Maroon and White Teams Drafted for Saturday Spring Game
Apr 07, 2005 | Football
April 07, 2005
After the trading deadline came to a close on Thursday and the Texas A&M football staff evaluated the rosters, the Maroon and White squads were finalized by Commissioner Dennis Franchione in preparation for the Maroon and White Game presented by Gallery Furniture on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Kyle Field.
"There were a couple of moves made by the coaching staff to make sure we could operate with a nickel defense and to have a little balance at positions," Commissioner Fran said. "After the coaches gave approval of the teams, I assigned the White team to (defensive coordinator) Coach (Carl) Torbush and the Maroon squad to (offensive coordinator) Coach (Les) Koenning. Everyone on the staff, even the injured players, have an assigned team. I expect an entertaining game."
Drafting the White team in the war room were captains Johnny Jolly, Boone Stutz, Jami Hightower and Archie McDaniel. The Maroon captains in the room were Jaxson Appel, DeQawn Mobley, Aldo De La Garza and Justin Warren.
Commissioner Fran had the medical staff provide an updated injury list before the first selection was made.
"White had first choice and selected Red Bryant and the Maroon team followed with Jason Jack," Franchione said. "For the first time in recent memory, a trade developed during the draft as the White team had two centers and the Maroon had two quarterbacks. A straight trade evened out that situation."
A&M Director of Athletics Bill Byrne will serve in the owner's role. The Commissioner's Committee will be Charley North and Johnny Barr.
The White coaching staff includes: Torbush, Kenith Pope, Mark Tommerdahl, Chris Thurmond, Reuben Vaughn, and Shepley Heard.
The Maroon coaching staff includes: Koenning, Lee Fobbs, Jim Bob Helduser, Stan Eggen, and Melvin Smith. Student assistants are Brian Edmondson and Greg Wallas.
Gates will open for the game at 12 noon. Tickets are $5 and are currently available by calling the athletic ticket office at 1-888-99-AGGIE (888-992-4443) or in person at the ticket office in The Zone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Tickets can also be purchased online at AggieAthletics.com.
On gameday, ticket windows at The Zone will open at 10 a.m. Additional ticket windows will be open at the southeast and southwest corners of the stadium. Seating is available throughout the stadium, with the exception of the second and third decks on the east side. The stadium's suites and The Zone Club are reserved for those season-ticket holders only.
Some of the rules of the game include: kicking game is live; no limit on trick plays; quarterbacks will be live, but the officials will be encouraged to have a quick whistle; blitzing is allowed; exchange of players is permitted when injuries dictate; and the quarters will be 10-minutes in duration.
The Maroon team has won the past two spring games. In 2003, the Maroon squad posted a 28-22 victory in front of 41,072 fans. Last spring, quarterback Ty Branyon rallied the Maroon squad to a 21-17 win in front of 37,406 fans.
At halftime, the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band will perform and the Yell Leaders and Reveille will also be present.
Several events are planned by the Athletic Department on Saturday as part of the school's annual Parent's Weekend. A complete schedule of events is available at AggieAthletics.com
An autograph session with the football team and coaches will be held at G. Rollie White Coliseum from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Fans can pick up a copy of the spring game program/poster for autographs. This will be the only opportunity for pictures and autographs in a formal setting this year. Fans will be admitted in 20-minute shifts for each group. Fans are permitted to re-enter as space allows.
At 10 a.m. the doors to the Hagner Auditorium in the lobby of the Bright Football Complex will open for fans to watch the 2004 Aggie football highlight video. The video will start at 10:15 a.m. and last for 45 minutes. Director of Athletics Bill Byrne will host an open forum to discuss the state of Aggie Athletics and his vision for the future following the video. Space is limited to approximately 200 people who arrive first.
A children's clinic for ages ranging from kindergarten through the seventh grade will be held on Kyle Field from 11:15 a.m. until 12 noon. The Aggie players and coaches will help the youngsters learn some of the fundamentals of the game of football. There will be no contact for the youngsters. The children are allowed in the stadium through Gates 4 and 5 near Netum Steed at the southwest corner of the stadium.
Please note, PARENTS MUST HAVE A TICKET FOR THE GAME TO ENTER THE CLINIC. The object of the clinic is to allow the youngsters to interact with the players and coaches. Parents are allowed to shoot video and photographs although autographs will not be permitted.
A FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CAN BE FOUND ON AGGIEATHLETICS.COM
