Texas A&M fans took their posts in the form of large maroon masses outside of Kyle Field Stadium, College Station, Sunday afternoon.
Unknown to the Aggies, the Mustangs were about to make their grand entrance.
Three hours away, 500 SMU students were loading seven charter buses, for the road trip to “Aggieland.”
“I wanted one of my first presidential activities to include a pairing of students and the SMU Athletic Department,” SMU Student Body President, Austin Prentice said. “I met with Steve Orsini and Brad Sutton to share my road trip vision. They both hopped on board and One28 helped with the manpower and logistics portion.”
The students sported blue One28 shirts that read “Join the Stampede” as they eagerly awaited the buses.
“I think it’s such a great idea,” junior Adella Winder said. “I mean, I probably wouldn’t have gone if it weren’t for this.”
On the way to Texas A&M, two films were played, one of which was “Pony Excess.”
“ESPN’s 30 for 30: Pony Excess,” that ventured into SMU’s past of the death penalty, left students with mixed emotions.
Freshman Zach Shainsky said it was a “little bit depressing.”
However, others said it prepared them for the game.
“That was the first time I saw that thing [Pony Excess] from ESPN on SMU,” Elena Politiski, freshman, said. “It got me pumped for the game and the rest of the season.”
A three-hour bus ride, two films, and a few Pony-Up chants later, the ponies spewed out from the seven charter buses, onto the dry and dusty grounds.
“Aggieland is a school filled to the brim with school spirit and general excitement,” Prentice said. “However, when I got off the bus, I instantly grew even more thankful for SMU.”
The devoted fans were greeted with their own tailgating tent with music, food and drinks.
Although this past game experience wasn’t a victory on the scoreboard, it was a success in amplifying SMU’s school spirit.
“All in all, I am very proud of the way SMU students and supporters traveled to the Texas A&M football game,” Prentice said. “It shows a renewed commitment to SMU football, and I hope it carries into our home game against UTEP this weekend.”
