Texas A&M Aggies – Pride or Cult?

Ahh, Football Season is right around the corner and in my excitement of the upcoming games it got me thinking.  Having lived in Texas for over a decade now I have learned a few things.  One is the pride everyone has about being a “Texan,” and another is (until recently) you are either a fan of the University of Texas, or Texas A&M.  Not originally being from this great state, I’ve been able to observe fans and alumni from the outside.  And what a fun observation this has been.  I have got to share some thoughts on those lovely Aggies.  And let me please point out, I am NOT a Hater;  I just think alot of this stuff is funny.

One of the first things I noticed, was the almost unhealthy pride that Aggies have.  I seriously thought it was a cult.  I thought David Koresh was in Waco, but it seems the brainwashing is in full effect in College Station.  I can honestly say that with only 2 exceptions in 13 years, every Aggie Alum I have met has told me they went to A&M within the first 5 minutes of conversation.  Really?  Did you have to tell me?  Don’t you think the monster class ring that is flashed around more than a new bride with a 3 karat diamond on her hand would be enough.  Or maybe the “uniform” of tight wranglers, a fishing shirt (or two-toned polo) and camo baseball cap wouldn’t do the trick?  Oh, and speaking of the rings, when I see two Aggies meet for the first time I think they are gonna touch them and say “Wondertwin powers – Activate!”

Something else that I just didn’t get, and still really don’t, is the whole Corp thing.  Isn’t it just a fancy ROTC?  But then again, you don’t get an Officer’s Commission after graduation, do you?  So doesn’t that make it like a Campus Club where you get to “play” Army?  And folks, at the Football games, unless your team is in the Red Zone, or running a kick back for a touchdown, SIT DOWN!  They put seats there for you for a reason.  Now I have been told the College experience at A&M is great and that the education is awesome.  I hope so because my little one says she wants to be a Vet, and that means she will be an Aggie.

But lets talk a little about the things people do after graduation…  Picture it.  I am driving down the highway.  I see a car pass with a “Texas Ex” sticker, and probably a long horn emblem somewhere.  A bit much, but eh, ok.   Then another car blows by me.  But hey, they can do that because they have four “100 club” stickers so they won’t get a ticket.  Now I pull up behind an Aggies car (usually a nice one, I admit).   How do I know its an Aggie, you ask?  Well…  I ask you this.  Can someone PLEASE help me understand why it is necessary to have, at a minimum, the “A&M shield” sticker , AND the “century club” sticker , AND a “football helmet” sticker, and some other window cling that I can’t think of right now all in addition to an “A&M” emblem, a license plate frame and probably a bumper sticker as well.   Oh and yes, did I forget to mention that this collage of stickers is all ON A MAROON CAR!  You don’t need to single-handedly keep the A&M bookstore’s merchandising department profitable by yourself.  Really, its ok.  Just a couple of stickers and I will know that you proudly support your school.   So yes, I know it is an Aggies car.   These are just some of things that make me chuckle and I am sure that there are more fun things that our Prideful folks from College Station do.  As such, I invite your comments to enlighten me some more.  Now, I will say while there does seem to be a bit less ”UT  fodder,”  I may also have to share some of my thoughts on the “tea sippers” in another blog soon…

I’m just sayin…

Advertisement

Tagged: Aggies, Big 12, college football, corp, cult, football, pride, Texas, Texas A&M, UT

Posted in: Aggies, football, ncaa, NFL, Sports, Texas, Texas A&M, University of Texas