Gameday in Aggieland

--Extra Points with Steve Miller appears throughout the Texas A&M athletics season and is generally posted every other week.

When the number of cars in College Station triple over one late August weekend, and the echo of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band can be heard in the early morning hours coupled with the crunching of shoulder pads and whistle blowing from the grass practice fields, it can all only mean one thing. Football season is here, and the Aggies are just days away from kicking off the season.

The start of football season is always special, and to Aggies the start of a new season signals a return to Kyle Field not only for an A&M football game, but to reacquaint with old friends, meet other Aggies, and be a part of one of the most unique game-week atmospheres in the nation.

Last season A&M fans, on average, filled Kyle Field to beyond capacity for the first time each week of the season. An impressive average of 82,711 fans gathered their family, friends, and classmates each Saturday that the Aggies opened Kyle for a game and made their way to campus. Not because of what team A&M was hosting, but because the Aggies were playing. Not many schools in the country can brag about their fans doing that.

It's no secret that the addition of the Bernard C. Richardson Zone at Kyle Field has given the stadium an added dimension on game day. From the outstanding location of the seats, to the Zone Club and suites, the north end of Kyle Field has been a big boost for Aggieland. And with the ongoing construction of the Bright Football Complex on the South End, the stadium continues to take on an even more intimidating feel.

But, it's not just stadium amenities that make Kyle Field such a venerable place to play.

Many Aggies have cherished memories of their days as an undergraduate and attending their first A&M football game. Even more former students can remember their parents or grandparents taking them to Kyle Field before they could even enroll in grade school. For others, this Saturday will mark their first visit to the largest stadium in the Big 12 Conference for gameday in Aggieland.

It seems that whenever Aggies gather, no matter what time of year it is, the subject of football is on their minds. They're not necessarily picking who the next great linebacker or wide receiver will be, or even dissecting the upcoming schedule, but more times than not, the subject turns to that favorite A&M football moment or memory of Kyle Field.

Throughout the week, Aggies everywhere will be counting down the minutes until their team runs onto Kyle Field. Some will have trouble sleeping, just thinking about gameday. Others will have set a 5 p.m. departure from their hometown on Friday, only to wake up that morning and decide that they really need to be in Aggieland much earlier than that just to be a part of game weekend.

Aggies have that usual game week ritual they go through when they arrive in town. Whether it's eating at that favorite restaurant, stopping by an old college hang-out, or making preparations for Midnight Yell Practice, everyone has that special something they have to do each time the Aggies play.

Regardless the kickoff time on Saturday or what activities they did on Friday night, many Aggies are early to rise on gameday. It's not always an alarm clock that signals gameday in Aggieland, but the CD player turned up to the tune of the Aggie War Hymn.

Wake the kids and phone the neighbors...it's gameday in Aggieland.

It may be hours until kickoff, but time is wasting. There is breakfast or lunch scheduled at that other favorite place, and one last stop at the bookstore to make before heading to Kyle Field.

College Station is alive on gameday, there is a buzz in the air. The Aggie Band rose early too, one last practice as the gameday sun beams it the air.

The Aggie football players hold that one last film session, making sure the gameplan is thoroughly memorized.

The flags are waving atop the stadium, and fans are starting to find a parking place for that legendary tailgate party.

As the hours tick away, the anticipation builds. Fans have listened to their Aggie Band CD repeat itself too many times to count, and time is near for that famed march-in to occur.

Off in the distance is a familiar drum cadence. Kickoff is growing near.

Pack up the tailgate and head over to Kyle because march in is near and the Aggies are close to taking the field.

Soon the cadence is louder and closer and Aggies are lining the streets. It's one of those traditions Aggies have waited a year to see again.

The percussion beats louder as the band marches past, it's into the stadium to watch the Aggies play.

Already the team is warming up and soon they leave the field, the corps has marched in and it's time to sing the War Hymn.

The Jumbotron shines bright as it joins with stadium announcer Chace Murphy to introduce the team.

One by one, the Aggies run onto the field--each to a roar of the A&M crowd.

Across the center of the field, from goal post to goal post, the Aggies face the east stands. Shoulder to shoulder they stand, with their helmets lined in a row.

The Yell Leaders give the sign and the band strikes a tune, together all Aggies stand to sing the Spirit of Aggieland.

Gameday in Aggieland is like none other. Sure other schools have a unique sound and feel for football games, but it's that sound and feel of Kyle Field that Aggies prefer.

So as cars multiply this week, and the sounds of the Aggie Band and football team fill the air, football season is definitely here, and memories are waiting to be made.

See you Saturday at Kyle Field for another gameday in Aggieland.