Aggies are reviled but they are steeped in tradition that most schools would kill for.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/07/sports/ncaafootball/texas-am-fans-are-fluent-in-the-science-of-yelling.html?rref=sports/ncaafootball&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=College%20Football&pgtype=article
What does this have to do with anything?
Quote from: Bricky on September 08, 2014, 12:41:13 AM
What does this have to do with anything?
People are always talking about student cheers. Texas A&M has made it an art form which merits discussion
I always thought "Digger Sucks" was a good enough yell/cheer.
Quote from: WarriorFan on September 08, 2014, 03:19:24 AM
I always thought "Digger Sucks" was a good enough yell/cheer.
Agreed. Even better: ND Sucks!
The yells are truly something to behold. I don't think anything else even remotely similar to them exist. The high level of coordination allows for 100,000 plus fans to be screaming complex yells in perfect unison. There are also gestures and movements that go along with the yells. During "squads left, squads right" the entire stadium shuffles in unison, requiring participants to shuffle down three or four seats before shuffling back to their original position. During the "Aggie War Hymn" the entire stadium sways in unison...with alternating rows going in opposite directions. I was at the Lamar game on Saturday. Despite a terrible opponent and a 2 hour weather delay, I would estimate over 100,000 fans stayed up past midnight to watch the Aggies demolish the Cardinals.
I've been to the Big House, the Swamp, the Horseshoe, the Smurf Turf, Husky stadium, Ireland Stadium, and several others. I truly think that there is no greater home field advantage than at Kyle Field.
The Yells are cool...but Aggies are weird.
Then again, the Razorbacks have the trade-marked "woo pig sooie".... ;) Was at the Final 4 in St. Louis back in the late 70s and sat among Razorback fans. That chant is still reverberating in my head, though it was better than listening to My Old Kentucky Home after the Cats won the title that weekend. PS, the plastic hog caps the AK fans wore that weekend made foam Cheeseheads look, well, less cheesy... ;)
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on September 08, 2014, 07:34:21 AM
The yells are truly something to behold. I don't think anything else even remotely similar to them exist. The high level of coordination allows for 100,000 plus fans to be screaming complex yells in perfect unison. There are also gestures and movements that go along with the yells. During "squads left, squads right" the entire stadium shuffles in unison, requiring participants to shuffle down three or four seats before shuffling back to their original position. During the "Aggie War Hymn" the entire stadium sways in unison...with alternating rows going in opposite directions. I was at the Lamar game on Saturday. Despite a terrible opponent and a 2 hour weather delay, I would estimate over 100,000 fans stayed up past midnight to watch the Aggies demolish the Cardinals.
I've been to the Big House, the Swamp, the Horseshoe, the Smurf Turf, Husky stadium, Ireland Stadium, and several others. I truly think that there is no greater home field advantage than at Kyle Field.
I went to a midnight yell back in 2004 when A&M played Tech, man that was such a fun and cool experience. The War Hymn is something I have envied since, the entire stadium participated even the Alumni!
I wouldn't call A&M a cult, its more deeply rooted in tradition.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on September 08, 2014, 09:07:08 AM
The Yells are cool...but Aggies are weird.
I'd agree with that. But any passionate fan base is considered weird by outsiders. Maybe if our alumni got up off their sweater vests during games we would be considered weird too.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on September 08, 2014, 11:18:59 AM
I'd agree with that. But any passionate fan base is considered weird by outsiders. Maybe if our alumni got up off their sweater vests during games we would be considered weird too.
So true. the alumni stand at the end of half and the game but for the most part a ton of the lower bowl is filled with people who act like they're in a box for an nba game more than trying to create a home court advantage for their alma mater.
A&M is an oddball cult. Disclosure: Wife went to Texas.
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on September 08, 2014, 07:34:21 AM
The yells are truly something to behold. I don't think anything else even remotely similar to them exist. The high level of coordination allows for 100,000 plus fans to be screaming complex yells in perfect unison. There are also gestures and movements that go along with the yells. During "squads left, squads right" the entire stadium shuffles in unison, requiring participants to shuffle down three or four seats before shuffling back to their original position. During the "Aggie War Hymn" the entire stadium sways in unison...with alternating rows going in opposite directions. I was at the Lamar game on Saturday. Despite a terrible opponent and a 2 hour weather delay, I would estimate over 100,000 fans stayed up past midnight to watch the Aggies demolish the Cardinals.
I've been to the Big House, the Swamp, the Horseshoe, the Smurf Turf, Husky stadium, Ireland Stadium, and several others. I truly think that there is no greater home field advantage than at Kyle Field.
+1
I grew up in College Station (after spending several years in Gainesville) & went to dozens of Yell Practices -- it's a heck of a tradition, one that sets the stage for the home games. I don't know that the yells and traditions gives the Aggies a more pronounced homefield advantage than anybody else -- but the in-game experience is the most unique & compelling in the nation. Folks should add an Aggie home game to the bucket list.
Here's a look at part of a Yell Practice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpcjhfT2HIA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpcjhfT2HIA)]
Quote from: Ners on September 08, 2014, 09:37:40 AM
+1000. It's a cult.
Right - yet, I think it's fair to say that there's a dash of cult/quasi-religiosity in any sports affiliation. We're all just a little weird with our ritual, pilgramages to certain venues, and the emotional swings of winning/losing, in my humble opinion...