A&M Launches Aggie Fan Zone for Football Home Games
Aug 24, 2004 | Football
August 24, 2004
Texas A&M's Kyle Field continues to be recognized as having one of the best stadium atmospheres in the country and now the school's athletic department will be building on that success with the launching of the Aggie Fan Zone presented by Cingular.
Part of the ultimate game day experience, the Aggie Fan Zone will provide fans a pregame place that will provide free fun for the entire family.
Located on a closed portion of Joe Routt Boulevard between the football stadium and the Memorial Student Center, the Aggie Fan Zone will offer unique Aggieland food favorites, live music, the Gallery Furniture Kids Zone, KBTX-TV's Aggie Game Day Live, and more.
"I'm really excited about what the Aggie Fan Zone is going to offer our fans," A&M Director of Athletics Bill Byrne said. "Texas A&M already has a great game day atmosphere and I think the Aggie Fan Zone is only going to enhance that experience and help us build momentum as kickoff approaches."
One of the many highlights of the Aggie Fan Zone will be the new Spirit Walk featuring the A&M football team's arrival accompanied by the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band.
Approximately three hours prior to kickoff, the Aggie football team will arrive at the Aggie Fan Zone and will walk down Houston Street to its locker room located at Bright Complex. Leading the way will be the Aggie Band and it will be a great opportunity for fans to show support to the football team just hours before they take to the field.
"I've seen a lot of the traditional walks by football teams over the years and I think the Spirit Walk is going to be very unique," Byrne said. "An important aspect of game day is the Aggie Band and when you combine their precision and sound with our football team and our fans, you have an experience that Aggie fans are going to look forward to each home game."
Later, the Aggie Band will lead the traditional Corps of Cadets March-In approximately 90 minutes before first kick. The Corps will continue to use its traditional route encompassing the Aggie Fan Zone.
Every home game brings something new to the Aggie Fan Zone including special guests, attractions, and games.
Each home game a different A&M athletic team will be on site for photos and autographs. Plus, legendary former A&M athletes will be signing autographs and posing for photos on a weekly basis.
The Aggie Fan Zone opens three and a half hours before kickoff and closes 30 minutes prior to kick. Admission is free.
Several unique Aggieland food favorites will be offering a wide variety of selections at the Aggie Fan Zone like C&J Barbeque, Chicken Oil Company, Slovacek Sausage, Wing 'N More, and C&L Nuts. Plus Chipotle, and Papa John's will be on hand. Fans will also find soft drinks, water, Lemon Chill, and snow cones at the Aggie Fan Zone. Purchases in the Aggie Fan Zone will be cash based only.
The Texas A&M Sports Network will broadcast a two-hour radio show live from the Aggie Fan Zone featuring the "Voice of the Aggies" Dave South, former A&M All-American and NFL All-Pro Dave Elmendorf, and former A&M offensive line standout Chris Valletta. The radio show will provide fans the latest news and notes about the Aggies and their opponent, plus the broadcast will feature special guests.
KBTX-TV will be a part of the Aggie Fan Zone via a live on-site broadcast of its new pregame show Aggie Game Day Live. Located in front of The Zone at Kyle Field, KBTX-TV on-air personalities will take fans inside the Aggie football team, provide interviews with special guests, and give fans the chance to interact with the show via its Fan-Cam. The station will also distribute a limited number of "Howdy" buttons to fans.
Kids can enjoy the Aggie Fan Zone with the Gallery Furniture Kids Zone. Located outside G. Rollie White Coliseum near Houston Street, kids will find inflatable games like an obstacle course, slide, bungee run, quarterback football toss, and a basketball pop-a-shot. Plus, Charity the Clown will be on hand, and Aggie temporary tattoos will be given away.
Adjacent to the Kids Zone, will be a replica of an A&M football player's locker available for photos. It will be complete with the Aggies' game day uniform, shoes, pads, and helmet.
Keeping fans entertained at the Aggie Fan Zone will be Aggie 96 radio and its Texas-country music stage at Cain Park. Each week, Aggie 96 will present a free concert.
The Bryan-College Station Eagle will also be stationed at the Aggie Fan Zone and be giving away a variety of prizes. Pace Picante Sauce will distribute chips and its salsa to visitors of its venue.
Special events at the Aggie Fan Zone include a Sony PlayStation 2 exhibit for the Clemson game, ESPN The Magazine Heisman Trophy Road Show for the Kansas State game, and ESPN The Magazine Chevy Tour for the Colorado game.
The Aggies host their 2004 home opener on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 2:30 p.m. against Wyoming. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-888-99-AGGIE or by going to AggieAthletics.com.
