December 29, 2004
Texas A&M head coach Dennis Franchione and his coaching staff along with the Aggie football team, took time out of their hectic bowl schedule to visit children at Children's Medical Center on Wednesday, sponsored by Sanford Sharpie. It was the 15th consecutive visit that a Cotton Bowl participant had taken part of such an event.
The coaches and players spent more than an hour visiting with the children and took part in activities with them that included coloring a banner wishing the squad luck to glittering team logos and the SBC Cotton Bowl logo on paper. There was a total 40 children who were able to take part in the meet and greet with the squad. Each child was given a gift bag provided by Dr Pepper Bottling Company of Texas, stuffed with a teddy bear sponsored by Bank of America. The patients also received SBC Cotton Bowl posters and hats by the athletes with their autographs on them.
In his third year at Children's Medical Center, President and CEO Administrator Chris Durovich was very excited to see the Aggies come and share with the patients and his staff.
"This is a special time of year for the children" stated Durovich. "The most special thing is watching the players interact with the kids and spend some time with them. It is a great atmosphere not only for the children, but for the staff as well."
With a week full of activities and excitement for the A&M squad, Franchione said that an event like this is what taking part of such a special game is all about.
"This is as good for our players as it is for the children," states Franchione. "It is a good dose of reality for them and appreciation for their God-given talents and abilities. We have so many fine young men that have enjoyed touching the kids like this."
Junior offensive lineman Aldo DeLaGarza took some time to have fun with the kids and sat with some of them individually to spread some holiday cheer.
"Looking into these kids eyes, you tend to look at life differently: states DeLaGarza. "I have a cousin going through something like this back home in New Braunfels, so I know what these kids are going through and my heart goes all out to them."
Along with DeLaGarza, Senior defensive back Byron Jones, went around to take photos and give autographs to the kids to give back to them and thank them for their support.
"This means a lot, you get to give back to these kids who are less fortunate, which makes you appreciate what you have" stated Jones. "This is a really good experience for anyone who hasn't seen what kids like this go through. Knowing that these kids will be watching the game. It makes you want to go out on the field and play hard and make them proud."