Famous Texas Aggies

If it seems like an Aggie joke that an Aggie is authoring Tx A&M’s birthday celebration 1 day late, allow me to share my personal favorite Aggie laugh:

You-know-what you call an Aggie after graduation?

“Boss.”

I’ll wait for applause to die down.

But it is (a single day after) Tx A&M’s 140th birthday. Classes started on Oct. 4, 1876 with just 40 students on “Agricultural and Mechanical College of Tx” — rendering it initial community establishment of higher education inside condition.

A&M began as an all-male, all-military college in a decidedly various period the army … it had just already been a few months since Gen. George Armstrong Custer along with his forces had been destroyed in the Battle for the Little Bighorn.

But within a generation of delivering 20, 000 Aggies to fight in World War II, the school had been branching down. Because of the mid-1960s, ladies and African People in the us had been welcomed as students and joining the Corps of Cadets had been no further necessary. Perhaps, maybe not coincidentally, enrollment tripled from 8, 000 in 1963 to 25, 000 in 1976.

These days A&M boasts 66, 000 students and former pupils (don’t telephone call ’em former Aggies) in thousands and thousands. Only for them (and perhaps you, too), let’s view 10 great Aggie things …

10. Texas A&M was barely years old whenever Texas officials made a serious effort to close the institution down and convert the university into an outrageous asylum. Regents president Edward Cushing thwarted the bid. Luckily for everybody, they are able ton’t foresee your whole “Johnny Football” circus. (this could not look like something great, nevertheless the ability to take bull crap just isn't a lost art in Aggieland.)

9. Gen. James Earl Rudder was the Texas A&M president which, despite any personal conservatism learned developing up in Eden, Texas, led the school away from the all-white, all-male, all-military school it turned out as he appeared. Many grumbled that “old military” was going to hell, but that didn’t scare Gen. Rudder, just who individually led their Army Rangers up the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc through the D-Day invasion at Normandy. Yes, the next occasion you’re in a 9-story building, run-up the stairs and pretend you’re rising a cliff that tall. Now imagine that Nazis are shooting at you and losing grenades you from above.

8. While we’re on World War II, let’s pay our areas toward most famous Aggie Muster. You could remember that Muster occurs when Aggies gather together each year on April 21 to commemorate their particular camaraderie and honor those Aggies who've died in the last year. Aggies weren’t gonna let a global war get in the way …

7. Its conventional at Texas A&M baseball games, that after the Aggies score, the followers reach kiss their particular times. This will make friend-zone excursions embarrassing, house shutouts a tremendously, extremely discouraging thing and securing a night out together for games against lesser opponents very desirable — playing Compass-Point Louisiana or Minor-Midwest U. instantly appears even more appealing. Naturally, Aggies are adaptable. My dad stated the group was so bad as he went to they would kiss their particular dates on very first downs.

6. Glimpsing an Aggie ring on somebody else always provides an immediate link. My Longhorn friend and I were at Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic at Southpark Meadows in 2000 (yes, attempt to imagine Austin’s mega-shopping center Southpark Meadows as an open industry at this time) and desired to get speak with some friends closer to the stage. We spied a fellow wearing a ring and launched myself — class of ’93 — and asked him to keep a watch on our grass seats. Our friends persuaded united states to become listed on all of them, so my Longhorn friend went back to recover the chairs. He returned only a little flustered. “You better go have the chairs. That Aggie other was willing to fight for all of them.”

5. Plenty was made from Prairie see A&M’s band arriving at Kyle Field in 2010, nonetheless it had beenn’t their first check out. They performed here during a Rice game (when the Rice MOB had beenn’t welcome) into the 1990s and attained a standing ovation — considerable, considering that the opposing band’s overall performance could be the just time the Aggie followers sit-down during game. As impressive as Prairie View’s band is, we nevertheless cast my vote when it comes to Fightin’ Tx Aggie Band …

4. I’m maybe not saying the Tx A&M vet school is the better worldwide. You-know-who does state that? Bevo. Yes, when UT’s mascot needs really serious treatment, rivalry is not any match for excellence.

3. I’m planning inform you “Two of Tx A&M’s most famous and talented students tend to be an English major and a Journalism/German major.” You’re planning to state “who?” I’m planning state “And they sing. Sometimes collectively.” You’re gonna state “ohhhh … appropriate.”

2. When I contemplate “The Hit” nowadays, I think about any of it as a parent. I believe concerning the TCU receiver. I think about how precisely their moms and dads felt when they saw it. Some one online says I’ve gone soft. Probably. But I became a junior at A&M whenever “The Hit” taken place and I had no these types of misgivings after that. I went up-and-down the dormitory hallway hooting like a howler monkey. The response from those seeing in Aggieland had seismologists throughout the state going “what the hell’s that?” If DVRs was indeed devised then, there would be a 45-year-old guy somewhere on university nevertheless rewinding and re-watching that minute. Women and men, Quentin Coryatt …