Aggie Women - Bigger than the chip

National Champion Texas A&M Aggies definitely has a ring to it. While this was my first time witnessing my school win a national championship, it felt like we'd been here before. Our women showed the fight and tenacity inherent in people who have overcome something.Their triumph may have literally been basketball related; for me, it was symbolic of the past our university has had to (and continues to) overcome.

Here's a little A&M History for ya...

Founded in 1876, Texas A&M was an all-white all-male all-military school.



After a lot of debate and resistance, it wasn't until 1963 that women were allowed to officially enroll in the university. They were taunted as "Maggies" because they weren't considered real Aggies. (P.S. - this headline makes me think of.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUg7G3CPos0 )
These were...white women of course. It wasn't until the following year of 1964 that black students were allowed to enroll in the university.



This is where Seinfeld would add in a "yadda yadda". As in, "in the years to come there were lots of issues with diversity like racist cartoons in the school paper, discriminating practices by local businesses, yadda yadda".

Fast forward to 2011 when for one night, the country is recognizing Texas A&M as champions largely because of the work of African-American women. Women who, fewer than 50 years ago, would not have been allowed to enroll in the university.


I think that's pretty freaking special.

Gig 'Em (M)Ags.

xoxoRo