sign in sign up
<<
Home , Alabama Crimson Tide, Albert and Alberta Gator, Arkansas Razorbacks, Bully (mascot), Ole Miss Rebels, Robert Neyland

For A&M fans, an introduction to the schools, teams and places of the , This is the new home of Texas A&M. Country

The Southeastern Conference

Members Crimson Tide

Arkansas Razorbacks 752 981 Gators 770 936 503 Wildcats 615 1,035 State Tigers 896 629 571 756 State Bulldogs Tigers 925 Gamecocks 340 Volunteers Texas A&M Aggies Number below logo indicates mileage from College Station.

ATM_0712_SECInsert.indd 1 7/3/12 2:03 PM As Texas A&M prepared for its fi rst year in the SEC, Th e Association of Former Students reached out to Aggies who live and work in SEC cities to learn about each university’s key traditions, landmarks and other local hotspots. www.ua.edu On the banks of the Black by UA fans as a nod to long-time famous homemade biscuits at Warrior River in Alabama sits football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, Th e Waysider, Tuscaloosa’s oldest a school that once bordered the who was known for wearing a restaurant that was featured on town, but now sits in the center houndstooth hat during games. ESPN’s “Taste of the Town” segment of Tuscaloosa. At Texas A&M, the “Ninety percent of tailgating for in 2008. Th e closest A&M Club mascot is a dog and the Aggies say UA fans takes place on the Quad to Tuscaloosa is the Birmingham “Gig ‘em,” which fi ts right in with (Simpson Drill Field times two); A&M Club, tx.ag/BAMC. For a the University of Alabama—“Bama” the other ten percent are in areas list of hotels in Tuscaloosa and for short—where the mascot is around the stadium,” said Savannah the surrounding areas, try tx.ag/ an elephant and the fans chant, Gable ’07, career advisor at UA. UAhotels. “Roll Tide.” Both traditions began On the north side of the when a sports writer referred to Quad there is a pep rally the Alabama linemen as a herd of on the steps of the Gorgas big elephants that rolled over the Library, aft er which the opponent like a crimson tide—a Million Dollar Band phrase that stuck aft er another marches to Bryant-Denny writer described a game against Stadium as part of the Auburn that was played in a sea pre-game Elephant Stomp of red mud. On gamedays the that takes place an hour Quad, also known as the “heart before game time. of campus,” fl oods with tents and tailgaters bedecked in crimson and It would be diffi cult to white, as well as black and white visit Tuscaloosa without houndstooth—a print adopted stopping for one of the Photo by Clyde Woodruff , Jr. University of www.uark.edu Th e team with hog calls. When they tx.ag/Arkhotels. Be sure to connect campus is located on a hilltop sing the university’s alma mater, with the Ozark A&M Club: tx.ag/ overlooking the Ozark Mountains Arkansas students point toward OzarkAggies. in Fayetteville. Originally, the Old Main—the university’s mascot of the University of signature building that appears on Arkansas was a cardinal, but aft er its seal. Similar to the Century Tree playing a football game against on Texas A&M’s campus, Spoofer’s LSU “like a wild band of Razorback Stone—a chunk of limestone left hogs,” Arkansas is now represented behind from the construction of by Tusk, a live Russian boar that Old Main—is a popular spot for resembles a razorback hog. But, marriage proposals. Th e walkway in Tusk is not alone. Th ere is an entire front of Old Main is called Senior family of uniformed mascots: Big Walk, because the cement bears the Red, the “fi ghting razorback,” Sue names of all former students dating E, the female hog, Pork Chop, the back to the fi rst graduating class “kid-sized” mascot, and Boss Hog, a in 1876. nine-foot infl atable mascot. Visiting teams tailgate along Maple Street In case game day doesn’t on the north side of the stadium. At provide enough exercise, Reynolds Razorback Stadium fans Fayetteville off ers many hiking chant, “Woo Pig Sooie,” which is trails and caves. Stop by Doe’s Eat their offi cial Hog Call—a tradition Place on Dickson Street or Hugo’s that came out of a group of farmers for their award-winning burgers. who wanted to spur on the football Accommodations can be found at Photo by David Schook

ATM_0712_SECInsert.indd 2 7/3/12 2:04 PM University of South Carolina www.sc.edu As the proverbial rooster said, “It’s almost a hang loose hand in South Carolina. Pawley’s was crows to begin the day, so does the sign—a gig ‘em hand sign with your mentioned on the Food Network’s revealing of Cocky the gamecock pinky sticking out.” “Diners, Drive–ins and Dives” show signal the beginning of a football in 2010. Be sure to connect with the game at the University of South Iron gates can be seen in many South Carolina A&M Club while Carolina. Th e USC football stadium places around campus. Th e iron you’re in Columbia: tx.ag/SCAggies. is about a mile away from the gates on the campus’s academic For hotel information, tx.ag/ campus, so no tailgating takes place plaza, referred to as “the horseshoe” USChotels. on campus. Visitors will hear Th e because of how the Sandstorm played over the speakers street is shaped, are at Williams-Brice Stadium, a song the same gates that that sprung up at a turning point in appear on the USC a game four years ago and quickly logo. Th e horseshoe became a USC tradition. Inside the is the oldest part of stadium, dubbed “Th e Cockpit,” campus and features USC fans yell, “Game!” and the the oldest library in opposite side replies, “Cocks!”—a the state. volleying chant that continues across the stadium. Th ey also make Stop by Pawley’s a hand sign to signify the spurs on a Front Porch for gamecock that means, “Go, Cocks!” their assortment of Assistant Director of Fraternity and hamburgers named Sorority Life Ryan Williams ’01 aft er landmarks

University of Tennessee www.utk.edu Th e — part of Vol Walk, and fans line Boasting the largest seating oft en shortened to “Vols”—adopted up to watch and cheer them on. capacity in the SEC, Neyland their name from the state’s Th e team is ushered into was named in honor nickname, “Th e Volunteer State,” Stadium by Tennessee’s Pride of of former and which stemmed from the number the Southland Band as part of a coach General , of brave soldiers from Tennessee giant “T” formation. One of now who attended Texas A&M prior to during the War of 1812. About four canine mascots in the SEC, receiving an appointment to West two hours before the game, the the is Point. A unique approach to game football team walks down Payton represented by , a blue tick day, UT fans take advantage of the Manning Pass to the stadium as coon hound that sits on the fi eld Tennessee River that borders one during games. It is side of the stadium where upwards Smokey who leads of 200 boats dock together to the Vols football form the “Vol Navy,” which acts team out of the as a fl oating tailgate party. “We’ve band’s giant “T” never done it, but seeing as how and onto the fi eld. we have a maroon and white boat, Shields-Watkins we might join in now,” said Kristin Field is fl anked Rearden ’98, associate professor by orange and of science education at UT. Check white-checkered for hotels, tx.ag/UTh otels, and endzones—a be sure to connect with the East design that began Tennessee A&M Club while you’re in the 1960s with in Knoxville: tx.ag/ETAggies. former coach . Photo by Ben Moser

ATM_0712_SECInsert.indd 3 7/3/12 2:04 PM Mississippi State University www.msstate.edu Mississippi State was originally winning band, but everyone is called Mississippi A&M College looking forward to seeing the Aggie and the fans were called Aggies Band perform,” said Dana Franz before the English ‘01, associate professor at MSU. came along. Prior to game time, Before the game starts, the song Dawg Walk takes place, where the “Who Let the Dogs Out?” plays to MSU football players walk through rev up the football team. the Junction—a circular area by the Davis Wade Stadium where many Th e Little Dooey is a popular MSU fans tailgate. Visitors’ tailgates hangout and barbeque spot, are mainly located in the area west although it rivals Petty’s, which is of Stone Boulevard toward the MSU a roadside stand on Highway 12. Vet School. Th e Bulldogs don’t wave MAFES (Mississippi Agricultural towels or pom-poms at football and Forestry Experiment Station) games; they ring cowbells, a Cheese Store on campus features tradition that started when a jersey cheeses made in Starkville that sell cow wandered onto the playing out early in the football season. Photo by Jay Parker fi eld during a game against Ole Starkville is a small town and there Louisville and West Point. For area Miss. Th e SEC has allowed the bells is an additional fee for in-town hotels, try tx.ag/Starkhotels. Be in the stadium, provided they only accommodations, so MSU fans sure to connect with the Golden ring them at specifi c times during and visitors sometimes opt to Triangle A&M Club while you’re in the game. “We have an award- stay in neighboring Columbus, Starkville: tx.ag/StarkvilleAgs.

University of Missouri www.missouri.edu Th e downtown are free and they’re owned restaurants, but perhaps is the other 2012 addition to the within walking distance of campus,” the most famous is Shakespeare’s SEC, adding another tiger to the she said. Missouri is the birth Pizza, which was named “America’s group—, who is place of homecoming celebrations, Best College Hangout” by Good named aft er Missouri-born former which began when a former athletic Morning America in 2010. Stop President Harry Truman. Th ese director invited alumni to “come by Ernie’s Steakhouse or Broadway other Bengal Tigers live halfway home” for a football game against Diner for breakfast before leaving between Kansas City and St. Louis the . town. Th e closest A&M Clubs are in Columbia, Missouri. Th e football the Heart of America A&M Club team arrives at Memorial Stadium If Stadium Grill is packed in Kansas City (tx.ag/HAAMC) and walks across the pedestrian on game day, head over to the and the Gateway A&M Club in bridge and down the south tunnel cash-only Booches for mini St. Louis, (tx.ag/GAMC). Find a as part of Tiger Walk, which takes burgers in downtown Columbia. Columbia lodging guide here: tx.ag/ place two hours before kick-off . Downtown has a host of locally- Mizzouhotels. During the game it is common for one side of the stadium to chant, “M-I-Z,” and then the other side to return, “Z-O-U,” as a mid-game spirit chant. Th e Mizzou Golden Girls dance team does not include Betty White, but they perform alongside of the band, dubbed “Th e Big ‘M’ of the Midwest.” Carol Lorenzen ’93, assistant professor at Mizzou, suggests parking downtown on game day. “All of the garages

ATM_0712_SECInsert.indd 4 7/3/12 2:04 PM www.auburn.edu Like College Station, Auburn and-ride locations are advisable. Auburn’s battle cry—both a greeting is a college town and is a twin city Parking and helpful game day tips and term of endearment—a to Opelika, Ala. Finding a hotel can be found on tx.ag/AUgameday. tradition where an eagle touches might be a challenge, but check out Fans line up along Donahue Drive down on Field before a area hotels here: tx.ag/AUhotels. two and a half hours before kick-off game. Aft er a winning game, watch “Tailgating takes place all over, for Tiger Walk, where players walk the skies for…a bird? A plane? No. although Samford Hall is a nice in a single-fi le line from Sewell Watch for fl ying rolls of toilet paper open spot,” said Mark Dutton ’05, Hall to the stadium and stop to at Toomer’s Corner, the intersection contracts and grants administrator give high-fi ves to fans. Th e action of Magnolia Avenue and College at Auburn. “It is defi nitely a sport in takes place at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Street. If there’s a and the SEC.” Parking is scarce, so park- which is named aft er Ralph “Shug” competition, stop by the Jordan, the James E. Martin Aquatics Center university’s to watch AU’s men’s and women’s football coach teams that are regular SEC champs. with the most While in Auburn, grab a burger at wins, and Cliff Niff er’s Place, enjoy catfi sh at Cock Hare, a member of the Walk, or devote some time of Auburn’s fi rst waiting for a spot to open up at football team and Creole and Seafood Shack, which president of the was featured in ESPN’s “Taste of the SEC. Although Town” segment in 2008. An Auburn Auburn’s offi cial A&M Club is forming—stay tuned! mascot is Aubie the Tiger, Photo by Sam Dockery “” is

University of Florida www.ufl .edu is located Off ” before the fourth quarter, the , which is in Gainesville, also known as Florida fans alternate rows and a nondenominational pavilion, Title Town. Situated no more sway back and forth while singing, used for silent meditation and than two hours driving time from “We are the Boys from old Florida” small performing arts events. For neighboring Jacksonville, Orlando at the end of the third quarter. hotels in Gainesville, check tx.ag/ and Tampa, there are several Sunscreen is a good idea, as visitor UFhotels. Be sure to connect with options for fl ying in for a game. seating in Th e Swamp is not in the North Central Florida A&M “For those who are able to travel, the shade. Club: tx.ag/NCFAggies. getting in town a day early is a good idea. Interstate 75 gets backed up Aft er the on game weekends with Florida game head over people who will be traveling in to Satchels for on the day of the game,” suggests organic homemade JoCynda Hudson ’02, assistant pizza, or check out director of housing for conduct and one of the many community standards at UF. On Gator-inspired game day, the Pride of the Sunshine eateries near Band marches through campus campus, like Th e along with the football team into Swamp, Gator City, the Ben Hill Griffi n Stadium— Gator Zone and better known as “Th e Swamp.” eTh Gator’s Dockside. are represented by Nearby Lake Alice . Similar to is home to many Aggies singing “Saw Varsity’s Horns live alligators and Photo by Jason Kruse

ATM_0712_SECInsert.indd 5 7/3/12 2:04 PM www..edu Th e University of Georgia is UGA fans’ battle cry is, “How ‘Bout room early, as hotels in Athens fi ll located in Athens and is home Th em Dogs,” which caught on aft er quickly” said Deborah Dietzler to Uga, an English bulldog, and it was on a newspaper headline ’91, executive director of the UGA Hairy Dog, the costumed bulldog. when they won the national Alumni Association. Information Like , all of the Ugas are championship in 1980. Aft er a on hotels in Athens can be found buried in one of the endzones victory, the Bulldogs ring the here: tx.ag/UGAhotels. Th e closest outside , which is Chapel Bell—a tradition that began A&M Club to Athens is the named aft er former UGA President when the playing fi eld was located A&M Club, tx.ag/AAMC. Steadman Vincent Sanford. Th e next to the Chapel and fi rst year action takes place “between the students would ring the bell until hedges,” which refers to the privet midnight. hedges that surround the entire fi eld inside the stadium. Dawg Across from the UGA campus Walk happens two hours before is the campus arboretum, not game time, where the football team to be confused with the State walks through the crowd with the Botanical Garden of Georgia Redcoat Band to the stadium. Th e that is also in Athens. Enjoy local Georgia football uniform of red fare at Farm 255 or sample the and black includes silver britches, award-winning menu at Five & which started with former coach Ten, whose chef, Hugh Acheson, . Th e university’s fi ght has been nominated for the James song, “Glory, Glory” is sung to the Beard “Best Chef Southeast” Award easily recognizable tune of “Th e four years in a row. “One thing Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and to consider is that, like College performed by the marching band. Station, you will want to book your Photo courtesy of Ted Mayer, Georgia/IMG

University of Kentucky www.uky.edu Th e is of counseling psychology at UK. shoot into the sky whenever the home to the Wildcats—a nickname “Going to a game is kind football team scores a touchdown, that started when a former head of of a religious experience.” Similar and there are even indoor fi reworks the university’s military department to an Aggie basketball game, the at basketball games when the told a group of students that the student section at starting line-up is introduced. UK football team had “fought has its own name—the “Eruption For football games, parking near like wildcats” during a game. But Zone.” Rupp Arena was named the stadium on campus is not a football isn’t what gets UK fans aft er Adolf Rupp, a famous UK challenge; however, navigating riled up. “It’s all about hoops,” said basketball coach, and doubles downtown Lexington for the Jeff Reese ’00, assistant professor as a concert venue in downtown Wildcats’ basketball arena can be Lexington. UK time consuming. fans make a hand sign resembling the True to its nickname, the Wrecking Crew sign “Horse Capital of the World,” in Aggieland. Reese Lexington has sprawling horse remembers, “When I farms that surround the Blue fi rst saw it I thought, Grass Airport, like Calumet ‘Wrecking crew!’ Farm, and horse racing venues, But it was actually like well-known Keeneland and for the Wildcats.” Th e Red Mile. Find hotels in the Be prepared for Th oroughbred City here: tx.ag/ pyrotechnics, UKhotels. Th e closest A&M Club to because blue and Lexington is the Kentuckiana A&M Photo by Eric Angevine white fi reworks Club in Louisville, tx.ag/KAMC.

ATM_0712_SECInsert.indd 6 7/3/12 2:04 PM Louisiana State University www.lsu.edu Th e neighboring school to to Jamie Everett ’07. Check tx.ag/ Grill and Acme Oyster House, Texas A&M is Louisiana State LSUgameday for updates on which serve authentic Cajun University and Agricultural and tailgating rules, parking and traffi c cuisine. Be sure to connect with Mechanical College, although most on LSU campus. Paying homage the Baton Rouge A&M Club while people know it simply as LSU. to Louisiana’s French heritage, the in town (tx.ag/BRAggies) and Just 340 miles east of Aggieland, Tigers’ chant is “Geaux Tigers” (“Go for accommodations, try tx.ag/ Baton Rouge is home to the LSU Tigers”). Th e characteristic “-eaux” BRhotels. Tigers, also referred to the Bayou suffi x appears on Bengals. Prior to each game, Mike everyday words, like the tiger joins the cheerleaders “bistreaux” (bistro). and the Golden Girls dance team as they lead the LSU football team As the only SEC and coaches for a lap around Tiger school located in Stadium (also known as “Death Louisiana, Cajun Valley”). Tailgating takes place all food makes the to-do over campus, but a popular spot list for a weekend at is on Nicholson Drive near the LSU. Th ere’s plenty stadium, where “girls dress to choose from, up. Anything purple and goes, but a few notable but mostly you will see dresses spots are Boutin’s, and gold jewelry and shoes—there Th e Chimes, Walk are no t-shirts here,” according On’s, Sammy’s Photo by Alicia Lee

University of Mississippi www.olemiss.edu

Oxford hotels fi ll up months a round plot of grass near the Among the sea of red you’ll see in advance, but take your chances Grove that is the focal point of the the Rebel Black Bear, the Ole Miss at tx.ag/oxfordhotels. Hailed as campus. “Th e fi rst time I saw it I mascot that got its name from the the nation’s No. 1 tailgating school thought I was in a parallel universe. legend that Th eodore “Teddy Bear” by , tailgating For six weekends a year, Oxford Roosevelt refused to shoot a bound is a renowned Ole Miss Football quintuples in size,” said John Bruce black bear in Mississippi. Th e crowd tradition. Forty to 60,000 fans ’86, chair and associate professor chants “Hotty Toddy” as the Rebels gather in legendary tailgating areas of political science at Ole Miss. Th e take the fi eld. like , a 10-acre grassy plot Rebels take their traditional “Walk of ground that is heavily shaded through Th e Grove” two hours and Aft er the game, head over to the by large oak trees, and Th e Circle, 30 minutes before kickoff , which City Grocery in downtown Oxford started when head for some French-inspired Southern football coach Billy fare from chef John Currence, who Brewer began taking won the James Beard Foundation the same route award for Best Chef South in 2009 through campus (reservations fi ll up months in on his way to advance there, too). Th e closest Vaught-Hemingway A&M Club to Ole Miss is the Mid- Stadium in 1985. South A&M Club in Memphis, Th e University Tennessee, tx.ag/MemphisAgs. Police Department provides shuttles from the Grove to the stadium before, during, and aft er Photo by Jeff rey W. Williams football games.

ATM_0712_SECInsert.indd 7 7/3/12 2:04 PM www.vanderbilt.edu Vanderbilt University—“Vandy” McGugin Center to Vanderbilt check tx.ag/Vandyhotels. Connect for short—sits in the heart of Stadium as part of Star Walk. Fans with the Middle Tennessee A&M Music City Nashville, Tennessee. shout, “Go Dores!” and form the Club while you’re in town: tx.ag/ Cornelius Vanderbilt V-U hand sign, which is a relatively NashvilleAgs. gave the founding gift to the new tradition that involves forming SEC’s only private university and the letters by extending the thumb, inspired the school’s mascot, the index and middle fi ngers. Vandy’s Commodore. Tailgating takes colors are black and gold, which place in “Vandyville,” which is is fi tting for the Spirit of Gold along Natchez Trace. Joyce Liu ’06, Marching Band and the university’s resident physician at Vanderbilt fi ght song, “Dynamite,” that is Medical Center, said, “While many performed while cheerleaders run things feel very diff erent from across Dudley Field with fl ags that Aggie football, like how small spell out, “V-A-N-D-Y.” the stadium is and how dressed up people tend to get here, there Consider stopping by Robert’s are some things that are the same Western World for a fried bologna everywhere. And that is the college sandwich before the game, or football game day spirit that is very sample the sweet potato pancakes much alive at Vandyville!” An hour at the Pancake Pantry around the and fi ft een minutes before kickoff , corner from the Vanderbilt campus. Vandy fans and cheerleaders watch Loveless Cafe and Monell’s are well- the football team as they walk known spots for southern food in down Drive from the Nashville. For hotels in Nashville, Photo by John Brassil

Key Facts About the Schools of the SEC Total Enrollment U.S. News & World Endowments Texas A&M 50,000 Report College University Endowment† * Florida 50,000 Rankings 2011 Texas A&M (System) $5,738,289 Georgia 34,667 Vanderbilt 17 (AAU) Vanderbilt $3,044,000 Missouri 33,805 Texas A&M 58 (AAU) Florida $1,104,573 Alabama 31,747 Florida 58 (AAU) Missouri (System) $974,900 Kentucky 28,000 Georgia 62 Alabama (System) $854,382 Tennessee 27,523 Alabama 75 Kentucky $778,890 South Carolina 27,149 Auburn 82 Tennessee (System) $728,726 Louisiana State 26,000 Missouri 90 (AAU) Arkansas $673,120 Auburn 25,078 Tennessee 101 LSU (System) $578,588 Arkansas 21,405 Georgia $491,164 Mississippi 20,844 Mississippi $415,219 Mississippi State 20,424 South Carolina $414,002 Vanderbilt 12,714 Auburn $395,257

* Universities not listed were not ranked by Mississippi State $291,434 U.S. News & World Report in 2011.

† In thousands, as of 06-31-10. Source: Chronicle of Higher Education, “College and University Endowments, 2009-2010,” (Jan. 27, 2011), http://chronicle.com/article/Sortable-Data-College/126056/

ATM_0712_SECInsert.indd 8 7/3/12 2:04 PM