Follow the Aggies when they travel to play Ole Miss October 6. Total Sports Travel is the official away game travel partner of the 12th Man Foundation offering away game packages. For more information, call 888-367-8781 or visit www.totalsportstravel.com/texasa&m
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI “OLE MISS”
Oxford, Mississippi, October 6
olemissfb.com / photos by Kyle Campbell
By air: Memphis International Airport is 1 hour, 16 minutes from Oxford
Road trip: College Station to Oxford, Mississippi – 10 hours 19 minutes on I-20 E
TRADTIONS
Mascot: The Rebels
Colors: Red & Blue
Chant: Hotty Toddy
Listed in Sports Illustrated as the nation’s number one tailgating school, Ole Miss is home to the The Grove located on 10 acres of land directly outside the stadium. It’s a sea of red and blue fans and tents as far as the eye can see. Don’t be surprised if you see women in heels and men in khakis and blazers – the Rebels come dressed to impress. Two hours and thirty minutes before the game is the Rebel’s Walk of Champions: the football team strolls through The Grove, for an up close look at the
Aggie’s competition. At gametime, the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at Hollingsworth Field is full of fans filled with southern pride, dressed to the nines yelling Hotty Toddy, chanting school songs and proudly showing their school spirit. Aggies: this is your introduction to the SEC game-time atmosphere. Get ready for it.
Insider Tip: Fans will enjoy the historic downtown square with shops, restaurants, bars and galleries. Plus, you can catch the town’s famous double decker bus, which offers a free shuttle on game days, prior to kickoff (does not run during or after the game). – Mary Allyn Roulhac, tourism manager, Oxford CVB
EATS
City Grocery
152 Courthouse Square
For those who want to indulge, City Grocery offers top-notch Southern cuisine.
152 Courthouse Sq
Oxford, MS 38655
(662) 232-8080
www.citygroceryonline.com
Proud Larrys
Restaurant/Bar Hybrid. Known for it’s live music, great food, and cold beer.
211 S Lamar Blvd
Oxford, MS 38655
(662) 236-0050
www.proudlarrys.com
The Rib Cage
Delicious southern style BBQ and self-dubbed “tailgating headquarters”
311 S Lamar Blvd
Oxford, MS 38655
(662) 238-2929
www.theribcageoxford.com
NIGHTLIFE
The Square Located in the heart of downtown, it offers a variety of bars and restaurants for a post-game drink.
STAYING AN EXTRA NIGHT?
Double decker bus tours – All tours are on the Friday before game day.
Friday, October 5 at 3 p.m. Tour includes historian and tour guide Jack Mayfield and includes stops at two historic homes: the L.Q.C Lamar House and
Cedar Oaks Mansion. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4
for children and include admission into both historic
homes. For more information, contact the Oxford CVB at (662) 232-2477.
GETTING TO THE GAME
The City of Oxford provides parking with security at designated sites in the Oxford community at $5 per vehicle, and there is free round-trip shuttle service provided to and from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Shuttle service begins three hours before kick-off and ends two hours after the game. Contact Matt Davis, Gameday Shuttle Coordinator, 662-816-5501. www. olemisssports.com
UNIVERSITY of AUBURN
AUBURN/OPELIKA, Alabama, October 27
www.auburn.edu/gameday
Community calendar: http://www.auburntigers.com/gameday/fanguide.html
By air: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – 1 hour and 39 minutes from Auburn
Road trip: College Station to Auburn, Alabama –12 hours and 13 minutes taking I-10 East
Mascot: Auburn Tigers – Aubie the Tiger
Colors: Navy Blue & Burnt Orange
Chant: War Eagle, War Damn Eagle
University of Auburn: Home of Cam Newton and rival to The University of Alabama Crimson Tide.
Some would say they’re the A&M of the former A&M/UT rivalry. “People are genuinely nice,” says John Wild of Auburn Opelika Tourism. “We hope that everyone sees that when they come in.” Wild says that if you’re a fan from the opposing team, don’t be surprised if you are offered free beer and food.
Across from the stadium near the Nichols Center, Fan Fest offers an area filled with inflatables and other kids’ activities. Don’t miss Tiger Walk. Two hours before kickoff, fans gather together to cheer on the team as they head into Jordan-Hare Stadium. The stadium holds almost 88,000, comparable to Texas A&M’s Kyle Field, and you’ll see they have their own stadium traditions to boast about.
War Eagle is one of the most well-known college football traditions: More than 80,000 fans cheering in unison as a Golden Eagle is released to fly in circles around the stadium, eventually landing center field as the crowd yells “Waaaaaar Eagle! Hey!”
Nova (War Eagle VII) is a resident of Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center, where she has been raised and trained to open home football games in this inspirational fashion. Friday at 4 p.m., the Southeastern Raptor Center will host Football, Fans, and Feathers, a 45-minute show featuring the facility’s hawks, falcons, and eagles free-flown around the center’s amphitheater.
In the unfortunate case of a win, fans may want to witness Rolling Toomer’s Corner, located at the intersection where city of Auburn meets Auburn
University. Auburn fans will roll the area – trees, traffic light, sidewalk and all – with hundreds, maybe thousands, of rolls of toilet paper. Even fans of the defeated team will show up for the scene. After being poisoned in 2011 by a rival Alabama fan, the trees continue to hold on.
EATS
Toomer’s Lemonade
To cool off from the heat before the game, a trip to this drugstore is necessary. Located on Toomer’s Corner, it is infamous for serving customers delicious freshly squeezed lemonade, as well as shakes, malts, and delicious deli foods. Toomersdrugs.com.
Mrs. Story’s Dairy Bar is an Auburn tradition; taste the deliciousness of foot-long chili dogs and milkshakes.
1900 Pepperell Pkwy, Opelika
Don’t miss out on Bar-B-Que!
MIKE N EDS
307 N College St
Auburn AL, 36830
NIGHTLIFE
College Street & Magnolia Ave. have everything you could possibly need.
STAYING ANOTHER NIGHT?
Downtown Opelika Dine, Shop, and more in Historic Downtown Opelika
(334) 745-0466
www.opelikamainstreet.org
GETTING TO THE GAME
Shuttle Service: Tiger Transit
Gameday Activities: 4 hours prior to kick-off each game (subject to change for early games) Tiger Transit begins running.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
STARKVILLE, Mississippi, November 3
Photos by Kyle Nibbled
By air: Jackson-Evers International Airport – 2 hours amd 20 minutes from Starkville
Road trip: College Station to Starkville – 10 hours and 4 minutes on I-20 E
TRADITIONS
Mascot: Bully the Bulldog (Reveille’s new frenemy)
Colors: Maroon & White (uh oh)
Chant: Hail State!
Cow Bell (vs 12th man towels)
The first thing you’ll notice at MSU is the similarity to Texas A&M: the colors are the same, the mascot is a dog, and it’s a former military school. Arriving at the stadium, you may find yourself amidst thousands of fans partying and tailgating at The Junction, named for a now non-operational train that used to run through the area.
While tailgating, you’ll want to take a break and participate in The Dawg Walk, a parade featuring the marching band, football players, and coaches three hours before kickoff. Head to Davis Wade Stadium. Think the noise level at Kyle Field is deafening? Aggies may win voicewise with coordinated yells, but wait until you hear MSU’s noisemakers. Tens of thousands of fans ring these obnoxious cowbells during every football game. Yikes.
EATS
Mugshots grill and bar:
Looking for a nice burger joint? Mugshot’s is a frequented joint.
101 N Douglas Connor St
Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 324-3965
Strombolis
From its hole-in-the-wall look, you’d never know of the delicious Italian food concocted inside. Pizza and calzones are the faves!
408 University Drive, Suite 5
Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 615-4080
City Bagel
Locally owned and operated, it’s a great place to stop and get breakfast on the way to the game: fresh made bagels and coffee.
511 University Dr
Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 323-3663
Little Dooeys
If you find yourself feeling a little homesick for some Texas BBQ, this barbeque joint will sooth your blues. Family owned, “a little dooey” comes from the Wood Family tradition meaning a fun gathering of friends and family.
100 Fellowship Street
Starkville, MS
(662) 323-6094
Obys Cajun Food.
Po Boys. Bread Pudding. ‘Nuf said. As those crazy cajuns say, “Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!”
504 Academy Road
Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 323-0444
Zorbas Greek Tavern
Gyros, Pita Wraps, Greek Pizzas and other
Mediterranean goodies are featured at this top ranked eatery.
100 E Main Street
Starkville, MS 39759
(662) 324-8422
NIGHTLIFE
The Cotton District Adjacent to the MSU campus, the community offers various bars and restaurants.
www.thecottondistrict.net
Downtown Main Street Bars, Restaurants, and Shopping: downtown Starkville has it all http://visit.starkville.org/main-street
STAYING AN EXTRA NIGHT?
Downtown Main Street Bars, Restaurants, and
Shopping: downtown Starkville has it all
http://visit.starkville.org/main-street
GETTING TO THE GAME
MSU offers three shuttle services to and from the stadium, beginning three hours prior to game time and ending two hours after the game. For real time
tracking visit http://transit.msstate.edu/
Downtown Municipal Court-Starkville Daily News-McArthur Hall (Green Shuttle on MSU Gameday
Map) Thad Cochran Research Park-Humphrey Coliseum (Yellow Shuttle on MSU Gameday Map)
Reserved RV Lot-Davis Wade Stadium (RV Patrons Only) (Black Shuttle on MSU Gameday Map)
UNIVERSITY of ALABAMA
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, November 10
http://uagameday.com/football/
By air: Birmingham International Airport – an easy 1-hour drive to Tuscaloosa on the Interstate
Road trip: College Station to Tuscaloosa – 10 hours and 28 minutes on I-20 E
TRADITIONS
The Crimson Tide
Mascot: “Big Al” the elephant
Colors: Crimson & White
Chant: Roll Tide
The first thing you’ll notice driving up to the stadium before game time? The enormous sea of crimson rightfully called the Crimson Tide. “There will be up to 80,000 people who won’t get into the stadium that will be on The Quad tailgating,” says Susan West of Visit Tuscaloosa. “There’s a boatload of things to do.”
Hopefully there will be a good amount of maroon splashed in that sea. Kickoff on the Quad, the official tailgate party sponsored by Coca Cola, occurs three hours before kickoff. Food vendors, merchandise, and tons of activities for kids are offered. Located on the steps of the Gorgas Library, Elephant Stomp, featuring the thunderous “Million Dollar Band” begins, first with the drum line two hours before kickoff and followed by the rest of the band one hour before kickoff.
Those more concerned with a sighting of the team can participate in the Walk of Champions. Two hours and fifteen minutes before the game, the team walks from the north side of the stadium at University Boulevard and continues through the Walk of Champions, where hoards of fans cheer on the team as they walk into the stadium.
Finally it’s game time; time to head into the infamous Bryant-Denny Stadium, which seats about 102,000 and is known as one of the largest on-campus football stadiums in the nation. Once inside, get ready for lots of “Roll Tides” and the deafening roar of more than 100,000 fans.
EATS
Buffalo Phils
Fan of wings? Better visit this joint. According to their website, ESPN even mentioned it as one of the best places to eat in Tuscaloosa.
1149 University Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 758-3318
www.buffalophils.com
Houndstooth Sports Bar
It’s the perfect atmosphere during game day weekend. Forty big screen TVs, great food, and beer. You don’t even need tickets to the big game!
1300 University Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
(205) 752-8444
www.houndstoothsportsbar.com
NIGHTLIFE
The Strip Located on University Blvd, The Strip is where it happens.
STAYING AN EXTRA NIGHT?
Paul W Bryant Museum Located on campus; it’s a shared piece of history and a must-see for Aggie fans.
300 Paul W. Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
(205) 348-4668
GETTING TO THE GAME
Crimson Ride Shuttle
The Crimson Ride offers a free ride to the game for all fans. For more information and to view the Crimson Ride routes and shuttle stops map, visit uagameday. com/football.
Downtown Shuttle
Three hours before game time, Tuscaloosa Transit will run buses from the Downtown Intermodal Facility located at 601 23rd Ave. The buses will remain running until 1 hour after the game. http://www.tuscaloosatransit.com/
crimsontidefootballshuttleservices/
University Mall Shuttle
Free car parking is available at the University Mall. A shuttle will run from this lot to the south end zone of Bryant-Denny Stadium for $10 round trip per person. Tuscaloosa Charter provides shuttle service.
For Visitors: Welcome to Aggieland!
Texas A&M University
Home of the Fightin’ Texas Aggies
Mascot: Reveille
Colors: Maroon & White
Chant: Gig’em, Whoop
Greeting: Howdy!
At Texas A&M, tradition is important. There are almost too many to count, but make sure you go to Midnight Yell, soon to be featured in an ESPN College GameDay commercial. On the eve of every football game beginning at (shocker) midnight, thousands of A&M fans gather at Kyle Field to practice their yells.
Lead by the Texas A&M Yell Leaders, the event draws thousands and often features special guests such as the Aggie football team. At one point, the cannon fires and a nice man in the stadium shuts off the lights, giving you and your date a chance to have that “special moment.” Singles who are left out spark up their lighters to find other singles. Tradition insists it’s a really a great way to meet that special someone.
Spence Park, located directly across the street fromKyle Field, is the hub of tailgating, although tailgaters also set up their tents at Reed Arena, and the George Bush Presidential Library. The H-E-B Kids Zone is located just outside Kyle Field and features inflatables and other activities, free of charge for the whole family.
While you’re by the stadium, be sure to visit the Reveille Graves. Each Reveille who has passed on is buried outside of the main entrance, with the scoreboard in view so they always know who is winning.
About two hours and forty minutes before kick off, a Kids’ Yell Practice is held near the Kids Zone followed by Spirit Walk when the football players and coaches walk through on their way to the stadium. Don’t miss March-In: the Fightin’ Texas Aggie
Band and Corps of Cadets, about 90 minutes before game time. If you didn’t attend Midnight Yell, game time may seem a little confusing. Or weird. Or both. First, Texas
A&M doesn’t have cheerleaders. Five students – three seniors and two juniors – are elected every year by the student body. Yell Leaders lead yells, not cheers. If you’re sitting toward the top and feel the stadium moving, it’s most likely from 80,000 fans swaying back-and-forth to the Aggie War Hymn, played by the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. After an Aggie victory, fans head over to Victory Yell on the steps of the YMCA building. It’s like an encore to Midnight Yell.
EATS
Pick up a copy of Insite’s Guide to Food & Fun at the MacResource Store in the Memorial Student Center and savor every tasty page.
Or visit InsiteBrazosValley.com/dining-guide for restaurants, menus, hours and maps to great, locally owned restaurants
Discounts
TasteofBCS.com
Sign up for this free rewards card online and earn points for Gift Certificates you can use at any of the locally owned Taste of B-CS restaurants.
365DealsForU.com
You might as well shop like a local with discount coupons on a wide variety of services.
GETTING TO THE GAME
Get to the Grid! Free shuttle service from the Post Oak Mall located on Harvey Rd. right off of Hwy 6
www.transport.tamu.edu
