Howdy!

Texas A&M was Daisy's second college visit. It is the state's first public institution of higher learning, opening its doors in 1876. The Dixie Chicken has not been around that long, but it's been a tradition since 1974.

Howdy is the official greeting of Texas A&M, and Daisy and I gave The Chicken a big ole Aggie Howdy.

TAMU has the third largest student enrollment in the nation with 73,000. It's one of the few colleges to have land, sea and space-grant designations.

The phrase 'Gig 'em' dates back to the A&M/TCU game of 1920. Someone asked the crowd what were they going to do to those Horned Frogs, and answering his own question he yelled, "Gig 'em, Aggies!" referencing a sharp-pronged frog-hunting tool called a gig. He also gave the thumbs up sign, which just happened to become the first hand sign of the Southwest Conference.

The 12th Man dates back to 1922, when the Aggies were plagued with injuries during a game. A former football member was in the press box. The coach remembered he was in attendance, so he called him down to the field. He suited up, ready to help his team if needed. As the clock ran out, he was the only man left on the bench, earning him the name "The 12th Man." A&M has become known as "The Home of the 12th Man," and the student body demonstrates unity, loyalty and willingness of Aggies to serve when called.

Daisy was not impressed with all of the military history of Aggieland. We shall see if A&M is in Daisy's future or not.

[November 5]