Going to Aggieland This Weekend? Here’s Everything You Need to Know!

As the Tigers head to Aggieland this week, I was asked by Texas A&M University to share gameday related information and give you a quick refresher on a few of A&M’s traditions:

The Aggies are excited to host the Tigers at Kyle Field for the first time since 1995, and they want us to have a great SEC game weekend experience! Here’s the scoop for all who are traveling to the game:

Tailgating: If you're coming to the game this weekend and are still in need of a full-service, reserved, on campus tailgate, please visit tailgateguystamu.com for more information. There are only a few spots left, so please inquire soon if you're interested.

Visit Gameday Central for information on parking, maps, tailgating, and more: aggieathletics.com/gameday

Gameday activities and timeline: www.aggieathletics.com

Additional Gameday information: tailgating.tamu.edu

________

Here's a snapshot of Texas A&M and a few of their Traditions explained:

Founded: 1876 (first public university in Texas)
Enrollment: 50,769 Students
Academic Ranking: 23rd in the nation among public universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2013)
Research: Valued at nearly $705 million annually
Alumni: More than 360,000 former students worldwide (Aggie graduates are referred to as former students because the term “alumni” implies that grads are “ex-Aggies,” but once an Aggie, always an Aggie.)

Kyle Field
Texas A&M’s football stadium opened in 1927 on a plot of land purchased by Professor of Horticulture E.J. Kyle. Today, the stadium boasts a seating capacity of 83,000+, but crowds typically average around 87,000. When the crowd sings the ‘Aggie War Hymn’ they “saw” back and forth which, actually moves the stadium from side to side.



The 12th Man
This term refers to the entire student body at football games, which stand 31,000 strong and make up the majority of the stadium’s east side. After several injuries during a football game in 1922, the Aggies were down to just 11 players. Student E. King Gill came from the stands, suited up and stood ready to go on the field if needed. The spirit of this “Twelfth Man” continues, as current students stand during the entire game to support their team. Texas A&M takes the 12th Man so seriously that the term is a protected trademark of the university.

Yell Leaders
Aggies don’t cheer, they yell! Look for Aggie Yell Leaders in front of the student section at athletics events, wearing all white and encouraging fans to show their Aggie Spirit. Listen for the A&M student body doing different Yells during any A&M sporting event.

Reveille
The official mascot of Texas A&M. Reveille first came to campus in 1931, after a group of cadets found a stray dog on the road. “Miss Rev,” as cadets address her, can be seen around campus, in class or attending a number of events.



Corps of Cadets
With more than 2,300 members, this is the largest uniformed body of students outside the U.S. military academies.