Texas A&M wants to hear from you

#1
Freak

Freak

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#1
As you are all aware Texas A&M is joining the SEC on July 1. I was asked by Texas A&M university to introduce themselves and more importantly let them get to know University of Tennessee fans in terms of game day traditions, places to eat while in Knoxville, etc. I need you guys help in providing info and feedback to their fans. You’ll also get to learn a little bit about the Aggies too..


Here's a snapshot of Texas A&M:

Location: College Station, Texas (about 90 miles northwest of Houston)
Colors: Maroon & White
Nickname: Aggies
Founded: 1876 (first public university in Texas)
Enrollment: 49,861 Students


There are a few questions listed below that they’d like us to answer so they can take that info back to educate their fan base about us.

- What are the best restaurants and attractions to visit when the Aggies are in Knoxville?
- What are some of your game day traditions?
- Who are your most famous/notable alumni?
- What is the University of Tennessee most known for?
- What’s the most important thing you think Aggie fans need to know about the University of Tennessee?


Here are a few of Texas A&M’s Traditions Explained:

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+. When the crowd sings the ‘Aggie War Hymn’ they “saw” back and forth which actually moves the stadium from side to side.

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The 12th Man This term refers to the entire student body. 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.

Howdy “Howdy” is the official greeting of Texas A&M. Students greeting one another, and especially visitors, with a “howdy” has earned the university a reputation as one of the friendliest campuses in the world.

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 their peers to show their Aggie Spirit. Listen for the A&M student body doing different “Yells” during any A&M sporting event.

Midnight Yell A&M’s version of a 25,000 person pep rally. At midnight the night before each home game, Aggie fans gather at Kyle Field and Yell Leaders get the crowd pumped and ready to support the Aggies in the next days’ contest.

Gig ’em Aggies will often flash a thumbs up and say “gig ’em.” This started at a yell practice before the 1930 TCU football game, when Aggie Pinky Downs shouted, “What are we gonna do to those Horned Frogs?” He then gave the crowd a thumbs-up yelling the answer, “Gig ’em, Aggies!” A “gig” is a sharp-pronged tool used for hunting frogs.

Corps of Cadets Texas A&M began as an all-male military institution. While today’s membership is voluntary, the Corps of Cadets’ makes up about 4% of the total student body at A&M — both male and female — and is the largest uniformed body of students outside the U.S. military academies.

Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band The nationally acclaimed Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, which is comprised of members of the Corps of Cadets, is known for its military precision and style. Click here for a half time clip ('Aggie War Hymn' starts at 6 minute mark)

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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.

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We’re working with Texas A&M University on this program in an official capacity. Remember that your replies to this thread will be read by fans at Texas A&M, and officials at the University. Let’s represent Vol fans well as we welcome Texas A&M University as the 13th member of the SEC!
 
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#3
#3
Awesome. Thanks for the info. I like learning about other schools' traditions. Sounds like A&M has a lot of tradition so they should fit right in. Welcome to the SEC! And thanks for knocking off K-State in 98.
 
#4
#4
As far as what we're most known for -

2 things I would say that are well known are the checkerboard end zones and the running through the T formed by the band as they play Rocky Top. Such a beautiful thing that gives me chills.
 
#5
#5
Living in Dallas I have quite the head start in hating this school and its gazillion "traditions." Can't wait to see the orange hammer come down on them much like they did in the Cotton bowl!
 
#6
#6
Every college football fan needs to experience the Vol Walk, 2 hrs and 15 minutes before the game? could be wrong but something like that. But when its a big game and a nice day, that's where our 25,000+ come out and line the streets. I've been to probably 20 vol walks, some from street level giving high fives to the players as they pass, others from the 3rd level of Neyland, before they put the new front on. But I've yet to go to one and not get chills, the energy is unreal, and if you stick around for the band to come down, you'll catch another treat!
 
#7
#7
The wikipedia article for Tennessee football is actually a remarkably good place to start (Tennessee Volunteers football - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

I would highlight some of the most interesting and unique traditions

1. The Vol Navy: Only Tennessee, Pitt, and Washington have their stadiums on bodies of water. Flotilla tailgating is one of the most unique and special things we do.

2. The checkerboard endzones: Few stadium features in the country are as iconic as the orange and white checkerboards.

3. The 1939 regular season. 10 games. Did not give up a SINGLE POINT. If you throw in the end of 1938, they held 17 consecutive opponents scoreless. This feat will never be repeated. EVER. Coach General Robert Neyland became a legend.

4. Peyton Manning. As if this needed any introduction. I don't have the numbers, but a significant number of Tennessee children under the age of 15 bear his namesake. Don't bring up that year of Heisman voting unless you want to listen to a tirade (albeit a justified one).

5. Rocky Top. Not the official fight song. Doesn't matter. You'll learn it by heart, and you'll learn to hate it (because hearing it probably means we just did something good). Just hate it respectfully.

6. Hills. East Tennessee has them. College Station does not. Get ready to walk a little bit.

7. Smokey Mountains. If you want the true East Tennessee experience, budget in a day or two to get out of Knoxville just 45 minutes East to the most visited National Park in America.

8. Bourbon. It's not a tailgate if that's not there. It's practically the official drink of Tennessee. If you want to be local make it Jack Daniels (if you want it to be fantastic, it will be some Kentucky small batch of some sort...don't tell anyone I said that).

9. Mascots. Smokey the bluetick hound is the official animal mascots. To most events, we bring the actual dog, a human Smokey mascot, and another human Smokey Jr. Then in the spirit of Tennessee, we typically have a Davy Crockett attired fellow as well.

I'll come back and edit as I remember things.

Aggie Fans, when you come to visit, have a good time. If you treat Tennessee fans with dignity and mutual respect (win or lose), you'll find that 99% of us will do the same and welcome you with open arms. I apologize in advance for the 1% who cannot be reached.
 
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#8
#8
dlw4n said:
The wikipedia article for Tennessee football is actually a remarkably good place to start (Tennessee Volunteers football - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

I would highlight some of the most interesting and unique traditions

1. The Vol Navy: Only Tennessee, Pitt, and Washington have their stadiums on bodies of water. Flotilla tailgating is one of the most unique and special things we do.

2. The checkerboard endzones: Few stadium features in the country are as iconic as the orange and white checkerboards.

3. The 1939 regular season. 10 games. Did not give up a SINGLE POINT. If you throw in the end of 1938, they held 17 consecutive opponents scoreless. This feat will never be repeated. EVER. Coach General Robert Neyland became a legend.

4. Peyton Manning. As if this needed any introduction. I don't have the numbers, but a significant number of Tennessee children under the age of 15 bear his namesake.

5. Rocky Top. Not the official fight song. Doesn't matter. You'll learn it by heart, and you'll learn to hate it (because it probably means we just did something good). Just hate it respectfully.

6. Hills. East Tennessee has them. College Station does not. Get ready to walk a little bit.

7. Smokey Mountains. If you want the true East Tennessee experience, budget in a day or two to get out of Knoxville just 45 minutes East to the most visited National Park in America.
Click to expand...

8. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN are full over over-priced t-shirt shops, but fun for a weekend side-trip, and a gateway into the aforementioned beautiful Smoky Mountains.
 
#9
#9
- What’s the most important thing you think Aggie fans need to know about the University of Tennessee?

UT is better than A&M :D
 
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#10
#10
Aggie Fans, when you come to visit, have a good time. If you treat Tennessee fans with dignity and mutual respect (win or lose), you'll find that 99% of us will do the same and welcome you with open arms. I apologize in advance for the 1% who cannot be reached.
Click to expand...

Ditto that! Remember if not for Tennessee ya'll would be Mexico A&M... :)
 
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#11
#11
1. It's all we think about (college football) 12 months a year.
2. It's all we think about (college football) 12 months a year.
3. We don't have a univ of Texas in our conference who asks for more revenue while others go without meat and eat the bread
 
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#18
#18
Museum of Appalachia - 20 minutes north on I-75. Aggie fans can take a quick trip and see the longhorns on display.:)
 
#20
#20
Here's a snapshot of Tennessee:

Location: Knoxville, TN.
Colors: Orange and White and sometimes a little Black
Nickname: Volunteers
Founded: Originally opened as Blount College in 1794, closed for a decade. Reopen with a partnership with Academy in Virginia, but officially in 1826 the university dissolved its partnership with the academy and moved to what is now known as the Hill.
Enrollment: 41,650


When you visit University of Tennessee.

Restaurants: Top 7 would be Bistro at the Bijou, Calhoun’s on the River, Chesapeakes, Sapphire, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Tennessee River Boat Co. but there is one that you may want to take a short drive to visit called Littons Market & Restaurant, and of course there is the usual Melting Pot, Sunspot, Tomato head, Café 4, Downtown Grill & Brewery, Nama Sushi Bar, Dazzo Pizzaeria, Latitude 35, Crown & Goose, Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, all with-in walking distance of the downtown.

Bars: Of course you will find several on or around Gay Street also an area called the Old City.

Attractions: Downtown is the woman’s NCAA Hall of Fame, but most are 20 minutes drive east to the Smokey Mountains where Pigeon Forge, Dolly wood, and Gatlinburg can be found.

Game Day traditions: ORANGE, one thing you will find out on your drive to Knoxville that Friday thru Saturday Tennessee residents bear UT Colors. -Vol. Walk usually is 2 hours before game time, and of course -Tailgating.

Famous/Notable Alumni: Reggie White, Peyton Manning, Eric Berry to name a few.

University of Tennessee most known for: 6 Time NCAA Football Champion, 13 Time SEC Champion and the winingest football program in the NCAA since 1926, 8 Time woman’s Basketball NCAA Champion, and Pat Summitt is the winingest woman’s Basketball coach.

Aggie fans need to know about the University of Tennessee: The 1 thing you need to know is that 90% of the UT fans will welcome you to Tailgates, Bars and Restaurants,BUT just be respectful because we don’t tolerate disrespectful fans.

Welcome Texas A&M University as the 13th member of the SEC!

I have added several links below for items of interest.

University of Tennessee Athletics: Gameday

University of Tennessee Athletics: Gameday

University of Tennessee Athletics: Football

University of Tennessee - Training Facility - YouTube
 
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#21
#21
ItsAllVols said:
Here's a snapshot of Tennessee:

Location: Knoxville, TN.
Colors: Orange and White and sometimes a little Black
Nickname: Volunteers
Founded: Originally opened as Blount College in 1794, closed for a decade. Reopen with a partnership with Academy in Virginia, but officially in 1826 the university dissolved its partnership with the academy and moved to what is now known as the Hill.
Enrollment: 41,650


When you visit University of Tennessee.

Restaurants: Top 7 would be Bistro at the Bijou, Calhoun’s on the River, Chesapeakes, Sapphire, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Tennessee River Boat Co. but there is one that you may want to take a short drive to visit called Littons Market & Restaurant, and of course there is the usual Melting Pot, Sunspot, Tomato head, Café 4, Downtown Grill & Brewery, Nama Sushi Bar, Dazzo Pizzaeria, Latitude 35, Crown & Goose, Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, all with-in walking distance of the downtown.

Bars: Of course you will find several on or around Gay Street also an area called the Old City.

Attractions: Downtown is the woman’s NCAA Hall of Fame, but most are 20 minutes drive east to the Smokey Mountains where Pigeon Forge, Dolly wood, and Gatlinburg can be found.

Game Day traditions: ORANGE, one thing you will find out on your drive to Knoxville that Friday thru Saturday Tennessee residents bear UT Colors. -Vol. Walk usually is 2 hours before game time, and of course -Tailgating.

Famous/Notable Alumni: Reggie White, Peyton Manning, Eric Berry to name a few.

University of Tennessee most known for: 6 Time NCAA Football Champs, 13 Time SEC Champion and the winingest football program in the NCAA since 1926, 6 Time woman’s Basketball NCAA Champ, and Pat Summitt has the most win as a woman’s Basketball coach.

Aggie fans need to know about the University of Tennessee: The 1 thing you need to know is that 90% of the UT fans will welcome you to their tailgates, BUT just be respectful because we don’t tolerate disrespectful fans.

Welcome Texas A&M University as the 13th member of the SEC!

University of Tennessee - Training Facility - YouTube
Click to expand...

Summitt has won 8 NCs at UT
 
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#24
#24
Ruth's Chris isn't very good imo, too much butter on everything.

Market Square

Gay Street

Ye olde steakhouse is the best steak joint in town

Beer and eggs for early games. Yes we tailgate at 7 a.m. here if necessary

Traffic on gamedays is awful

Don't expect to win in Neyland very often
 
#25
#25
Howdy Vols! Thank you for the great responses so far! As we gear up to officially join the SEC family on July 1, we invite you to continue tell us more about your University so that we can share this information with Aggie fans. We're looking forward to sharing the Aggie Spirit with our new SEC family. Thanks & Gig 'em!
 
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