G A M E D A Y I N A G G I E L A N D

Kyle Field. Football tickets. Midnight Yell. Yes, it’s the college in College Station that draws most of the town’s visitors. But as captivating as the sea of maroon can be, the hot sun, a late game time and then time to spare before march-in can inevitably take its toll on even the hardiest of game-day revelers. Sound familiar? Aggie has some ideas on how you can spend your game day while leaving plenty of time to make it to your seat before kickoff.

ollege Station isn’t called Aggieland for visitors feeling a little out of the loop when it comes to nothing. Former students, football fans things to do on game day that don’t involve the actual and families have poured into the town by game. the Brazos for decades of autumn kickoffs. Have you ever wanted to come early for Midnight CBut beyond the sidewalk that winds its way round the Yell, but didn’t know what you’d do before the next day’s Kyle Field main event, there are many other pockets of game? Always wanted to tailgate, but don’t know how? entertainment. Couldn’t find football tickets, but still want to see the College Station as a town is as distinct as the Aggies game live? Or, after so much driving, do you just want to that inhabit it. As the home of the and the park your car and stay awhile? Then tear these pages out. nearly 500,000-member strong Aggie Network, the On campus and off, Texas Aggie has a few suggestions for town’s matchlessness can sometimes be overwhelmed by your next trip to Aggieland, and all on a tight budget. its football massiveness. And that can leave Aggieland’s

66 Texas Aggie | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2010 aggienetwork.com When You Arrive The world seems smaller when Kyle Field was like during a game, a You must visit the Clayton W. you stand in front of the wall-sized joystick allows you to pick the direction Williams, Jr. Alumni Center. Newly computerized global map with you want to watch. Then, visit the Spirit enhanced with extended hours during its pulsating red dots that show exhibit and stand in front of a blue football season, your home on Texas where Aggies live and serve in their screen to be superimposed on an image A&M’s campus truly has something for communities. Listen and watch their of Kyle Field as you lead a Fightin’ everyone. stories of adventuring, justice-seeking Texas Aggie yell practice. and hard-working excitement. “We hear so many comments about Then, tell your own story. In how visitors get goosebumps as they the memories exhibit, add your re-experience so much of what makes recollections to The Association’s broad Aggieland unique,” said Association collection of oral histories. Sit in the Vice President Marty Holmes ’87. “This quiet of the partially walled exhibit and is a must-see stop on your return to tell the video camera about your time at Texas A&M and the importance and Kicking off each home game impact it has had on your life. weekend, the Singing Cadets hold an But, don’t leave after you’re done. open rehearsal at The Association Stay and scroll through others’ stories, at 5 p.m. on Fridays. Internationally like R.C. Slocum’s memory of the known as the voice of Aggieland, the emotional Bonfire football game of Singing Cadets have been harmonizing 1999, or his reaction to the Red, White Aggieland’s favorites since 1893. and Blue game in 2001. Hear the On Saturdays, The Association’s stories behind Texas A&M’s admission complete game day experience starts of women, why Aggies are men and Aggieland if you want to get your Aggie three hours before kickoff, but the women committed to service, and what batteries recharged!” building opens for visitors at 10 a.m. it means to be a former student. If you don’t have tickets to the game, (sometimes earlier for morning or early Step into the Traditions corner to visit the APO Ticketmart or stay at The afternoon kickoffs). Come upstairs to watch game day at Kyle Field, Midnight Association and watch the game on the venture through the extensive Aggie Yell Practice, Aggie Bonfire and Silver 49-panel Huddleston Video Wall—the Ring collections. Walk the timeline Taps, all filmed using a 360-degree largest LCD screen of its type in the from A&M’s first years, through times camera—the cleverest of inventions world. With the live feed from Kyle of war and prosperity, through times of for traditions. If you like watching the Field’s 12th Man TV, you won’t miss a celebration and grieving, and remember Aggie Band at yell practice, or if you’ve thing, from the Aggie Band’s opening how Texas A&M is part of you. always wondered what the view from notes to football replays. Plus, you can

Each Aggie home game is shown on the Huddleston Video Wall via live feed from Kyle Field. aggienetwork.com SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2010 | Texas Aggie 67 GAME DAY IN AGGIELAND + GAME DAY IN AGGIELAND + GAME DAY IN AGGIELAND + GAME DAY IN AGGIELAND + GAME DAY IN AGGIELAND + GAME DAY IN AGGIELAND

For tailgating regulations, visit tailgating.tamu.edu. follow other college football games Access Sites.” These are tailgating March-In. Go take a look. being played at the same time. spots open to anyone who agrees to Thanks to State Farm in its role follow the rules. Though none of the n Have a favorite tailgating spot this year as the presenting sponsor of regulations are hard to stick to, there that you want to verbally claim game day at the Alumni Center, The are still a good number of them—so before anyone gets there? You’d Association has a floored, climate- many that it is best you check them out better get there first. No claiming controlled tailgating tent open to all at for yourself at tailgating.tamu.edu. allowed. The earliest you can set no charge. Spend your pregame in the With that settled, haul your gear to up your site is noon on the Friday 80-foot by 90-foot State Farm Aggie Spence Park or the grass around Reed before a Saturday home game. Tailgate tent, outfitted with flat screen Arena and check out our tailgating tips: televisions programmed to show the n Tailgating is free, so splurge for n Bring your pets, but don’t forget weekend’s biggest football games, along steaks for the grill! the leash. with food and drinks for purchase. “State Farm Texas is proud to support n Don’t get too comfortable in your If you’re traveling in an RV and The Association’s Game Day efforts lawn chair. The Aggie Fan Zone, plan on using it for tailgating, your this season,” said Ronnie Vandiver, located between the MSC (which best bet, according to Transportation zone marketing manager for State is closed for construction) and Services, is to get a pass for Lot 50, Farm’s Texas Zone. “On behalf of the Kyle Field, opens three-and-a- over by the Bonfire Memorial. An more than 40 Aggies who are State half hours before kickoff. Get RV parking pass in Lot 50 is going to Farm agents in Texas, we are proud to your autographs, listen to KBTX- support The Association’s mission to TV’s “Aggie Gameday” pregame serve Texas A&M and its student body.” show, get your 12th Man towel, You’ll find the State Farm and bring the kids over for Aggie Tailgate tent behind The games and free entertainment. Association’s 12-foot Aggie You might even visit the Texas Ring Replica, another must-see A&M Bookstore, now located destination on game day weekend. on the floor of G. Rollie White The Association brings the Aggie Coliseum. Network together. Make the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center your n While you’re up, head to Joe game-day headquarters. Routt Boulevard to watch the run you, depending on the size you Aggie Band lead the Corps of want, $60, $75 or $90 for the whole The Tailgate Tradition Cadets March-In one hour weekend starting Friday at 6:30 p.m. First, there’s a bit of jargon that needs before kickoff. Or, if you want to You’ve undoubtedly seen the other definition before you read further. On march in behind the Corps, head lots—like 100e, R, Olsen Park, and Texas A&M’s tailgating website you’ll over and join the crowd on the Penberthy—full of RVs, Aggie flags see several mentions of the term “Open Quad, 90 minutes before kickoff. and lawn chairs. However, the waiting lists for some of those sites run about n Don’t just stick to your tailgate. 350 deep. And, as you can imagine, the Walk around. This is Aggieland, turnover is very slow as families have you’ll probably run into old been tailgating in the same spot for friends. There’s no doubt you’ll years. make new ones. There’s hope for the newcomer, though. Sometimes a RV pass holder n Follow the horses. The Parsons can’t make it to a game and will post Mounted Cavalry keeps their his pass for sale. So, if you plan it right, Corps March-In horses in Spence Park prior to you can buy an unused pass, crank open

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Fan Zone

Alumni Center Bonfire Memorial exhibits

your RV’s awning and relax with the Services can help you out at rest of the seasoned tailgaters. Check transport.tamu.edu. If you don’t have out the RV space exchange online at a parking permit and you don’t want transport.tamu.edu/account. one, check out Texas Aggie’s Five If you end up in Lot 50, there are a Parking Time Savers: couple of things to remember. You’ll 1.  Before pulling into town, check be parked in a parking lot. That lot locations by clicking “Sporting means that there aren’t any electrical Events” at http://transport.tamu.edu. hook-ups and you’ll have to use a Shuttle stop at generator. And, a generator can be 2.  Don’t forget your wallet—lots loud. Moreover, tailgating can be loud. and garages are cash only, with and expense by riding the free It can even smell like BBQ smoke. costs ranging from $10 to $20 game day express shuttles from The University asks that everyone be depending on location. Post Oak Mall to Kyle Field. mindful of the neighbors and cover Shuttle runs: three hours prior the generator to muffle the sound. 3.  Disabled parking is available in to kickoff and one hour after the University Center Garage or Lot game ends. Shuttle stops: Mall Lots Lots Everywhere But 50—check the transportation site parking lot between JCPenney Not A Slot To Park to see if you can park here for free. and Dillards, and on campus at If you don’t have a parking permit, Lubbock Street (across from the and you want one, Transportation 4. Or save yourself the hassle arches on the Quad).

Where can I go? you to the hotels likely to have The splash parks of Bryan- Restrooms near Spence Park: rooms available. You can get those College Station are made of updates at (979) 260-9999. To fountains and water buckets that fill n Clayton W. Williams, Jr. reserve rooms, you can also go to up to turn over and splash down on Alumni Center visitaggieland.com and scroll down the grinning, soaked Aggie wearing to the reservation calendar to find squeaky flip flops below. You can n Koldus Building all available rooms. find them at Tanglewood Park, Tiffany Park in Bryan and at the n Rudder Theatre Complex Pick A Park, Any Park Lincoln Center in College Station. Game-day traffic can leave a For a park where fun and sun n Portable toilets line the visitor feeling a little crowded, are still the rule, but dogs are given sidewalk but there are surprising pockets a near warmer welcome than of tranquility in this city that can humans, set your blinkers for a turn n Important to note: Other almost double its population in a into Steeplechase Park or University campus buildings will not be single game weekend. Park. Both heavily wooded and open for public restroom use Bryan-College Station has more around nine or 10 acres, University parks than Kyle Field has yard lines. Park offers a four-acre fenced Lodging Options (Complete lists of parks are posted canine station specially designed so Staying the night? The Bryan- on www.cstx.gov and www.bryantx. that dogs can be taken off the leash. College Station Convention and gov.) With 83 choices dotting the Inside the fence are swimming Visitors Bureau receives weekly map, ranging from the quirky to the ponds, agility equipment and lots of updates from hotels regarding sun-kissed, Texas Aggie will simplify room to play. room availability. They don’t make its focus here on parks defined by reservations, but they can point attitude—the splash and dog parks.

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Lake Break The Clayton W. Williams, for the list of museums open Sunscreen smells the best at Jr. Alumni Center can’t be on Saturdays on campus. high noon. Make ours waterproof, repeated enough. The building Displaying the history from because about 12 miles from opens on game days at 10 a.m. its start with the school Kyle Field is a lake full of Ol’ Roc or three hours before kickoff, in 1876 to the present, the big-fish stories. Stocked with whichever is earlier. For a museum incorporates largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, preview, go to AggieNetwork. tradition—like the Aggie Band tilapia, carp and sunfish, Lake com/building. and the Parsons Mounted Bryan is a place you bring your Calvary—into exhibits fishing pole. Though it’s a smaller n The Texas A&M Sports honoring Texas A&M’s famed lake—around 829 acres and a Museum, located in the Corps of Cadets. max depth of 45 feet—it can also Bernard C. Richardson Zone at For more information: handle water sports, from water Kyle Field, shows in mediums www.aggiecorps.org or skiing and wake boarding to wind as varied as black and white (979) 862-2862. surfing, sailing and kayaking. The photos or DVD-quality replays boat dock is easily accessible. For the story of Aggie athletics. n Fulfilling its mission as a Aggie landlubbers, around the lake Every sport is included. child-centered, hands-on, are some of the most adventurous interactive environment for bicycle trails in the area. Learn n The George Bush Presidential learning and discovery is the more by searching for Lake Bryan Library and Museum can be Children’s Museum of the at www.tpwd.state.tx.us. found at the appropriately Brazos Valley. Found at 111 E. addressed 1000 George Bush 27th St. in Bryan, this museum Drive in College Station. Using counts its visitors at more than A Little Art With Your Football around 1 million photographs, 40,000 annually. Website: There are a number of museums 38 million pages of official www.mymuseum.com. and galleries open on Saturdays in and personal papers, 2,500 Aggieland, and you can visit them hours of video and numerous n The Brazos Valley African all with a 12th Man towel tucked artifacts, the museum shares American Museum is one of proudly in your back pocket. Aggies the stories, challenges and only three museums in the love their history and tradition, influences which shaped our state dedicated to African so that Bryan-College Station 41st president’s life. Visit the American heritage. You can is actively preserving its history museum’s website, bushlib. find it at 500 E. Pruitt St. in isn’t a headline in itself. However, tamu.edu, or call (979) 691- Bryan. Call (979) 775-3961 or the sheer number of museums 4000 for more information. visit www.bvaam.org for more in Bryan-College Station should information. convince you to visit at least one. n The Cushing Memorial Library and Archives is n Displaced while the MSC n If you are tailgating in Spence the home of rare books, is under construction, Park, turn around until you see exceptional manuscripts the MSC Forsyth Center the 12-foot Aggie Ring replica and uncommon special Galleries is now in in the direction of George collections. Saturday hours downtown Bryan, at 110 N. Bush Drive. Then walk toward are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Main St. in Bryan. Website: it. Though it’s already been www.forsyth.tamu.edu. covered, the entertainment n The Sanders Corps of Cadets and educational qualities of Center offers a strong finale n The Museum of the American

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GI, located at 1303 Cherokee A&M has a legendary horticulture Bicycles Welcome in College Station, displays department. Take advantage of In 2003, the city of College restored, working military their expertise by learning from the Station was designated as a Bicycle vehicles used by the United garden’s demonstrations scattered Friendly Community by the States. Call (979) 777-2820 or along the paths. League of American Bicyclists. visit www.magicstx.org. The city has about 32 miles of bicycle lanes, 50 miles of bicycle n The Arts Council of Brazos Touring Texas A&M routes and five miles of multi-use Valley is at 2275 Dartmouth St. Texas A&M’s campus, plausibly paths and greenway trails. There’s in College Station and works thought of as the heart of the a Bike Loop Project under way to to make the arts accessible to Brazos Valley, has changed construct a bike loop system to all seven counties of the Brazos remarkably in the past 40 years. connect the University, College Valley. Website: www.acbv.gov. Several new buildings, new Station parks and residential areas. pathways and new ways to n At the Brazos Valley Museum honor A&M’s past are fresh out of Natural History, times of the construction stages. Take Just Call … past come rushing to times a walking tour hosted by the For more questions about present. With fossils, animal Appelt Aggieland Visitor Center. your home on campus, call The mounts. Visit at 3232 Briarcrest There’s much narrative that goes Association of Former Students at Drive in Bryan or www. into exploring the campus. Hear (979) 845-7514. brazosvalleymuseum.org. the tales that go along with our Need help on campus because of cherished Aggieland. The visitor’s a disability? Call Disability Services n Finally, if you’re in downtown center has special game-day at (979) 845-1637. Bryan, visit the Carnegie Public hours of operation, so check their For further questions about Library. Of all the Carnegie website, visit.tamu.edu, to get tour parking on campus, visit transport. Libraries in Texas, the one times. And bring your walking tamu.edu or call (979) 862-PARK here is the oldest one still used shoes for a beautiful mixture of For questions about RV permits, as a library. It’s at 111 S. Main academia proper, with an informal call (979) 862-2551. (To buy permits, St. in Bryan. Website: www. trip down memory lane. go to transport.tamu.edu/account.) bcslibrary.org. If an organized tour isn’t your The University Police style, still take time to walk your Department is reachable at old paths. A slow stroll may jog a (979) 845-2345. Botanical Bliss rush of memories. Or, take yourself Visitor Center: (979) 845-5851. There’s a garden on West on a self-guided sculpture walking And if we didn’t list it here, the Campus. Blooming with flowers, tour. Pick up a brochure with folks who answer the phone for the herbs, trees, fruits, vegetables information and the best paths at University Operator can help you and other specimens, the Holistic the Stark Galleries, or call 979-845- at (979) 845-3211. Garden is one of diversity. Found 8501. A&M’s website also offers behind the Horticulture building, an extensive list of things to see on the growing green space on campus. Visit www.tamu.edu and campus even has a Maroon & search for campus attractions. White Garden. Looking to learn how to plant a kitchen garden, compost facility, butterfly garden or wetland ecosystem? Texas

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