a great sentiment. Thanks.
Jeff Whittle(from phone) TAB Metro Dallas 214.240.6787 http://www..TABMetroDallas.com @jeffwhittletx
Who won the game? The winners were the better team – The Gators. I wish you ags could treat everyone you play with respect and nice hospitality. If the game is won or lost, it still should be shown. It’s just a Game. The University of TEXAS will remind you of that again & again. Have FUN in your so called best conference.
Reading the 2 sip….er, I mean LONGHORN…comments above (LongLiveTexas and stayLate) pretty much validates my theory that half their fans are jerks and half are pretty good folks. However, the t.u. fans…oops!…sorry, the fans from THE University are apparently powerless to affect the decision by their administration to refuse to play the Aggies any longer. Until they can rid themselves of the Grand Wizard of Jerks, DeLoss (“Jaba the Hut”) Dodds, there just ain’t gonna be any more rivalry with us stinkin’ Ags.
Aggies talk about the Aggie Spirit, and in your article you actually explained it. It’s a real thing, this wonderful, positive culture. It’s why I love Texas A&M. I will refer friends and family that don’t understand to this post. We even sing, “There’s a spirit can never be told. It’s the spirit of Aggieland.” You described it, and it’s not all about football.
It really was a great atmosphere on Saturday. I wasn’t able to attend the game because we only had two tickets. So my husband took my son, but my daughter and I walked around the tailgating and went to kids’ yell practice before the game and we, too, had a Gator fan welcome us to the SEC. It was awesome. It was so exciting, happy, and friendly there that day. I knew the school and entire town was brimming with excitement over this game, but I hadn’t anticipated how welcomed we would feel. It was inspiring and positive. I’m glad we went out there and got to be in that amazing atmosphere and see the fans. After our experience, I’m really glad it was the Gators we played for our first game in the SEC.
As for the Texas rivalry, I always thought it was all in fun, and I thought that was well understood. Just about all the students have good friends who go to the other school. I felt respect and empathy from them, common Texans , neighbors, friends from our own hometowns, especially when Bonfire fell. I was never a big fan of calling UT tu just because A&M(then TAMC) was the University of Texas before the University of Texas was founded in Austin. That was a really long time ago. I just always thought the smack talk and all was in fun, not serious, at least not on our end.
I really just wanted to say that your post gave me chills. I read it twice in a row, and I’m so proud to be an Aggie. Thank you for writing it. I’m glad you had a great experience here.
(Congratulations on the message from President Bush. )
Aggie hospitality only goes so far as I’ve witnessed first hand. Watch the following years unfold as they will lose and fall to the power house teams of college football and their true colors well seep through. Goodbye and you will not be missed. We still have the final blow 🙂
You win “Horns Up”
…now please go away.
Mr. Whittle–
Thank you so much for your article. I’m an Aggie Grad, 78 and couldn’t be prouder that we made you feel welcome. Being an Aggie, especially if one is raised by them, we learn to approach our world with optimism, and respect for others, always striving to do better. Football and sports are only a part of the what makes our school great.
We are delighted to be in the SEC—we hope to see you on our campus soon!
I’m glad you and your son had an enjoyable time in Aggieland. You are correct, we are very proud of Aggieland and most Aggies enjoy receiving visitor at Kyle Field. But it’s by far easier to maintain our friendly culture when the visiting fans are also friendly and polite. From my experience with the Gator fans I met this past weekend, I can see our two schools share a unique culture. I’m looking forward to visiting Gainesville when the Aggies play at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Georgia writer says “Classless Missouri Tigers have no place in SEC” on redandblack.com (and that we dress as poorly as Florida Gator fans)
Here’s the rebuttal (with a shout out to Gator Football)
http://majoronions.com/2012/09/11/classless-georgia-fan-has-no-place-in-sec/
I think this should end all tsip banter.
http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2012/09/texas-kenny-vaccaro-says-playing-on-road-is-way-louder-than-playing-at-home.html/
Jeff, you bet it’s a deal; in fact a done deal!!! I have your phone number and will give you a call shortly. For your information, I’ve finished the writeup of how the Corps Brass originated. I understand that today, it is the most cherished insignia on Campus. One reason for this is that it is the first award earned by freshmen (fish) cadets who must demonstrate to upperclassmen that they have come together as a group and learned how to work together in order to achieve this their first goal. Governor Rick Perry ’72 who had to earn his, has already agreed to do the Foreword for the book.
At this point I’m soliciting stories from other Ags who are or were in the Corps and will describe how they earned theirs. Because the process comes early in their training, it’s easy to see why members of the Corps (some 2,500 cadets out of a total University population of 50,000) soon find themselves holding twenty five (25) percent of the leadership positions in the most relevent organizations on Campus. In the past, the criteria for earning the award varied greatly among the Corps units but today these requirements are more standardized. My dream is that we not only finish the book but get started on a silver screen movie, perhaps produced and directed by the likes of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks who are already in position to distribute the film worldwide.
Troy, I wrote a response to you, but I considered it too long and off subject to post on this blog. I found your page about the Corps Brass on facebook from a google search and sent my comment there. Thank you for taking the time to write about our history and heritage. I would be honored to assist you in any way I can.
I’ve attended many TAMU games – The aggies are ALWAYS gracious to visitors and fans, alike. There is a tremendous spirit in Aggieland but more importantly they share an incredible value system, which is why my daughter chose to attend this school, class of ’05. My nephew who had never been to Kyle Field, attended the Florida game this past weekend. He called to let me know how impressed he was with the whole experience. He was most impressed with the friendly atmosphere of the student body (even though he sat in the student section wearing an orange shirt).
The culture of which you speak is why I chose A&M. Thank you for the kind words.
I live in Singapore and am a proud Aggie (’95). Although I didn’t make it to the game, your article reached me here and I must admit that I was quite proud to read of your experience. I thank you for comments and I’m glad you had a good time at the game! I can only hope to pass on the same spirit to my son and daughter when they are old enough to attend the University that I love. Gig ’em! Schilling
[…] Texas A&M Aggies Teach a Florida Gator a Lesson in Culture by Jeff Whittle (Blog), Sep. 9, 2012. me:WHOOP! Yet another cool thing about Texas A&M! […]
Mr. Whittle, I am so glad you had a good experience at Kyle Field. For the most part the majority of Aggies try to be respectful of all people, no matter the occasion. I am disappointed that the repsonses to your blog have degenerated into a “our fans are better/worse than yours”. We have strayed from your original message….for the most part there are still really good people left in this world who treat their fellow man with dignity and respect.
Gig ’em,
Lisa M. Class of ’93
Jeff,
Thank you for an article which was probably very humbling for many A&M former students. I know it was for this one! Your kind comments reaffirm what we all feel about our University. The value system which was displayed is founded in the culture of the Corps of Cadets prior to the admission of women to the college. Its a duty, honor, country mentality plus an officer and gentlemen mentality, with strong emphasis on teamwork to reach a goal, which requires one to strive to be their best and always do the right thing in life. Though there were some rough edges on those early Corps of Cadets members, which sometimes didn’t show us in the best of light, they were basically salt of the earth people. We have been fortunate that our institutional leaders have smoothed over some of those rough edges over the years while still nurturing that value system and spirit in the greatly expanded student body.
For those University of Texas contributors who hold Aggies in such disdain, I would offer this. Prior to women being admitted to Texas A&M in 1968, a huge number of Texas families were the product of mixed A&M/University of Texas marriages. So many Aggies went to Austin for female companionship(this may be the root of all bad feelings between the males of the two student bodies) that the result was perdictable. If possible, it would be very interesting to ascertain how many of those families ultimately support Texas A&M versus the University of Texas. It might reveal a lot about both schools.
I would also say to Texas fans. Be proud of your University, it is a great one. But try to recognize greatness and value in others. You will be bigger for it.
Great write up. I am glad to hear that you had a great time in College Station and I hope you will come again soon. Gig’em.
From JOHN MUZYKA, Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of ’92: I must say that we Aggies are appreciative of your experience. It has become so natural to us that we sometimes forget how special it is. I have been to many away games and have seen the anti-hospitality and lack of good consistent culture that you speak of at other schools. I have not been to a Florida game, so I cannot comment on an experience there. And I am not going to throw stones at the others. But I did roadtrip to one of our away games against Mizzou back when I was a student. That is the only time I experienced such hospitality towards us on gameday. We had your similar experience of politeness in traffic, the parking lots and in the stadium. We walked through the tailgate parties in our true Aggie colors as humble as we always are and were invited in and welcomed and given food and beverages along the way in and out. So, I know what you mean when you describe a pleasant experience at a game on someone else’s turf. And next time, we will be just the same…only we will hopefully outscore you and give you a little jab in the arm as we hand you a cold beer. Thanks for your post.
Always love hearing stories like this. It makes me proud to be an Aggie. I don’t go to school there but I’m trying to get in (My brother was a Fightin Texas Aggie Band member class of ’00) I’m proud to say I’ve bled maroon for over half my life (hopefully I can get in). But Aggies are taught something that’s as sacred as life itself, and thats integrity and respect. That is what it is to be an Aggie. And the saying “From the outside you can’t understand it, from the inside you can’t explain it” holds tried and true through thick and thin. Glad you enjoyed your time at Aggieland, Come back any time, Gig em! and longhorn fans…dunno if it’s jealousy bringing you here…but take your trollisms somewhere else please. This is about A&M, Florida, and the SEC. None of which you have anything to be apart of. If you’ve got something nice to say we welcome it, but if you’re just gonna troll…please take it to cowboy stadium this year when you play OU because we don’t have to deal with that garbage anymore. Gig em whoop!
I’d hate to be a downer, but in my first month of living on campus (in Rudder) as a freshman, I’ve yet to meet a single person who has been outwardly kind and social towards me. This, of course, doesn’t count the smiling faces that approach me when someone wants to promote a club or charity. I can’t find a single person I can relate to. It may be the fact that I’m Asian, but it seems like I don’t belong anywhere on this campus. Needless to say, if this keeps up, I’m going to try transferring to UT because I’ve heard that minorities are respected better there. I definitely hate going into my physics recitation every week knowing that there’ll be the typical clowns in that class that make fun of the TA’s accent and calling him a multitude of different names.
The people at A&M, in my experience so far, are so normal that it comes across as weird. I’m not the most normal person ever, so groups of tight friends always seem cold towards me. I’ve felt so alone on this campus that I’ve resorted to calling the Aggie Hotline because I’ve suffered a few cases of depression on campus.
If there’s something that I’m doing wrong, please feel free to reply to me. I’ve just found that no one will talk to me unless I talk with them first. And even after that, no one retains their interest in me despite me best intentions.
John, I’m so so sorry that you’ve had that experience here, it happens a lot, but please don’t close your mind to this school, I am a female, hispanic, liberal, and agnostic. Aggieland is still my home, and I’ve never felt more welcomed anywhere else despite the fact that I definitely do not fit into the conservative culture here.
Hang in there!
Join organizations that interest you! It’s the best way to meet people.
Best of Luck!
That being said, I feel like if you aren’t either white or athletic you don’t belong on campus. Aggies wearing the shirt “Keep college station NORMAL” sums up my experience on campus pretty well. Don’t stand out or try to make a statement or you’re going to be judged harshly by your peers. I still haven’t experienced any “Aggie friendliness” and like I said in my previous post, I’ve lived here for a month. I might also note that the campus is very offensive towards homosexuals, as I’ve witnessed myself. That definitely doesn’t sound like “Aggie friendliness” to me. It sounds like a case of someone, or a large group of people, not accepting differences in others. A&M has been reminding me of a song lyric from Rush: “Conform or be cast out.” One final complaint I have about campus is that it treats campus traditions as an extension of religion. It feels like for a lot of people, football and traditions are a lot more important to them than academics.
That all said, I haven’t been completely miserable on campus. It’s definitely tolerable. I just want to transfer out because I don’t think I stand this for another three years. And I’d hate to be blunt, but from my experience, if you aren’t either white, athletic, or Christian, you’re shunned from the majority of social groups on campus. I don’t happen to be any of those things, which is perhaps why people act so distant towards me. I must know, does it get better? I’m hoping that it does soon, because A&M for me so far as been a major disappointing. The “only” redeeming factor is the wonderful professors that they have here. All my professors are highly intelligent and qualified for the job. I just have a problem with the students and the mob mentality that surrounds A&M and college station.
We are INDEED a conservative and proud group. Do we want to stay NORMAL? I for one say yes and believe 98% of other Aggies do as well.
We certainly are not hateful people but please don’t try to make us change the fabric of what we are all because you don’t want to embrace our core values. Perhaps a conservative environment is not best suited for you. I wouldn’t want others treating you negatively, but again, we ARE CONSERVATIVE and don’t care to change. We don’t want to become a “Columbia University” or a “UC Berkley” or a “tu” for that matter or any other liberal college. We want to be a conservative bible belt school that lives up to the same morals, fundamentals and foundation with which our country was founded on and not where it seems to be going to. We have the President George Bush Library here after all!
I for one hate to see America moving away from our core values which were based on Christian beliefs, strong morals, entrepreneurialism and conservative values. Live responsibly and live with integrity and character and work hard…and you will achieve great things. USA is becoming more and more about giving hand out and not hand ups! Justifying illegal immigrants, socialistic values, entitlements, atheistic beliefs and big government all in the name of neutralism and the liberal media. We are Texas…NOT California…or Greece for that matter. We are a conservative group and I hope ALWAYS will be.
Texas A&M University is the keeper of America’s traditions and values just as the Corps Cadets are the keeper of A&M’s traditions and values. if you don’t embrace these then perhaps this is not the place for you.
Best wishes.
Point of order…George H W Bush is not what I would call a conservative….but he isnt a commie either…
That’s the thing. With both my parents being heavily conservative, I’m completely used to a conservative environment. I’m just not used to an ignorant one, which many of the people on this campus display. Did I mention all the racism and homophobia that I notice on a day to day basis? I don’t care what someone’s political beliefs are, but that kind of mentality should never be shown from such a proud school.
And one other thing. Morals are completely subjective. I, even though I wouldn’t call myself a liberal, find it completely immoral to bar marriage rights from gay couples. See what I’m getting at here? Anyway, I don’t have a problem with conservatism, just being ignorant. What most people define as conservatism today has shifted away from what it used to be. Conservatives decades ago actually advocated legalization of marijuana. Today, all of a sudden that’s immoral and wrong to many. Not sure where I’m going with that, but just because something is “conservative” by today’s definition doesn’t necessarily mean it’s something to be upheld and respected.
Tom – David is right on that. A conservative hasn’t run for president in a while. If a true conservative ran for president, I’d probably end up voting for him.
A&M is the most truly open minded place in the state. Yes most are on the conservative side. But we do not try to shut down opposing viewpoints. (unlike progressives everywhere else)
Try being a conservative at t.u. or Tech and see how you are maligned and villified. You might even be thrown out of a class for your viewpoint. If you honestly feel that you are not included I suggest you look at the signals you are sending out. If you act like a defensive loner with a chip on your shoulder that is how you will be treated. Ags dont generally seek out negative people to be buddies with.
Mob mentality? Really? WE ARE ALL A MOB OF AGGIES…duh. Its college man….hello?
Have you been to austin? I am surprised they don’t hand out guy faux masks when you cross the city limit sign.
Perhaps you could seek out just the type of person you say is so dissappointing and extend a hand of freindship. My guess is you will be greeted with a Howdy and a smile.
Well, that’s the deal. I’m not a loner by any means. I’m friendly, outgoing, and act like the “good kind of weird” apparently. I’m not sure what’s making it so hard to mingle in this college. Honestly, I remember one distinct act of kindness during my whole stay here. Some guy offered to help me put the chain on my bike after it fell off, which surprisingly made me feel elated for the rest of the day. I find that most people’s outward kindness here is rather superficial, because if you even give the notion that your views aren’t perfectly aligned with theirs, they’ll shun you and have nothing more to do with you. That’s my experience, anyway. But certainly thanks for the reply.
John – Isn’t that what you are doing to the Aggies? Because we don’t think like you, you want to shun us and leave?
John – You may think gay marriage is fine…well ya know what? The bible says it is not and therefore I think it is not. I am sorry if this offends you, but I am not changing my beliefs so as to not offend you or anyone else. Aggies are a diverse group, but for the most part a Christian based organization; like it or not. We try to follow the 10 commandments and I don’t want anyone telling me otherwise and I wont change my values just because it hurts someone’s feelings. Get over it, you are a grown up. If this environment upsets you; then you are free to go elsewhere. I don’t think anyone forced you to come here and complain about our values. That’s not to say I think it’s right to ridicule or hurt people, but I am firm in my conservative beliefs as are most Aggies.
Leave it to the t-sips to attempt to sully such Good bull!
DBC ’10
From an Aggie to a Gator, thank you for the words. In my 50+ years on this planet, I have not seen anything quite like the culture at A&M. I am proud to be a part of it.
Oh I love you man! Thanks for the eloquent post.
Jan Harrigan Fighting Texas Aggie Class of ’76
Gig Em Aggies. Job well done!! Glad we made you feel welcome.
[…] field, Aggies everywhere were winners. Many of you sent me the blog post by Gator fan Jeff Whittle: https://tabmetrodallas.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/74/. He notes that our “pervasive positive culture”Article source: […]
I live in Germany and am a proud graduate of Texas A&M. The distance has not quelled the intimacy I feel with our fine university. Thanks for carrying yourselves with a sense of humility and honor Ags! May it ever be so.
Thank you for writing this! It’s very refreshing to read that fans out there, as a group, can still be beyond civil but downright polite and welcoming. I’ve been a Seminole football fan for a long time, and sometimes even my own side embarrasses me.
Sir,
Thank you for your kind words about the Spirit of Aggieland! My family tradition with A&M goes way back – my dad was head yell leader in ’49. He is still cheering for the Ags only a little bit slower – :). My brother, daughter, niece, and nephew all call A&M their alma mater. Even though I graduated from Baylor, my blood runs maroon! Again, thank you. I will print out your article for my dad to read.
First, let me say thank you for your kind and gracious remarks about my beloved Aggieland. You make my heart swell with pride and appreciation that the tradition lives on. It is an exciting pleasure to join the SEC and share in the rich tradition your conference has amassed. I look forward to many great years.
Next let me say I am saddened to read many of the remarks your original blog has spawned. Some former foes in the Big 12 seem to disagree with your observations. The charges and allegations of less than hospitable treatment when visiting College Station can only be attributed to some, a scant few, who, like in all families, do have the ability to act below standard. Let’s face it, the high price of college athletics along with the exposure and visibility it brings will have bad effects on some. But thankfully, those characters are usually kept in check by the likes of the people with whom you interacted last Saturday. In a strong and vibrant culture there is a self-policing mechanism. To those who seem to carry scars, I am truly sorry. Tomorrow is a new day.
In addition, let me say the real measure of a fine academic institution is not merely the win-loss record of the football team, nor the actions pro or con of some enthusiatic alums in a parking lot on game day. No, the real measure is the long lasting impact on the community after college. I am proud to wear my Aggie ring because it represents a fine group of citizens who cherish their God, this country, and the American way of life. A&M left a conference with other schools with similar value contributions to the nation, state, and community. We join a conference with more schools known for high standards and great contributions to society. It is a privilege to have known the former and an honor to get to know the latter.
[…] A Gator fan who attended the game @ Texas A&M raves about the Aggie Spirit. This makes me so proud to be an Aggie. Gig ‘Em! […]
This was just an example of how most people are in Texas. It would not have mattered which college or city you visited. It’s just how we do it here in the great state of Texas! Glad you visited.
Thanks Jeff for the nice comments. So glad you enjoyed your time in Aggieland. I’m happy the Ags decided to move to the SEC and hope we make the conference proud.
I think the Longhorns are just upset that they didn’t think of heading to the SEC first…
Your words brought tears to my eyes. As did a couple of the other posts. I am a female Aggie class of ’75 who had to raise a son to be in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band (B-Battery ’98) because females were not allowed in the Corps then. But, I did finally get to march on Kyle Field with my son & the band at a few Midnight Yell practices and the experience was awesome. My niece & dsughter-in-law are also Aggies & I already have supplied both my grandkids with Aggie gear, since they are in Okinawa, where my son is stationed & there aren’t too many Aggie gift shops there. I was in Kyle Field end zone seats sitting with a mixed A&M – UT (I have never liked the tu desination) crowd one Thanksgiving and as we were losing the game the UT fans pulled out sugar packets and started throwing them in our faces (bragging that they were going to the Sugar Bowl) & singing poor Aggies. I was also at the game in Austin, ’96 or ’97, with an early morning march-in, when over 140 cars staying overnight in the local hotels had 2 or 4 tires slashed. A&M sticker got 2 tires slashed & Corps of Cadets sticker got all 4 tires slashed, including the new Corps Commandant. This number was directly from an Austin policeman as we waited for a car with 4 slashed tires to be repaired. It was 10pm before we could leave Austin. But I also remember how a couple of years later the real Longhorn students, (not obnoxious fans or wanna be vandals) showed up in College Station to help the school clean up and heal from the terrible Bon Fire collapse. I only hope our students would be as gracious & generous if the need ever arises. I love my Alma Mater & have a banner hanging in my class room to promote it to all my students & I hope she propers forever.
I may have missed it, but I did not see a comment on the school administration (Bill Burne) foregoing millions of dollars in ticket sales in order to reserve 30,000 low-priced tickets for the student body. No other school comes close to insuring a large and vocal student presence at home games.
To the author of the article…thanks for sharing your experience. It goes to show that there are still gracious people in our country. Some people don’t take the time to stop and say something nice or give thanks to being treated kindly. I never had the opportunity to go to aggieland but many family members have and my daughter is getting the Angie experience now. It’s sad that such a great article can pull out the bad in people to make them come back with negative comments. No matter what their feelings are it doesn’t take away the experience you had along with many others befor and to come. As far as any negative talk goes, there was one longhorn that put it straight. It’s just a game, the aggies and longhorns was a rival game so there will be fun bashing going on. Will there be a few out of so many people that will be stupid and do stupid things….yes, on both sides. My daughter has many friends at tu and A&M…they all great friends and we love them all. The hospitality of aggies will continue to go on because that is what we are taught. This isn’t a bash just a true statement of how things are, not saying it’s wrong or right, but we went to visit longhorn campus and not one person talked to us while walking the campus. We went to visit A&M, every person we passed either gave us a nice “howdy” or made sure we didn’t need help finding out where we needed to be. Gig’em Aggies!
Great article! Glad you had a great time in Aggieland and that you felt compelled to share your thoughts of the visit. Many, before you, have had the same experience as guests and have relayed their sentiments in print. I had to laugh about most of the negative comments above, especially as I recalled an incident that occurred just a few hours ago. Tonight, after we left the SMU game in Dallas, we stopped at a local hospital to visit an ailing friend. Having been there many times, we are very familiar with the lay out of the buildings. My wife noticed a mature couple pacing the halls and changing directions numerous times. We walked up to them and asked if we would help them find their way. We were both wearing Maroon shirts with small A&M logos. We helped them find their way back to their car and discovered they had a flat tire. I changed the tire for the couple and we wished them luck for the rest of the evening. As we walked away and bid farewell, the “lady” commented, “I want to thank you, but you’re Aggies – we’re longhorns…” “God Bless You” was all I could muster as a reply. So, having said that, the comments from t-sips above are very indicative of their hatred and arrogance toward the people who represent the better half of this State. They come by it honestly…
I “grew up” at an A&M game at Kyle Field – and I was 40 at the time. Sitting in The Zone, as a California native and an invited guest of an Aggie grad, for a game against Texas Tech, I obnoxiously taunted a young Raider couple sitting on the row in front of me. They had been unruly and unsportsmanlike when TT scored first and lead for most of the game. I yelled at the referees, booed penalties and let a few dark words fly toward the couple. After my adopted Aggies finally went ahead in the score, I yelled from 300 feet away at an injured Red Raider, telling him to get his faking a– off the field. I finally realized, I was the only one in the sea of maroon that was acting like that. People stared at me and shook their heads. A young female Aggie informed me that Aggies don’t boo anyone or anything. I changed that day. I went on to send my two children to A&M and I thank God often for the education and culture that they received from the privilege of attending Texas A&M University. I wish I could re-live that day, as the Aggie fan that I am now. I didn’t mean to hi-jack your blog Jeff. Thank you for recognizing the fine people who acted with pride and class during your trip to College Station. I can only hope that the new me has also impressed a visitor in a positive manner.
You are one of the tens of thousands of people that have had experiences such as that.
Aggieland is different no matter what our neighbors in Austin say.
I’m so glad to see that you had such a wonderful experience in Aggieland! I am a sophomore at Texas A&M and it is obvious to my peers and myself that our school and our town is special, but it is humbling to see someone else witness the hospitality and values we hold so dear!
As an alumnus of Texas A&M, I want to thank you for taking the time to write your article about ‘The Spirit of Aggieland’. I am so proud to know that Aggies, young and old, were courteous, friendly and exemplified the core values that we all learn as Aggies. I know I speak for many when I say we were truly glad to have you as guest in our ‘home’
Old Ag
Class of’ 87
Some may boast of prowess bold of the school they think so grand…nothing like TAMU!
WHOOP!
[…] Recently, an opposing team’s fan was so impressed with the “culture” of a Texas A&M Aggies game, he wrote this article. […]
[…] Recently, an opposing team’s fan was so impressed with the “culture” of a Texas A&M Aggies game, he wrote this article. […]
Thanks for the kind words about our beloved Aggieland – it’s been much too long since we’ve been to Kyle Field on gameday, but the “Spirit of Aggieland” has always been something special.
So glad that you had an enjoyable experience – hope you’ll come back again and again!
Thank you for the kind words! That culture is exactly why I chose to stay in Aggieland after I graduated. We look forward to having you and yours visit again!
[…] Recently, an opposing team’s fan was so impressed with the ”culture” of a Texas A&M Aggies game, he wrote this article. […]
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[…] proud Aggie, Aplin pulled out a recent article for the students to read. Written by a Florida Gators fan in his visit to College Station for a […]
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[…] Jeff Whittle, a business blogger wrote a beautiful post about the wonderful experience he had in Aggieland. I love love love my school, and am so proud that my peers, and fellow Aggies made such a good impression. You can check out Jeff’s post Texas A&M Aggies Teach a Florida Gator a Lesson in Culture: here. […]
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I too have been impressed with the people at Texas A&M. A couple of years back, I attended a swim meet on the campus. In a hurry to leave I left my briefcase contains my laptop. About 100 yards away from the stadium, my cellphone rang. On the other end was a member of the cadet corps telling me I had left it. I quickly returned to the pool and found the young man there waiting for me. He refused a reward telling me it was his duty. I was impressed beyond words.
I did not attend TAMU, but I was born and raised in B/CS, my father worked at TTI for over 35 years, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends are still working there on campus, my daughter was class of 11, I also worked at The Texas Hall of Fame for many years and got to know and work with Aggies, was raised in the Aggie culture, there is something special about Aggies and Aggieland, it doesn’t matter where you go in this world, you will always find someone wearing an Aggie ring, and you will ALWAYS get a Howdy. I may not have attended TAMU but my blood still runs Maroon Gig’em !!!!! Proud of my hometown and everyone there !!!!
FYI, Texas A&M President Bowen Loftin linked this on his Facebook fan page just now (the day before the Aggies host Alabama).
” There’s a Spirit that can never be told, it’s the Spirit of Aggieland. ” Yep , this article just about sums it up.
What you describe is traditional Texan behavior—not associated with any school alone, but the state as a whole. I say “traditional,” because it’s become lessened of late—I believe in part because, at least in the large cities, we have so many people from other places who did not grow up with the same culture. I’m not putting them down; I’m just saying its not their way. And crowded conditions often have an effect on courtesy, as well.
When I was a kid growing up in Houston, and even when I lived here at other times as an adult, after spending periods of time living elsewhere, this friendly, polite Texan culture was everywhere, and taken for granted. You see it less sometimes now, but the Aggies don’t have an exclusive on it by any means.
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