God luv ’em. That’s all I could say after last week’s disappointing ending to the Texas A&M vs Arkansas Razorback football game.
Matching Birthdays
Kirk, who we all call Captain Kirk because of his experience, leadership, and knowledge on the sales floor at FAB, and I share the same birthday, September 27th. A few weeks before our conjoining birthday, he came in to my office, boasting of his B-day weekend plan to visit Jerry’s World in Arlington, Texas, and watch the Southwest Classic Trophy game.
With Arkansas’ 10 wins in a row, this sounded like a great idea and, not to be outdone, I followed suit and bought tickets online.
Being a newbie to buying football tickets, I erroneously purchased our seats on the wrong side of the field. It proved to be a learning experience. I always thought our Razorback’s “Woo Pig Sooie” tradition was the best in college football but, after listening and watching the Aggies, I may have to rethink that.
Aggie Traditions
Walking to the game I noticed all these cute girls in short skirts, with hand towels stuffed in and draped out of their cowboy boots. Turns out they are called spirit towels and instead of shouting ‘Woo Pig’ during the game, they shout something I couldn’t decipher and waved their towels in the air for the football players on the field to see. After a quick look around at the waving towels, I would say the fans in the stadium that day were about even.
Though the Aggies do not have a fight song like us, they do have a traditional song called The Aggie War Hymn. This song, written during WWI and named the #1 fighting song by USA Today, is known verbatim by their fans and sung in unison as they link arms and sway back and forth in solidarity, again a tradition that can be viewed from the field. (Feeling it would be traitorous, Grady and I declined their gracious offer to join in and broke the human chain on our row. lol)
Interestingly, instead of cheerleaders, they have HOT guys dressed in all white called Yell Leaders. And boy did they yell. I had to stuff tissue in my ears and cup my hands over them to avert a headache and deafness. The yell leaders lead an array of noise making songs and chants that is often called the “12th man.” There may only be 11 men on the field but the noise that comes from the stands is so disruptive to the opposer it makes for a 12th team member. It’s effectiveness was made evident by the bad snaps and busted plays from the Hogs on that day.
The halftime performances were impressive on both sides. Razorbacks were first with baton twirlers, cheerleaders, marching band, and color guard flags. When Texas A&M took the field, they had one big act by the United States’ largest military marching band, the acclaimed Fighting Texas Aggie Band, who showed off their musicality and synchronized marching skills in a complex routine.
Good Game, Bad Doink
Though we did not win the Southwest Classic, it was still a great game; a nail biter ‘til the very end. With one minute left on the clock, Razorback kicker, Cam Little, launched a field goal for the win. From my seat, it looked like the ball hit the upright and bounced in, but within a few seconds the people around me erupted in cheers and I learned the truth, it doinked their way, and the Aggies took home the Trophy.
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