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Word on the street is that the Aggie Band has been substantially limited from playing during the games compared to in the past. So much so that the opposing band plays more than ours. Any truth to this?

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If the TAB is playing, it limits the airtime of all the stuff on the jumbo tron. Got to get the commercials in. Why shoudl the visitors bands care if they play over a commercial?

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we even brought back the Corps Block T that USED to be a part of A&M game days in the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s, ended in 56, and now we have have done it the last 4 years.

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That's really cool, wish we could have done that when I was in school.

To elevate the discussion I am very proud of the decision to bring back the Corps Block T once a year. Good bull and great way to feature the Corps of Cadets during the season.

Keep on keeping on. Save everything you can that helps Kyle Field be what we all remember and love. Never give up.

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To YOU maybe, red crayon. You can't speak for everyone else.

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Well, yeah, to me. I'm the one posting here. When I say we, I'm speaking about my husband and I. He dislikes some of the changes even more than I do.

But you can't speak for anyone else either. These are all OPINIONS. Isn't that what a message board is for? I just disagree with you. Disagreement is okay. Dissent is acceptable. I'm glad you like the changes. Why do you care if I do or not?

We were at a game in 2011. We just didn't enjoy it like we wish we had. The jumbotron. The band barely played. Few yells. It just wasn't what we remembered. And my point is that when we don't recognize game day and we don't enjoy it, we won't put forth the effort to go. I'm not asking anyone else to stay home. But it's a huge effort for us to go as my husband is on active duty and we don't live in Texas. So we've been doing away games and we heard the Aggie Band play more at Auburn than we did at Kyle Field. That may be okay with you but we don't like that change.

Have a nice day.

First, let me say Thank You to you and your husband for your service to our nation, red crayon. As a veteran, I truly appreciate the service and sacrifice of your husband and you and your family. My family and I are grateful for your service.

I stated up-front that this was MY opinion, and MY opinion only. I NEVER speak for anyone else but me. I usually come on this site to clarify rumors or mis-statemements about something usually having to do with the Corps. I rarely engage in a big dialogue on this site, but when I do, I am always careful to state that I am expressing MY opinion only. That is exactly what I did on this thread, and if you'll re-read the thread, you'll see my statement.

I am a BIG proponent for open discussion and disagreement. I served 31 years in the Army to help protect our right to openly disagree - as long as its done in a mature, professional manner. I have seen nothing in this thread that I would consider unprofessional or immature. We disagree, and thats ok. As I stated previously, I'd be happy to have you and your husband stop by the next time you're at Aggieland, and allow me to buy you both a cold beverage of your choice at the Dixie Chicken. I take none of whats written on these blogs personally - its just an exchange of opinions and ideas, and yes, a little venting, but its people expressing themselves openly and even disagreeing, but its NOT personal at all - at least not by me.

I would also welcome you and your husband to join me on the reviewing stand the next time you're at Aggieland. I don't know your name, but if you'll e-mail me at jramirez@corps.tamu.edu, I'll be sure to save space on the reviewing stand for you and your husband the next time you can attend a game. We may not agree on what we think about the game day experience, but we can still enjoy game day and watching the Corps of Cadets march-in to Kyle Field.

Again, I Thank you and your husband for serving our nation, and I hope you'll stop by to say hello the next time you are both in Aggieland. My best to you and your family. BTHO LSU!

Thank you, Gen. Ramirez. We appreciate your service to our country and our school.

We would love to meet you next time we are in Aggieland. I will definitely contact you when we plan a trip. We'll be PCSing next summer. Maybe we'll be closer to Texas!

I was at the Mizzou game last Saturday and the Corps Block T was very impressive. I was really impressed with how quickly they got it together.

We staged a Corps Block T photo in Spring '92 and it took forever to get that thing lined up. Doing it during a game was awesome. The other part that was cool was how many empty seats were visible when the Corps was on the field.

Between March-in, a Lost Indian drill, The Corps Block T, the cannon in the tunnel and the fact that I ran into 3 x Class of '94 BQs and one legendary Class of '89 BQ (former Apache pilot), I had a great game day experience last weekend. Made up for the fact that it was cold and wet. I live in Australia so getting back for a game is a tall order. In fact I enjoyed it so much that I'd like to compliment the flag girls. They looked much more fit than the last time I saw them.

And a positive takeaway from running out of time was the opportunity to teach younger Ags the words to the 12th Man.

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And a positive takeaway from running out of time was the opportunity to teach younger Ags the words to the 12th Man.

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You had to do that fast. Was at the Ole Miss game and the BQs were playing it at about 240 beats per minute. I think they were as ready to get the heck out of there as the rest of us.

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And a positive takeaway from running out of time was the opportunity to teach younger Ags the words to the 12th Man.

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Sang that a lot my zip year.

Yes isn't it embarrassing that we get to hear our Band more at an away game than when it is so heavily restricted by the jumbotron at home.

Commandant,

I wrote Jason Cook last year when the boot line first went away and was replaced by ADT flag girls. This was at old Kyle, before the renovations. He said they got rid of the boot line because the students were getting in the way of the players running out on to the field. I personally feel that the flag girls look ridiculous out there instead of a bunch spirited students waving towels and showing emotion and that it was an excuse to put ADT on the field. I would love to see the boot line brought back.

I went back and found the email response from Jason Cook last year regarding bootline and ADT flag girls:

Thanks for taking the time to send an email and share your thoughts. Let me assure you that our top priority is to maintain as well as enhance the unique game atmosphere at Kyle Field. We are very proud that Sports Illustrated ranked Texas A&M as having the top gameday atmosphere in the country, and we do not intend to do anything that would take away from that uniqueness or our traditions.The Aggie Dance Team was added to the team entrance this year for two primary purposes:1. Security and safety If you recall, we added fireworks to the team entrance for Senior Day against Missouri last year. Coach Sumlin and his staff liked this addition, and requested that we add the pyrotechnics for each game this season. In meeting with the pyrotechnics group, as well as with the university's Environmental Health & Safety team, we needed a larger buffer around the fireworks blasts, which necessitated a change to the bootline that we had earlier last season. We also had significant safety concerns for our players and coaches last year, as the bootline continued to get narrower and narrower each week -- despite weekly instructions -- which was impeding the team's ability to get on the field safely and in an orderly fashion. We also had recruits, lettermen, media and sponsors joining the bootline, which prompted a multitude of other security concerns.2. Pageantry and color In reviewing the team entrance from last year on video, it looked like the team just spilled onto the field. Frankly, it was not a good look nor representation of Texas A&M it was a mass of fans and media in a big scrum on the field. We needed the team entrance to be more of a big moment, both in-stadium and on television, and we needed more maroon visuals. The Aggie Dance Team provided an opportunity for us to add a lot of maroon into the entrance with the flags, provide a security buffer for the team, as well as showcase another group of our diverse student body. The addition of the Aggie Dance Team to the team entrance has not negatively impacted Texas A&M's game experience in any way. My commitment, which I have stated publicly, is that we may add elements to the game atmosphere, but any additions would not take away from our time-honored traditions or what makes Texas A&M unique. Keep in mind that we still have bootline it starts underneath the stadium and goes through the NE tunnel to the edge of the Kyle Field grass, up until the required buffer for the fireworks. And we still have the traditional bootline at halftime.Coach Sumlin and staff, our current student-athletes, and recruits love the team entrance including the additions made this year with the fireworks and Aggie Dance Team. The Lettermen's Association has enthusiastically supported the new entrance. My wife '92, her friends and brothers ('84. '87 and '88) have all embraced these changes positively. I was with a large group of "Old Ags" last night folks in their 60s and 70s and received positive comments from them as well. I understand that change is not always accepted by all, but I hope this gives you a little more insight into our decision-making process. Again, thank you for taking the time to communicate your concerns. ___Jason Cook, APR Senior Associate Athletics DirectorExternal Affairs | Texas A&M University P.O. Box 30017 | College Station, TX 77842-3017Ph. 979.845.1030 | Cell. 979.450.2362 | Fax. 979.845.1458 Twitter. @jason_cook www.aggieathletics.com | Home of the 12th Man

I think he's right.

I think he's wrong.

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Red crayon probably still wants yell practice on the steps of the YMCA building.

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I thought Yell Practice on the steps of the Y was great. It's a terrific building and in its day was deeply involved in student life.

CanyonAg77

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Sorry but I won't Google for you. This was a well-known discussion when Cook wanted the ADT at Kyle. And it was also discussed on the TexAgs radio show. I'm not in the habit of making stuff up. I think he wanted to change the media focus (Corps) during games. Scantily clad women bring in more money. I guess.

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Redcrayon is absolutely right. After reading this post, I emailed Jason Cook again about the boot line. This is a quote from his response:

"Certainly value your opinion, but we are continually battling the stereotype that Texas A&M is an all-male military institution. Positioning the flag girls at this moment in the game assists us in visually dispelling this myth. Recruits like it as well. Compared to last year, however, we have increased the number of senior boots at the mouth of the team entrance tunnel."

It's interesting how much of these complaints about traditions are about traditions that frankly aren't that old.

I was at A&M from Fall 1996 - Spring 2000.

Corps Block seating didn't start until the 1997 season. My freshman year, you pulled as a class. The intent behind this was for the cadets in uniform to fully interact with the rest of the students without interference from their upperclassmen.

Boot Line didn't start until the 1999 season. My senior class was the first one...and it only happened in the SECOND half.

Prior to the 1998 season, when march-in occurred, the Aggie Band came in from both sides of the North End Zone. Obviously once the Richardson Zone was put up, that changed.

Running on the quad (CT fish) and marching in a block (BQ fish) to leave the quad was outlawed after 1996. I remember zips running on the quad to protest it.

Being able to protect the drill field was outlawed after 1997 after a coed cried rape after she was asked to leave. The signs that said, "In order to keep the Drill Field in good condition, please walk around, thank you, The Aggie Band" were removed by the Krooked Kampus Kops. Even when Squadron 1 put a "1" on the Haney Drill Field in ROCK SALT we weren't allowed to retaliate.

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Boot Line didn't start until the 1999 season. My senior class was the first one...and it only happened in the SECOND half.

Prior to the 1998 season, when march-in occurred, the Aggie Band came in from both sides of the North End Zone.

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Boot line was around when I was a kid in the 1960s. Both halves, as I recall.

When I was a BQ, the Band entered Kyle from the tunnel in the north center of the horseshoe. The we stood out on the %^&*@!!! Astroturf and played while the Corps marched around.

When I was a fish in '98, I ran all over the quad.

CanyonAg77 is correct on the bootline existing for many years. I have seen videos of games in the early 60's where there were at least a 500 zips bringing the team onto the field, 2 lines going both ways as the team entered from the old locker room stairs at the 50 yard line. I got to be in one once, my last game at Kyle Field. Get your facts straight before pontificating.

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Get your facts straight before pontificating.

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Didn't happen in the 1996, 1997, or 1998 seasons, so somewhere along the line before then it ended.

Bootline was there in '82 -'86. Both halves. CT's and Non-regs.

On another note:
1. Baylor has lots of pagentry prior to the game including their band and Dance Team/Cheerleaders ON THE FIELD playing the school song AND the National Anthem.

2. Baylor lets their enitre freshman class run across the field and line both sides of the team's entrance. LOTS of Green and Gold.

3. They are controlled by other students using rope lines.

4. They have pyrotechniques. (Flames and Fire works)

5. The team runs through the entire mass of Green and Gold, fire works and flames.

6. The entire mass exits the field under 1 minute. ( I timed them).

If Baylor can pull this off.. the 12th Man sure as hell can....

They wanted the ADT on the field and the Corps off. This isn't about safety, etc. This is about fundamentally changing the face of A&M. Expect more changes like this in the future.

The funny part is that the TV cameras still focus on the Corps. The media understands what makes A&M unique and special even if our hired marketing guy doesn't.

1960's Boot line



1986 Bootline

I remember as a kid, the bootline wrapping around so much I thought the players would get worn out going down it.

From 1973 to 1978 Bootline was at the beginnning of the 2nd half. i think about 75 or 76 non-reg seniors were allowed to participate and the Bootline went from the team gate at the 50 to the North endzone and then back all the way to the South endzone.

And I too am concerned that Mr. Cook wants to diminish the Corps presence at Kyle and make our gameday more like everybody else.

From 1983 to 1987 Bootline was at the beginning of the 2nd half, and BQ Zips would participate if possible, depending on the direction that we ran off the field in relationship to the team entrance.

I think it's pretty disturbing that Jason Cook feels this way and that his view is altering our traditions. I have lived in California, Louisiana, and Virginia and have never met anyone who thought A&M was all male, all military. The fact that TAMU has 50,000 students (Only about 2,500 Corps) with a slight majority being female and had the most applicants in school history a couple years ago, completely negates his false assumption. The cameras are always going to show the Corps because people like men and women in uniform. It also makes A&M unique. He is attempting to make A&M just like his alma mater MSU.

Commandant, I know you said you know Jason Cook very well. Please bring it to his attention that the Corps of Cadets is not going to destroy his marketing campaign and to stop trying to suppress traditions because he feels there is a stereotype of A&M being all male, all militrary.

So, in my opinion, I'd rather get rid of Corps block than boot line. Since bonfire is gone, I like the idea of cadets mixing with non-regs in the stands, and holding each other accountable to yells and being loud. But even if you get rid of Corps block, it won't be hard for cameramen to find large groups of cadets in the stands.

Also, I've never heard of anyone thinking that A&M is an all male military school. Even among military types from other states, at least the ones that didn't commission through ROTC, few know that A&M has a Corps and what it is.

The only time I think I've heard of anyone thinking A&M was anything close to an all-male military school was in 2005 when we were taking in evacuees from Katrina to Reed Arena. When someone on one of the busses from Louisiana found out they were coming to A&M he apparently told everyone on the bus that everything would be ok since they were going to the "Texas Army & Marine University."

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1986 Bootline

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Notice how many "boots" are in this line.

Yeah, I know I'm a Troglodyte, but I always thought Boot Line was for, you know, boots.

In 1976 our bootline had CT's and non-regs mixed in. No one asked any questions and it was a great time to be on Kyle at halftime.