campusology

Finally Finishing (and/or up-grading)

Aggie99 — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 01:42:00 GMT

I spent several years expressing my disappointment with the Bright Complex and its interior decor. After having visited facilities at Cal, LSU, OU, TCU, SMU, t.u., etc. I was disappointed with the "ambiance" (or finish-out) inside the Bright Complex.

The building itself is great and the physical equipment inside is top-notch, but the building was "plain" and looked relatively generic.

I thought that such a great facility deserved better in terms of "dress." I had visited programs with facilities that looked and felt as if they were steeped in tradition and history. All I knew was that A&M had as much history as these other programs but that we were not displaying it (or, we weren't displaying it in the same way).

I had mentioned this several times on the forums of TexAgs.com, but was only met with resistance. Most posters said that I was "complaining, just to complain" or that the Bright Building looked "good enough!"

Well, I am not one to simply complain, and looking "good enough" is not good enough for A&M. However, today I finally got a chance to read the most recent issue of the 12th Man Magazine (Dec. 2010 Vol. 15, Issue 19). On page 27, there is an article by Rusty Burson that reads as follows:

"During the design and construction phases of the $27 million Bright Football Complex in the early 2000s, virtually every penny that was raised for the facility was directed toward bricks-and-mortar infrastructure and operational necessities. As construction costs continued to rise and budget numbers were crunched--as they typically do--finish-out projects and interior decor were often eliminated or postponed until later. More than seven years since the facility first opened prior to the 2003 football season, now is "later."

It is good to know that someone on the inside of the program agrees with me. However, it is disappointing that it took this long to finish the building.

[P.S. - In the title I used the word "up-grading." While the article says that they are just now finally getting to the point where they can decorate the building due to budget concerns, I can't help but wonder if this is nothing more than a way to dress-up a seven year old facility that is no longer brand new.

Remember, we opened the building at the same time Coach Fran took over and we were hoping that both the building and the new coach would carry us forward into the 21st Century.

However, that didn't happen as Fran didn't quite work out and by the time he was gone, the Birght Building was no longer a new facility. It is almost as if we lost our momentum/edge that the building was suppose to give us by not winning on the field during the Fran era.

Well, it is now the Sherman era and it would really help Coach Sherman out if he had a brand new building like Fran did. I wonder if this is nothing more than an attempt to give him the next best thing: "An Up-graded Facility."

Either way, I am just glad they are doing it.]

1998 Big 12 South Division Champions Football Trophy

Aggie99 — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:07:00 GMT

The Aggies won the South Division of the Big 12 for the second straight year in 1998. However, this time the Aggies would go on to win the conference title by beating Kansas State 36-33 in Double Over-Time!

As for this trophy, I am not 100% sure that A&M was given this trophy at the end of the 1998 season (before the title game or after). There is a possibility that we didn't get a Division Trophy due to the fact that we won the conference. However, I do believe A&M got this trophy in 1998 (as well as a conference championship trophy) but I simply don't remember and my memory fails me right now.

1997 Big 12 South Division Champions Football Trophy

Aggie99 — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 23:58:00 GMT

Texas A&M won the South Division of the Big 12 for the first time in 1997 (the second year of the Big 12). The Aggies played Nebraska in the Big 12 title game but got outscored by the Huskers. The Ags would go on to win the conference in 1998.

1967 SWC Champions Charm

Aggie99 — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:57:00 GMT

Another TexAgs.com user emailed me these three photos today. The item shown is a "1967 SWC Champions" football-shaped charm. On the front of the ball it reads "Southwest Conference; 19 aTm 67; Champions." On the back side of the football it also reads "19 Cotton Bowl Champions 68." I appreciate the email; it is always good to see another piece of Aggie Football History.

1916 t.u. vs. Texas Aggies - Game Program

Aggie99 — Tue, 11 May 2010 00:42:00 GMT

This game was played in Austin Texas.

1920 t.u. vs. Texas A&M Football Program

Aggie99 — Tue, 11 May 2010 00:34:00 GMT

1940 Sugar Bowl Trophy

Aggie99 — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:36:00 GMT

Inscription (Front):
"To the Brilliant Victor
of the
1940 Sugar Bowl Classic
Texas A&M 14 - Tulane 13
New Orleans, January 1st 1940

Inscription (Back):
"Reproduction of Original Sugar Bowl
Presented to
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical College
As a Permanent Trophy."

1939 National Champions Banner

Aggie99 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:31:00 GMT

1932 T-Association Charm

Aggie99 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:29:00 GMT

I was told that this was from 1932, however it has no date.

1921 SWC Champs (Charm)

Aggie99 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:53:00 GMT

This is a football-shaped charm that was apparently awarded to the 1921 SWC Champs. The picture quality isn't great but the charm has a bloc-T and 1921 on its face.

1998 Lombardi Award

Aggie99 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:00:00 GMT

1977 Sun Bowl Ring

Aggie99 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:28:00 GMT

On Jan. 2, 1977 the Aggies beat Florida 37-14 to win the Sun Bowl. This is the ring from that bowl game.

1992 SWC Championship Trophy

Aggie99 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:34:00 GMT

1992 was Coach Slocum's fourth year as the head coach of the Texas Aggies, and went 12-1-0 on the season. The one loss was to Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl.

The Aggies ended the season ranked No. 7 in the country.

1939 Conference Champs (Pennant)

Aggie99 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:08:00 GMT

2006 Holiday Bowl (Watch)

Aggie99 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:56:00 GMT