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Texas A&M Aggies

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Texas A&M Aggies
Logo
UniversityTexas A&M University
ConferenceBig 12
DivisionDivision I
Athletic directorBill Byrne
LocationCollege Station, Texas
Varsity teams20
Football stadiumKyle Field
ArenaReed Arena
MascotReveille
NicknameAggies
Fight songAggie War Hymn
ColorsMaroon and White
   
Websitewww.aggieathletics.com

Texas A&M Aggies is the name given to the sports teams of Texas A&M University. The teams are often referred to as the Texas Aggies, referring to the state in which the school is located rather than the university the players attend. Texas A&M was a charter member of the Southwest Conference until its dissolution and subsequent formation of the Big 12 Conference in 1996. The athletic program competes in the South Division of the Big 12, along with Baylor University, Oklahoma State University, Texas Tech University, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Texas. Texas A&M's official school colors are maroon and white. The teams are referred to as Aggies and the mascot is a pure-bred collie named Reveille.

Athletics

Texas A&M competes in the following varsity sports:

Men's sports:

Women's sports:

Football

Main article: Texas A&M Aggies football
Texas Aggies vs. Texas Longhorns

The Texas A&M Aggies compete in the Big 12 Conference and entered their 112th year of football competition in the 2006 season. During that time, the Aggies have earned one national title in 1939 and 19 conference titles.[1] The football program experienced a period of little success lasting from 1944 to 1971, when the Aggies won only two conference titles. With Emory Bellard as head coach beginning in 1972, the Aggies returned to prominence with two 10 win seasons during his short tenure. He was replaced by Tom Wilson who had little success at Texas A&M before Jackie Sherrill took over the program. In his seven years at A&M, Sherrill won three consecutive conference titles and two Cotton Bowl postseason games. His defensive coordinator, R.C. Slocum, replaced him as head coach in 1989. Slocum finished in the top 25 during 10 of his 14 years at Texas A&M[2] and won 4 conference titles, including the school's first Big 12 title in 1998.

In late 2002, Dennis Franchione left his position as head coach at the University of Alabama to take over Texas A&M's football program from Slocum. He finished the 2003 season at 4-8. Franchione finished the 2004 regular season with a 7-4 mark and an invitation to the Cotton Bowl, a game the Aggies lost to Tennessee. The 2005 team regressed to 5-6 and defensive coordinator Carl Torbush was fired, and replaced by Gary Darnell. Due in large part to dramatic improvement on defense, the Aggies finished the 2006 regular season with a 9-3 record and a 5-3 mark in Big 12 play. The 2006 season did not end as the Aggies had hoped, after losing to the California Golden Bears 45-10 at the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. The loss ended their hopes of being ranked in the final Top 25 poll, a feat the Aggies have not accomplished since 1999.

Basketball

Main article: Texas A&M Aggies basketball
File:TAMUBasketballLogo.PNG
File:Reed bball.JPG
Player introductions during the 2007 Lone Star Showdown at Reed Arena

Texas A&M basketball has been dormant for much of its recent history. The Aggies have won 11 conference championships, two conference tournament titles, and have seven NCAA tournament appearances. Under former head coach Billy Gillispie, the Aggies finished fourth in conference in 2006 only two years removed from having zero wins in conference play. Gillispie then led the Aggies to their first NCAA tournament berth since 1987, playing as a 12 seed, and to A&M's first NCAA tournament win since 1980 over fifth seed Syracuse. The Aggies were one point short of advancing to the Sweet Sixteen over fourth seed LSU, with a final score of 57-58. In the 2007 season, A&M spent most of the season ranked in the top 10 of the polls and became the first Big 12 south team to win against the University of Kansas in Lawrence since the Big 12 was formed. The Aggies finished with a 27-7 record and finished 2nd in the Big 12. They earned a number 3 seed in the NCAA tournament where they made it to the sweet 16, but fell to the University of Memphis 64-65. Acie Law IV was named an All-American. Billy Gillispie left for the University of Kentucky soon after the season. Mark Turgeon was named head coach a few days later.

Women's basketball at Texas A&M has had a similar experience as men's basketball. The team had two NCAA tournament appearances, a NWIT title, and a Southwest Conference tournament title before entering the Big 12. The program experienced little success in the new conference until current head coach Gary Blair took over the program and led the 2006 team to their highest finish ever in Big 12 play, third place, and an NCAA tournament appearance. The sixth seed women's team was upset in the first round by eleventh seed TCU. In 2007, the team captured its first ever conference title by finishing the season 25-7 and 13-3 in conference. The team earned a number 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, but lost in the 2nd round to George Washington University.

Ground broke on the Cox-McFerrin Center in November 2006, a 68,000 square foot expansion to Reed Arena which includes new locker rooms, meeting rooms, practice gyms, training rooms, player lounges, and reception areas.

Baseball

Texas A&M baseball is currently coached by Rob Childress. He joined the program in 2005, leaving his position as an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska. The Aggies have won 15 Southwest Conference titles, two Big 12 titles, and have four College World Series appearances. The Aggie baseball team plays at Olsen Field, which has been the site of several miraculous comeback wins by the home team; this is referred to as "Olsen Magic" by Aggie baseball fans.

Softball

Aggie softball player at the Aggie Softball Complex

The Aggie softball team is coached by Jo Evans, who has led the program since 1996. Her 2005 team won the Big 12 conference title.

The softball program has five Women's College World Series appearances and three national titles.

Golf

Men's golf is coached by J.T. Higgins, who has been with the program since 2001. He has led the team to two top 15 finishes at the NCAA tournament, including 14th place at the 2006 NCAA Championship tournament.

Women's golf has been coached by Jeanne Sutherland since 1992. The golf team won the Big 12 title in 1998, 2006, and 2007. In 2006, the team finished 19th at the NCAA Championship tournament.

Tennis

Men's tennis was coached by Tim Cass from 1997 to 2006. In Cass's ten seasons at Texas A&M, he won three Big 12 tournament titles and one conference title. He resigned in July 2006 to accept a position as Senior Associate Athletic Director at the University of New Mexico, his alma mater. On August 8, 2006, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi head coach Steve Denton was named the new A&M men's tennis coach. Denton won three Southland Conference regular-season titles, two tournament titles, and had an overall conference record of 19-2, including two undefeated regular seasons, in his five years with the Islanders.

Women's tennis has been coached by Bobby Kleinecke since 1985. In 2003 and 2004, he was voted Big 12 Coach of the Year. Kleinecke led the Aggies to a conference title in 2003 and a tournament title in 2004.

Soccer

Women's soccer is coached by G. Guerreri, who has led the program since its inception in 1993. His Aggies have won nine Big 12 titles (five regular season and four tournament), including three straight regular season titles from 2004 to 2006. Aggie teams have made appearances in the NCAA Tournament for 12 consecutive seasons, advancing at least as far as the round of 16 in seven of the last eight appearances. The 2006 team finished the season in the Elite 8, the Aggies’ third quarterfinals appearance in six seasons.

Track and Field

Track and field is coached by Pat Henry. Before leaving LSU in 2004, Pat Henry won 27 national titles in men's and women's track and field. The women's track and field team won its first Big 12 title after winning the conference indoor championships in 2007.

Volleyball

The Aggie Volleyball team is coached by Laurie Corbelli, who has been at Texas A&M since 1993. The Texas A&M volleyball team participated in 13 consecutive NCAA postseasons, from Corbelli's first year in 1993 to 2005.

Swimming and diving

The Student Rec Center, home of the swimming and diving natatorium

Long-time assistant Jay Holmes, who has been with A&M since 1987, was named head coach of the men's swimming program in 2004. His 2007 squad finished second in the Big 12.

Women's swimming is led by Steve Bultman, head coach since 1999. His 2007 team won the Big 12 title.

The diving program has been coached by Kevin Wright since 1992. He won an A&M-record seven consecutive conference Coach of the Year awards from 1996 to 2002.

Texas A&M titles

File:Building Champions.gif
Alternate logo of Texas A&M athletics with the motto "Building Champions."
  • National titles
    • Football
      • 1939
    • Softball
      • 1982 (AIAW), 1983 (NCAA), 1987 (NCAA)
  • Conference titles - years in parentheses denote tournament title; years without denote regular-season conference title
  • Big 12 Conference
    • Football
      • Big 12 Champions: 1998
      • South Division Champions: 1997, 1998
    • Women's Basketball
      • 2007
    • Baseball
      • 1998, 1999
    • Softball
      • 2005
    • Women's Indoor Track & Field
      • 2007
    • Men's Outdoor Track & Field
      • 2001
    • Women's Golf
      • 1998, 2006, 2007
    • Men's Tennis
      • (1998), 2000, (2000), (2001)
    • Women's Tennis
      • 2003, (2004)
    • Women's Swimming and Diving
      • 2007
    • Women's Soccer
      • 1997, (1997), (2001), 2002, 2004, (2004), 2005, (2005), 2006
  • Southwest Conference[3]
    • Football
      • 1917, 1919, 1921, 1925, 1927, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1956, 1967, 1975, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993
    • Men's Basketball
      • 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1951, 1964, 1969, 1975, 1976, 1980, (1980), 1986, (1987)
    • Women's Basketball
      • (1996)
    • Baseball
      • 1931, 1934, 1937, 1941, 1943, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1964, 1966, 1977, 1978, 1986, 1989, 1993
    • Men's Track and Field (ended in SWC in 1973)
      • 1921, 1922, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1970
    • Men's Indoor Track and Field (began in SWC in 1974)
      • 1980
    • Men's Outdoor Track and Field (began in SWC in 1974)
      • 1978, 1980, 1981
    • Men's Cross Country
      • 1922, 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1933, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1961, 1962
    • Men's Golf
      • 1926, 1948, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1967, 1982, 1987
    • Women's Golf (began in SWC in 1983)
      • 1985
    • Men's Tennis
      • 1994
    • Women's Tennis (began in SWC in 1983)
      • 1986
    • Men's Swimming and Diving
      • 1944, 1945, 1956
    • Fencing (ended in SWC in 1957)
      • 1952, 1954, 1955

Rivalries

Texas A&M's biggest rival is the Texas Longhorns who they allways lose to. aggies have never beaten texas cuz the suck

Venues and facilities

Athletic venues and facilities include:

Athletic training, rehabilitation, and student-services facilities include:

Additionally, Texas A&M houses two dedications to student-athletes of the past: the Texas A&M Sports Museum located at the north end of Kyle Field and the Erickson Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor.

Traditions

Main article: Traditions of Texas A&M University
12th Man towel used by fans at football games
The Aggie Band performs during halftime at Kyle Field

Texas A&M values traditions very highly, many of which revolve around the sports in which the school competes. A few of the athletic traditions of Texas A&M include:

  • The 12th Man — The entire student body is referred to as The 12th Man after E. King Gill stood ready to play on the sidelines in 1922.
  • The Aggie War Hymn — The War Hymn is played at athletic events during the game and after a win.
  • Aggie Bonfire — Built and burned prior to the annual football game with the University of Texas. Bonfire is now an off-campus event after the University cancelled it following the 1999 collapse.
  • Fightin' Texas Aggie Band — The Aggie Band is the largest military-style marching band in the United States and performs at every football halftime.
  • Midnight Yell Practice — Held the night before a home game, the student body gathers at Kyle Field to excite the crowd.
  • Yell Leaders — Attending many events, the yell leaders use hand signals to keep the crowd yelling in unison.
  • Gig 'em — The slogan used by Aggie supporters, often accompanied with a thumbs-up sign, the first hand sign of the Southwest Conference.
  • Reveille — The official mascot of Texas A&M since 1931. Since Reveille II, all A&M mascots have been collies.
  • Maroon Out — One designated home game of the year is a "maroon out" game. All Aggies are instructed to wear maroon.

Notable athletes and coaches

Main article: List of Texas A&M University people § Athletics

Former student-athletes and coaches at Texas A&M include:

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Texas A&M University.
  1. ^ A&M's Championships
  2. ^ Aggie Football Through the Years. Texas A&M Athletics.
  3. ^ Southwest Conference Titles by Year. Texas Almanac 2006-2007.
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