re: Good luck to the dear old Texas Aggies

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What are your thoughts, exactly?

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Ok, this may ramble but you asked for it. My first memories of A&M trace back to the old SWC family portrait in my grandfather's office. It was the one with the mascot charicetures that I'm sure most have seen. He explained to me that we hate Texas but that Aggies are respectable. As I grew older I became more fond of A&M as I liked the "idea" of Texas but I obviously could not support the Longhorns. Then Arkansas moved to the SEC and A&M was no longer on my radar.

Fast forward to graduate school. I applied at many places but A&M's program was among my top choices. At that point I started paying attention to, and rooting for, A&M in the Big XII. I became more excited about the prospects for attending after being flown in for a couple recruiting events. I eventually chose to go to Michigan once they offered me as it is literally among the top departments in my discipline. My advisor there left after the first year and I was really let down. I began to think about how much I enjoyed the visits to A&M and so I made a move and was able to transfer programs. Now that I am nearing completion of my PhD there is no doubt that I made the right decision the second time. Throughout this time I've rooted for A&M every time except when they play tFlagship. That wil never change.

Once A&M started making rumblings in '10 that they wanted to move to the SEC I could not be more excited. I knew that they would be successful and overshadow Texas very quickly. Many Aggie friends disagreed at the time but they have all come around. It was a brilliant move and will pay dividends for a long time to come. It's hard not to gain an affinity for the place. Of course I never went to fish camp and I'll rarely be more than a casual fan, but the university has given me a great graduate education and I have accomplished a whole lot that I will forever owe to A&M. Believe me, when I can afford to donate it will be to both A&M and Arkansas general scholarship funds.

I also enjoy Aggieland. It is a great college town with great people. Some things are not exactly what I prefer or am used to, but where can that be found anyway? I've made great friends here and I am sure I will always look back fondly on my time in Aggieland and as a student at A&M. Michigan not so much.

Now, as they say, you know the rest of the story.