I was absolutely beside myself when I heard about Erin at Love, Fun & Football's
Tailgate Tuesday link-up!
I love lots of things but I love, love, L-O-V-E me some fightin' Texas Aggie football! Whoop!
I am giddy with excitement to tell you about the school I love so much!!! Hang with me - there was so much I wanted to tell you that I got a bit carried away! :)
Texas A&M University, the largest university in the great state of Texas, and the fourth largest university in the United States, located in College Station and home to over 58,000 students, also known as Aggies.
The fall in Aggieland is a very special place! There's a buzz in the air and game days are my favorite days of the week!
Kyle Field is the home of our Fightin' Texas Aggie football team. This was Kyle Field as I will always remember it!
This is how it will look very, very soon! {source}
We are also home of the 12th Man!
E. King Gill was the original 12th Man. Back in 1922, the team suffered so many injuries during the first half that they were down to eleven players. The coach called E. King Gill down from the stands to suit up and be ready to play. Although he never played, Aggies stand for the duration of the game as a symbol of the original 12th Man - ready and willing to support their team to the point of actually entering the game. I love how Texas A&M explains it: The tradition was born out of the willingness to serve. This willing spirit has endured, and today the Aggie student body is known as the 12th Man: united in loyalty, united in support, and united and ready to serve when they are called to do so.
Texas A&M is a school based on more traditions than I can count! Some of my favorites are:
+ Midnight Yell - Other schools might call this a Pep Rally but we aren't like other schools. Aggies don't have cheers, we have yells (we don't have cheerleaders either, we have Yell Leaders). The night before every Aggie home game, we hold a Midnight Yell practice at Kyle Field (and, yes, it does start at midnight!). We go through the yells, hear a few stories, sing the War Hymn, and there's even a time when they turn out the lights so you can practice kissing your date (cause Aggies kiss after they score!). Being an Aggie has it's advantages! ;)
it's not unusual for 20,000 to 25,000 people to be in attendance at Midnight Yell!
I love taking the kids to Midnight Yell! We usually try to wait till we have a night game because getting up early after Midnight Yell isn't fun!
+ we say Gig 'em - Why? You can check it out here. My kiddos don't need to know why - they just stick their thumb up and say it!
+ we saw 'em off! - During one section of the Aggie War Hymn (other schools might refer to this as their Fight Song), we lock arms and legs and sway to the left and right. Our rivals for the longest time were the Longhorns and it's our symbolic way of sawing off the horns of Bevo.
I love our little family of Aggies!
you always place your left leg over the person's right leg and then join arms - our kids learned this very early in life!
+ we hump it - We what?! Yes, we actually hump it! ;) During yells, we put our hands on our knees and lean over. The intent is to maximize our voices!
+ we also say "Whoop" - Whoop is an upperclassman's way of giving their approval. That's right, freshman and sophomores aren't suppose to whoop!
Holden shows you the hand sign associated with whooping!
Our mascot is a collie named Reveille. She's considered the "First Lady" of A&M and holds the highest rank in the Corps of Cadets. You can read how A&M started this tradition and why she's named Reveille here.
Reveille attends classes with her handler. If she is in class and barks while the professor is teaching, the class is to be immediately dismissed. #whoop
Hope recently ran in to the new Reveille at puppy training.
So, why do I love Aggie football so much? Here's just a few reasons:
+ family time - For the last seventeen years, we've had season tickets with my parents. We have eight tickets - four seats in front of the other four. This way our kids can go back and forth between us and Dede and Pop Pop. Some of my favorite memories are at Kyle Field on a Saturday afternoon!
+ our kids have grown up at Kyle Field - We started bringing our kids to games as soon as we could. I have nursed my share of babies in the concourse of the stadium! Why do we bring them? Why not! They might not always pay attention to the game but they are immersed in all things Aggie! :) That's right - we start brainwashing them the moment they are born!
+ tailgating - This season will be our fourth season in the SEC. Tailgating has always been fun but I've noticed that we've turned it up a notch since joining the big boys! My favorite part about tailgating is definitely catching up with friends!
+ friends - And, what's better than a Saturday at Kyle Field? A Saturday at Kyle Field with your besties!
+ dressing for football games - Since it's normally 100+ degrees when our football season starts, we {try} to dress for comfort. But, that's the beauty of Aggieland - you'll see a little bit of everything! Here's a few of my favorite game day outfits!
you can never go wrong with a jersey
tattoos and tutus are always popular
sparkles are a favorite for these two
wearing cute babies is also acceptable game day attire ;)
they've outgrown head wear but at one time this was a must!
mini skirts and cowboy boots
apparently LOVE shirts were all the rage!
and, yes, sometimes rain jackets!
+ special guests - President George H.W. Bush has his Presidential Library on the Texas A&M campus so it's always fun to see him attending Aggie games!
+ the sights and sounds - Kyle Field is just electric to me. Game day is always fun but there's just something about a night game at Kyle that is just unlike the rest! It's hard to even put in to words! It's one of those things you have to experience for yourself!
When Colby was younger he played soccer on Saturday mornings {gasp!}. But, since we live in College Station, we could make his game and then hurry over to Kyle Field to try and miss as little of the game as possible. Granted, I hated not being there for kick-off but there's something about walking up to the stadium and hearing the roar of the crowd!
+ some things the kids love - While there might be a fabulous game going on in front of us, there are tons of concession stands behind us! We spend lots of money feeding our crew on game days!
+ memories I don't want to forget -
The time when it was over 100 degrees and we left the game so that the boys could swim in the fountain across the street at the Memorial Student Center.
We got them cooled off and then took them back to the game!
Watching the Corps march-in hand in hand!
This girl not really liking football but choosing her "favorite" player by who wore her favorite number!
Colby meeting my favorite ESPN sportscaster while we were at the Holiday Bowl.
The girls playing their Nintendo DS during games.
or cards! :)
Staying up late so that we could welcome home the team in 2012 after their big win in Alabama.
Watching these boys grow in to men right before my very eyes!
There are 25 more days till the Ags face Arizona State for the season opener. I can't wait!!!
I can't wait to read about everyone else's favorite football team! Thanks for stopping by (and for making it to the end!). You deserve a "Whoop"!
Have a fabulous week! Gig 'em and God bless!
Holly
and come back tomorrow for the Waiting on...Wednesday link-up - a place where you can link up what you are waiting on, going through, making, anything - as long as it's family-friendly! :)
AND come back tonight at 8pm for #summerfamilyfun...for the next 3 weeks, you can find a BONUS link-up here for summer family fun posts! There are 30 co-hosts so your post will get maximum exposure!!! Feel free to link up both days!
Be sure you check out my FAVORITE link-ups page to see where I'm linking up today. Stop by and show them some love! :)
Be sure you check out my FAVORITE link-ups page to see where I'm linking up today. Stop by and show them some love! :)
What a great family tradition. You really captured the heart of the game and everything in between. DO link this up at Tuesday Talk with us as we kick off football season! See you at the game!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle! It truly is my favorite time of the year! Thanks for hosting Tuesday Talk - I've got this linked up as well as my bucket list update!
DeleteHolly, I love everything about this! And I'm glad to see I'm not the only one brainwashing my children. Ha! We take our kids to Notre Dame on a game day every year too. There is nothing like being on campus for a game!!! And the traditions and the family time are the best. I just love this post - I loved learning about all of your traditions and seeing all the awesome pics of your family and how they've grown up as Aggie fans. You have a beautiful family! -Jess, Sweet Little Ones
ReplyDeleteIs it really brainwashing or just good parenting?! :) There truly is nothing like being on campus on game day! Creating memories that will last a lifetime! My son has a streak going - he's never missed a home game - for his entire life! So far, he's at 88 straight home games! Craziness! Thanks for stopping by! Love your passion for all things Notre Dame!
DeleteWow! You guys have such AMAZING traditions and memories through football! That's so awesome!!!! I love all the pride you have for that school! Although I'm an NFL girl through and through, I could get used to some of those college game day traditions!!
ReplyDeleteThe traditions are my favorite part! I've had so much fun reading all the other posts and seeing favorite teams from all over the nation! I'm so glad you stopped by! Hope you're having a great day!
DeleteI'm a Longhorn, but I have to admit that A&M has some incredible traditions! Great post. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tanya! Love that I got a little Longhorn love today! My BIL is a longhorn so we love to give each other a hard time! Thanks for stopping by! Have a super day!
DeleteI just love everything about College Station on Game Day! The food, friends, traditions, and, of course, Aggie football! I loved seeing how much your kids love A&M already! It's always good to start them young ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ashley! There's been a time or two when we needed extra tickets for friends that the girls have stayed home with a sitter. I must admit it just doesn't feel right not having them there! I love sharing our Aggie love with them!!! Thanks for stopping by! It was fun finding your blog today! Gig 'em!
DeleteI absolutely LOVE your post and all these wonderful pictures!!! You are a football family FOR SURE!!! My husband and I look forward to the day we're got little mini- Bengals fans to brainwash/teach all about our love for Cincinnati sports :) Thanks for linking up!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting! That was the best link-up!!! I'm so fired up for football season now! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLove that you have the WHOLE family involved at the Aggie games! Awesome pics!! And very cool traditions!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea! The kids know if the Aggies are playing - we are going! :) I'm so excited for Aggie football! Just a few more weeks...I can't wait! Thanks for stopping by! Hope you are having a super day!
DeleteThese are all great memories and moments! I absolutely love your love for the game and your team! Thanks for sharing all the history of your family and your team Holly. I love learning about why schools/teams do what they do! And I love that you have the season tickets with your family! I just love it all! Ok...I will stop now :)
ReplyDeleteWeren't the posts from Erin's link-up so much fun to read! It was awesome "meeting" other girls that love football as much as I do! Thanks for stopping by! Hope you are having a great week! How's the move coming?
DeleteYay SEC!!!! I am going to ignore the fact that your team nearly ruined my wedding day. I got married on the day of our loss to A&M. We figured meh it isn't one of our biggest games of the year so it is ok if we miss part of the game to get married. I made the mistake of checking the score during our photo shoot after. Needless to say that was cut short to go watch the game!
ReplyDeleteUh oh!!! Sorry about that! That's one of the things I love about college football - even when you know your team should win, there's always the chance for an upset! I can't imagine the life of a college coach - your career depends upon the performance of a bunch of 19/20 year olds! Yikes! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you come back soon!
DeleteHi there, stopping over from the link-up! It's so cool to learn more about all of the different teams traditions and what it means! SEC! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! I've LOVED reading about everyone's favorite teams! SEC! SEC!!!
DeleteYay for SEC teams however I'm going to have to cheer for MIZZOU!! I would love to get to Texas one day and see a game down there, I've heard stories so I can only imagine.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Erin's football link up :)
There was a lot of SEC love at the link-up! Would love to have you visit Aggieland! It's a truly special place! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI love all of your traditions and when I met and married my ex husband....he was born and raised in State College and I became a HUGE Nittany Lion fan! Even when we divorced 17 years ago, I did not divorce my Penn State boys! I bleed Blue and White thru and thru and the other day I was in the PHX airport and walked past a man wearing a PSU cap and shirt. True Penn Staters greet each other with a WE ARE.....and the person responds PENN STATE! I did that We Are and he quickly high five me and yelled PENN STATE. Made my whole day. I miss not being able to go to Happy Valley and cheer on my boys (I live in Cali) but I order the Big 10 network every fall JUST so I can watch a game that might not be on regular TV!! My hubby is a Notre Dame fan and we both love and support our local valley team (and where our daughter attends college) Fresno State Bulldogs! She would like to go to A&M for her Masters Degree in Ag Business so maybe someday! WE have had season tickets for Fresno State for the past 10 years but decided to take a break this Fall. I have a countdown on my phone for the first Penn State game and put them all in my reminders so I can DVR if I can't watch on TV. I love that you love college football as much as I do! Have a great rest of your week! Its getting closer!
ReplyDeleteYour story about the Penn State fan made me smile! Aggies are like that too! Aggies wear Aggie rings - they are all the same and very distinct. So, regardless of where you are, if you see someone wearing one, you can ask "What class are you" and you instantly have a connection! I love that! My hubby is from NoCal. He had never even visited A&M but applied, got accepted, and decided to attend! He loaded up his truck and drove to Texas without ever even stepping foot here (boy, am I glad he did!). If you daughter decides to come to A&M, you'll have to let me know! I love sharing our town and A&M with others!!! Good luck to your Nittany Lions and thanks for stopping by!!
DeleteI love all the pictures of your littles! And getting to learn a little more about A&M! I'm an Auburn fan, and have loved getting to play you guys! Going to Kyle Field is definitely on my list of "must-dos." I hope y'all have a great season!
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to have you visit, Laura! I completely understand now about the SEC rooting for each other (except when we play each other). They are all programs based on long-standing traditions and I just love that! Good luck this season and thanks for stopping by!
DeleteGreat pics and Kyle Stadium looks great. I do want to visit there. I love CAL and the PAC-12. I can understand all the great traditions that college football has to offer.
ReplyDeleteGo Bears and Beat Stanford.
Thanks, Patrick! It really is such a special place! Hope you get to visit soon!
Deletei am cracking up! How did I miss this post the other day?!! I seriously pulled so many of these pictures but never finished my post...when I saw one of the pix on a linkup I was like wait..I never finished that. haha I knew this one was perfect for you!
ReplyDeleteGirl, you know I was geeked out excited over this link-up! SO excited for football season!!!
DeleteSeriously....just have to comment again after going back through again! I'm so excited we have no other commitments to keep us from spending Saturdays on the field this year. :) Also almost teared up when I caught a glimpse of my big boy in one pic...sure am missing him.
ReplyDeleteI could look at these pictures all.day.long! So many fun, sweet memories that I never want to forget! Can't wait! And, when might you get to see that big boy of yours?
DeleteThis post is amazing. Seriously. Love me some Aggie anything! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll ask the question yet again, "how are we just NOW meeting each other?!" - guess God was waiting for just the right time! ;) Crazy how much we have in common!
DeleteWhere is the greetings from aggieland mural?
ReplyDeleteThis one was on the side of Aggieland Outfitters on University Drive but I believe they removed it when they enlarged their store. But, there is a similar one at the Aggieland Outfitters located on George Bush.
DeleteFavorite post yet. I love ALLLLLLL the many pictures and of course, the maroon makes it that much better. :) BTHO Arizona State.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stephanie! It was a fun post to put together! Hard to choose your favorite pics when they are all your favorite pics! :)
DeleteHere is something you might enjoy that CAL did a couple of weeks ago:
ReplyDeletehttp://csuhpat1.blogspot.com/2015/08/2015-golden-bear-day-cal-sports-pep.html
Also, I am headed to the New Hampshire-San Jose St game tomorrow night at San Jose St. The funny thing is that I just dropped off my daughter at the University of New Hampshire last week.
Holy heck! New Hampshire is a long ways from home! Will she be flying in to go to the game with you?
DeleteLove everything about this post...you summed up gameday in Aggieland perfectly! Can't wait to be sitting in Kyle Field on Saturday!
ReplyDeleteCasey @ faithfootballandfairytales.blogspot.com {Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 01}
It was a hot one, huh?! But, since the Aggies pulled it out - it was completely worth every drop of sweat! Gig 'em!
DeleteI am loving these traditions! This is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amanda! Aggie culture is based an all things tradition! We love it!
DeleteJust to tell, your old arch rival (Texas) is visiting Cal this season.
ReplyDeleteAlso, here is something as a college football fan, you might enjoy:
http://csuhpat1.blogspot.com/2016/08/uscs-heritage-hall.html
Really hope Cal takes care of business and beats those Longhorns!
DeleteI just reread the whole post and may love it even more than the first time I read it! So much fun!
ReplyDeleteYou're the best! Our love of all things maroon and white runs deep!
Delete