GUIDING THE VISION
INTRODUCING THE 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PAGES 3
CLASS OF ‘70
LET’S CELEBRATE AT THE LIFETIME MEMBERS LUNCHEON
PAGE 5
12 YEARS OF TRADITION
THE AGGIE GOLF CLASSIC TEES OFF AGAIN PAGE 7
PHOTO: PRESIDENT’S DINNER, OCTOBER 2024
HOWDY!
Howdy, Ags,
2024 is done, but we want to share with you all of the activities that occurred in the fourth quarter. It was an exciting and busy one for the club.
•We held the Annual Meeting, where we discussed the club’s finances and held elections for officers and board members. It was projected that we raised over $200K for the year— more than enough to meet our $96K commitment for scholarships— allowing your board to determine where to allocate the excess funds.
•General Welsh dropped by to provide an update on our university at the President’s Dinner. We are in good hands!
•The first annual Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships event was a rousing success, featuring Hayden Haddock ’21 and our own Trey Gonzalez ’19 performing. Over $5K was raised, and planning for next year’s event is already in progress.
•There were game watch parties for the renewal of our rivalry with t.u. at Kyle Field, along with the disappointment of being outscored, followed by the additional disappointment of our bowl game.
•Sunday with Santa was held again, jointly with Aggie Moms’. Additionally, the club Christmas party was held, where we announced the winners of the Nilgai Hunt Raffle.
All in all, it was a great year for the club. The 2025 board, led by Lane Mitchell ’79, is outstanding, and I look forward to seeing how they make this year a success. It has been my pleasure to serve as your club president in 2024. I appreciate all of you who make our club the best and look forward to seeing you at the club in 2025.
Gig ’em, Don Preecs ’83
2024 SAAMCF President
HOWDY!
Howdy!
Welcome to 2025 on behalf of the San Antonio A&M Club and Foundation. Your board is working hard to make this year a memorable one for all club members and participating friends of Aggies. Thanks to immediate past president, Don Preecs, who led us through our Aggie Park events and included a dinner with President Mark A. Welsh to highlight the year. Thanks to last year’s board members who have rolled off: Sandra Hoggard ’87 and Sybil Howell ’82, who led the Family BBQ. Best wishes to Sandra as she moves on with her promotion and new job duties in Salt Lake City. Thanks also to Paige Petersen ’15, for being a great Chair of the Christmas Party, and decorated for many of our Aggie Park special events.
Our year has just begun with our scholarship students visiting the club on January 6th. Eighteen Aggie Scholars gave reports on their educational and other academic progress. With students like these our future is in good hands.
Vice President, Paula Schnettler, is lining up programs for our Monday lunches. Please join us on any Monday outside of holiday weeks. On February 10, we will host the Class of ’70 for our Lifetime Members Luncheon, where we will hear from members of the Class of ’70 and enjoy a good meal and fellowship.
Speaking of Monday lunches, our Aggie Women’s Affiliate bakes pies every week and makes them available for a donation at the back of Aggie Park. Be sure to support these ladies as they offer student scholarships too. They will
also be hosting their Scholarship Fundraiser on March 29th at Aggie Park. Look for details on the AggiePark.com website.
Our Aggie Moms’ Club will also be active in March with their Boots and Bling Gala on March 22nd. Be sure to check AggiePark.com for details on this spectacular event.
Look for our special events throughout the year, including our Fundraiser Golf Tournament to be held at Olympia Hills on March 20th. On April 21st, Aggie Park will host our Bexar County Muster. On May 3rd, we will have a bus trip to College Station to watch the baseball team in action against LSU. Be sure to watch your email for other special events such as Family BBQ, Coach’s Night, Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships, Sunday with Santa, and the Club Christmas Party.
Young Aggies have been rebooted, with Trey Gonzalez ’19 acting as this year’s coordinator and Thomas Holmes ’19 as vice coordinator. They have scheduled monthly Happy Hours and have several special events planned for later in the year. If the Guadalupe has water, expect a first-class Guadawhoop this summer.
As this year’s president, I will run the meetings on time, lead the Board in conducting the business of the club, and support our
members and affiliates throughout the year. I look forward to seeing you all at Monday lunches and special events.
Gig
’Em, Lane Mitchell ’79 President
Lane Mitchell ‘79 president@saamcf.org
Paula Schnettler ‘82 vicepresident@saamcf.org
Robert Lozano ‘90 treasurer@saamcf.org
Mitchell Byrum ‘17 secretary@saamcf.org
3RD
Don Meyer ‘78 Austin Teske ‘18 Marianne Marquardt Fly ‘88 2ND
Guel ’07 ’19 Ty Chumbley ‘06 Dr. Eddie Gil ‘16 ‘23
Delgado Jr. ‘19
Quesada ‘15
Schrader ’19
Gonzalez ‘19
COORDINATOR Thomas Holmes ‘19
EVENT SCHEDULE
UPCOMING EVENTS
LIFETIME MEMBERS LUNCHEON
FEBRUARY 10, 2025: CLASS OF ‘70
UPCOMING EVENTS
San Antonio A&M Club Foundation
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAN ANTONIO AGGIE MOMS’ CLUB
Howdy!
Our San Antonio Aggie Moms’ Club has been actively at work throughout the 2024-2025 school year. We have nearly 280 members this year! We’ve had the pleasure of hosting some wonderful speakers at our monthly general membership meetings, along with opportunities for fellowship and bonding. In addition, we have supported Sunday with Santa and Goody Bag Distribution for our Aggies at College Station, Galveston, and the Engineering Academy. We wrapped up our fall semester with a fun holiday celebration in December. We will resume our monthly meetings in February.
As we transition into the spring semester, our board members have been actively planning for our largest scholarship fundraiser, the Boots and Bling Gala, on March 22, 2025. The gala will include dinner, dancing, and a silent auction.
It’s a great opportunity to spend time with friends and give back to the San Antonio Aggie community. All of the funds raised are donated for scholarships. If you have a business and would like to sponsor a table or make a donation, you can send your request to samomswaysandmeans@aggiemoms.org. There are a variety of sponsorship levels that allow your business to gain recognition in our directory, acknowledgment as a
sponsor at the event, and recognition on our social media platforms. You can purchase your gala tickets by scanning the QR code attached.
We would love for you to join us! If you have questions about how to join our club, you can also visit our website at https://sanantonio.aggiemoms.org/.
Thanks and Gig ‘Em, Martha Mireles
San Antonio Aggie Moms’ Club President, 2024-25
SAN ANTONIO AGGIE WOMEN’S CLUB
Howdy Ags!
Happy New Year 2025 from The San Antonio Aggie Women’s Club!
In November, members of our club took a Saturday outing to Seguin for lunch and shopping. We enjoyed delicious comfort food at the Power Plant Texas Bar & Grill, a restaurant set in a historic location along the Guadalupe River.
Afterward, we shopped for authentic Polish pottery at the beautiful Polmedia Polish Pottery Store. The traffic detours on our way to Seguin gave us more time to chat while traversing scenic country roads we had not driven before. These outings are always a great opportunity to get to know each other better and build relationships. In December,
our club participated in Sunday with Santa & Aggie Market Day at Aggie Park in San Antonio. We sold pecans, hand-crafted Christmas goodies, wreaths, holiday earrings, and teacher gifts to our shoppers. It was a fun event and a wonderful way to support our Aggie community while raising money for our scholarship fund.
The Board and Committee Members have been diligently working on our upcoming “Viva La Bingo” fundraising event, scheduled for Saturday, March 29, at Aggie Park in San Antonio. The doors will open at 9:30 a.m. for an opportunity to shop with some amazing vendors. This vibrant day will feature thrilling rounds of bingo
with fantastic prizes, an exciting silent auction showcasing local treasures, and a chance to win big in our exclusive raffle. Gather your Aggie friends and family for a fun-filled day that promises laughter, excitement, and an opportunity to support our mission to fund scholarships and serve our local community. Don’t miss the chance to make a difference while enjoying a day of entertainment and camaraderie. Mark your calendars and get ready to shout “Bingo!” for a great cause!
For more information on purchasing tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Amy Mulholland at 281-8040538 or admulholland@gmail.com.
Stay up-to-date on our organization’s activities by following us on San Antonio Aggie Women’s Club | Facebook or visiting www.aggiepark.com.
For questions about our club or membership, contact Donna Hill at dchill1025@att.net or 210-241-6719. I’m also available to answer any questions at ddcastro99@gmail.com or 210-633-7992.
Gig ’em, Debbie Castro President 2024-2025 aggiewomensclubSA@gmail.com
PRESIDENT’S DINNER
WITH GENERAL (RETIRED) MARK A. WELSH III: OCTOBER 10, 2024
The San Antonio A&M Club Foundation hosted a President’s Dinner on Thursday, October 10, 2024, where current Texas A&M University President, General (Retired) Mark A. Welsh III, and his lovely wife, Betty, were our distinguished guests. President Welsh served as the keynote speaker for the evening.
The small yet outstanding committee selected a Fiesta theme for the event to honor President Welsh’s San Antonio roots.
The evening began with President Welsh and his entourage being greeted by Mariachis upon their arrival at Aggie Park. Mariachi Azul de San Antonio then moved to the patio, where they entertained the crowd during the Cocktail Reception, creating a festive atmosphere as attendees mingled, visited, and had the chance to shake hands, chat, and take photos with the President and his wife.
President Welsh and Betty were gracious, spending quality time with each attendee who wanted to meet them.
The Mariachis then led President Welsh and Betty to their seats of honor, and guests enjoyed a delicious full Mexican food buffet with all the trimmings,
catered by Ruben Luna of Anne Marie’s Catering. The program began with a welcome from Club President Don Preecs ’83 and an invocation led by Club Vice President Lane Mitchell ’79. Following dinner and a brief intermission, Don returned to the stage to introduce President Welsh.
President Welsh delivered a “State of the University.” He began by reflecting on “Where We Were”, touching on external and internal dynamics in 2023 and addressing concerns about trust, communication, and the impact of growth. He then transitioned to “Where We Are,” explaining how we’re getting back on track by recommitting to our core values and reestablishing transparent communication. Several new councils have been launched, including Strategic Building, Executive Facilities, and Philanthropy, to support the university’s mission. Finally, he shared insights on “Where We’re Going”, focusing on re-embracing the Spirit of Aggieland and fixing the “foundation.” The ”far horizon” includes graduating great citizens—not just great Aggies—making A&M a constant in national conversation, becoming the nation’s #1 student experience, and #1 veteran-serving university. These goals support the 79,000 students, 4,240 faculty, 8,484 staff, and 527,468 former students (as of October 2024), all operating under an annual budget of $2.5 billion, representing a 27% growth over the past five years!
President Welsh also highlighted several recent accolades on the “10,000
Great Things” that A&M recently achieved, including being #1 in Texas and the SEC in the 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S., recognition as the only university in Texas among America’s Greatest Workplaces, and the #1 public university in the nation for alumni CEOs. Other accomplishments included a former student summiting Mount Everest, the Vet Emergency Team assisting in North Carolina, the Rural Med program enhancing care in rural areas of Texas, and a current student identifying 195 Aggies listed as MIA from WWII to the present day through his undergraduate research.
He also encouraged everyone to prepare for and actively participate in the university’s upcoming Sesquicentennial in 2026.
The evening concluded with an enthusiastic rendition of the Aggie War Hymn—Mariachi style—as we bid farewell to President Welsh and Betty.
Special thanks go to the event committee (Don Meyer—Chair, Paula Schnettler—Co-Chair, Becki Holmes, Mandy Scott, Mario Guel, and Robert Lozano, with oversight from Don Preecs and Lane Mitchell) and the Aggie Park staff (Angel Martinez, Alisha Mohammed, Amanda Neuman, and Marisa Gonzalez) for help in planning a successful and fun event that went off without a hitch.
Gig
’em,
Paula Schnettler ’82
BOOT SCOOTIN’
FOR SCHOLARSHIPS: NOVEMBER 9, 2024
On November 9, 2024, the San Antonio A&M Club hosted its inaugural Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships event at Aggie Park. The event brought together Aggies, community members, and supporters to raise funds for scholarships benefiting Bexar County students attending Texas A&M University. With tuition costs on the rise, scholarships like these are crucial in helping students from Bexar County achieve their academic and professional dreams.
The event kicked off with a lively crowd of Aggies and guests, eager to support a great cause. Trey Gonzalez ‘19 kicked off the night as our opener. Texas Country artist and Aggie graduate, Hayden
Haddock ‘21, took the stage and energized the crowd with his mix of popular hits and traditional country favorites. Haddock’s performance not only highlighted his musical talents but also reinforced his strong connection to the Aggie community.
The music kept guests on their feet, dancing throughout the evening. In addition to the entertainment, attendees enjoyed a range of activities, including a silent auction, competitive prize-winning games, and opportunities to directly contribute to the scholarship fund.
One of the most exciting aspects of the event was the fantastic turnout. The Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships committee was thrilled to see so many members of the San Antonio A&M community come together for such a meaningful cause. It was a true reflection of the passion and dedication that the San Antonio A&M Club has for supporting the
next generation of Aggies.
The success of this inaugural event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Their contributions were instrumental in making Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships a reality. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors for their continued commitment to helping students in need. Their generosity allowed us to create an unforgettable experience while raising significant funds for scholarships.
Thank you again to everyone who attended, donated, and helped make the first Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships a success. Together, we’re making a lasting impact on the lives of future Aggies. We encourage everyone to continue supporting Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships in the years to come, as this event grows to benefit even more students. Thanks, Gig ’em, and we can’t wait to see y’all at Boot Scootin’ 2025!
Gig ’em, Austin Teske ’18
CLUB CHRISTMAS
PARTY: DECEMBER 5, 2024
San Antonio Aggies and friends kicked off their holiday season on December 5th as they gathered for the annual Club Christmas Party. The night brought together longtime members and new faces for an evening filled with joy and festive cheer. The event started with a delicious Texas BBQ dinner, holiday games, and prize giveaways, accompanied by laughter and shared stories from the year. Speaking of prizes, the winners of the Nilgai Hunt Raffle, kindly donated by the East Foundation, were drawn to much anticipation. Congratulations to Reese Grebe, Zachary Burkett, and Wesley Maresh, who took home a Tundra Hall Wheeled Cooler, a beautiful TAMU Pool Table, and the prized Nilgai Hunt experience, respectively.
Don Preecs ’83 took time to thank our outgoing board members and introduced our new board for 2025.
Proudly Representing the Class of 1915 ‘52 ‘79 ‘80 ‘85 ‘90 2013
We deeply appreciate the service of Don Preecs ’83, Sandra Hoggard ’87, Sybil Howell ’82, Paige Petersen ’15, and Clayton Perry ’78 in advancing the club’s mission. We’re also excited to welcome our new board members: Mitchell Byrum ’17 as Secretary, Marianne Marquardt Fly ‘88, Dr. Eddie Gil ’16 ‘23, Richard Delgado Jr. ’19, Andrew Quesada ’15, and Chris Shrader ‘19. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from their personal and professional lives, and we look forward to seeing how they lead the club and foundation!
As the night progressed, San Antonio Aggies enjoyed delicious libations and danced the night away to the lively tunes of The Rustic Avenues. The event was a perfect blend of tradition and celebration, uniting the San Antonio Aggie community to reflect on a successful year and set sights on achieving even greater
accomplishments in the year ahead.
When the night came to an end, we tallied the bounty provided by Aggies in support of the Blue Santa Toy Drive. Doing things a little differently this year, we accepted both new toys and cash donations. Our Aggies generously donated more than 40 toys and over $450, which will be distributed to disadvantaged children and families in our area.
A big THANK YOU to everyone who made the event and this year a success! Cheers to another year of Aggie spirit, excellence, and selfless service! Happy New Year!
Gig ’em, Paige Petersen ’15 Board Member
SUNDAY WITH SANTA AND
AGGIE MARKET DAY: DECEMBER 8, 2024
Our annual Sunday with Santa and Aggie Market Day Club event was held on December 8 at Aggie Park. Once again, Aggie Park was transformed into a Winter Wonderland, a Holiday Market, and Santa’s Workshop all at once!
Several craft stations were generously stocked and run by the Aggie Moms’ Club, featuring ornament-making, coloring, cookie decorating, and a popular table designated for writing letters to Santa!
The Mr. and Mrs. Snowman Snowball Toss was back and enjoyed by kids of all ages!
The Aggie Market Day was a hit once again, with some returning vendors like The Aggie Moms’ Boutique, an Aggie Women’s Club booth, and 12 Fires Winery and Vineyard. We also welcomed some new vendors, including PaperPie, JNN Creations, The Kendall County Aggie
Moms’ Club, Hill Country Charm, and Prestige ER. Thank you so much to all the vendors for providing raffle prizes that were given out throughout the event! Some vendors even stayed over through Monday Lunch on December 9 to help our members with some lastminute Christmas shopping.
Of course, the main attraction was none other than our Aggie Santa himself, our own David Gay, and his trusty Reindog, Rye! Santa made sure every child’s wishes and lists were heard, gave each child a sweet treat, and took photos with everyone who wanted to capture the moment.
Santa’s Elves – Sybil Howell, Bonnie Hitschel, and others – spread magic all over Aggie Park that day. They helped keep the line to see
Santa orderly, ensured that everyone had a great time while they waited to talk to him, and took individual photos of the children with Santa.
A special thanks goes to RBFCU for providing the hot chocolate, marshmallows, and other treats for the beverage station, and to the Aggie Moms’ Club for manning it. Thank you to the Aggie Women’s Club for providing cookies for everyone, and to Joe Rodriguez for cooking our delicious hot dogs! Thank you to Alice Perez for the beatiful balloon photo backdrop! A heartfelt thanks also goes out to our volunteers and Aggie Park staff who were on hand to make the event a success once again! We couldn’t have done it without you.
We hope everyone had a great time and that you’ll mark your calendars for Sunday with Santa in 2025—it’s scheduled for December 7!
Gig ’em!
Paula Schnettler ‘82 and Miriam Colunga Event Co-Chairs
Aggie Park
Private Events | Weddings | Corporate Events
www.aggieparkevents.com (210) 341-1393
aggiepark@saamcf.org
ENDOWMENT UPDATE
• Occupancy of 400
• Modern AV System & Mics
• Covered Patio with Fans
• Convenient On-Site Parking
• Event-Ready Stage Setup
• Indoor Catering Prep Kitchen
• Outdoor Cooking & Serving Station
• Indoor/Outdoor Areas
AGGIE PARK ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE (APEC)
The San Antonio A&M Club Foundation (SAAMCF) has two endowment accounts, the Aggie Park Endowment and the Scholarship Endowment, established and invested for the purpose of providing long term stability to maintain our Club home, Aggie Park, and helping to sustain our Club scholarship program. The Aggie Park Endowment Committee (APEC) is responsible for overseeing the management of these two accounts and for growing the endowments by promoting and soliciting charitable gifts. Serving with me on APEC for 2025 are Bill Hill ‘84, Logan Richter ‘05, Bonnie Hitschel ‘86, and Becki Holmes ‘82. Working in tandem with APEC is our three-member Investment Committee of Bob Johnson ‘90, Richard Kardys ‘67, and Scott McMillan ‘89 who have dedicated double-digit years of tenure providing informed investment advice and guidance.
repairs, maintenance, and improvements (RMI) to Aggie Park in the upcoming calendar year. That RMI amount for 2025 is $50,264.19. Our endowments performed well in 2024, ending the year with balances shown below: 6205 West Ave | San Antonio, Texas 78213
BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024
$1,414,397
$851,290
If you are interested in investing in the future of our Club, please consider a contribution to the Aggie Park Endowment and/or the Scholarship Endowment as a part of your annual charitable giving, when making memorial gifts, or where applicable, as a qualified charitable distribution directly from your IRA to satisfy all a portion of your RMD. To make a gift and leave a lasting legacy visit saamcf.org and click on Donate.
Annually at the end of the 3rd quarter, APEC follows guidelines set by our Statement of Investment Policy to calculate the amount of money available for distribution from the Aggie Park Endowment to the SAAMCF for
Thanks & Gig ‘em,
Mandy Scott ‘87 2025 APEC Chair
Planning an event? Scan to book a tour with Event Manager, Alisha.
PARTNER WITH US
