What's with aggie pride?

[oktx]

No doubt. They have definitely taken it to "another" level.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0FN3gv_LMY

I had always heard about this. I thought it was a myth. I stand corrected.

[txfireguy2003]

So, ESPN, etc should close the doors.... It's a waste of their time!

I sure wish they would! I can't stand some of those sports guys. Can't pass a math or history test to save their lives, but they can calculate rankings for every quarterback in the league off the top of their head, run multiple gambling operations and 3 fantasy leagues, and recite team rosters and every score of every game of significance since the beginning of time, for every sport known to man. Good grief! Some people are into sports, i get it, bit come on, unless you're actually making a living off of sports, why not channel some of that passion, learning ability and drive into something useful?

Oh and he never said it was a waste of ESPN's time, quite the contrary, they're making a killing by helping overzealous sports fanatics waste THEIR time. It's a waste of YOUR time, unless of course, you actually earn money by arguing about sports for hours on end. Much like hunting and fishing are wastes of time, (except you get meat from hunting and fishing, but it's expensive meat).

[CaptainDave]

I haven't seen an A&M grad be any better ready for the workforce than any other top public college grad.

Most jobs now days you just need the piece of paper.

Some people are into the living the college life and that scene the rest of their life and some aren't. Big deal.

Yep.

I know a lot of Aggies, some family, others friends and some co-workers. The majority of them are good people and I wouldn't hesistate to hang out with or work with them.

The main thing that gets on my nerves is a few Aggie alums are just too over the top. I want to be clear, this is not the majority, but a small minority. For some reason they seem to always have to throw it out there that they went to A&M. Then my response is ok, great, what's the big deal. The Aggie response is always, you didn't go there, so you wouldn't understand, etc. My response is I didn't interject into the conversation about where I went to college, you did. Does going to A&M make them part of the Aggie Network? Sure does. However, that does not make them any better than someone that went to UT, Tech, Baylor, Houston, TCU, etc, etc.

Different strokes for different folks. I had an opportunity to go there, but decided not to. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

[scdavis50]

I had always heard about this. I thought it was a myth. I stand corrected.

This happened, too.

Controversy continues after satirical MOB halftime
by STEVE JACKSON and DANA BLANKENHORN

It started at halftime. The favored Aggies were down 17-0 as their band left the field and the MOB marched on. For three years, the Marching Owl Band has performed humorous halftime shows; this week's offering was a "salute to Texas A&M," parodying the Aggie military band.

Goose-stepping onto the field to the tune of an old German march, distinctively unmilitary in a variety of silly hats and helmets, the MOB was greeted by booing which continued as Bob Hord, the rubber-booted drum major, led them down the field. The first formation was a chicken thigh, as guest of honor Marvin Zindler, an ex-baton champion carried out a virtuoso twirling routine. Zindler, the man famous for closing down the Chicken Range in LaGrange, was also booed by the A&M sections.

"As any A&M freshman will attest," the loudspeaker announced, "at the bottom of every Senior Boot is a big heel." The MOB formed a boot; parts of the audience laughed.

The Aggies didn't. Ice and paper began to fly onto the field, intensifying as the band formed a fireplug for Reveille, the female collie mascot of A&M, and a twirler paraded with an empty leash, to the tune of "Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?"

The last MOB formation was a ragged attempt at the countermarching "Aggie War T" done, not to the War Hymn, but to "March of the Wooden Soldiers." The trumpeters blew Retreat, the Aggie band started playing, and the Aggie team pushed through the MOB on their way to the bench.

The scene in the Aggie stands was equally confused. As the MOB returned to their seats, a cacophony of obscenities, insulting gestures, and challenges to fight exploded. Although the Aggie yell leaders and officers attempted to restrain the crowd, two band members were assaulted, and one knocked down. Neither was injured.

The tension did not subside as the game resumed. An hour later, after the Aggies' narrow 24-21 defeat, the stadium emptied – except for the MOB, the Aggies beside, and their fans above. The Rice flags were torn from the stadium poles. Cushions and ice fell from the upper stands, and a ring of gesticulating, uniformed figures surrounded the MOB, which was by now also ringed with police. Several A&M students were restrained by their fellows from rushing the band.

Finally, instead of leaving the stadium, the band was escorted by police – and the Aggies – across the field and into the tunnel until the stadium was cleared. But a few hundred stayed. Most of the Aggie fans left, angry or hurt. And in the tunnel, a shell shocked band settled to wait. Separating them from the campus were a metal gate and a crowd of angry Aggies.

Inside, Bert Roth was feeling old, distraught, nervous. He is principal of a Houston elementary school. He is also the MOB's director. "I should have known this was going to happen."

"What's wrong? We can't help it if they can't take a joke."

"No, look. When you do something like this, it's fun, everyone enjoys it. But you've got to take your audience into account. Because if they don't like it..." he stared out at the field, "we have to take responsibility for it." Then, almost as an afterthought, "I have to take responsibility for it."

"Why? We're not the allwise judges of what they think."

"We goaded them. We're responsible. I'm responsible."

About 350 people were gathered outside the gates at the south end of the stadium. Possibly 40 were uniformed Corps members, the rest of the group was divided, more or less evenly, between A&M students and older fans, mostly alumni. Some 500 more wander between the gate area, the nearby buses, and the van beside which the Aggie band was lined up in a hollow square around their equipment, waiting to go home.

The atmosphere outside is almost carnival. The crowd is angry, yes, but it is a cheerful anger. They fully expect the band to come out. Some want to "give these kids a good talking to." Some want to fight. If the band won't come out, the Aggies may come in.

The MOB leaves the tunnels and climbs into the east stands. Their attitude is still one of disbelief. "This is America..." says one. "This is 1973. And here we are, surrounded in our own stadium by Aggies!" His audience shrugs.

A half-dozen uniformed Corps members scale a drainage pipe west of the gate. They make it look easy as, one by one, they catfoot along the stadium wall and leap inside. Emerging from behind a concession stand in the band's rear, they encounter a large Houston policeman. The verbal exchange is inaudible. The Aggies vault back onto the wall, hang over the edge, drop five feet; all but one avoid the mud.

A Corps member peers between the gates, sees a few MOBsters. He gives a signal and the crowd outside breaks into a chant. The dozen policemen present exchange glances and move between the gate and the crowd. The chant ends. "All right, there's nothing you can do here. Why don't you all go home now?" No one goes.

The concessions in the stadium are open for the high school game later in the evening.

"I gotta stay here all night." A teenage girl behind the counter looks up from counting quarters. "What are you here for?"

"They say conduct unbecoming a band."

"I'm beginning to wonder."

By 5:30, there are only about 200 Aggies outside the gates, but they continue slowly moving in closer to the cordon of Houston traffic police. The police are now telling the crowd to leave; no results. One woman shakes her finger at a burly cop: "We're paying your salary, not these kids." The light is failing fast. The officer in charge makes a radio request for "all the assistance here you can send." Two squad cars, lights flashing, appear almost immediately.

A quarter-mile away, Rice is going about its business. Security is at the stadium; the administration knows what's happening; the students don't either.

"What are the cops doing here?" A small contingent of Rice students arrive. Behind them come another dozen prowl cars – no sirens this time – on the far side of the crowd. Clearly, they mean business. The Aggies begin to disperse. The stadium lights come on. It is 5:50.

It is another half-hour before the gates open and the Food Service trucks back in, one by one, to pick up their loads of MOBsters and drive them, police cars before and behind, back to the colleges. No incidents. It's over.

It was just the beginning. Public reaction was mixed and vocal. Channel 11 condemned the MOB that night and Channel 13 complimented it. Letters in the daily papers were strongly anti-MOB at first, segueing into more balanced sentiments as of today (Thursday). And they're still writing.

The show was discussed by several sports columnists, especially here and in Dallas. Most enjoyed the put-on and felt that the Aggie fans had overreacted.

Bob Galt wrote, in the Dallas Times-Herald, "In recent years there hasn't been a lot to get excited about over Owl football. The only thing that has been consistently good has been the halftime show presented by the Mob ... It pokes fun at itself and the world."

Bert Roth and Bob Hord issued an apology to the A&M band for the unintentional offense, saying, "We consider these programs to be a tribute to our fellow schools, because only strong tradition and colorful, individualistic activities are subject to parody."

This article originally appeared in The Rice Thresher on November 29, 1973.

[miket]

I sure wish they would! I can't stand some of those sports guys. Can't pass a math or history test to save their lives, but they can calculate rankings for every quarterback in the league off the top of their head, run multiple gambling operations and 3 fantasy leagues, and recite team rosters and every score of every game of significance since the beginning of time, for every sport known to man. Good grief! Some people are into sports, i get it, bit come on, unless you're actually making a living off of sports, why not channel some of that passion, learning ability and drive into something useful?

Oh and he never said it was a waste of ESPN's time, quite the contrary, they're making a killing by helping overzealous sports fanatics waste THEIR time. It's a waste of YOUR time, unless of course, you actually earn money by arguing about sports for hours on end. Much like hunting and fishing are wastes of time, (except you get meat from hunting and fishing, but it's expensive meat).

In my opinion the difference is when hunting and fishing you are DOING something. Most sports fans are only WATCHING someone else do something. To be so emotionally invested in a game you are WATCHING sure doesnt seem healthy.

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

The part that cracks me up is that people, mostly Aggies, think that if you were not fortunate enough to attend a major university then you cannot be a fan of a team in the second biggest sport in the country. How does that work for a 14 year old? They have to stop liking their favorite college football team at 18 if they can't afford to go there?

Silly.

[Blood Trail]

thats the **** truth! you guys are like flies and crazy as ****!

We're normal. Everyone else is nuts.
Never heard of A&M until I got to Texas.
But if we're still here when my son is going to college, TAMU would be the one I would want him to go to in Texas. My dream is from him to go to UNC!
For real, you can tell a former Marine. He has the eagle, globe, and anchor somewhere on his person. Noticed all the Marine emblems on the back of cars. And everyone can recognize the Marine's Hymn!

[Burnadell]

A lot of Aggie hating by non college graduates is due to jealousy.

Texas A&M is a great university, but I have only one question...

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How can someone graduate from a great university and not have the ability to spell or punctuate?

[BBReezen]

A lot of Aggie hating by non college graduates is due to jealousy.

Texas A&M is a great university, but I have only one question...

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How can someone graduate from a great university and not have the ability to spell or punctuate?

Somebody already answered that... You can't understand it and they can't explain it

[BIG IRON]

Aggs take it to another level. 12th man, corp of cadets, yell leaders (male cheerleaders lol), the BTHO of whoever their opponent is that week, the whole "whoop" thing, the loathing of "TU", saw'em off bumper stickers, etc.

The saw em off thing is a little gay

You need to go visit Tuscaloosa and watch a CFB game from Bryant Denny Stadium. Some of them Alabamians are waaaaaay over the top
i.e. - Harvey Updyke and Phyllis from Alabama


same can be said for the LSU drunken' faithful on a Saturday night in Death Valley

You mean the guys that end every sentence with Roll Tide?

There have been many a people get an interview or a job because of being an aggie. Especially engineers. It's a tight network and if you live in texas, it is very beneficial to have an aggie ring in a lot of cases. Not saying ut isn't the same but if it is I don't hear that much about it.

The HR guy at a home builder I used to work for was an Aggie and that was all that he hired. Everyone that came to work for us were solid young men that were ready to work.

Sounds like you are just picking a fight and not asking a legitimate question. You've already made up your mind.

That is what I was thinking

[Tx_Wader]

They lost me when I was told I had to go to "fish camp". I was like ahh no lol.

I admire Aggie pride but I don't care for those who are obnoxious about it.

My Dad went to UT and his best friend to A&M back in the early 50's. They got along just fine until the day that they died.

[Burnadell]

I don't understand any college pride ... mine took all my money (and a bunch that I did not really own) and gave me a mediocre education at best.

Obviously, you went to the wrong college!

You just see it more on a Texas website,,,,,,Go to an LSU game and wear the opposing team gear,,,,, you will have thousands of people hollaring "Tiger Bait" anywhere you go! go to Florida and you will have everyone doing the hand chomp. UT or Tu guys hate the Aggies just as much if not more on here!

This is true.

You need to go visit Tuscaloosa and watch a CFB game from Bryant Denny Stadium. Some of them Alabamians are waaaaaay over the top
i.e. - Harvey Updyke and Phyllis from Alabama


same can be said for the LSU drunken' faithful on a Saturday night in Death Valley

Nobody any crazier than drunk LSU Cajuns! They would throw empty whiskey bottles at the opposing players coming out of the tunnel, and for the Rice games, chanting over and over, "What comes out of a Chinaman's arse? rice, rice!!!"

Arkansas, back in the day when they were contenders, were just as crazy and intimidating!

Lots of the same type of networks for UT and Tech they just don't talk about it as much.

Same at Rice. Their ring is more unique than any other ring I have seen and more recognizable than any other. It is a much smaller and more unique "fraternity", one that will get you an interview, but not one that will get you hired unless...you are qualified. I quit wearing mine years ago because I don't like wearing jewelry; don't even wear a wedding ring!

This happened, too.

Controversy continues after satirical MOB halftime
by STEVE JACKSON and DANA BLANKENHORN

That certainly happened. Steve Jackson, the co-author was a friend, from Midland, who lived down the hall from me in the dorm my first two years. Last I heard he was in New Braunfels.

Texas A&M is a fine university, and I know many Aggies who I am proud to call friends! Some of them went on and got a formal education; some did not! (Sometimes I crack myself up! )

[krisw]

The part that cracks me up is that people, mostly Aggies, think that if you were not fortunate enough to attend a major university then you cannot be a fan of a team in the second biggest sport in the country. How does that work for a 14 year old? They have to stop liking their favorite college football team at 18 if they can't afford to go there?

Silly.

Strangely enough, the majority of the people foolishly whinning about tshirt fans are aggies. Even though, before they got to school, that's what they were. It's not like it's an Ivy league school.

[MASTERS]

Aggie Spirit:
From the outside looking in, you can't understand it.
From the inside looking out, you can't explain it.

Not a better explanation as already mentioned above. For those of you that arent Aggies and say were different, over zealous, cult like, sorry you've missed out on the chance to live as an Fighting Texas Aggie. Aggie's take care of Aggies. Gig 'Em class of '08

[docmay]

I try to be a proud but quiet old ag. Gig'em!!!