Spring Break
Ring makes all Aggies champions
By: Jack Molitor
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Sports
Winning in Aggie sports and earning the Aggie Ring - the two accomplishments Texas A&M students and former students hold close to their heart. One is achieved on the court or on the field and the other is earned through hard work in the classroom. They both symbolize the effort done behind the scenes and massive investments of time. And although they are in two different areas, they represent the same thing - success. It offers Aggies, even those who are not athletes, a chance to feel like champions.
The first known Aggie Ring was forged in 1889. In 1933, a committee was charged with defining criterion for attaining a ring, and the requirements have existed since then. The design on the current rings was established in 1963. The stripes represent loyalty and patriotism, the stars embody the students' development and the eagle connotes strength and agility.
A student needs to complete 95 hours of coursework at A&M to receive a ring. Transfer students need 95 total hours and 45 resident hours. With some exceptions, including the Spring 2008 semester, those who meet the requirements for their ring clamor outside The Association of Former Students on Ring Day and wait for their group to be called. It's like stepping on home plate after hitting a walk-off home run.
Athletics have been a part of A&M since its inception in 1876. The University has won 12 NCAA national titles in team sports, including a football championship in 1939. A&M is considered by publications across the nation as an elite school for athletics. Sports have been an integral part of the spirit and tradition of the University.
The qualities represented by the different parts of the ring are the same qualities an athlete needs to succeed. The hours of studying are akin to the hours of practice. When one group of Aggies earn their ring, the rest of the student body rejoices with them. The ring and athletics are intertwined as storied traditions at A&M.
I received my Aggie ring Friday, and every concern and stress was out the door when I did. As a fierce competitor and gamer, it was a euphoric feeling, and I felt like a winner. I also felt the weight of the ages, and the tradition and the strength of the thousands of Aggies who came before me and have captured success. It was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life, and it probably was for all my fellow Aggies, too.
I have not taken the field since high school and I have never won an athletic title, but on Ring Day, I felt like a champion. I broke the plane, crossed the finish line, dribbled out the clock and caught the last pop-up. I succeeded, and that is something every Aggie strives for.
The first known Aggie Ring was forged in 1889. In 1933, a committee was charged with defining criterion for attaining a ring, and the requirements have existed since then. The design on the current rings was established in 1963. The stripes represent loyalty and patriotism, the stars embody the students' development and the eagle connotes strength and agility.
A student needs to complete 95 hours of coursework at A&M to receive a ring. Transfer students need 95 total hours and 45 resident hours. With some exceptions, including the Spring 2008 semester, those who meet the requirements for their ring clamor outside The Association of Former Students on Ring Day and wait for their group to be called. It's like stepping on home plate after hitting a walk-off home run.
Athletics have been a part of A&M since its inception in 1876. The University has won 12 NCAA national titles in team sports, including a football championship in 1939. A&M is considered by publications across the nation as an elite school for athletics. Sports have been an integral part of the spirit and tradition of the University.
The qualities represented by the different parts of the ring are the same qualities an athlete needs to succeed. The hours of studying are akin to the hours of practice. When one group of Aggies earn their ring, the rest of the student body rejoices with them. The ring and athletics are intertwined as storied traditions at A&M.
I received my Aggie ring Friday, and every concern and stress was out the door when I did. As a fierce competitor and gamer, it was a euphoric feeling, and I felt like a winner. I also felt the weight of the ages, and the tradition and the strength of the thousands of Aggies who came before me and have captured success. It was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life, and it probably was for all my fellow Aggies, too.
I have not taken the field since high school and I have never won an athletic title, but on Ring Day, I felt like a champion. I broke the plane, crossed the finish line, dribbled out the clock and caught the last pop-up. I succeeded, and that is something every Aggie strives for.
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