<p>be sure to catch the Aggie Band’s performance at halftime. </p>
<p>The antithesis of every other marching band you will likely see. No brightly-colored band uniforms, colorguard, baton twirlers or catchy pop or show tunes. Just uniformed cadets, precision marching in formations, performing traditional marches.</p>
<p>And you will notice that the only time the Aggies sit down the entire game is when the Alabama band is performing.</p>
<p>Ouch.</p>
<p>Sorry to be naive (I’ve never been to a college football game), but do both schools’ bands always get the chance to perform at halftime? It is unfortunate that the TV networks do not carry any of the half-time performances, as I’m sure they are spectacular.</p>
<p>Been talking with lots of SEC fans this week, as I live in LSU country, and was also told that the Aggie Band was something to see.</p>
<p>I wish, too, that the networks would cover the halftime performances. </p>
<p>Hopefully, there will be youtube videos of these events.</p>
<p>If it is still the case, all members of the Aggie band are also members of the Corp of Cadets making the band a military band and the largest military band in the country.</p>
<p>As an Aggie, Class of '84, I never got to sit down during a football game. It is one of many traditions (including midnight yell practice - which ironically begins at 11:30pm) that make
A&M special. Standing up is not a dig on the other team; it is to show that we students are ready to come in and play (football or band) if our fellow Aggies need us. Since the other team’s band wouldn’t need us, we can sit down then (I can’t tell you how much I looked forward to those 15 minutes of seating!) </p>
<p>Here’s the back story for standing up in the student section… </p>
<p>The tradition of the Twelfth Man was born on the second of January 1922, when an underdog Aggie team was playing Centre College, then the nation’s top ranked team. As the hard fought game wore on, and the Aggies dug deeply into their limited reserves, Coach Dana X. Bible remembered a squad man who was not in uniform. He had been up in the press box helping reporters identify players. His name was E. King Gill, and was a former football player who was only playing basketball. Gill was called from the stands, suited up, and stood ready throughout the rest of the game, which A&M finally won 22-14. When the game ended, E. King Gill was the only man left standing on the sidelines for the Aggies. Gill later said, “I wish I could say that I went in and ran for the winning touchdown, but I did not. I simply stood by in case my team needed me.”</p>
<p>This gesture was more than enough for the Aggie Team. Although Gill did not play in the game, he had accepted the call to help his team. He came to be thought of as the Twelfth Man because he stood ready for duty in the event that the eleven men on the gridiron needed assistance. That spirit of readiness for service, desire to support, and enthusiasm helped kindle a flame of devotion among the entire student body; a spirit that has grown vigorously throughout the years. The entire student body at A&M is the Twelfth Man, and they stand during the entire game to show their support. The 12th Man is always in the stands waiting to be called upon if they are needed.</p>
<p>^^^Thank you so much for the story. Truly, a school steeped in tradition, and I’m sure The Bear was proud to spend time at both your school and ours.</p>
<p>I am so excited that you guys have joined the SEC. We are honored to have you.</p>
<p>ANother Aggie tradition is to kiss a girl (any girl) when the team scores.</p>
<p>I know this because once, when I was a young woman, I was kissed at an A&M home game by the Aggie standing next to me (and my husband, who was on my other side) after an Aggie touchdown.</p>
<p>I was surprised, to say the least.</p>
<p>It’ll be great to see another band on the field. I don’t think we’ve had a visiting band all year - just a couple sending pep squads. I was very surprised that Mississippi State only sent a pep squad. They’re only down the road - the wouldn’t have even had to buy hotel rooms for the night.
And that’s probably a big reason other teams don’t send bands - there are no hotel rooms to be had, and if you could find one, it would be $200+ per night.</p>
<p>^^ This is too funny. For some reason, I thought TXArch was a MAN! Roll Tide, honey!</p>
<p>i don’t think A&M is bringing their whole band…upperclassmen only.</p>
<p>Can’t wait for the game to begin. I will be watching at home with my H and D2. </p>
<p>When D1 was considering UA, we looked at some of the performances on YouTube of the MDB. So impressive!! I will google the Aggie band too. I do wish they would show the bands playing at halftime.</p>