Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog

• Academic Calendar
• Board of Regents
  & System Adminstrative
  Officers
• TAMU Administrative
  Officers
• General Information
• International Programs
  for Students
• University Honors Program
• Environmental Program
• College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
• College of Architecture
• Mays Business School
• College of Education and Human Development
• Dwight Look College of Engineering
• College of Geosciences
• College of Liberal Arts
• College of Science
• College of Veterinary Medicine
• General Academic Programs
• School of Military Sciences
• Texas A&M University at Galveston
• Graduate Studies
• Course Descriptions
• Faculty
• Appendices

Campus Life

Intercollegiate Athletics

Nationally regarded for its outstanding school spirit and unique traditions, Texas A&M University and its athletics department are fully committed to “Building Champions.” Texas A&M provides complete support to help its student-athletes attain their athletic and academic goals.

Texas A&M is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the prestigious Big 12 Conference, which also includes Baylor University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, Texas Tech University, University of Colorado, University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, University of Oklahoma, and the University of Texas.

Texas A&M’s athletic teams are known as “Aggies” and the official school colors are maroon and white. Many of the school’s rich traditions are centered around athletics. The student body, known as the “12th Man,” stands throughout football games to underscore their readiness in case they are needed to go into the game as the original 12th Man, E. King Gill, did in 1922. On Friday nights before home football games, the student body has “Yell Practice” at midnight, with as many as 40,000 people in attendance at Kyle Field. The student body also creates a one-of-a-kind atmosphere in sports such as baseball, soccer, volleyball and tennis, giving the Aggies a true home field advantage.

Texas A&M sponsors 20 intercollegiate athletics teams and all but equestrian compete in the Big 12. The nine men’s programs are football, basketball, baseball, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, cross country, swimming and diving, and tennis. The 11 women’s programs are basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, volleyball, soccer and equestrian.

Texas A&M consistently ranks among the national leaders in student attendance and its facilities are considered among the finest in the country. As a result, Texas A&M has played host to a variety of national intercollegiate events, including the 2001 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships, 2002 NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships, the 2003 National Varsity Equestrian Championships, the 2004 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, the 2005 Men’s Tennis Championships and most recently the 2005 Women’s Soccer Championships. Texas A&M also has administered many conference and NCAA regional championship events.

Texas A&M has won two Big 12 South Division football titles and won the Big 12 Championship in 1998, advancing to the Nokia Sugar Bowl as part of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). The baseball team won back-to-back Big 12 titles in 1998 and 1999 and advanced to the 1999 College World Series. Men’s tennis won the 2001 Big 12 title while the women’s tennis squad captured the league crown in 2005. Texas A&M has won Big 12 titles in women’s golf (1998) and soccer (2002, 2004, 2005).

Including its days as a charter member of the Southwest Conference (1915-1996), Texas A&M captured 99 conference championships in addition to national titles in football (1939), softball (1982, 1983, 1987) and equestrian (2002-05).

Aggie athletes have earned more than 800 All-American citations and hundreds have gone on to successful professional careers in their respective sports. In addition, Texas A&M has produced a number of Olympic athletes, including recent gold medalists Randy Barnes (track and field, 1996), Jennifer McFalls (softball, 2000) and Mike Stulce (track and field, 1992).

The mission of Texas A&M athletics is “Building Champions” and it at the heart of the athletic department’s Mission Statement: “Texas A&M Athletics commits to Building Champions through academic achievement, athletic excellence and national recognition of our student-athletes, teams and programs. We provide our student-athletes with all the necessary tools for them to be Champions in their sport and in life. The integrity of our program takes root in the tradition and spirit of Texas A&M, bringing honor and distinction to our University.”