$125,000
HOWDY, AGS!
Howdy, Ags,
Wow, it’s already the fall and Aggie football is underway. We are 7-1 and ranked 10th in the country. Over the last few months, we’ve had some great events with our club:
•Coach’s Night at Pedrotti’s Ranch brought together over 650 Aggies to hear Coach Elko discuss the upcoming year. He was also presented with the first copy of a new Benjamin Knox painting celebrating the renewal of our rivalry with tu.
•Aggie Park Workday - Club members once again came out to help take care of Aggie Park. I love attending these events because I continue to meet new Club members. Volunteers painted the back and north sides of the building exterior to match the renovated front, power-washed the patio, organized the pantry, and completed other needed tasks. Thanks to everyone who participated, Aggie members and committee chair, Matthew Driffel, for organizing the workday.
•Game Watch parties and bus trips have commenced again. At the game watch parties we’re seeing new Aggies enjoying the games with our existing club members. Our bus trips continue to sell out! Remember, what happens on the bus stays on the bus!
•President’s Dinner - General Mark A. Welsh, TAMU President, joined over 200 Aggies at Aggie Park on Thursday, October 10 for a San Antonio Fiesta dinner. President Welsh shared updates on the university and took several questions.
We still have great events coming up in the last few months of the year. Our new fundraiser, “Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships,” is on November 9th, featuring headliner Hayden Haddock ‘21, with San Antonio Aggie Trey Gonzalez ’19 opening. It’s going to be a fun time! Visit our website for tickets to support our scholarships. Don’t forget about Sunday with Santa and the Club Christmas Party in December. We also have our weekly Monday lunches where Vice President Lane Mitchell ‘79 continues to bring in fantastic and interesting speakers, such as Senator Phil Gramm. Thank you, Lane, for doing such a fantastic job as vice president.
Our annual meeting is on November 18. You’ll hear about the Club’s finances, review bylaw updates, and meet the candidates for the Board of Directors and Club Secretary. Our club can’t function without the participation of our club members, so please consider serving on an event committee.
The board has interviewed and selected new leadership for the Young Aggies. Trey Gonzalez ’19 is the new coordinator, with Thomas Holmes ‘19 as vice coordinator. Both are highly motivated and full of new ideas to reinvigorate our Young Aggies. The board has also interviewed and selected a new board member to fill the open spot on the board of directors. Let me introduce to you Mario Guel ‘07 as your newest board member. He will be a first-year board member.
I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.
Thanks & Gig ’em, Don Preecs ’83 President
2024
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Don Preecs ‘83 president@saamcf.org
VICE PRESIDENT
Lane Mitchell ‘79 vicepresident@saamcf.org
TREASURER
Paula Schnettler ‘82 treasurer@saamcf.org
SECRETARY
Robert Lozano ‘90 secretary@saamcf.org
DIRECTORS
Sandra Hoggard ‘87
Sybil Howell ‘82
Paige Petersen ‘15
Mitchell Byrum ‘17
Don Meyer ‘78
Austin Teske ‘18
Ty Chumbley ‘06
Clayton H Perry ‘78
Mario Guel ’07 ’19
YOUNG AGGIES COORDINATOR
Trey Gonzalez ‘19
YOUNG AGGIES
VICE COORDINATOR
Thomas Holmes ‘19
Follow the San Antonio A&M Club on Social Media
EVENT SCHEDULE
Stay in the know by visiting saamcf.org your destination for all things Club-related.
UPCOMING EVENTS
BOOT SCOOTIN’ FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
NOVEMBER 9, 2024
Calling all Aggies in Bexar County and surrounding areas! We’ve got one heck of a show planned for folks looking to enjoy fantastic live music, great dancing, and good times — all for a special cause for a school we hold so dear.
Come out Saturday, November 9th, to enjoy our newest fundraising event, “Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships,” and experience live performances from up-and-coming Texas country music artist Hayden Haddock ‘21! Joining Hayden as our show opener is our very own Young Aggie Coordinator, Trey Gonzalez ‘19. Both artists bring a great traditional country sound that will have you wanting to put those boots on the dance floor!
GA and VIP tickets are now available on our website, so get yours while they last! Food trucks and adult beverages will be available for purchase on-site during the event.
Sponsors: It’s not too late to contribute to this great cause and help another Bexar county student attend our great university. For information on sponsorship package details, please visit our website, aggiepark.com/bootscootin2024, or reach out to Angel Martinez at director@saamcf.org. Thanks, Austin Teske ’18
TREY GONZALEZ, BOOT SCOOTIN’ OPENER
NOVEMBER 9, 2024
Trey Gonzalez is a rising country artist from San Antonio. Trey graduated from Texas A&M in 2019 with his M.S. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. During his time at A&M, Trey honed his craft as an artist and continued to perform on the Texas Country Music scene. Since walking the stage, Trey’s following and tour circuit have grown, leading him to perform all over Texas at local honky tonks and country music festivals.
His new single, “Barely Breathing,” was released on October 11th on all streaming platforms. We are very excited for Trey to join the lineup for Aggie Park’s Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships on November 9th, along with fellow Aggie Hayden Haddock! Trey is set
to perform music from his debut album “Good Thing Going,” unreleased music from his upcoming album “My Kinda Country,” and his Aggie anthem “Welcome to the Home of the 12th Man”!
You can follow Trey by scanning the QR code!
UPCOMING EVENTS
EASY HOME GAME TRAVEL
NOVEMBER 16, 2024: NEXT BUS TRIP
Have you ever wanted to go to a home game but don’t have tickets?
--> TAKE THE SA AGGIE CLUB’S CHARTERED BUS and watch the game on the Clayton Williams Alumni Center’s huge TV Broadcast wall or at one of the many tailgate parties in TAMU Aggie Park!
Do you want to go to a home game but don’t want to DRIVE three+ hours to Aggieland?
--> TAKE THE SA AGGIE CLUB’S CHARTERED BUS and let us do the driving!
Our Aggie Express -non-stop- bus leaves Aggie Park five and a half hours before home game kickoff and departs Aggieland within one hour after the game to return back.
The bus has comfortable seats, free internet access, electrical outlets every three rows, a restroom in the back, and an experienced, licensed driver behind the wheel. BONUS: You can bring and store (during the game) coolers with drinks and food, reading materials, games, and videos to keep you entertained during the trip. You’ll have the opportunity to make new friends and/or catch up on some sleep on the way to and from the game!
Members pay $70, and non-members pay $80 for a round-trip bus ticket. That’s well worth avoiding the stress of driving yourself. We have a lot of fun, and everyone is welcome — even travelers cheering for our Aggie opponents! (Yes, we’ve had those too.)
Cheers and Gig ‘em, Sybil Howell ’82
YOUNG AGGIES HAPPY HOUR UPCOMING EVENTS
NOVEMBER 21, 2024
Howdy, Ags! I’m Trey Gonzalez ‘19, and I am proud to formally introduce myself as your Young Aggies Coordinator for the San Antonio A&M Club! I look forward to meeting each of you over the coming year at official Young Aggie Events!
Speaking of which, I’d like to invite you to join our Young Aggie Facebook Group, where you can stay up to date on all events for the season!
To kick things off, we’ll be having weekly watch parties at local bars in and around San Antonio. This is a great opportunity to embrace your 12th Man spirit with fellow Aggies from the Alamo city. Additionally, we’ll be hosting a monthly Happy Hour every 3rd Thursday of the month. November’s Happy Hour will be on the 21st at 6 PM; the location and all subsequent Happy Hour locations will be announced on the Facebook page!
Lastly, we’ll also host other social events each month! Rumor has it there’s a pickleball tournament and game night in the near future!
Keep Fightin’ the Good Fight, and we’ll see y’all soon!
Gig ‘em and God Bless, Trey ’19
CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY
DECEMBER 5, 2024
At Aggie Park!
AGGIE MOMS’ CLUB
AGGIE WOMEN’S CLUB
Howdy Ags!
The San Antonio Aggie Women’s Club is back after our summer break. However, the Board and Committee members have been hard at work planning for the 2024-2025 membership year. Our amazing pie angels are at it year-round, providing pies for dessert at the A&M Club weekly lunches at Aggie Park This is one of the traditions serviced by our club, and the ladies provide it with a smile! We do manage to have fun and continue to socialize whenever we can, so here’s a look at the events attended by members.
In August, our Evening Programs Committee Chair coordinated a kickoff dinner at La Gloria on E. Grayson St.
in San Antonio, Texas. Events like these are designed to provide opportunities for members to attend and connect. It’s always an enjoyable time when we can get together and swap stories!
In September, our Evening Programs Committee Chair coordinated a Sunday afternoon luncheon. We had a fun time eating at Augie’s Barbed Wire Smokehouse & Shaved Ice. We then walked next door for a stroll through the Japanese Tea Garden on N. St. Mary’s St. in San Antonio. The food was delicious, and conversation is always fun when we gather.
Look for details & activities concerning our organization by following us at San Antonio Aggie Women’s Club on Facebook or at: www.aggiepark.com.
For questions about our club or club membership, please contact Donna Hill at dchill1025@att. net or at 210-241-6719. I am also available to answer any questions at ddcastro99@gmail.com or at 210-633-7992.
Gig ’em, Debbie Castro President, 2024-2025 aggiewomensclubSA@gmail.com
COACH’S NIGHT
WITH HEAD COACH MIKE ELKO: JULY 22, 2024
Pedrotti’s Ranch proved to be an amazing venue to hold our 2024 Coach’s Night on Monday, July 22nd! Nearly 650 people attended, including our amazing vendors, volunteers, staff, incoming scholarship recipients, and special guests.
The place buzzed with excitement over the 55 Silent Auction items, generously donated, which raised over $19,000 in revenue. Great Aggiecentric vendors showcased their awesome items, all leading up to the much-anticipated remarks from Coach Elko about our football team and the upcoming year!
Coach Elko was very personable, and graciously talked to as many Aggies in the VIP area, posing for countless photos with our Yell Leaders and our
First Lady of Aggieland, Miss Rev. Afterward, we headed into the main hall for Pedrotti’s famous BBQ dinner with all the trimmings.
The evening flowed smoothly, beginning with a welcome from our Coach’s Night Chairs, Paula Schnettler and Don Meyer. Then, the Invocation and National Anthem was led by our Vice President, Lane Mitchell. After, our Yell Leaders led us in the “Spirit of Aggieland,” followed by remarks from our President, Don Preecs. Then, the “It’s Why We’re Here” Scholarship Donations video played, followed by introductions of our 2024 scholarship recipients by our Scholarship Chair, Joe Rodriguez. Each scholarship recipient shared where they attended high school along with what they are most excited about for their upcoming time at Texas A&M.
Our Emcee, Andrew Monaco, introduced Nathan Drain, Coordinator of Club Programs from the Association of Former Students, and Lauren Hickey-Garcia, Assistant Vice President of Major Gifts from the 12th Man Foundation, and of course, Mike Elko, our new Head Football Coach.
The night ended with closing remarks by Paula Schnettler, Coach’s Night Co-Chair and a spirit filled singing of the “Aggie War Hymn” led by our Yell Leaders.
In between our packed program, we held a live auction featuring spectacular items that were expertly called by our Auctioneer, Kason Moczygemba. The Items included were a custom Aggie Spirit Ring (courtesy of Relentless Designs), a 6 day/5 night stay at a mountain condo in Beaver Creek, Colorado, which our Pick of the Litter ticket winner chose, (courtesy of Don and Carol Meyer), a 12th Man Foundation Suite Package (courtesy of the 12th Man Foundation), a spot for 2 at the coveted “Camp Brisket” in College Station in January 2025, which included Wagyu and Angus beef, a Weber Smoker, a Yeti Cooler, and BBQ Accessories (courtesy of Foodways Texas/TAMU Animal Science Dept., Rancho Rojo, Burk Ace Hardware, David and Paula Schnettler, the San Antonio A&M Club Foundation, Covenant Creek Ranch, and Fiesta Spices), and lastly an Opening Day Dove Hunt Package for eight at Covenant Creek Ranch (courtesy of David and Becki Holmes and the San Antonio Club Foundation).
We all experienced the special treat of the unveiling of Benjamin Knox’s new painting, A&M/TX Rivalry Renewal. The first artist’s proof was signed on the spot and given to Coach Elko as a gift from the San Antonio A&M Club Foundation. The second artist’s proof was auctioned off in a surprise, pop-up live auction, and sold for $9,800! This beautiful item, along with the others
detailed above, brought in over $35,000!
The highlight of the evening was, of course, Coach Elko who was extremely enlightening and forthcoming in telling us what we could expect from the upcoming year. He left the Aggie fans excited and in high spirits and anticipation of our upcoming football season.
Coach’s Night 2024 netted over $125,000 for scholarships and wouldn’t have been possible without the support from our table sponsors, our partners, ticket holders, our live and silent auction donors and winners, our volunteers, our small, but mighty Coach’s Night Committee (Becki Holmes, Mandy Scott, and Michael Zendejas), our board, and our Aggie Park staff.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the resounding success of this event!
Thanks, and Gig ’em from the Coach’s Night Chairs!
Paula Schnettler ‘82
Don Meyer ‘78
Table Sponsors
Coach’s JustPots
Reveille
Prestige Emergency Room
Kyle Field
Texas Farm Credit
Maroon & White Frost Bank
David ‘81 & Paula ‘‘82 Schnettler
Don ‘78 & Carol ’78 Meyer
Scott House Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley
VIP Partners
RPM Insurance
G.W. Mitchell Construction
Parrish & Company
Tim Montfort, Capital Edge Wealth Advisors of Raymond James
Lane & Countryman Attorneys at Law
Texas A&M Hispanic Network - SA Chapter
S. Harris Financial Group
Randall Roessler, Rebecca Creek Distillery
MAROON MASS
JULY 28, 2024: WITH PASTOR WILL STRATEN ‘00
On July 28th, St Mary’s Catholic Church Pastor Will Straten ‘00 made the trip from College Station to celebrate Mass at Aggie Park. Over 200 local Catholic Aggies were in attendance. After the celebration, returning and new Aggies were recognized, and Father Will provided a special blessing as they prepared to return to campus for the new school year.
This event provided an opportunity for new students to connect with St Mary’s and continue their spiritual formation during their college careers. We pray that students have a safe and prosperous school year.
Thanks to all those who supported this event and to Father Will for making the trip to our club. We hope to see you again next year!
Robert Lozano ’89
Secretary
HOWDY HOUR
AUGUST 13, 2024: WITH CHRIS WILLIAMS ‘99
On August 13, 2024, Chris Williams ’99 spoke at Howdy Hour, sharing his deep connection to the Aggie community as a third-generation Aggie and proud supporter of the San Antonio Aggie Club. Chris emphasized the importance of giving back, highlighting the club’s impact on both San Antonio and its scholarship students.
Chris announced that his accounting firm, a longtime partner of the club, will take on a larger role in helping with budgeting and planning future donations. He also offered tax-saving strategies for charitable giving, such as donating appreciated stock or setting up a donor-advised fund, allowing donors to
make a lasting impact while maximizing tax benefits.
With his combination of expertise and personal stories, Chris inspired attendees to continue the tradition of supporting the Aggie community, leaving everyone eager to do more.
Lane Mitchell
’79
Vice President
WATCH PARTY
AUGUST 31, 2024: A NIGHT OF MAROON, YELLS, AND BIG BUNS
Texas A&M Football Watch Party
Kicks Off At Aggie Park
The highly anticipated season opener for Texas A&M Football took place on August 31st. While the Fightin’ Texas Aggies may have run out of time against Notre Dame, the spirit of Aggieland was alive and well at Aggie Park San Antonio! Over 75 Aggie football fans gathered for a night filled with good food, Aggie Spirit, and, of course, a whole lot of yellin’.
Big Buns, Big Fun: Food Truck Delights
One of the highlights of the night (aside from the game, of course) was the I Like Big Buns food truck, which served up a menu as fun as its name. The friendly service added to the warm, welcoming vibe of the evening.
Fun, Fellowship, and Door Prizes
The fun didn’t stop at the big screen. Throughout the night, attendees had the chance to win door prizes, adding even more excitement to the game day atmosphere.
More Than a Game: A True Aggie Gathering
The opening game watch party wasn’t just about the football—it was about bringing together the San Antonio Aggie community to celebrate the beginning of another exciting season. Families, students, and alumni of all ages came together to share their love for Texas A&M, proving once again that the Aggie spirit knows no boundaries.
Gig ‘Em, Aggies!
Aggie Park San Antonio watch parties are the place to be for every Texas A&M football game. With good food, great company, and a whole lot of Aggie Spirit, it’s the next best thing to being in College Station.
So, even though the scoreboard didn’t reflect it, the season opener was a win for the Aggie community here in San Antonio. We yelled, we cheered, we ate delicious food from I Like Big Buns, and we celebrated what it truly means to be a part of the 12th Man.
Gig ‘Em and see you at an upcoming watch party!
MONDAY LUNCH
SEPTEMBER 9, 2024: WITH DR. ROBERT GARZA ‘95
Leading With “Care And Corazón”
Dr. Robert Garza ‘95, President of Palo Alto College (PAC) since 2018, shared his passion for education and the relevance it has in his life and career. At one of our recent Monday lunch programs, he spoke about his higher education journey, beginning as a “multi-generational” college student. Upon high school graduation, he wanted to enlist in the U.S. Army. However, his father encouraged him to delay his entry until earning a college degree, and commissioning as an officer. His retired father agreed to join him and they simultaneously enrolled in Brownsville’s Texas Southmost College. He along with several other family members attended college during the same time.
During his remarks, he reflected on his father’s original advice and actions, which likely stemmed from experiences after being a career military service member. Upon retirement, his family returned to the Rio Grande Valley. They faced significant adversity, as his father struggled in supporting a family during a period of high unemployment, with skills that offered limited earning potential. Based on a combination of these early life experiences and the continued example of his father, Dr. Garza was motivated to continue beyond his original ambitions.
Within one year, he completed 54 hours at the local college and was then admitted to Texas A&M University. Robert recalled his experience of working long hours daily after school while practicing and competing in sports, which left little time for leisure. Therefore, his approach to higher education was with the same work ethic and vigor, to which he became accustomed. He ultimately completed a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
Today, Dr. Garza is focused on leading with “Care and Corazón”. This has become his mission statement. He has a strategic focus for his PAC community of empowering students, staff, and community, while maximizing a capacity to serve. Ultimately, he continues to rely on the power of the “Corazón.”
He is married to Dr. Esther Garza ‘96, an associate professor and Chair of the Educator and Leadership Preparation Department in the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University San Antonio. They have two children, Victoria and Robert. The Texas A&M Hispanic Network is proud of his continued impact in the lives of students seeking higher education.
Gig ’em ‘94
Telesfor J. Pinales, Jr.
MONDAY LUNCH
SEPTEMBER 23, 2024: WITH SENATOR PHIL
On September 23, 2024, former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm and his wife Wendy visited Aggie Park, warmly welcomed by the Aggie community.
Phil reflected on his academic journey, starting as an assistant professor at Texas A&M while finishing his Ph.D. at the University of Georgia.
He shared fond memories of teaching economics from 1967 to 1978 and how he met Wendy during a faculty interview. His humorous story of proposing to her on one knee at Casa Rio in San Antonio drew laughter and applause.
Phil’s talk was filled with nostalgia, as several former students attended and participated in a lively Q&A session. He also touched on his political career and why he chose to leave Washington after serving as both a U.S. Representative and Senator, eventually
moving into the finance world as Vice Chairman at UBS.
GRAMM
The lunch event drew a larger crowd than usual, with many eager to hear from the Gramms, whose legacy continues to inspire. Today, the couple enjoys a quieter life on ranchland near San Antonio, but their impact on both Texas A&M and public life endures.
Lane Mitchell ’79 Vice President
Representing the Class of
TEXAS A&M HISPANIC NETWORK
SEPTEMBER 15, 2024: PACHANGA
A huge thank you to everyone who came out to our 2024 Scholarship Pachanga at Aggie Park on Sunday, September 15th. We all had a blast!
We enjoyed a silent auction hosted by Tyson Fundraising, Mariachi music brought to us by Lanier High School’s Mariachi Band, and amazing performances brought to us by ¡Viva Tejana! Dance Company.
But the celebration doesn’t stop there, we are raising funds all football season long! Donations can be made at tx.ag/2024PachangaDonations.
For more information, contact sachapter@tamhn.org
Gig ’em,
Safire C. Rodriguez ‘16 San Antonio Chapter Chair
Richard Delgado, Jr ‘19 and Stephen San Roman ‘07 Scholarship Pachanga Co-Chairs
PARTNER WITH US
