Sports'Aholic

Hello. My name is Shirley Anne Stevenson (or Dees, whatever) and I have a problem.

I love sports.

Many may find this a bit odd, seeing as I am of the xx chromosome type. What kind of girl loves sports that much? This one does. And no, I am not one of those females that watch baseball games because of the tight pants (although that is an additional benefit) and don't really have a general understanding of the game. Quite the opposite. In most sports, I know the rules and how the game is played.

And I love every single bit of it.

Every down, every pitch, every second. Love. I am a fan of Texas teams and during the Olympics I root for the Red, White and Blue. Although you may not have heard me preach much about the state of the Houston diAstros Astros or the Dallas Cowboys, you can bet I tune in and cheer for the good guys. Most notably though, I love to watch college sports, and no other NCAA team gets as much attention and adoration from me than my lovely Fightin' Texas Aggies.

What can I say? I bleed maroon and white. I hold such a passion for my Alma Mater, nothing compares. When it comes to A&M sports, I can get a little crazy and emotional. REAL emotional. I yell, scream, jump up and down, and have even shed tears of joy in Kyle Stadium. Laugh all you want, I don't care. I love my Texas Aggies and always will. There is no atmosphere quite like Aggieland.

 I fell in love with this school when I was eight years old and my eldest brother chose to attend Texas A&M. I remember walking around the campus, learning about the traditions, and dreamed of attending there myself one day. I learned what it meant to be an Aggie at a young age and the core values the University instills in it's students. Leadership, Respect, Integrity, Honor, and more. I fell in love and adopted myself as part of the Aggie family before I even reached double figures in age.

I learned the War Hymn, attended baseball games and immersed myself in the game time traditions, taught myself to "pass it back" and hump it" and yell as loud as I could on every down the Aggie football defense played. I remember attending and witnessing my first (and last) on campus bonfire.

And I remember when it fell.

And the Aggie family grew ever closer in such a dark time.

I remember the day I learned I was accepted (Thanksgiving Day 2007!), the day I earned my Aggie Ring.

And the day I graduated.

I am and will always be an Aggie.

So, mixing my love for Texas A&M and all things sports, when I watch my teams compete I get a little passionate. I throw my arms up in victory and down in anger and defeat. I curse, I laugh, I cheer. Sometimes, I may even throw things (only on rare occassions, I swear.) All for the love of the game.

Most do not understand this about me. Even my own  husband. He still has no idea how I became so engrossed in sports. The answer is so plainly obvious. 

I got it from my mother.

Yes, this is all Joyce's fault. How many Saturday's were we taken to Robertson Stadium to tailgate before college football games, to root on the Cougars? Countless number of times I sat next to her in the stands at many sporting events, listening to her yell and scream in support of her team, asking her questions and learning about the game. On one occasion, I have the distinct memory of her grabbing me up in her arms and throwing me around in excitement, because her beloved Cougars had just won a conference championship.

I am totally blaming this on my mother. And I have no problem with that.

So sure, my frustrations with the current state of the Aggie football team are most likely temporary. I'll always love my team and hope for better outcomes and days in the future, along with the Astros and dear I say it, The Dallas Cowboys. Why do I carry such a passion for something that can let you down so easily and so often?

Because of moments like these:



Gig'em.

- Shirley