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A Vols guide to Aggie fans

  • As you are all aware, Texas A&M is officially joining the SEC on July 1.

    I was asked by Texas A&M University to introduce themselves - and more importantly let them get to know University of Tennessee fans - in terms of game-day traditions, places to eat while in Knoxville, etc. I need your help in providing info and feedback to their fans. You’ll also get to learn a little bit about the Aggies, too.

    Here's a snapshot of Texas A&M:

    Location: College Station, Texas (about 90 miles northwest of Houston)
    Colors: Maroon & White
    Nickname: Aggies
    Founded: 1876 (first public university in Texas)
    Enrollment: 49,861 Students

    There are a few questions listed below that they’d like us to answer in this thread so they can take that info back to educate their fan base about us.

    - What are the best restaurants and attractions to visit when the Aggies are in Knoxville?
    - What are some of your game-day traditions?
    - Who are your most famous/notable alumni?
    - What is the University of Tennessee most known for?
    - What’s the most important thing you think Aggie fans need to know about the University of Tennessee?

    Here are a few of Texas A&M’s Traditions Explained:

    Kyle Field - Texas A&M’s football stadium opened in 1927 on a plot of land purchased by Professor of Horticulture E.J. Kyle. Today, the stadium boasts a seating capacity of 83,000+. When the crowd sings the ‘Aggie War Hymn’ they “saw” back and forth which actually moves the stadium from side to side.

    Here is a photo of the field - http://i40.tinypic.com/34q2p8j.jpg

    The 12th Man - This term refers to the entire student body. After several injuries during a football game in 1922, the Aggies were down to just 11 players. Student E. King Gill came from the stands, suited up and stood ready to go on the field if needed. The spirit of this “Twelfth Man” continues, as current students stand during the entire game to support their team.

    Howdy - “Howdy” is the official greeting of Texas A&M. Students greeting one another, and especially visitors, with a “howdy” has earned the university a reputation as one of the friendliest campuses in the world.

    Yell Leaders - Aggies don’t cheer, they yell! Look for Aggie Yell Leaders in front of the student section at athletics events, wearing all white and encouraging their peers to show their Aggie Spirit. Listen for the A&M student body doing different “Yells” during any A&M sporting event.

    Midnight Yell - A&M’s version of a 25,000 person pep rally. At midnight the night before each home game, Aggie fans gather at Kyle Field and Yell Leaders get the crowd pumped and ready to support the Aggies in the next days’ contest.

    Gig ’em - Aggies will often flash a thumbs up and say “gig ’em.” This started at a yell practice before the 1930 TCU football game, when Aggie Pinky Downs shouted, “What are we gonna do to those Horned Frogs?” He then gave the crowd a thumbs-up yelling the answer, “Gig ’em, Aggies!” A “gig” is a sharp-pronged tool used for hunting frogs.

    Corps of Cadets - Texas A&M began as an all-male military institution. While today’s membership is voluntary, the Corps of Cadets’ makes up about 4% of the total student body at A&M — both male and female — and is the largest uniformed body of students outside the U.S. military academies.

    Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band The nationally acclaimed Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, which is comprised of members of the Corps of Cadets, is known for its military precision and style.

    Here is a video of a halftime clip - http://goo.gl/M9Je7 ('Aggie War Hymn' starts at 6 minute mark). Here is another photo - http://i42.tinypic.com/124hj76.jpg

    Reveille - The official mascot of Texas A&M. Reveille first came to campus in 1931, after a group of cadets found a stray dog on the road. “Miss Rev,” as cadets address her, can be seen around campus, in class or attending a number of events. Photo - http://i41.tinypic.com/pm32a.jpg

    We’re working with Texas A&M University on this program in an official capacity. Remember that your replies to this thread will be read by fans at Texas A&M, and officials at the University. Let’s represent Vols fans well as we welcome Texas A&M University as the 13th member of the SEC!

    Kevin Ryan ●

  • Guys,

    It is a big honor that they have chosen our site and this board to help learn about the culture and traditions of UT Vols fans. I think it speaks volumes about the posters we have here, how we treat everyone, etc.

    Let's show some of that Volunteer spirit and help their fans learn more about us as we learn about them. Again, the main questions they like you to answer are:

    - What are the best restaurants and attractions to visit when the Aggies are in Knoxville?
    - What are some of your game-day traditions?
    - Who are your most famous/notable alumni?
    - What is the University of Tennessee most known for?
    - What’s the most important thing you think Aggie fans need to know about the University of Tennessee?

    I'll answer shortly, and I hope you guys will give it some serious thought/effort - just like you would want folks to answer for you if the tables were turned.

    Thanks again.

    -KR

    Kevin Ryan ●

  • one more reason why this site is so far ahead of its competition...

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    tlepage99

  • The one thing that stands out to me more than anything aside from the color orange is absolutely the Vol Navy. Plenty of schools have their variation of the vol walk, and a good, yet not quite as memorable, marching band. There are other stadiums that hold 100k + and plenty that are over 90 (yet most aren't as scenic). Yet, the one thing I find very unique at UT is the Vol Navy.

    NCVOL09

  • Well, I just typed up a huge reply and pressed post, but it didn't post for some reason. So here is a shortened version...

    As a Texan and a Houstonian for the past 10 years I have waited a long time for the opportunity to educated some friends on UT!

    1)Littons, Calhouns, Archer's BBQ, Dead End BBQ, Sweet Pea BBQ, Chandler's, and Hard Knox Pizza
    2)Make sure to check out the Vol Navy, The Vol Walk, the Pride of the Southland Marching band's entrance to the stadium, and the entire pre-game show
    3)Kurt Vonnegut, Howard Baker, Wes Rucker,Cormac McCarthy, lots of athletes and lots of astronauts
    4)Depends on who you ask...but I would say we are most known for our football program, women's basketball program, aerospace program, and our association with the Oak Ridge National Lab
    5)We were founded 100 years before the university of Texas and therefore are the real UT!

    This post has been edited 3 times, most recently by thankinvol21 on 3/20/2012 at 12:58 PM

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    thankinvol21

  • Something about General should be on the list. Coach PS has the most wins of any coach in men's or wowen's basketball. Running through the T should be under traditions. Kevin Nash ...

    This post was edited by orangeasylum on 3/20/2012 at 1:02 PM

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    Go Vols

    orangeasylum

  • orangeasylum said...

    Something about General should be on the list. Coach PS has the most wins of any coach in men's or wowen's basketball. Running through the T should be under traditions. Kevin Nash ...

    Kevin Nash the wrestler? lol

    wataugavol ●

  • Another List of Notable University of Tennessee people:
    Alex Haley
    Dave Ramsey
    Bobby Dodd
    Phil Garner
    Ernie Grunfeld
    Todd Helton
    Rick Honeycutt
    Allan Houston
    Bernard King
    Johnny Majors
    Peyton Manning
    Phil Fulmer
    Lindsey Nelson
    Woody Paige
    Reggie White

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    RockytopATL ●

  • Tennessee's all-time record in football is 794–349–52 which ranks them 9th all time and only second to Alabama in the SEC. Tennessee is tied with Texas for second in all time bowl appearances and 6th all time in bowl victories all time.

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    Go Vols

    orangeasylum

  • Some Famous Alumni:

    Reggie White
    Peyton Manning
    Chamique Holdsclaw
    Candace Parker
    Howard Baker (Sr. and Jr.)
    Al Gore (Sr. and Jr.)
    Dixie Carter
    David Keith
    James Denton
    Pam Tillis
    Alex Haley
    Cormac McCarthy
    Min H Kao (Founder of Garmin)
    Pat Summitt

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    tntoak

  • wataugavol said...

    Kevin Nash the wrestler? lol

    Yep...

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    tntoak

  • tntoak said...

    Yep...

    Old school pics...

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    Go Vols

    orangeasylum

  • The foremost Forensic Science department in the country.

    This post was edited by tnbear66 on 3/20/2012 at 2:00 PM

    tnbear66

  • You can see the Smokey Mountains from the top of the stadium.

    tnbear66

  • Some other things A&M fans should be aware of:

    The University of Tennessee:
    Dr. William M. Bass and the "Body Farm"
    General Robert R. Neyland
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    UT Space Institute

    Traditions:
    Big Orange Navy
    Torchbearer
    Vol Walk/Salute to the Hill
    Running Through the 'T'
    Rocky Top
    Neyland Stadium

    Restaurants:
    Hard Knox Pizza
    Archer's BBQ
    Pizza Palace (a personal favorite I discovered from 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives')
    Calhoun's
    Gus's Good Times Deli
    Ruby Tuesday (only because it was started by UT Alumni)

    Knoxville Area:
    Fort Loudon
    Market Square
    Old City
    World's Fair Park/Sunsphere
    Great Smoky Mountains
    Pigeon Forge/Sevierville/Gatlinburg

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    tntoak

  • tntoak said...

    Some other things A&M fans should be aware of:

    The University of Tennessee:
    Dr. William M. Bass and the "Body Farm"
    General Robert R. Neyland
    Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    UT Space Institute

    Traditions:
    Big Orange Navy
    Torchbearer
    Vol Walk/Salute to the Hill
    Running Through the 'T'
    Rocky Top
    Neyland Stadium

    Restaurants:
    Hard Knox Pizza
    Archer's BBQ
    Pizza Palace (a personal favorite I discovered from 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives')
    Calhoun's
    Gus's Good Times Deli
    Ruby Tuesday (only because it was started by UT Alumni)

    Knoxville Area:
    Fort Loudon
    Market Square
    Old City
    World's Fair Park/Sunsphere
    Great Smoky Mountains
    Pigeon Forge/Sevierville/Gatlinburg

    Down the Field

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    Go Vols

    orangeasylum

  • They all need to know to park at the Children's Hospital parking garage for easy fast exit. Ha

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    OrangeVol79 ●

  • I just want to say that I'm very excited about the addition of Texas A&M to the SEC; not only does it open up the fertile recruiting ground that is the state of Texas to surrounding SEC schools, but I see potential for exciting games between our two programs in the future (with the Vols winning most of them, of course)!

    biggrin

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    Nick 1

  • Kevin Ryan said...

    Guys,

    It is a big honor that they have chosen our site and this board to help learn about the culture and traditions of UT Vols fans. I think it speaks volumes about the posters we have here, how we treat everyone, etc.

    Let's show some of that Volunteer spirit and help their fans learn more about us as we learn about them. Again, the main questions they like you to answer are:

    - What are the best restaurants and attractions to visit when the Aggies are in Knoxville? - What are some of your game-day traditions? - Who are your most famous/notable alumni? - What is the University of Tennessee most known for? - What’s the most important thing you think Aggie fans need to know about the University of Tennessee?

    I'll answer shortly, and I hope you guys will give it some serious thought/effort - just like you would want folks to answer for you if the tables were turned.

    Thanks again.

    -KR

    My favorite restaurants (at least used to be, not sure if they are still there ... I'm old)

    1. Gus' Good Times Deli on 17th street just off the Cumberland Avenue strip. They specialize in "steamed sandwiches" and it's one of those places you have to go if you are an out-of-town-visitor trying to get a flavor of the area.
    2. Aubreys - They have a few of these around town, and they are good. Big menus have something for everyone.
    3. Ye Olde Steakhouse - Original burned down, but I hear it is rebuilt and as good as ever.
    4. Calhoun's on the River - Popular meeting place before/after games.

    Gameday tradtions
    1. Running through the T - You need to be in your seat about 10 mins prior to kickoff so you can see the band make the T and see the team run through it.
    2. Checking out the Vol Navy
    3. The Vol Walk - players make way to stadium with thousands upon thousands cheering them on
    4. As the ball is being kicked off to start the game, Bobby Denton tells everyone that it is "Football Time in Tennessee!"

    Lots of folks have already mentioned notable alumi, but some biggies are:
    Peyton Manning, Eric Berry, Arian Foster, Allan Houston, Todd Helton, Jerod Mayo, Al Wilson, Jason Witten, Ernie Grunfeld, Bernard King, Charles Davis, Dr. William Bass (The Body Farm), Al Gore Sr., Al Gore Jr., Heath Shuler, Howard Baker, Lamar Alexander, Charlie Ergen (Dish Network), Alex Haley, Kurt Vonnegut, Phillp Fulmer, Johnny Majors, R. A. Dickey, Dale Ellis, Phil Garner, Kara Lawson, Chamique Holdsclaw, Candace Parker, Lindsay Nelson and Vols superfan David Keith.

    Most known for:
    Being the Volunteers
    Rocky Top
    General Robert Neyland (and the stadium named after him)
    The Hill
    The Torchbearer
    Pride of the Southland Band
    The Vol Navy
    Lady Vols Basketball

    Most important things are:
    The fans are very friendly and all have the "Volunteer Spirit."
    They do wear shoes and the don't all dress like Davy Crockett

    Kevin Ryan ●

  • Would someone please tell me what happened to Gus's? How is the best reuben sandwich place in America out of business?!

    TNDiesel

  • TNDiesel said...

    Would someone please tell me what happened to Gus's? How is the best reuben sandwich place in America out of business?!

    Gus's is still there, as Kevin just mentioned in his list of restaurants. I think there was a fire there years ago — long before I went to UT, I believe — but the restaurant itself is still up and running, and I can confirm that they still have really good steamed sandwiches.

    Staff writer for govols247 — http://www.twitter.com/RyanCallahan247 — rcallahan@247sports.com

    Ryan Callahan

  • TNDiesel said...

    Would someone please tell me what happened to Gus's? How is the best reuben sandwich place in America out of business?!

    Thanks for posting, TNDiesel.

    Kevin Ryan ●

  • tntoak said...

    Some other things A&M fans should be aware of:

    The University of Tennessee: Dr. William M. Bass and the "Body Farm" General Robert R. Neyland Oak Ridge National Laboratory UT Space Institute

    Traditions: Big Orange Navy Torchbearer Vol Walk/Salute to the Hill Running Through the 'T' Rocky Top Neyland Stadium

    Restaurants: Hard Knox Pizza Archer's BBQ Pizza Palace (a personal favorite I discovered from 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives') Calhoun's Gus's Good Times Deli Ruby Tuesday (only because it was started by UT Alumni)

    Knoxville Area: Fort Loudon Market Square Old City World's Fair Park/Sunsphere Great Smoky Mountains Pigeon Forge/Sevierville/Gatlinburg

    Great summary, tntoak. I agree with everything you said. The gameday experience is second to none in Knoxville. Also, don't forget that Knoxville is home to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

    JVVol

  • JVVol said...

    Great summary, tntoak. I agree with everything you said. The gameday experience is second to none in Knoxville. Also, don't forget that Knoxville is home to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

    For right now at least, there should be a display honoring A&M as defending national champions in women's basketball.

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    tntoak

  • Agree with all the additions everyone has said, but just as a matter of clarification for anyone out there...Al Gore actually only has an honorary degree. Gore actually went to Harvard and Vanderbilt...just don't want us to be misquoted later!

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    thankinvol21

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