Texas A&M - Midnight Yell Practice

There are precious few schools that share the same reputation for unrivaled school spirit and football tradition as Texas A&M. We approached this weekend with lofty expectations for the heralded Aggie experience, and I’m here to tell you that it over delivered on those big promises.

Nowhere is this more evident than at Midnight Yell Practice at Texas A&M. For those of you unfamiliar, Midnight Yell Practice at A&M is the bigger, badder older brother of the “Pep Rally” found at most schools. Held on midnight of Friday prior to home games, the Midnight Yell is an Aggie tradition that dates back to 1931, and gets the Aggie faithful pumped up for the coming matchup.

On this particular night, the Friday before the Baylor game, we yawningly made our way through a steady drizzle to the imposing confines of Kyle Field. As my watch rhythmically ticked close to midnight, I had doubts about attendance at this peculiar event given the soggy weather and late hour. I shortly became the most surprised greenhorn in the building when my ears were clapped by the cacophony of well over 15,000 fans locked arm in arm belting out “Varsity” above the band.

Lasting barely a half hour, yell practice is short and intense – the way that it ought to be. Guest speakers were limited to two, one of whom happened to be Rick Perry, the current governor of Texas (a 1972 alum and former Yell Leader himself). The “Yell Leaders” and Aggie Band own the rest of the airtime, reserved for cheering, singing and coaching the crowd through a slew of complex Aggie hand motions. This keeps yell practice a refreshingly quick and energizing event run by the students….for the students.

I dug up this video online which does a decent job capturing the spirit of this event.

To draw this many fans, on such a lousy night before the 6^th home game of the year is quite remarkable, and a testament to the unique spectacle of the Midnight Yell in College Station. Given the opportunity for a home game experience at Texas A&M, Midnight Yell is an absolute must do.

In a word: Awesome.

A quick clarification on “Yell Leaders”: There are a handful of unique departures from the college football norm that you will find in College Station and the “Yell Leaders” are one such example. Texas A&M eschews traditional “cheerleaders”, opting instead for a small group of five male students to serve as the “Yell Leaders” for the student body. These five men, composed of three seniors and two juniors, are elected by fellow students (and is considered a highly significant honor to be chosen), and serve as the spirit organization for the university. Clad in bleached dress whites, they lead all the “yells” during sporting events, and are tasked with maintaining crowd intensity and direction throughout the game.

Yell leaders during Yell Practice

Yell leaders during the game

One last video that gives a bit of background about the Yell Leaders and their role during games.

Posts are coming....

Some new posts are coming, so bear with me. We hit three games in the past week (A&M vs. Baylor, A&M vs. Texas, and Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State) so I am busy playing a little catch up and trying to write them up.

Suffice to say A&M was a phenomenal experience (so much so that we decided to spend Thanksgiving there), and I want to make sure that I try and capture what a unique place it is accurately.

In the meantime, enjoy the Notre Dame coaching search....

Gig’ em Aggies!

Howdy!

This weekend brings us to College Station, TX, where the 5-5 Aggies of Texas A&M (which stands for Agriculture and Mechanical for you city slickers in the Northeast) will be squaring off against the 4-6 Baylor Bears, whom some would argue are the perennial cellar dwellers of the Big 12. The Aggies have been streaky this year, but they are firmly established as one of the most storied and tradition laden programs in College Football, and widely considered as a preeminent game day experience.

I have heard about the football atmosphere at A&M for a few years now since moving to Texas, and it’s always been a curiosity of mine. There isn’t a single ring bearing Aggie alum that will pass up an opportunity to tell you just how steeped in tradition and remarkable the game day experience in College Station can be. Now if only they could tell me exactly what the hell “Gig’ Em” actually means I would be satisfied…

Now I was excited for this trip to begin with, but our friends Allison and Melissa have “gigged” (am I using that correctly?) together one of the most exhaustive itineraries that I have ever seen. Top to bottom they have loaded us with all the must see experiences to make our trip to College Station a memorable one. And the more I keep reading about Texas A&M the more excited and “gig”(gily) I get for this trip!

We already have our student tickets lined up in the senior section, and are going to be screaming our maroon clad selves hoarse as part of the spectacle of the famous “12^th Man”, lest we face the ridicule of being labeled “2 percenters”. With over 80,000 bodies cramming the tiers at Kyle field, this will be the raucous atmosphere that A&M is noted for.

You can read about the 12^th man, and the rest of the storied A&M traditions here:

http://traditions.tamu.edu/index.php?q=traditions

But the game festivities will actually be starting earlier than Saturday. Friday night will be the most interesting pre game experience that we have had thus far, as we foray into a unique A&M tradition called Midnight Yell Practice. While on the surface this may sound like a domestic disturbance gone wrong, it’s actually an Aggie tradition prior to every game. Upwards of 25,000 students, alumni and visitors congregate at Kyle field at the stroke of midnight to rehearse cheers for the next day. Like a pep rally on steroids, Midnight Yell gets the “12^th Man” pumped up for the next opponent. Just make sure you bring a date to kiss for when the lights go out, and be mindful not to wear a hat….(so I’m told)

http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/team/midnight.html

As usual, food will be a part of this adventure, and we have our customary lineup of lovely vegan café’s to sample from. Wait…what?

Snow’s BBQ - Brisket for breakfast anyone? Strange you might think, unless that brisket was from legendary Snow’s BBQ in Lexington, and considered to be the best that Texas has to offer. For those of you following closely at home, this will be our second stop at Snow’s on the College Football Tour. Given the fact that Lexington is only 52.1 miles away from College Station, you’d need the jaws of life to pry me out of my car before I get there. So haul yourself out of bed bright and early on Saturday morning to join us, because Snow’s is only open one day a week, and the meat sells out by 10AM.

http://www.snowsbbq.com/

Chicken Oil Company - Of course one of our eating pit stops after the game will be at the institutional Chicken Oil Company, which I am told is as delicious as it sounds. As many of you may know, I am a huge fan of dining establishments that sell both fine cuisine and diesel fuel at the same time. And while Chicken Oil unfortunately stopped selling gas a few years ago, the spirits of petroleum transfer lives on in this highly unique environment, and you can bet I will be sampling one of their famous burgers.

http://www.dixiechicken.com/chickenoil/

http://www.dixiechicken.com/chickenoil/menu.php

Dixie Chicken - Staying consistent with the Dixie Chicken enterprise, we will also be relaxing with a few beers on Saturday night at the Dixie Chicken Bar in College Station. The Dixie Chicken, which may eclipse Eskimo Joe’s as the most renowned pub we have visited, claims to serve more beer per square foot than any other bar in the U.S. Suffice to say it’s an A&M landmark, and I’ll be carving my name in the table after a few pints.

http://www.dixiechicken.com/dixiechicken/

Well that’s the lineup for this week, and whatever other fun we can manage to uncover in College Station. Let me know if you are interested, and of course snarky comments always appreciated.

BTHO Baylor (I’ll let you non Aggies decipher what that actually means).

Whoop!

-Jamin

Go Frogs!!!

A few short months ago, I could have purchased TCU tickets for fifteen bucks apiece and probably sat on the team bench if I so desired. Since that time, however, TCU had strung together nine straight wins, and stood with an unblemished #4 ranking in the country. Add in the biggest matchup of the year against a 14^th ranked conference rival, and the ESPN College Gameday hoopla, and the result was absolute bedlam in Fort Worth on Saturday night.

Early in the season I had predicted TCU vs Utah may be one of the biggest games of the year for us on the tour, and Saturday I was proven correct. In fact, the Horned Frogs hosting the Utes shaped up to be the biggest game on the TCU campus since the leather helmet era. With a record crowd of 50,307 eager Frog fans looking on, Amon Carter Stadium was stuffed beyond capacity, shattering their old attendance record by nearly 3,000 fans. Initially, we could only find standing room on the concourse behind the endzone seats. The place was electric.

Coming into the game, TCU knew they had to prove themselves BCS worthy. They needed a signature win against a quality opponent, and had to justify their ranking among the nations elite. Even the slightest falter would give the shifty eggheads of the BCS reason enough to snub them. TCU needed “style points”.

TCU delivered.

After a back and forth first half, TCU blew the score wide open in the second half by punching in three touchdowns within a 2-1/2 minute span. The third of which was enabled off by a brilliant interception and return for a touchdown. Offensively, TCU never looked back from this point, as they went on to drop 55 points on the Utes, who simply had no answer for the balanced attack of the Horned Frogs.

Like any Mountain West team that typically lights up the scoreboard, we knew that TCU had an explosive offense capable of putting points on the board. Equally impressive, however, is how balanced this team is on both sides of the ball. The TCU defense was smothering the entire night, forcing a couple interceptions, blocking a kick, and generally flummoxing the Utah offense. The defense is anchored by man-child defensive end Jerry Hughes, who during one defensive “3 and out” series had all three tackles (including a sack) to force the Utes to punt. It seemed like every other play the crowd was chanting “Hugghhhhessssss”!

The victory was capped off by our first field rush of the year. After the final whistle blew, the frenzied crowd emptied onto the field in celebration of one of the biggest wins in school history. Were we not in the upper deck at the time, we likely would have joined the party at midfield.

In short this TCU team might be one of the most balanced non BCS conference teams that we have ever seen before, and they are going to be a scary matchup for any of the traditional powerhouses in a BCS Bowl. That “other” team in Texas better start looking in their rearview mirror….

A shout out to our friend Chip who came all the way in from Massachusetts for the weekend. And to JJ for agonizingly monitoring the Irish score during the game.

Finally, a huge thank you to our friends Heath and Melissa for hosting a phenomenal tailgate at their house prior to the game. Glad we finally got you guys to a game!

Angelo's BBQ

Despite your stereotypical impressions of Texas, and the widely circulated myth that good barbecue is omnipresent and available in every corner of the state, the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex is actually a black hole for proper barbecue in Texas.

Of course there are a handful of “famed” institutions, such as Sonny Bryan’s, that you may find on television purported to be among the legends of Texas barbecue. The reality is that Sonny’s exists on undeserved reputation alone. The only BBQ tradition to be found within their walls is a daily serving of grayed meat virtually indistinguishable from highway roadkill. This makes the quest for decent BBQ in DFW a difficult challenge.

Fortunately, there is one serviceable option that can satisfy an appetite for properly smoked meat in DFW: Angelo’s BBQ in Fort Worth, Texas. Adding to the pressure, there was an out of town guest to impress. My friend Chip had flown all the way in from Massachusetts and his exacting standards demanded some of Texas’ finest barbecue. I knew Angelo’s could deliver.

I have long maintained that a good barometer for a great restaurant is the prevalence of domestic, full size pickup trucks in the parking lot. Simply put, if you take a gander across the parking lot and notice a convoy of Ford F-250’s, Chevy Silverado’s and Dodge Ram’s, you know you’re in for a good meal. Not surprisingly, Angelo’s parking lot closely resembles a truck dealership, and I almost felt ashamed swinging into the parking lot in a zippy red Infinity sedan. My anxiety was quickly relieved, however, by the enchanting smoke wafting through the front door, and the familiar greeting of assorted dead animals adorning the walls.

I’m no stranger to Angelo’s, so I promptly ordered up my usual hearty feast: the combo plate of ribs and brisket paired with a giant frozen schooner of Amber Bock lager. Chip marched in close behind, and like a seasoned BBQ veteran, ordered up the same power plate and tossed a wad of cash at the clerk (Angelo’s is a strictly cash enterprise).

As usual, the feed at Angelo’s was superb. The brisket was smoky and moist throughout with a nice blackened crust. The ribs are Angelo’s signature item, and following every visit I am amazed by their consistency. They are tender, well rendered throughout and have that telltale pinkish hue of smoked perfection. Finally, the frozen beer schooners at Angelo’s are an absolute essential. There are few things as enjoyable as sipping your suds out of a frosted mug speckled with flaky chunks of ice. Every bar should take note.

If you’re ever in the Dallas Fort Worth area, and searching for a solid representation of what Texas Barbecue has to offer, head on over to Angelo’s in Fort Worth. After loosening his belt a few notches in approval, I think our northern visitor Chip would agree.

In the past a few folks have asked me “how are the sides at Angelo’s”? My response is simple: who cares? It’s a BBQ joint; side dishes are a distraction at best.

Thorncrown Chapel

Despite our modern, urban centric idolization of great works of architecture, an extraordinary rural gem can be found discretely tucked away in a secluded corner of Northwest Arkansas. Nestled amongst the rugged Ozark Mountains inconspicuously lies one of the great architectural masterpieces of the 20^th century; Thorncrown Chapel.

Designed by architect by E. Faye Jones, Thorncrown Chapel has been lauded as one of the finest works of American architecture in the last century. Our trip to Arkansas presented us with the rare opportunity to visit this masterpiece, found just outside of the peculiar town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

The most defining characteristic of Thorncrown Chapel is an omnipresent feeling of “lightness”, amplified by tactful attention to verticality. Expansive glass, delicate trusses and slender columns stand in stark contrast to traditional churches typically burdened by monolithic stone and heavy wood. Jones attention to airy detail is evident throughout the structure, to the extent that his construction plans decreed “no structural element could be larger than what two men could carry through the woods.”

A remarkable composition of wood, stone and glass, Thorncrown is as much a religious edifice as an exquisite showcase of meticulous detail and native material. Trusses were hewn from local Arkansas pine and gently perched atop a flagstone floor quarried nearby. Taking its inspiration and material vocabulary from the surrounding rocky Ozarks, the blindingly simple clarity of construction asserts an understated harmony between site, structure and god.

Even the approach to Thorncrown is appropriately humble, as little more than a winding stone pathway through the forest reveals this glass temple of the trees. Jones took great measures to preserve as much of the wooded escarpment as possible and the delicate structure is veiled as little more than a modest glass enclosure cloaked amongst the towering oaks of the site.

Simply exquisite.

http://www.thorncrown.com/index.html

http://www.thorncrown.com/architecture.htm

http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek05/tw1216/tw1216_25year.cfm

Runnin' Hog Wild

For some reason, the SEC has this endearing little nuance where they refuse to announce official game times until a few days prior to the actual game. In this case, they decided a week before kickoff to play the game at 11:21am on Saturday morning. In addition to wreaking havoc with our travel logistics, these early start times deflate the overall gameday atmosphere. With such an arbitrary early start time, fans (students especially) barely have a chance to roll out of bed and get to the game in time for kickoff. Nevermind have enough time to squeeze in a solid shift of tailgating and pregame festivities to get adequately warmed up for the contest ahead.

Regardless, Razorback fans did an admirable job getting in some early prep time, and while it wasn’t the most raucous atmosphere we have been to, the tailgating passion unique to the SEC was clearly evident in Fayetteville. I spotted more than a handful of trailer smokers in the parking lot, a leading indicator of adept tailgaters.

As for the game itself, the Arkansas and South Carolina squads were pretty evenly matched during the first half, with both playing some rather stingy defense, as they headed into the locker room at the half knotted at 10 apiece. In the second half, however, the Hogs came out like a ball of fire and ripped off 23 unanswered points on the shell-shocked Gamecocks to cruise to a rather handy victory. Cannon armed Razorback QB Ryan Mallett finally found his stride in the second half, connecting on bullet like passes and softening up the Gamecock secondary enough to free up a few nice long runs by the Hogs.

Razorback Stadium, having been recently renovated, is an impressive facility equipped with the latest field turf and replete with their own “Pigscreen” jumbotron. But it’s the fan’s that truly make Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium an imposing place to play. The Razorbacks lay claim to one of the most eerie cheers in college football, the “Calling of the Hogs”: Wooooooooo. Pig, Sooooie! The cheer is purported to have started in the 1920’s when some local farmers, disappointed at the teams play, began hog calling them for encouragement. The cheer stuck and the “Calling of the Hogs” has been an Arkansas tradition ever since. Hearing the forbidding sound of the Hog call by 68,865 fans is quite a unique experience, and would run chills up my spine if I were on the opposition.

To get a feel for the cadence of this distinct cheer have a look at the videos (not ours):

Final score: Arkansas 33 South Carolina 16

Go Hogs!!!