Alamo Aggie | Summer 2024 by aggiepark

2024 MUSTER

OVER 500 AGGIES GATHERED TO SAY “HERE” FOR THEIR COMRADES

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FOOTBALL SEASON IS ALMOST HERE

DON’T MISS THE WATCH PARTIES AT AGGIE PARK

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HOWDY, AGS!

Howdy Ags,

The year is halfway over, and this quarter we have experienced many club events, including:

• Aggie Muster: The most solemn of Aggie traditions, Muster drew a crowd of over 500, who heard from John Zachry.

• Feed the Band: A crowd of club members fed the Aggie Band, Fish Drill Team, and Ross Volunteers.

• Feeding Rudder’s Rangers: This event has become a tradition, with this being the third time that we have taken care of cadets after a long weekend of training at Camp Bullis.

• Bus trip to the Arkansas baseball game: Club members had an impromptu trip to watch the Aggies BTHO Arkansas after enduring a lengthy weather delay.

• Aggie Park Work Days: We had two days where club members and nonclub members came out to help take care of our facility.

• Scholarship Luncheon: At this event, we heard from our current and new scholarship recipients. What a great group of students that we support. Our future is in great hands with them!

• Family BBQ: Our signature club event has been occurring for over 100 years at the Aggie Park location. This year, a crowd of over 200 enjoyed a great day sharing the Aggie Spirit with their families.

In the remaining half of the year, there are still many wonderful events planned. October 10, there will be a dinner with Texas A&M University President General

Mark A. Welsh, and November 9 is our last fundraiser, Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships, a new event centered around a concert at Aggie Park. Lastly, don’t forget Sunday with Santa and the Club Christmas Party in December. Details for all these events will soon be on our website.

As mentioned in the first issue of Alamo Aggie this year, we lost our Young Aggies leadership. New leadership will be announced, and the group will be restarted in the third quarter. On a sad note, we are losing one of our fantastic board members, Sandra Hoggard ’87. She has accepted a promotion with a new job in Salt Lake City. We are going to miss her positive attitude and initiative. She has been a huge asset to our club, to our board, and to me as your president. Sandra, best wishes with your new future.

Come out and join us at a club event — there is something for everyone.

See you at Aggie Park!

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

EVENT SCHEDULE

AGGIE PARK WORKDAY

September 14, 2024, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Aggie Park

Some of my best memories from school are from joining student organizations and helping others. I made lifelong friends with people who shared the same values. Looking back, I realize these first lessons in servant leadership and selfless service have helped me with so many aspects of life after graduation. To keep this awesome tradition alive, our club has started hosting work days every few months. On these days, Aggies come together to take care of our beautiful Aggie Park. This park is 3.3 acres and needs a lot of love to stay nice.

Our first work day was on March 23, the same day as The Big Event on campus. While thousands of current students were serving their community in College Station, over 20 local Aggies came to work at Aggie Park. We did things like pressure washing stains off the concrete, mowing the grass, cleaning garden beds, picking up trash, and painting the gazebo. Since then, we’ve done even more, like painting buildings, cleaning up vandalism, and other small jobs. Our volunteers were as young as five and as old as 80! It’s a fantastic way to show our Aggie Spirit, learn new skills, and make new friends.

Next workday, we’ll focus on adding mulch to garden beds, painting, picking up trash, mowing, rebuilding picnic tables, and more! After we finish working, we’ll have a watch party to cheer on the Fightin’ Texas Aggies as they BTHO Florida! Come Out and Make a Difference! We’d love to see you at the next work day. Bring your friends, family, and lots of energy. Let’s keep the Aggie Spirit alive by making our park the best it can be. See you there! Aggie Park always needs volunteers and donations. If you want to help or have any questions, contact me at 210-862-1192 or mjdriffill@gmail.com.

BOOT SCOOTIN’ FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

November 9, 2024 at Aggie Park

Get ready to dance the night away at Boot Scootin’ for Scholarships on November 9 at Aggie Park! Don’t miss this night of great music and community spirit, all in support of the mission of the San Antonio A&M Club Foundation Scholarship Program: raising money to provide scholarships to students in Bexar County who will attend Texas A&M University. Enjoy food trucks and a lively concert event featuring the incredible Texas country artist Hayden Haddock. Hayden, a proud Texas A&M graduate, has more than 10 million streams and has been featured on Spotify’s Texas Music Now, Apple Music’s Don’t Mess With Texas, and Amazon Music’s Texas Forever playlists. He was also awarded New Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2021 Texas Regional Radio Report Awards. Kicking off the night is Trey Gonzalez, another Texas A&M graduate who has been making waves both locally and across the state as an up-and-coming Texas country star. Sponsorships and ticket information are coming soon! So save the date because you don’t want to miss out on this amazing event!

Thanks & Gig ‘em, Mitchell Byrum ’17 & Austin Teske ’18

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2024 MUSTER

SAYING “HERE” FOR BEXAR COUNTY AGGIES

Aggie Park was the venue for the 2024 San Antonio Aggie Muster. Assembling on Sunday Night, April 21, the Muster began with the Posting of the Colors by the JBSA Honor Guard following by the singing of the National Anthem and opening prayer lead by Muster Chairman, yours truely. My opening remarks thanked the crowd for their commitment to Texas A&M and the honoring of our fallen who were to be recognized in the ceremony that followed. Appreciation was shown to the club staff and many volunteers that made the Muster happen. Sponsors were also acknowledged including the Aggie Women’s Club for food and Randall Roessler ’84 with Rebbecca Creek, 12 Fires Winery & Vinyard and Alamo Beer Company for sponsoring the Bar.

Club President, Don Preecs ’83 then gave the presidential remarks laying out the history of the San Antonio club, telling of the service and fellowship that the club member experience and further thanking the participants in the ceremony.

Club Treasurer, Paula Schnettler ’82 then recited “The Muster Tradition” followed by the introduction of our Muster Speaker John B Zachry ’84. John then gave his reflections of his Aggie experience.

John spoke of the uniqueness of the Aggie Spirit. He spoke about how every Aggie is remembered at a Muster. The spoke of the deep experience of the Muster of

2021 when he and his brother answered “here” for their dad. He told of his sons Aggie experience being different from his but the Aggie Spirit remaining the same. He spoke of being present at his father’s death being “one of the greatest gifts of his life.” He and his mother were present when his father died and he related; “When he was gone, I watched her take his hand, hold it in both of hers and gently kiss it goodbye. Then, as if by instinct, she slipped off his Aggie ring, wore smooth over time, and gently slipped it on her own finger. It was her way, I think, of preserving her connection with the essence of Dad which he would say was formed and forged at Texas A&M.” John when on to remind all who were present that “Someday, somewhere Aggies will mark us present in their hearts and someone will answer “here” for us at our journey’s end. That is the sacred promise of Aggie Muster.”

The ceremony continued with the reading of “Roll Call for the Absent” by Liza Lozano ’26 which was followed by the clubs roll call and candlelight service. As each name was called a designated family member or friend came forward to light a candle and

returned to their seats with a flower. At the end of the roll call “Silver Taps” was played by our guest trumpeters Will Oliver, Partick Garcia, and Sara Guajardo.

After Silver Taps was complete Mandy and David Scott ’87 came forward to recite “The last Corps Trip” which was followed by the singing of “The Spirit of Aggieland”.

Muster Chairman Lane Mitchell ’79 then pronounced “The 2024 Texas A&M Muster at Aggie Park is now complete. I charge you each to remain firm in your loyalty to your country and your God... To keep warm in your hearts your affection for each other and for Texas A&M. Muster is dismissed until April 21, 2025. May God be with us all until we meet again.”

At the end of the formal ceremony the chairs were cleared, and a time of fellowship was enjoyed by all who continued the tradition of Aggie Muster.

Gig ’em,

Lane Mitchell ‘79 Vice President

AGGIE FAMILY BBQ BBQ, CORNHOLE, SALSA, & BARREL TRAIN

Our Aggie Family BBQ was a success even before it began! Our Texas A&M College World Seriescontending baseball team beat Oregon 10-6 earlier in the day. The barbecue pit and kitchen crews watched their victory while preparing for the Family BBQ.

The afternoon was busy with fun-filled activities, tempting auction items to bid on, toe-tapping music to enjoy, and amazing food. The volunteer cook crew led by Logan Richter provided delicious chicken and sausage barbecue, while our hardworking Aggie Women’s Club prepared their scrumptious potato salad. We had activities for all ages — games, snow cones, a bounce house, a barrel train, and a piñata contest for

the youngsters, while the adults enjoyed a cornhole tournament, dominoes, a variety of games, and our newest activity, a “Best Salsa” competition.

This event raised money toward scholarships and was only made possible by the many dedicated volunteers who helped at the event. Special thanks to Bonnie Hitschel ’86 for the numerous hours she worked side by side with the cochairs. Thanks to Paula Schnettler for her help and leadership with volunteers

serving the barbecue! And a big thank-you to all the Aggie staff.

Next year’s Aggie Family BBQ will be decidedly different next year — less fundraising (i.e., no silent or live auction) and more family fun and camaraderie! See you then!

Gig ’em, Sandra Hoggard ’87 & Sybil Howell ‘82 Event Chairs

THE MISSIONS BTHO THE HOOKS AGGIES ON DECK

Our club-sponsored Fourth of July celebration to watch the San Antonio Missions (Texas League AA) baseball team play the Corpus Christi Hooks was a lot of fun!

We had a feisty crowd of over 60 fans, friends, and family of SA Aggies come to the game. One member shared the game with his in-laws, who drove in from Corpus Christi. The family watched our SA Missions team beat the CC Hooks in this blowout game: 8-0.

We had a door prize giveaway of assorted Aggie shirts, shot glasses, and Aggie Park stickers for everyone. The Missions’ mascot Ballapeño the Jalapeño and Uncle Sam came to our deck for a photo op with the fans! This Aggie event was a perfect combination of relaxation and family fun. A terrific way to spend the Fourth of July under a covered deck with an unobstructed view, a delightful intermittent breeze, unlimited food and drinks, and a rockin’ country music concert by William Beckmann. A phenomenal fireworks display topped off the night.

As the content crowd exited the event, I heard many of our Aggie family say they “want to do this again next year!”

Gig ’em, Sybil Howell ’82 Event Chair

WATCH PARITES

2024 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

San Antonio area Aggies enjoyed an exciting College World Series as Aggie baseball made it to the final series versus the University of Tennessee. In 12thman fashion, many Aggies from the San Antonio A&M Club traveled to Omaha in hopes of bringing home a national title.

There were many supportive local Aggies who did not make the Omaha trip, but their enthusiasm was unwavering as they attended the San Antonio A&M Club game watch parties. Thanks to all those who attended and supported our team! Next year is looking promising!

Gig ’em, Robert Lozano’90 Secretary

BASEBALL BUS TRIP

OUR INAUGURAL BASEBALL BUS TRIP

Forty-one faithful Aggies traveled to Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park, College Station, on May 18 to watch the fifth-ranked Aggie baseball team take on the third-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. The game was the first of a three-game series with first place in the Western Division championship on the line. The first pitch, originally scheduled for 6 p.m., was delayed by one hour, as ESPN decided to nationally televise this pivotal game. As the bus pulled out of Aggie Park at 1:30 p.m., the 90% chance of rain provided uncertainty as to whether the game would be played at all. At this time, we were committed, and there was no turning back. The bus pulled up to Olsen Field at 4:30 p.m. as torrential rain flooded the parking lot.

The ticket office had signs posted saying “Game Start Time 8 p.m.” The optimistic sentiment remained on the bus as we anxiously watched the radar on our phones. Over the next hour and a half, many enjoyed snacks and adult beverages as we eagerly awaited the rain’s dissipation. At 6 p.m. the ticket office opened, so we picked up our tickets and began lining up at the gate to enter the stadium.

Finally! At 6:30 p.m. we entered the stadium. The field was covered with water, and for the next hour, we watched the field crew scramble to remove the 4.5 inches of rain from the field. The game was not

a disappointment. The Aggies faced Arkansas ace Hagen Smith, the number one pitcher in college baseball. He brought his unbeaten record into College Station to face the Aggies’ powerful batting lineup. If you are a baseball purist, you were in for a treat, as it took eleven innings and a walk-off walk for us to bring back a 1-0 victory to San Antonio.

It was an amazing and memorable event that many are still talking about. This was the inaugural baseball bus trip, and the club plans to make this a tradition. Thanks to all who made this happen on such a short timeline and all those who attended!

Gig ’em, Robert Lozano’90 Secretary

SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON

This past spring, the 2024 Scholarship Committee once again completed the very arduous selection process for the San Antonio A&M Club scholarships. It started with reviewing 95 well-rounded and impressive applications in March, which led to interviewing 22 finalists in April. The Scholarship Committee was able to select eight very impressive students for the San Antonio A&M Club Foundation scholarships on April 6. Each student will receive a $12,000 scholarship to be utilized while attending A&M University. On June 3, the San Antonio A&M Club

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE

hosted a Scholarship Luncheon to celebrate current and newly selected scholarship recipients. Current scholarship students shared some of their highlights from A&M, including academics, student involvement, and favorite school spirit activity.

The newly selected scholarship students shared a bit about their academic goals, leadership opportunities, and involvement in school activities. Overall, the students shared one common feeling. They are all grateful for the

Congratulations to our 2024 recipients of the San Antonio A&M Club Foundation Scholarship:

Joseph Appiah – Reagan High School

Jaycee Bendele – Boerne Champion

Josie Davis – Great Hearts Northern Oaks

Noah Herman – Basis Shavano

Carter Lewis – Johnson High School

Miles McKee – Harlan High School

Aidan Notzon – TMI

Joy Pritz – San Antonio Christian Schools

San Antonio A&M Club Scholarship. Our next Scholarship Luncheon is January 6, 2025. If you have not attended a Scholarship Luncheon in the past, consider joining for this wonderful opportunity to hear about current student life at Texas A&M University.

Gig ’em, Joe Rodriguez ’02 Scholarship Chairman

AGGIE MOMS’ CLUB

Howdy, Aggies! The San Antonio Aggie Moms’ Club has wrapped up another successful year. The club contributed over $49,000 in scholarship funds and grew to 290 members. In May, we celebrated 20 graduates! The team was on summer break through June and resumed in July.

This year was an opportunity to impact the Aggie community in multiple ways. The collective team was able to achieve some key accomplishments, including the following:

• Brought in speakers for all monthly meetings, including KSAT meteorologist Mia Montgomery ’20, a mental health panel that included Federation President Johnna Lenamon, former astronaut and TAMU Galveston COO Mike Fossum ’80, Corps of Cadets Brigadier General Patrick Michaelis ’93, and best-selling author Melanie Shankle ’93

• Participated in several events, including Feed the Band

• Successfully raised $34,000 through Ways & Means Gala

• Raised $15,000 in our Aggie Store

• Funded our 17th endowed scholarship

• Captured over 2,100 pictures of meetings and events

Our board of directors took a well-deserved break in June and resumed in July to start off another year with our Howdy Social. This event is an opportunity to welcome new students and parents. It gives them a forum to hear about campus organizations/services and get to know new San Antonio Aggies, and it allows Aggie moms the opportunity to learn more about the SAAMC. Look for more details in the flier attached!

We transitioned our 2023-2024 board of directors and welcomed our new board members in late May. The new team is excited to carry forward the impact to the Aggie community.

I am excited to serve as president for the SAAMC in 2024-2025. Virginia has done an excellent job, and we thank her for all her

leadership contributions these last two years!I have twin Aggie daughters, class of ’25, who graduated early this May. One will continue at A&M in a business graduate program, and my other Aggie has started nursing school in San Antonio.

Our Aggie Moms’ Club looks forward to continuing the strong collaboration with the San Antonio A&M Club community. Thank you for your partnership! For more information about the San Antonio Aggie Moms’ Club, please send inquiries to sanantoniomoms@ aggiemoms.org or directly to me at samomspresident@aggiemoms. org.

Thanks and Gig ’em, Martha Mireles

President, 2024-2025

samomspresident@aggienetwork.com

AGGIE WOMEN’S CLUB

Howdy Ags! The San Antonio Aggie Women’s Club finished off the year with some fun events and made beautiful memories together!

In April, our evening programs committee coordinated a Bunco Night gathering. Events like these are set up to provide opportunities for members to attend and have fun. Everyone had a great time! In May, our evening programs committee coordinated a “Cinco de Mayo” Sip & Shop event at Simply Yours Gifts & More in Helotes. We sipped sangria, consumed yummy sandwiches, and enjoyed some retail therapy!

Also in May, we held our last luncheon of the year. Cheers to our new and

repeat Officers for the 2024-2025 membership year: Debbie Castro, Donna Hill, Vivian Coleman, and Amy Mulholland (all pictured herein) and Terri Sobey, Sandy Deitchle, and Lisa De Leon. Several of our past presidents were also in attendance: Adrienne King, Donna Hill, and Suzanne Marquardt. Finally, thank you to Barbara Yates and Susan Short for a wonderful presentation celebrating the installation of our officers.

In June, club members gathered to prepare 100 pounds of potato salad for the San Antonio A&M Club’s annual family BBQ event, which was held on Saturday, June 8. This tradition is a fun event for club

members, and we look forward to participating every year.

Look for details & activities concerning our organization when you follow us on (San Antonio Aggie Women’s Club | 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, 2023-2024

aggiewomensclubSA@gmail.com