The Spirit of The 12th Man

Transcript

Texas A&M prides itself on its unique traditions. A few of these center around Aggie athletics. Kenner is a student athlete on the Aggie tennis team, one of the 20 NCAA varsity sports, and he’s studying business and finance. He’ll coach us through some of the exciting traditions dating back to the early 1900s. Kenner, the ball is in your court.

Thanks Alex, and howdy everyone. From the moment I stepped on campus and put on the maroon and white for the very first time, I felt honored to continue the legacy of excellence carried by so many athletes before me. Since I was 10 years old, I always felt like I belonged here. There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline in the locker room before a big match or the excitement as you’re standing next to some of your best friends and teammates before the national anthem. My biggest draw as a student and as an athlete is the traditions at Aggieland. I’ll never forget the first time I walked into Kyle Field for midnight Yell. Midnight Yell is a tradition where Aggie’s gather the night before a home game for songs and fables. Seeing this made me realize every time I compete in, I had one of the largest student bodies in the nation behind me. Another name for the student body, “The 12th Man” with 11 players on the football field, all Aggies in the crowd will stand through the duration of an entire game showing their support as the 12th man ready to fill in for a player at any time. As an athlete here, you’re provided with everything you need to succeed. Here at A&M, we have some of the best training facilities, coaching staff, and nutrition centers in the nation. It’s honestly hard to beat being an athlete here at Texas A&M. Balancing my schoolwork with practice, competition and everything else that comes with being a student athlete is tough, but I honestly wouldn’t change any of it. As I put on my Aggie ring every morning, I get opportunities to represent the university both on and off the tennis court, I realize how truly special a place like A&M is. I hope to see your next home match, Alex, thanks and gig ’em.

Thanks, Kenner. Aggieland seems like a fun place to be a student athlete with phenomenal training facilities, excellent staff and loyal fans. The 12th Man tradition dates back a 100 years and it’s amazing to see a tradition continue to live on in its current and former Aggies. That was great.