Welcome to the new Kyle Field by The Eagle Advertising Department

Welcome.

On Dec. 21, 2014, at 7:59 a.m., the west side of Kyle Field stood as a shell of its former self, stripped down to little more than concrete and steel beams and packed with 735 pounds of dynamite. Te xas A&M University officials in suits and maroon ties mixed with contractors in yellow vests and white hard hats as they stood nervously atop the west side parking garage a few hundred yards away from the stadium, tracking the time on their wristwatches. In a matter of seconds, 87 years of Aggie football memories from the west side would be kicked up in a cloud of dust and reduced to 150 million pounds of rubble. Seconds inched closer to an 8 a.m. detonation time. Just like every one of the 1,112 holes in the west side needed to be drilled for explosives with surgical precision to ensure a perfect takedown, the $485 million Kyle Field redevelopment project hinged on a series of crucial decisions that carried the project from one milestone to the next over the course of four years. Greg McClure, Kyle Field project manager for Manhattan-Vaughn Construction, said the pending implosion on that damp winter morning drew parallels to the entire project. Legacies and reputations were tied to each construction deadline from the demolition of the G. Rollie White Coliseum Aug. 21, 2013, to paint drying by Sept. 12, 2015, when the Aggies kick off against Ball State for the first home game in the new-look Kyle Field. The seconds came and went. A man in a suit shouted “10.” A handful of voices shouted “nine,” more than a thousand people on the lawn of Reed Arena caught on and joined in at “eight,” “seven,” “six,” “five...” “It had to be so well planned,” McClure said. “We hit that button when it was 7:59:59 a.m. and they said ‘fire.’” To defy the doubters and make the impossible a reality, timing was everything.

INSIDE KYLE FIELD: ‘A LEGACY PROJECT’

elcome home, Ags! While each football season brings an air of anticipation, the 2015 season will surely surpass any before it thanks to a $485 million Kyle Field redevelopment project. It is now the largest in the Southeastern Conference and ranks fourth in the country for college stadium capacity. Renovations include a new west side, decked-out-locker rooms, canopies, premium seating, stadium clubs, plush suites, enhanced wireless technology, a new sound system and much more. YELL LEADER

E. KING GILL Look for these bubbled numbers that correspond to the statues around the stadium. The images of each statue and a description of their locations may be found at the bottom of the page.



The state-of-the-art press box under the east side canopy welcomes up to 250 working journalists, including nationally televised networks. The new press box will not sway, as the old one did, during the Aggie War Hymn.

AS MANY WOMEN’S RESTROOMS AS BEFORE

1,300

AVERAGE NUMBER OF WORKERS ON SITE 1,100 DAY SHIFT 85 NIGHT SHIFT

120+

SUBCONTRACTORS

It would take more than 2,500 32-inch flat-screen TVs to match the size of the south end zone screen.

AGGIE BAND AND CORPS OF CADETS AGGIE WAR HYMN

 

BY THE NUMBERS

The large screen, the largest in a college stadium, is 47 feet high and 163 feet wide and uses 2,574,783 pixels to display images and instant replays.

3,538,000 MAN-HOURS TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT



18,376,800

The towers on each corner of the stadium replace the decades-old circular ramps. The towers are the main entrances, and escalators and elevators offer alternative routes to reach the top deck. The renovations added 16 elevators and 13 escalators to the stadium.

With new canopies installed on each side of the stadium, Aggie yells will be amplified, sending more noise down on the field.

POUNDS OF STRUCTURAL STEEL (9,188.4 TONS)

5,332,000

POUNDS OF REINFORCING STEEL (2,666 TONS)

1,606,250 FACADE BRICKS

2,777,600

FEET OF ELECTRICAL WIRING

5,952

GALLONS OF PAINT

1,308

STAIR STEPS IN SEATING AREA (109 FLIGHTS)

TOP 5

1,090

The following were the most popular items sold at concession stands during the 2014 season:

CELL PHONE ANTENNAS CONNECTING UP TO 100,000 CONCURRENT USERS

1. Souvenir soda cups 2. Bottled water 3. Jumbo hot dogs 4. Nachos 5. Popcorn

SPECIALTY ITEMS

Aggie Hot Dog Texas-raised beef barbecue Texas-grown fruits & preserves

KYLE FIELD

By Sam Peshek sam.peshek@theeagle.com



CHICKEN-FRIED HOT DOG

This stadium treat became a must-have for fans during their first visit to Kyle Field. Made using the Aggie-blend foot-long hot dog, this fried concoction includes jalapeno and sausage gravy and is set on a bed of crispy potato chips. Officials said chicken-fried hot dogs will be available this season at any concession stand with a deep fryer.

CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK BURGER

New this year is the half-pound chicken-fried chop steak burger with jalapeno cheese bites and brown gravy. The behemoth burger, designed by Chef David Picou, has been in the works since the middle of last football season. The burger will be sold in select areas during the first game and expand to other concession stands depending on how well it sells.

HIGH-END PRIVATE CLUBS

The Zone received an updated facade of brick in place of solid tan panels. The seating area remains relatively unchanged.

ATTENDANCE

HALL OF CHAMPIONS

The two screens on the north end of the field are 36 feet by 55 feet. The northeast screen was installed for the 2014 season; the screen in the northwest section is new for 2015.

JOHN DAVID CROW

102,733

The west side expansion includes a new Hall of Champions. The 30,000-square-foot facility will allow Aggie fans to immerse themselves in the history of Texas A&M sports with artifacts from the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Museum. Visitors will be able to explore a virtual trophy room, athletic records and a timeline of treasured highlight reels.

STADIUM CAPACITY

2014 STADIUM RECORD

110,633

OCT. 10 vs. OLE MISS



PREVIOUS ATTENDANCE RECORDS

BUY THE TICKET COMPARING PRICES

SECTION

BALL STATE (SEPT. 12)

ALABAMA (OCT. 17)

100s 200s 300s 400s CLUB LEVEL SUITES

$125 — 750 $85 — $145 $52 — $500 $55 — $175 $450 — $600 not available

$250 — $7,925 $295 — $700 $105 — $950 $140 — $1,020 $600 — $3,000 not available

SOURCES: StubHub.com, 12th Man Foundation NOTE: Prices are estimated value per ticket based on available tickets on Aug. 29.



2015

The Kyle Field

redevelopment project took 23 months and cost $485,000,000

1999



1979

Third deck installation on east and west sides: $22,800,000.

1967

Complete second deck on east and west sides $1,840,000

 1929

CORPS OF CADETS

Both can be found near the southeast tower

YELL LEADER Near the southeast tower

 AGGIE WAR HYMN | East side of stadium, installed in front of 12th Man offices in 2014

JOHN DAVID CROW The statue of A&M’s first Heisman Trophy winner is being relocated from the Bright Football Complex to the northwest corner of the stadium

SOURCES: Details and graphics for this report were compiled from articles in The Eagle, as well as information provided by the Texas A&M University System.

THE REVEILLE  MEMORIALS The remains of Reveille I-VII are buried at the north entrance to Kyle Field, where there is a miniature scoreboard within sight.

1954

1927

AGGIE BAND

90,079 vs. Nebraska 11/20/10 88,645 vs. Texas 11/24/11 88,253 vs. Texas 11/24/07 87,555 vs. Texas 11/23/01 88,645 vs. LSU 10/20/12

Construction of the Bernard C. Richardson Zone on the north side cost $32,900,000

THE SUITE LIFE The 101 new suites at Kyle Field offer fans the best of both worlds with indoor and outdoor seating. The TVs inside the suites are operated by a cell phone app that can be downloaded for Android and iPhone. Information about suites is available through the 12th Man Foundation.

1907

E. KING GILL Northeast corner of stadium grounds

101

NEW FAN SUITES

THE REVEILLE MEMORIALS

The following shows a range of estimated ticket prices for various sections at Kyle Field. The ticket prices are broken up between the cost to attend the home opener versus Ball State and the cost to attend the Alabama game, one of the most anticipated home games of the season.



14,462 LIGHT FIXTURES

1905

Wooden bleachers $312

Covered grandstand purchased from Bryan $650

Partial second deck on west side $346,000

East and north ends $259,692

Concrete stands $76,718

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS BY JORDAN OVERTURF AND DARREN BENSON | PHOTOS BY SAM CRAFT AND DAVE McDERMAND

A detailed look examining every nook and cranny of the new Kyle Field. D4-5

KYLE continues on D7

Since its earliest years as a fenced off area with some wooden benches to a concrete horseshoe, Kyle Field has undergone numerous changes and facelifts. The latest promises to put Kyle Field among the elite stadiums in the nation. Eagle photos/Cushing Memorial Library

Can you hear me now?

New technology promises fans will stay connected with bigger, louder game day experience In an era of collegiate and professional athletics where stadiums across the map are scaling back in size, Kyle Field developers knew they had to bring game day amenities that would put 102,733 fans in the seats and keep them coming back. “The desire was to have the coolest stadium in college football than any professional stadium,” 12th Man Foundation President Skip Wagner said. “The decision was made to not settle for less than the very best.” Winning on the field consistently is no longer enough. Game day experience for the fans is everything. For the small army of minds behind the Kyle Field redevelopment, it had to be loud, it had to keep fans connected to electronic devices and it had to be entertaining, but even more importantly,

SECTION INDEX • Meet the architect D3 • The stadium’s namesake • The $5 million-plus donors D3 • Iconic Eagle photo • ‘A Legacy Project’ D4 • Game day grub

intimidating. Architecture and design firm Populous run by Earl Santee mapped out the plan. To help the 12th Man rock on fall Saturdays, the stadium went from a fanned-out design to bowl-shaped. Canopies, which together are larger than the field itself, were added on the east and west sides to funnel in the noise and fans were moved closer to the sidelines. Populous Associate Principal Craig Kaufman said transitioning from the cluster speaker system to a surround-sound system to more than 1,000 individual speakers will distribute sound smoothly throughout the facility. Kaufman said each individual speaker will actually produce less sound, but together it will be louder than be-

D6 • Evolution of Kyle Field D9 • Q&A with John Sharp D10 • Built by Aggies

TECH continues on D3 D12 D14 D14

Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

September 12, 2015

Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

Best seat in the house: How to watch, listen and follow Aggie games ESPNU Channel 407

WTAW 1620 AM

Meet Earl Santee

AggieSports.com @aggie_sports

TECH

continued from D1 fore, effectively eliminating echoes. “With the old system you just cranked it as loud as you can from the south end,” Kaufman said. “A lot of the sound just bows out, but with this sys-

transport.tamu.edu/ parking/events/da

Aggies look to level up

The mind behind the‘most intimidating environment’ in college athletics Earl Santee’s architect firm has more than 2,000 projects to its name, but Kyle Field stands out for many reasons, including it’s the most extensive redevelopment of a college athletic facility in the United States. Ever. The legendary senior principal designer for Kansas City-based Populous said the massive undertaking — which took 23 months to complete — is the first stadium in history to be designed in response to demographic and market research. They spoke with 24,000-plus fans to get input on what they wanted in the stadium, including amenities, and the result was three clubs, multimillion dollar suites, four times as many women’s restrooms and better food. Santee, who prefers the title urban SANTEE designer to that of architect, is known around the globe as the premier sports designer. Among his efforts are roughly 20 big-league and another 40 or so minor league ballparks, including Yankee Stadium, the Twins’ Target Field, Pittsburgh’s PNC Park and Colorado’s Coors Field. His intuitiveness also created Yankee Stadium, Baylor University’s McLane Stadium on the Brazos riverfront, Target Field in downtown Minneapolis and the vibrant, headturning Marlin’s Park in Miami. That resume made Populous stand out from the crowd when A&M Chancellor John Sharp went looking for a stadium designer. “[Kyle Field’s] design embraces tradition, unifies the campus experience and communicates a powerful brand story,” according to Santee’s website. “The design team set out to create the best college football experience in America through architecture that conveys the prominence, strength and grandeur that has come to be associated with Texas A&M.” The result includes Aggieland now being home to the most technologically advanced stadium in the United States with the most advanced Wi-Fi and cell phone system of any sporting facility. Santee said he approached the Kyle Field redevelopment like many of his past projects by letting the spirit and culture of the location guide facility design. Some of his honors to date include being named Sports Business Journal’s Most Influential Person in Sports Facility Design and Development in 2004 and the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Sportsman of the Year.

Destination Aggieland app

New program allows donors to improve seating priority based off of contributions

Chief business development officer Phillip Ray leads media members on a tour of one of the new East Side suites at Kyle Field. These suites feature an indoor kitchen area and open up to the field. Sam Craft/The Eagle

New stadium offers suite life Luxurious amenities await Aggies looking for a unique game day experience at Kyle Field

The 102,733 maroon-clad fans of the 12th Man will be the focal point of the new-look Kyle Field Sept. 12, but the suite seats tucked inside the stadium behind glass are making waves. One-hundred-twenty-one suites throughout the stadium are taking game day luxury to a new level as part of the $485 million redevelopment. 38 Prime: For a campaign gift of $500,000, fans can take a luxurious seat on the 200, 400 or 500 levels of the west side.The Prime suites that are 525-square feet and 596-square feet in size have access to open air seating and glass that opens up to the field. Prime suite holders on the 200 level have access to an exclusive 4,000-square foot private lounge while Prime suite holders on the 400 and 500 levels have access to a 40,000-square footWest Club. 20 Legacy and 4 Super Legacy: Contingent upon donation amount, Legacy suite holders on the 400 and 500 levels between the 35-yard lines will have an enhanced game day experience with more leg room and accommodations than Prime levels.The 400 level Legacy suites boast 960 square feet of space, while 500 level suites have 596 square feet. Both levels will open up to the Legacy Club, a 12,000 square-foot private space within theWest Club.The Legacy Club will have all the amenities of theWest Club, plus premium food options and bar service.

12 Founders: The most luxurious level of suite seating obtained by the Kyle Field capital campaign’s “founding”donors, or those who contributed more than $5 million offer the best and most comfortable seats in the house.The 960-square-foot suites between the 20 yard lines will feature the highest-end finishes available, access to the Hall of Champions and an exclusive Founders Lounge. 20 East Side Suites: Indoor seating that opens up directly to the east side feature common kitchen and bathroom spaces in clusters and open up to the field. Suite holders and their guests have access to concession stands through the back end of the common space, allowing them to interact with fans who pass by from the student section. 7 Suites for Athletics and Academic officials:The Board of Regents, chancellor, president suites on the west side and four suites located in the east side press box for A&M athletic director, visiting athletic director, coaches families and other athletics officials will have a full, complete view of on-field action.

‘Founding donors’ of Kyle Field Aggies who donated at least $5 million toward stadium renovation project recognized

StuartVillanueva/Eagle file photo

tem, everyone is closer to a speaker and it doesn’t have to travel as long.” Video boards around the stadium and in the Hall of Champions will give fans a razor-sharp look at on-field action through a 47 foot by 164 foot south end video board, northwest and northeast boards both 36 feet by 55 feet and more than 1,200 feet of ribbon board. Kaufman

• Ashley‘88 and David L. Coolidge‘87 • Julia and Mark Ellis‘79 • Anne and David Dunlap‘83 • SuSu and Mark Fischer‘72 • Rhonda and Frosty Gilliam Jr.‘80 • Peggy‘82 and Dan Allen Hughes Jr.‘80 • Amy and Tim Leach‘82 • Dorothy and Artie McFerrin‘65 and Jeffrey McFerrin‘92 • Robyn‘89 and Alan B. Roberts‘78 • Kristi and John D. Schiller Jr.‘81 • Cathy and Clifton L. Thomas Jr.‘72 • April and Jay Graham ’92 • Zachry Group

Source: 12th Man Foundation; exact figures not available

said that at the opening of the second phase of construction, Kyle Field boasted more LED displays by pixel than any other collegiate facility in the country. The cellular data infrastructure outfitted by IBM-Corning is the first of its kind in athletic facilities. The new WiFi system will support 100,000 users simultaneously with 1.5 to 2 megabytes

of connection. Verizon and AT&T customers who are able to use their cellular devices on the network on game day will only see their connectivity improve as the season progresses. It should be almost two times more powerful then the second most advanced stadium WiFi system, which is at the San Francisco 49er’s Levi’s Stadium.

As a university that prides itself on the generosity of its former students, it makes sense that there’s a system in place to ensure that donors have the opportunity to be appreciated for their contributions. Operated through the 12th Man Foundation, Aggie donors have the ability to earn “points,” which foundation President and CEO Skip Wagner said are used to determine the seating priority for ticket holders, as well as priority ticket pulls for away and bowl games. Donors can accumulate points in a variety of ways, including: 4 points per $100 gift, 25 points for each year of consecutive giving, and 10 points for each ticket held by a season ticket holder. Buying two seat endowments results in 1,000 points. In order to “activate” the points, donors must have made a minimum $150 gift that year and be an active member of the 12th Man Foundation. The foundation currently has about 23,000 members. The massive renovation to Kyle Field saw many ticket-holders who had made contributions to the foundation’s endowment program over the years relocating from their previously held seats in an effort to help pay for the cost of the new stadium. While some ticket holders were upset with the move — leading to a handful of failed lawsuits — Wagner said that many have since accepted the decision. With a new season underway, Wagner said that the focus is squarely on what the expectations surrounding the team. “Everyone is excited about the season, and at this point, no one is really talking about the reseating,” Wagner said. “They’re talking football and that makes us happy.” — Steve Kuhlmann

STAFF

Crystal Dupre, publisher Kelly Brown, editor Darren Benson, managing editor Joshua Siegel, designer Geoff Moore, marketing consultant Contributors: Rob Clark, Steve Kuhlmann, Jordan Overturf, Sam Peshek

The total stadium package, Kaufman said, will make the Kyle Field game day experience unlike any other. “I think this had a huge effect on the stadium aesthetics and fan acoustic intimidation, in addition to providing shade for the students,” Kaufman said. — Sam Peshek

Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

September 12, 2015

Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

KYLE FIELD: ‘A LEGACY PROJECT’

E. KING GILL Look for these bubbled numbers that correspond to the statues around the stadium. The images of each statue and a description of their locations may be found at the bottom of the page.



 

AS MANY WOMEN’S RESTROOMS AS BEFORE

1,300

AVERAGE NUMBER OF WORKERS ON SITE 1,100 DAY SHIFT 85 NIGHT SHIFT

The large screen, the largest in a college stadium, is 47 feet high and 163 feet wide and uses 2,574,783 pixels to display images and instant replays.

120+

SUBCONTRACTORS

It would take more than 2,500 32-inch flat-screen TVs to match the size of the south end zone screen.

AGGIE BAND AND CORPS OF CADETS AGGIE WAR HYMN

BY THE NUMBERS

3,538,000 MAN-HOURS TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT



18,376,800

With new canopies installed on each side of the stadium, Aggie yells will be amplified, sending more noise down on the field.

POUNDS OF STRUCTURAL STEEL (9,188.4 TONS)

5,332,000

POUNDS OF REINFORCING STEEL (2,666 TONS)

1,606,250 FACADE BRICKS

2,777,600

FEET OF ELECTRICAL WIRING

5,952

GALLONS OF PAINT

1,308

STAIR STEPS IN SEATING AREA (109 FLIGHTS)

TOP 5

1,090

The following were the most popular items sold at concession stands during the 2014 season:

CELL PHONE ANTENNAS CONNECTING UP TO 100,000 CONCURRENT USERS

1. Souvenir soda cups 2. Bottled water 3. Jumbo hot dogs 4. Nachos 5. Popcorn

SPECIALTY ITEMS

Aggie Hot Dog Texas-raised beef barbecue Texas-grown fruits & preserves



CHICKEN-FRIED HOT DOG

CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK BURGER

LIGHT FIXTURES

HIGH-END PRIVATE CLUBS

The Zone received an updated facade of brick in place of solid tan panels. The seating area remains relatively unchanged.

ATTENDANCE

HALL OF CHAMPIONS

The two screens on the north end of the field are 36 feet by 55 feet. The northeast screen was installed for the 2014 season; the screen in the northwest section is new for 2015.

JOHN DAVID CROW

102,733

STADIUM CAPACITY

2014 STADIUM RECORD

110,633

OCT. 10 vs. OLE MISS

PREVIOUS ATTENDANCE RECORDS

BUY THE TICKET COMPARING PRICES

SECTION

BALL STATE (SEPT. 12)

ALABAMA (OCT. 17)

100s 200s 300s 400s CLUB LEVEL SUITES

$125 — 750 $85 — $145 $52 — $500 $55 — $175 $450 — $600 not available

$250 — $7,925 $295 — $700 $105 — $950 $140 — $1,020 $600 — $3,000 not available

SOURCES: StubHub.com, 12th Man Foundation NOTE: Prices are estimated value per ticket based on available tickets on Aug. 29.





2015

1999

1979

Third deck installation on east and west sides: $22,800,000.

1967

Complete second deck on east and west sides $1,840,000



Northeast corner of stadium grounds

Both can be found near the southeast tower

YELL LEADER Near the southeast tower

 AGGIE WAR HYMN | East side of stadium, installed in front of 12th Man offices in 2014

SOURCES: Details and graphics for this report were compiled from articles in The Eagle, as well as information provided by the Texas A&M University System.

JOHN DAVID CROW The statue of A&M’s first Heisman Trophy winner is being relocated from the Bright Football Complex to the northwest corner of the stadium

REVEILLE  THE MEMORIALS The remains of Reveille I-VII are buried at the north entrance to Kyle Field, where there is a miniature scoreboard within sight.

1954

1907

E. KING GILL

11/20/10 11/24/11 11/24/07 11/23/01 10/20/12

Construction of the Bernard C. Richardson Zone on the north side cost $32,900,000

1927

CORPS OF CADETS

90,079 vs. Nebraska 88,645 vs. Texas 88,253 vs. Texas 87,555 vs. Texas 88,645 vs. LSU

The Kyle Field redevelopment project took 23 months and cost $485,000,000

1929

AGGIE BAND

101

NEW FAN SUITES

THE REVEILLE MEMORIALS





14,462

1905

Wooden bleachers $312

Covered grandstand purchased from Bryan $650

Partial second deck on west side $346,000

East and north ends $259,692

Concrete stands $76,718

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS BY JORDAN OVERTURF AND DARREN BENSON | PHOTOS BY SAM CRAFT AND DAVE McDERMAND

Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

September 12, 2015

Dave McDermand/The Eagle

Edwin Jackson Kyle, class of 1899

Born: July 22, 1876 � Died: Dec. 26, 1963

dwin Jackson Kyle was a fixture on magazine by David Chapman. The stadithe Texas A&M campus for nearly um was unofficially known as Kyle Field, 50 years, first as a student, then as a and the Board of Directors confirmed it as member of the faculty. the official name in April 1956. Kyle’s father, Fergus, was a Civil War Kyle was the first dean of the School officer and state representative for three of Agriculture in 1911. He stepped down terms, according to the Texas State Historifrom his president position on the athletic cal Association. Fergus Kyle and Samuel council, but remained as a chairman for 24 Ealy Johnson, father of Lyndon Baines years. Johnson, co-sponsored the 1905 bill that Kyle’s influence as an educator went besecured the state’s ownership of the Alamo, yond the classroom. He wrote several textthus preserving the historic site. The town books and advocated agriculture education of Kyle, Texas, located between San Marto public schools and farmers. His research cos and Austin, was named for his family, on pecan trees played a crucial role in fosaccording to the TSHA. Edwin Jackson tering the pecan industry in Texas, accordKyle was of one of nine children. ing to Kyle Tough by Barbara Donalson. E.J. Kyle, class of 1899, served as senior In 1941, he toured countries in Central captain in the Corps of Cadets at Texas and South America as an agent of the A&M, and even stood in as interim comInter-American Affairs office, according to mandant for about three months. Kyle was the Texas State Historical Association, to Courtesy of Cushing Library observe the agricultural economy. the senior class president and valedictorian, according to his Distinguished Alumni President Franklin D. Roosevelt approfile. pointed Kyle as ambassador to Guatemala He returned to A&M in 1902 after completing further eduin 1945. His background in education and agriculture was such cation at Cornell University. He was hired onto the faculty at an asset that the Central American country awarded him with its A&M to teach horticulture classes at the college and conduct highest honor, The Order of the Quetzal. research at the agriculture experiment station, according to Kyle lived the rest of his life in Bryan, and died in 1963. The A Centennial History by Henry Dethloff. Kyle was also put in Victorian home he and his wife lived in after his retirement still charge of athletics. While head of the horticulture department stands on South Bryan Avenue. Five generations of the Kyle in 1904, he sectioned off a portion of campus allotted for his family have attended Texas A&M. One descendant is great-great experiments. grandson Pierce Hunter, class of 2010, who was Reveille VII’s Using his own funds, Kyle purchased lumber to build handler for the 2007-2008 academic year. bleachers, and later bought a covered grandstand from the Bryan fairgrounds, according to a 1996 article in the Texas Aggie � Compiled by Claire Heathman

September 12, 2015

KYLE

continued from A1 AGREE TO ONE THING Those who worked closest on the project say the discussion of renovating Kyle Field began in some circles as far back as 10 years ago, but only in the form of moderate changes. Talks progressed until an exploratory committee for the redevelopment of Kyle Field was formed in April 2011 by former Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin and co-chaired by the 12th Man Foundation’s Bob McClaren and Sam Torn. The committee’s original plan for a renovation called for a seating capacity increase from 82,600 to 92,000 and a west side renovation. The decision to leave old rivals behind in the Big 12 Conference in September 2011 changed the narrative. “When we knew the SEC was a done deal, that’s when we started on Kyle Field,” Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp said. Those talks accelerated in the fall of 2012 when the Aggies had unprecedented success their first year in the conference’s western division under the leadership of head coach Kevin Sumlin. Quarterback Johnny Manziel became a human highlight reel on his way to a Heisman Trophy, the first redshirt freshman ever to do so, and gave the team and the school a new level of exposure. On-field success translated to an off-field buzz among A&M alumni and administrators, which led the Texas A&M Board of Regents to appropriate $5 million for pre-construction services to begin Kyle Field redevelopment in the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The terms between Loftin and the committee were laid down. “I will do it if he would agree to one thing,” Torn said. “Let us build the finest stadium in the country. [Loftin] said, ‘As long as you can show me how to pay for it.” Before the 12th Man Foundation could hit the fundraising trail, they had to go to the drawing board to create stadium renderings. Architecture and design firm Populous and its team led by Senior Principal Earl Santee, McClure and Bill Vaughn, coowner of Vaughn Construction were brought in to paint a picture of the redevelopment.

“This is a legacy project. It was the best project I have ever been a part of. It was a labor of love for everyone involved, watching every decision.” JOHN SHARP Texas A&M System Chancellor

ART OF THE DEAL “We didn’t draw for three months,” Santee said. “All we did was listen.” Populous signed on to the project in April 2012 and listened to former students, Corps of Cadets representatives, administrators and Sumlin to find out what made Texas A&M tick and manifest it in a stadium. Santee, a University of Kansas graduate, said he was taken aback by A&M’s Core Value system of loyalty, integrity, excellence, leadership, respect and selfless service that each individual brought up in meetings. For the first time in the company’s history, Santee said, Populous let the market drive the design. “Those core values of Texas A&M is embodied in everybody you met,” Santee said. “We took those traditions and amplified them to where they would be known around the world during a game week.” The initial design presented by Populous to Sharp in December of 2012 showed a stadium that had a spiraling effect, with a canopy on one side, high school-style stadium lights on the other, one end zone that was higher than the opposite end and a seating capacity of 92,000 people. Sharp said the plan developed through designers and the Kyle Field development committee was an improvement, but it didn’t live up to the high expectations. “Why did they send me this,” Sharp recalled thinking to himself when he was handed the original proposal. “They wanted 92,000 and the fear was that you could never sell the tickets.” Based on A&M’s student body growth, Sharp said he felt confident expanding to

Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition The new Kyle Field will seat 102,733 fans — the highest in the Southeastern Conference and fourth in the nation. Sam Craft/The Eagle

D7 agree: the major 2014 and 2015 deadlines would not have been met if it was not for Sharp’s ability to make quick, informed decisions. “Ninety nine percent of that credit goes to the chancellor,” Ray said. “If he had been hesitant and didn’t allow our project committee to work, we wouldn’t have been able to present our pros and cons. He was consistent and timely in his decision-making. We didn’t have a prayer in making it without it. I presented him with some pretty challenging decisions and some pretty unexpected situations.” Without the decisiveness, Ray speculates that many of the bathrooms, concession areas, elevators, escalators, Wi-Fi data structures, electronics and finishes on the west side would not be complete for the Sept. 12 kickoff, leaving them vulnerable to “I told you so” comments from doubters. Ray said he and Sharp knew they rode a fine line through every step, particularly when it came down to the west side implosion. Dec. 21 was the date circled on the calendar earlier in 2014 for demolition, and if missed deadlines stacked up at any point, the next date available to conduct the implosion would not open up until January. Contractors were able to prep the west side for implosion during the season by making sure support beams were in place and breaking points were mapped out on the structure, keeping the second phase on track. A LEGACY PROJECT

The countdown, now years in the making, came to a critical mass at 8 a.m. Dec. 21, 2014 on the dot. Sharp completed the countdown and said, “We have ignition.” Texas A&M Interim President Mark Hussey, Adams, Thomas and Torn pressed down on a handle and the implosion was underway. A series of orange flashes of light zipped up the three center columns of Kyle Field’s west The west side of Kyle Field came down on Dec. 21, 2014 with the aid of 735 side, momentarily suspending pounds of dynamite. Visit TheEagle.com to watch the video. Sam Craft/The Eagle the structure in the air until the stadium collapsed inward on itself, shaking the ground below. 102,512. After a final tally cesses, but Phillip Ray, A&M On that contact list was donors that this is happening,” The crowd on top of the garage of seats in September 2015, System vice chancellor for busi- Frosty Gilliam, namesake of Dabney said. “The dominoes and at Reed Arena responded that total would turn out to ness affairs, said he wanted to Texas A&M’s indoor track started falling very fast. We with raised arms and “whoops” be 102,733 — making it the bring Manhattan-Vaughn’s con- complex and donor to other were in a situation where we The collapse sent a blast fourth largest stadium in the struction fee down from about A&M academic and athletic were getting a commitment of dust toward both crowds nation and the largest in the 1.3 to 1.4 percent to 1.2 percent endeavors. or more a week in excess of that hung in the air and slowly Southeastern Conference. of the project cost, equal to apThe team of Torn, Wagner a million dollars. As a staff settled on the shoulders on Texas A&M President Miproximately $3.575 million. and 12th Man Foundation Vice member you sat back and said representatives of every party chael Young, who arrived in Discussions between the President for Major Gifts Travis Texas A&M isn’t some sleepy involved, from the 12th Man College Station in May 2015 companies and the system to Dabney and a handful of others university next to the Brazos after three years at the Univernail down a percentage contin- held conversations with Gilliam River. It is a giant and there are Foundation, A&M administration, athletics officials, contracsity of Washington, said the ued through the winter. Ray in Odessa, but there was one no limits.” tors, donors and fans. increase in seating capacity is said he told Sharp earlier in the hurdle that had to be crossed in The center column shattered a testament to the spirit of the year he would have the final order to get donors on board. CRUNCH TIME within 12 feet of Wellborn student body. percentage in by Christmas “They were all shocked we Road, exactly like the demoli“Most schools are actually Day, and he followed through were going to take on such an In May 1968, Phil Adams tion team said it would. shrinking in size and very few with an 11th hour unorthodox aggressive timeline,” Dabney and Cliff Thomas showed up Greg McClure gave a fist that I’m aware of can get more push to seal the deal. said. for the first day of camp for pump and high-fived Torn, than 30,000 students out to Ray called Vaughn on ChristBut Gilliam said he had faith an Aggie football team led by who seconds after detonation a game,” Young said. “It’s that mas Eve to come to his office so in the 12th Man team after Gene Stallings, one of Paul still had his gaze fixed in the kind of stuff you can’t really put they could agree on a price and working with it on similar cam- “Bear” Bryant’s Junction Boys. a price on.” finalize the agreement. With paigns before, but nothing of Kyle Field’s capacity at the time billowing dust cloud. It was a reaffirming moment for all that The Kyle Field think tank little time to spare, Ray said he Kyle Field’s magnitude. was 48,000. the impossible was well within found help from Sumlin to give would leave his office and meet “I knew what we had done Almost 45 years to the day, the brainstorming process an Vaughn outside. Ray said he at Blue Bell Park and there was on May 1, 2013, the two sat on reach. Trucks hauled away the deextra kick. hopped into Vaughn’s truck, a little reservation, but we had the Board of Regents, Adams as bris over the course of 30 days “Kyle Field was already excalled McClure at his home Sam [Torn] in charge and we chairman and Thomas as vice and the daily grind of planning tremely impressive and a tough and put him on speakerphone knew it would get done,” Gilchairman. They stared down place to play,” Sumlin said. “Just so the three could talk inside liam said. item number 12 on the agenda, continued. Ray, Sharp, McClure and the redevelopment do the impossible and make the cab. Gilliam said he and his wife, which called for adding the committee pulled together Kyle Field an even more intimi“I got in his truck with him Rhonda, slept on the decision Kyle Field renovation to the during the second phase of dating venue than it already is.” and I said I wasn’t going anyafter a presentation from the 2013-2017 fiscal year capital the redevelopment through a With a more intimidating where until we got it finalized,” 12th Man and prayed together plan. Kyle Field envisioned, Santee Ray said. “There was some about whether to make the fi“Neither one of us imagined record-breaking 9.37 inches rainfall in May 2015. The big consulted with Sharp again. pretty straight-forward talk and nancial commitment. sitting in the board room getdecisions gradually gave way “He would ask us, ‘What we hammered it out.” Dabney made an eight-hour ting to make that decision,” to a series of smaller ones. An are we missing,’” Santee said. Ray said it took almost two drive from Fort Worth to Adams said. ”Back then we “‘What more do you want to hours inside the cab of Vaughn’s Odessa to meet with Gilliam at were just trying to survive two- extra $35 million donation announced the day of the imdo?’ He pushed us. We look for truck to negotiate the construc- his offices in April 2013. When a-days.” plosion enabled the enhanceclients like that to find out what tion fee down to 1.2 percent. Dabney arrived, he said Gilliam Some of the major players ment some finer points of the the product will look like.” McClure said he hung up the looked across a table at him, brought onto that project up project, such as seat backs and The new stadium design that phone, looked at this wife, and asked serious questions to find to that point over the last two emerged from those conversashouted, “We got it.” out if the project was going years were in the room, waiting suite finishes. A new west side stadium tions is considered to be the Ray said he sent a text mesto live up to its promises and for a decision from the regents. most pivotal moment of the sage to Sharp telling him the signed an agreement, becom“That was the most nervous I emerged from where the debris redevelopment project. good news. ing the first major donor to the had ever been in my life,” Sharp used to be. Steel frames made way for concrete, concrete made Fans were moved closer to “Phillip is about as tough of a project. Gilliam’s contribution said. “Every contractor said the field and the field was lownegotiator as I have ever seen,” was the proof the Board of Re- there is no way you can build a way for seats, suites, glass, video ered seven feet, the press box Sharp said. gents needed to give the renostadium in that amount of time. ribbons, replay screens, stadium lights and audio systems. Crews moved from the west to the east vation a green light. I stayed nervous for a year.” rolled down a fresh layer of side and a second canopy was NO LIMITS “Closing on that gift and Regents approved the initial grass, drew field lines and erectadded to channel in the noise the launch it provided us was $450 million plan, which inof 102,733 fans and amplify The baton was passed on to monumental,” Dabney said. “I cluded 51 percent of funds from ed goal posts so Sumlin and his team could fit in a practice in the sounds of surround speakthe 12th Man Foundation in will never forget the drive there annual seat licenses, 27 percent ers. Each side was brought up 2013 to prove to the Board of or back. It was the fastest eight- from Kyle Field Campaign gifts, the stadium on Aug. 22. For Sharp, the x-factor was to the same height to create an Regents it could raise donor hour drive of my life.” 17 percent from Texas A&M even, rounded bowl-shape field money for the project despite For the Gilliams, the renova- student fees and 5 percent from everyone involved in the project wore an Aggie Ring — and that brought the entire stadium its ambitious timeline. The tion project was never a hard local government agencies. together. pitch to potential donors was to sell. The project was a go and the there were too many of them to count. Former students With the design phase com- start major redevelopments on “We were excited and honrace against the clock began. drummed up donations, gave plete, the next step was to bring the east side of Kyle Field after ored to be able to do our part Almost immediately after a money themselves, helped dein a contractor to turn it into a the end of the 2013 season, de- financially, which wasn’t much 51-41 victory over Mississippi sign, construct, tear down the real structure. molish the west side at the end when you think about the big State on Nov. 9, 2013, crews Vaughn and McClure attend- of the 2014 season and have the scope of the project,” Gilliam ripped up the grass and the ren- stadium and build it back up. “This is a legacy project. It ed Texas A&M together in the stadium open to play football said. “We think it is going to be, ovation was officially underway. was the best project I have ever early 1990s, graduated one year by fall of 2015. as Sam [Torn] put it, a destina- From that point on, Ray overbeen a part of,” Sharp said. “It apart and worked together at The 12th Man Foundation tion stadium that is going to saw a 30-person project team was a labor of love for everyone Manhattan Construction their worked around the clock to es- build memories for Aggies for that met weekly and a smaller first six months out of college. tablish a contact list and devel- years to come, and we wanted team that met more frequently involved, watching every deciThe pair of A&M grads stayed op a plan to land commitments to be a part of it.” to discuss important milestones sion. There was a whole bunch of Aggies involved in it. I do not in touch even after Vaughn quickly. For a minimum donaFor Torn, it didn’t matter on the project to ensure every think another school has the left Manhattan. Prior to 2012, tion of $5 million, contributors if donations were $25 or $25 deadline was met. dedication among their former Vaughn Construction had a to the Kyle Field campaign million. According to Ray, 50 main 16-year history constructing would be placed in one of the “Our desire wasn’t to do a contractors, many of them with students in order to keep this on schedule.” buildings for A&M, including “Founders Suites.” hard sell,” Torn said. “It was to their own subcontractors, had Each steady advancement tothe renovated Memorial StuThe proposal to every donor awaken a sleeping giant. We to be on the same schedule at ward the stadium’s debut Sept. dent Center. level, according to 12th Man knew people had a passion for all times. If one small project “There was no doubt they Foundation President Skip Texas A&M. We knew we had was set back a day, there would 12 allowed those who gave their time, money and sometimes would be involved somehow,” Wagner, was simple. favorable economic conditions. be a chain reaction of delayed “ungodly” work hours the time McClure said of Vaughn’s “What I told them and what We had a once-in-a-lifetime dates that would inevitably relationship with A&M. “We I believe to be true, is college phenomenon.” work against them near the end. to reflect on how far they had come without ever letting up. realized our companies were athletics for many people in the Starting with Gilliam’s comRay would compile reports “With enough planning and identical, so we meshed tocountry is the view into Texas mitment in April 2013, Torn from the committee and give expertise, anything is possible gether easily.” A&M, and the better our footsaid Founders Suites raised Sharp options with his own Up until December 2012, ball team is the more games are over $100 million and Legacy recommendation to make a de- and that’s what I’ve told everythere were conversations and shown nationally, and the more Suites, one tier below the cision. Then, he would present body the whole time,” McClure preliminary agreements beopportunities we will have to Founders, raised $35 million Sharp each scenario after meet- said. “We knew exactly what tween the companies about tell our story,” Wagner said. “In dollars, exceeding their original ing with his committees. Sharp had to happen and we just had to get everybody to fall in line. I merging for the massive renova- the end, the whole university is capital campaign goal. would often make a decision don’t know if anybody will ever tion project. The A&M System going to benefit based on what “When that transpired, during that meeting, Ray said. went through its bidding prohas been put into this stadium.” that said to our staff and other Contractors, designers and Ray try to replicate this.”

Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

September 12, 2015

How we got here

Eagle file photo

What started as wooden bleachers in 1905 has become a 102,733-seat palace. See how it has grown: D12-13

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Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

September 12, 2015

Menu additions boast new takes on old favorites Culinary creations by Levy Restaurants and executive chef David Picou help make game days great at Kyle Field Legacy Club

CHILI SPICED SMOKED PRIME RIB AND WILD MUSHROOM RAGOUT Served on a French baguette, topped with caramelized onions, roasted piquillo pepper aioli, shredded pepper jack cheese and sweet tomato jam accompanied by roasted potato wedges and garlic chive butter CHEF CARVED 12#AGGIE DOG Served on a brioche bun, topped with shredded brisket, Shiner beer cheese, hatch chilies andTexas sweet onions accompanied by roasted potato wedges and garlic chive butter SHRIMP AND CRAB REMOULADE ON BRIOCHE Cool and spicy gulf shrimp and lump crabmeat served on a buttered and toasted brioche roll with crispy pickled carrot slaw, accompanied by roasted potato wedges and garlic chive butter

North, East and Prime Suites

PORT BRAISED 44 FARMS SHORT RIBS With cellar vegetables CHILLED CREOLE BLACKENED SHRIMP Jumbo shrimp with a zesty lemon remoulade and charred tomato cocktail sauce

Founders and Legacy Suites

CRABMEAT CHEESECAKE Savory cheesecake with lump crabmeat and spiced saltine cracker crust GRILLED AND CHILLED FILET MIGNON PLATTER 44 Farms beef tenderloin served with artichoke pesto, gourmet mustard, baby arugula, heirloom tomatoes and mini rolls British Petroleum Houston

All American Club and Zone Club:

PECAN SMOKED PORK SHOULDER Served on an onion roll, topped with Dr Pepper BBQ sauce or Whoop & Yell BBQ sauce and sweet onion slaw with kettle chips NACHO PAPAS - BBQ CHICKEN OR PORK NACHOS With queso sauce, pickles-onion relish, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, jalapeno peppers and Dr Pepper BBQ sauce with fried onions served on potato wedges

Concessions

FOOT LONG VERSUS DOG (Victory Street Concessions) Choose your favorite team! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Slovacek foot long dog â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aggie half topped with smoked pork, bbq sauce and fried onions and the Ball State half topped with corn and sweet tomato relish BARBACOA BURRITO CONE (Midnight Yell Cantina) Shredded beef, Dr Pepper BBQ sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and salsa AGGIE BURGER (E. King Grill) Grilled burger topped with fries, hearty chili and shredded cheddar cheese served on a fresh roll CHEESEBURGER FRIES (E. King Grill) Cone of fries topped with ground beef, shredded cheddar, lettuce, tomato and a pickle onion relish

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Compiled by Sam Peshek

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MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS

Dynamic Systems, Inc. is proud to be a part of the Kyle Field Redevelopment Project. W Hotel Austin

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September 12, 2015

Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

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CELEBRATE THE REOPENING OF

KYLE FIELD september 11-13, 2015 FirEwOrKs â&#x20AC;¢ Music â&#x20AC;¢ stAdiuM tOurs de a l a .kylefiel . om

schedule of events

All Even F ee & Open o he P bl ex ep he Game

featuring

RELIEN TK

friday, september 11 3:00 P.M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Statue Rededication/Unveiling (KYLE FIELD,WEST SIDE) 10:30 P.M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gates open for Yell Practice (KYLE FIELD, EAST SIDE) MIDNIGHT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Yell Practice Honoring America (KYLE FIELD, EAST SIDE)

saturday, september 12 7:00 A.M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tailgating (VARIOUS CAMPUS LOCATIONS) NOON â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Music played by Disc Jockey begins (SIMPSON DRILL FIELD) 1:15 P.M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Performance by Relient K (SIMPSON DRILL FIELD) 2:45 P.M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Performance by Pat Green (SIMPSON DRILL FIELD) 3:30 P.M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Yell Practice (THE ASSOCIATION OF FORMER STUDENTS) 3:45 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Spirit Walk (THE ASSOCIATION OF FORMER STUDENTS)

4:00 P.M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GATES OPEN AT KYLE FIELD

PAT GREEN

saturday, sept. 122

4:30 P.M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Corps Step-off/March-in

6:00 P.M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; KICK-OFF AGAINST BALL STATE

sunday, september 13 2:00-5:00 P.M. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kyle Field Open House Free Admission TO THE WEST SIDE OF KYLE FIELD - TOUR THE HALL OF CHAMPIONS AND ALL AMERICAN CLUB AND VIEW THE FIELD FROM THE WEST SIDE

DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T MISS THE GLOBAL TAILGATE Texas A&M invites students, former students and fans across the globe to join us in tailgating virtually before the reopening of Kyle Field!

THE GOAL TO SET THE RECORD FOR THE "WORLDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LARGEST TAILGATE!" Join and get the chance for your Aggie tailgate to be shown on the video boards at Kyle Field!

Register your tailgate prior to midnight on September 10th at .kylefiel . om Regardless of location and time differences, once your tailgate begins on September 12th, tweet photos using the hashtag #KyleF el

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Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

September 12, 2015

Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

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The evolution of one of the country’s most storied college football stadiums 1904: Edwin Jackson Kyle, Aggie class of 1899 and head of the horticulture department and athletics, designated land for a football field.

1905: Kyle purchased wooden benches for $312. In its first game on the field, A&M defeated HoustonYMCA, 29-0, on Oct. 7.

1907: Kyle purchased grandstands from the Brazos County fairgrounds to replace the wooden benches, at a cost of $650. Capacity: 500 seats.

1996: A&M played its first home game as a member of the Big 12 on Sept. 21, a win over NorthTexas.

1915: A&M won its first game against Texas at Kyle Field, 13-0. A year later, Aggies branded the score on the Longhorn mascot.

1999: The Bernard C. Richardson Zone was completed on the north side of Kyle Field at a cost of $32.9 million. Capacity: 82,600 seats.

1999: AfterThe Zone’s completion, the graves of Reveille I-V were moved to a spot in the Zone Plaza. A small scoreboard was placed outside the stadium so the mascots could“see”the game score.

1999: After the Bonfire collapse that killed 12 Aggies on Nov. 18, Aggies filled the stadium on Nov. 25 for Midnight Yell Practice. A&M won the following day, beatingTexas in an emotional 20-16 win. 2001:The“Red,White and Blue Out” game was held on Sept. 22. Fans wore T-shirts to represent the American flag in tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

1927: The first concrete stadium was built, starting with the west side, at a cost of $76,718.84. 1929:The east and north ends of the stadium were added, creating the horseshoe first deck, at a cost of $259,692.68. Capacity: 35,000 seats.

1944: Reveille,Texas A&M’s first mascot, died and was buried at the north entrance of Kyle Field.The Reveille graves were moved to Cain Park in 1997 for the construction ofThe Zone.

2006:The video scoreboard was upgraded to an LED screen, and ribbon boards were added around the bottom of the second decks.

1937: President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke to 20,000 people at Kyle Field on May 11. 2010: A&M’s attendance record reached 90,079 on Nov. 20, in a 9-6 victory over Nebraska.

1946: Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, commander of the Allied Forces in Europe, was the keynote speaker at Muster at Kyle Field.The event honored Aggies who died during WorldWar II.

1996:The Astroturf was replaced with a grass field. 1995: A&M played its final Southwest Conference home game, a 16-6 loss toTexas, and the end of a 31-game home win streak that started in 1990.

1953: A portion of a second deck and the press box were built on the west side of the stadium, at a cost of $346,000. Capacity: 41,500 seats. 1956: Though the stadium had been known as Kyle Field, the A&M Board of Directors made it the official name.

1981:The 16-foot tall block letters spelling out “Kyle Field”were added to the back of the press box on the west side. 1967: A second deck was added to the east and west side of the stadium, at a cost of $1.84 million. Capacity: 48,000 seats.

1970:The natural grass field was replaced with Astroturf.

1979:The third decks were added to the east and west sides of the stadium at a cost of $22.8 million. A new press box is built atop the west side. Capacity: 72,000 seats.

1980:The 12th Man Statue, honoring E. King Gill, class of 1924, was added at the north entrance of Kyle Field.

2011: A&M played its final home game as a member of the Big 12 on Nov. 24, a 27-25 loss toTexas.

Eagle file photos and courtesy of Cushing Memorial Library and Texas A&M athletics

2012:The FirstYell concert moved from Reed Arena to Kyle Field, featuring Aggie singersongwriters Robert Earl Keen, RickTrevino and Granger Smith.

2015:The second phase is complete for the Sept. 12 home opener. Capacity: 102,733 seats.

2014: A new 12-foot, 1,700-pound 12th Man Statue was unveiled on the northeast corner outside the stadium on Sept. 5. Other statues unveiled included monuments to the Aggie Band, Corps of Cadets, yell leaders, and the “War Hymn”monument, which depicts students“sawing varsity’s horns off.”

2012: A&M played its first home game in the Southeastern Conference on Sept. 8, a 20-17 loss to Florida.

2013:The first phase of the $485 million redevelopment began in November.

2013:The FirstYell concert brought Aggies Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovett together on stage, along with Grammy winners Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell.

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Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

September 12, 2015

Kyle Field is the home of the 12th Man. The Eagle — home to MyAggieNation. MyAggieNation.com, a website created for Aggies by Aggies, has the latest news, sports and entertainment coming out of Aggieland. The site features rich photo galleries and chronicles campus building history, traditions, the Corps of Cadets and the Fightin’Texas Aggie Band.There also is an exclusive year-by-year analysis of A&M football, going all the way back to 1894. MyAggieNation is part of the Bryan-College Station Eagle, which, by the way, opened its doors more than five years before the first A&M football game. Like the university itself, the newspaper expanded its offerings over the years as technology evolved. The result is that The Eagle covers every aspect ofTexas A&M through a variety of channels, including: • The MyAggieNation radio show: Broadcast live fromThe Eagle newsroom every weekday from 2 to 4 p.m., the show covers

everything related to Aggie athletics with journalists who have been coveringTexas A&M for decades, mixed with those new to the beat. Listen for interviews with coaches and players, in-depth analysis, recruiting news and more. And the daily High School Report keeps you posted on all the prep action. • Game Day coverage:There’s no place with more coverage of Aggie football thanThe Eagle’s Game Day, published every game weekend. Look for previews, player profiles, insights from experts, Jackie Sherrill’s keys to the game and Robert Cessna’s picks for which team has the edge. After the game, be sure to catch all the highlights and Cessna’s “Grading the Aggies,” along with photos and a quarter-by-quarter review. And don’t miss our photo galleries on aggiesports.com. • The Eagle app: Available for iPhone and Android,The Eagle’s

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Q&A with John Sharp: TexasA&MUniversitySystemChancellor,Classof’72 The Eagle: You said early on that you wanted to build the greatest venue in the history of College Station football. Does Kyle Field now meet that expectation for you. Tell us about that. Sharp: Yes. It is the finest college sports venue in this nation. From the seating to the suites, to the food, to the unique Wi-Fi — it is the best there is in this country. Teams, including pro teams, are visiting Kyle Field every week and they are stunned. The Eagle: You’ve described Kyle Field as being the megaphone to capture the attention of researchers, professors and students who might not otherwise have given A&M a deeper look. How does Kyle Field work as a recruiting tool and can you give examples of where it pulled a partnership to A&M’s side of a deal? Sharp: The publicity about Kyle Field is on the lips of every person we talk to. No one outside of athletics comes here solely for Kyle Field. However, Kyle Field represents the excellence we strive for in everything. Sports, particularly football, gets people to look at us, and when people look at Texas A&M, they are many times shocked out what they see. Numerous times I have helped recruit people and after second or third days here they always say, ‘Wow I had no idea.’ The Eagle: Take us back to when you first decided Kyle Field needed major renovations? Do you remember when that was and what your thought process was at the time? Sharp: Yes, the Regents were making it clear four years ago they wanted to renovate Kyle. We were moving to the SEC at the time.

mas and the Christmas [before]. Within Manhattan/Vaughn and their subcontractors are a lot of Aggie Rings! They weren’t gonna let us fail!

Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp compares the suites at Kyle Field to those of professional stadiums and arenas. Sam Craft/The Eagle

When I began seeing how big the renovation was going to be and how tight the timeline was, I was very nervous (to say the least) since the chancellor builds all buildings in the system. It looked bigger than I bargained for, at first. The Eagle: What, in your opinion, needed the most work at Kyle Field - the biggest overhaul? Sharp: Everything except the Zone! there were not enough women’s restrooms, the Wi-Fi system was not good.

of the North End Zone. The west side was much higher than the east side and no canopy was on the east side. It looked horrible. With Populous and the Regents, we made it symmetric and turned it into the bowl it is now. Plus we did it without costing a dime more. The Aggie Network would not have liked the first plan and it is now the most beautiful in the country.

The Eagle: When you announced the project and gave the timeline for fundraising and construction, some doubted that either would meet the The Eagle: What was the thought- deadline. Here you are — on schedprocess behind scrapping the first ule and on target with the cost and draft of the architecture plans for the completion of the largest construcrebuild, and then working persontion project ever in Brazos County. ally with the architect to come up How’d you do that? with the final plan? Clearly, the first Sharp: Phillip Ray and Russ Walrenderings weren’t what you had in lace are the two of the best employmind. ees I have ever had. They accepted Sharp: The plan Bowen Loftin no change orders, and demanded gave me to build was inferior. First, excellence and performance. In adit seated only 92,000 instead of the dition, Manhattan/Vaughn were the 102,733 we have now. The south best partners we could have had. end zone was one-fourth the height They took off two days! Last Christ-

The Eagle: The suites seemed to remain unchanged over the past few decades and now they look like something you’d see at the Toyota Center in Houston. Compare what Kyle Field had to what’s in place now. Sharp: No comparison! This is eye-popping stuff! These Ags paid a lot of money to build Kyle and their suites are the best! But we didn’t stop there. The Hall of Champions and the finish work all over Kyle Field is spectacular. All our fans will have the best there is. The Eagle: What has been the reaction to the renovated stadium from the football players and Coach Sumlin? Sharp: Awesome! But wait until the noise starts! Lowering the field seven feet, completing the bowl and the two sound canopies will make it deafening and intimidating. I can’t wait to see the faces of Ags when they walk in. Of all the projects I have done, this is the best. The Eagle: What’s your favorite part of the renovated stadium? Sharp: Hall of Champions and women’s restrooms. Because now the women won’t call me to complain anymore! The Eagle: What else do you want to mention that I haven’t brought up? Sharp: This is for generations of Ags past, and generations of Ags to come. It is our home. It is where we celebrate the pride of being Texas Aggies.

Kyle Field builders: A match made in Aggieland When it came time for the Texas A&M System Board of Regents to hire a construction company to redevelop Kyle Field, it seemed a natural fit to go with the team of ManhattanVaughn: They already had built two of the state’s most popular sports venues — AT&T Stadium in Arlington and NRG Stadium in Houston. And the leaders of each company — Greg McClure, vice president for Manhattan Construction Group; Bill Vaughn, co-owner of Vaughn Construction — are Aggies who forged a friendship while attending Texas A&M. The construction partners also were the lowest bidders for the project. Chancellor John Sharp said they provided the best value bid of 1.2 percent, meaning the system paid Manhattan-Vaughn Construction a fee of $3.575 million. It was almost $8 million less than the highest bidder. McClure said at the time that the size of the project allowed the company to provide the lowest bid. He graduated from A&M in 1990, one year before Vaughn. “It is going to be so fast and require so much work on various fronts on the stadium; it’s going to take quite a few people,” McClure said after winning the bid in December 2012. “When you have the need for that many people, it just makes sense to bring in a partner. And when your partner is your friend it makes it even better.” One of the most critical moves came when Sharp pushed for making the stadium symmetrical by building a true bowl. At the same time, the construction companies and architect firm — Populous — each had to bring the facility up to standards. Some parts of the facility date back to 1927; every few decades the football field that opened almost 90 years ago would see an upgrade of sorts. “For Aggies to get to come home and build your home stadium, it’s just something you never imagine you’ll get to do,” McClure said. Manhattan Construction Group is the premier football stadium construction company in Texas and Vaughn Construction has a 19-year, $500 million-plus history with A&M projects. Vaughn Construction renovated the Memorial Student Center a few years ago. It has built the Mitchell Physics building, the Jack E. Brown engineering building and the West Campus Garage.

Kyle Field College Station, TX

WELCOME HOME!

Congratulations to Texas A&M University, the 12th Man Foundation, students and former students on the redevelopment of Kyle Field. Your new home will honor your traditions, celebrate your legacy and transform the way the entire nation experiences college football.

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Kyle Field: Commemorative Edition

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Many people had a hand Ameritex Flag & Flagpole, LLC in completing renovation is proud to have been a part of the Kyle More than 120 different companies took part in rebuilding Kyle Field, according to Phillip Ray, vice president for business affairs at the Texas A&M University System. Here’s the list: • AAR Incorporated • ACO Mechanical, Ltd. • Advanced Environmental Concepts, Inc. • AIM Paving & Construction, LLC • AlamoTile & Stone • AmericanTerrazzo Company, Ltd. • Ameritex Flag & Flagpole, LLC • AmpThink • Analytical Management Solutions • Apache Industrial Painting • ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems US, Inc. • AT&T • Austin Environmental • Baer Engineering/Consulting • Baker Drywall Dallas, Ltd. • Batten Drilling, Inc. • Beck Steel, Inc. • Big Ass Solutions • Brazos Paving, Inc. • BrazosValley Recycling • Britt Rice Electric, L.P. • Burnside Services, Inc. • Byrne Metals Corporation • Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd. • Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd. - DMG Masonry, Ltd. • Campos Engineering • Carolina Green • Carrco Painting Contractors, Inc. • Carroll Systems • Centennial Moisture Control, Inc. • Chatham/Worth Specialites, Inc. • Clair Brothers Audio Systems, Inc. • Cleary-Zimmermann • CMC Rebar • ComNet

• Concrete Preservation • ConvergintTechnologies, LLC. • Corning • Crown Castle NG Central, Inc. • Custom Manufacturing and Polishing, Inc. • CWI structural steel by Oscar • Daktronics, Inc. • Decocrete, Inc. • Derr Steel Erection • DMCA, Inc. • Door Pro Systems • Dynamic Systems, Inc. • Enterprise Precast Concrete, Inc. • Evan Fall Protection, Inc. • Facility Solutions Group, Inc. • Firesafe of Houston, Inc. • Floyd’s Glass Company • Fraire’s Rebar, Inc. • Garrett Mechanical, Inc. • Gerdau Ameristeel US, Inc. • GreenTeams, Inc. • Griesenbeck Architectural Products, Inc. • Harmon Sign, Inc. • Hayward Baker, Inc. • Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc. • Hirschfeld Industries • Howard-McKinney, Inc. • IBM • Ideal Finishes, Inc. • Impact Fire Services • Irwin Seating Company • Jennings Glass Contractors • Johnson Controls, Inc. • JTB Services, Inc. • Keenan, Hopkins, Schmidt & Stowell Contractors, Inc. • Kelly Burt Dozer, Inc. • Kone, Inc. • KPost Company • Latta Construction-Texas, LLC • LCR Contractors, Inc. • Lindamood Demolition, Inc. • Manhattan Construction Company • Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. • Mayco Building Systems, Inc.

Field Expansion Project.

• Merit Professional Coatings, Inc. • Metroclean • MM Systems Corporation • NOW Specialties, Inc. • Overhead Door Company of South Central Texas • PBK Sports • Performance Contracting, Inc. • Perry & Perry Builders, Inc. • Precast Services, Inc. • Precision Pavement Maintenance, LLC • Prestige Interiors Corporation • Pro Steel Erectors, Inc. • Project Controls / Raba Kistner • ProMedia • R P LeeTermite & Pest Control • Raba Kistner • Rainier Industries, Ltd. • RiceWalker • Risner Naukam Design Group, Inc. • Siemens • Sigma Marble and Granite - Houston • Southern Bleacher Company, Inc. • Spectra Contract Flooring • SSR • Standard Automatic Fire Enterprises • STL Engineers • Supreme Roofing Systems •Techniquex Specialty Flooring, Inc. •Texacon General Contractors •Texas Curb Cut, L.P. •Texas IAQ Specialists, Inc. •The Anchor Group, Inc. •ThorntonTomasetti •Vaughn Construction •Verizon •VisionTechnologies •W.R. Meadows ofTexas •Walker Engineering, Inc. •Wireless Services •World Dynamics, LLC •Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon,Williams, Inc. •Yinzcam

A&M’s history celebrated with Hall of Champions

Kyle Field was developed to change the future of Texas A&M athletics, but the cavernous Hall of Champions inside the stadium’s west side will preserve its past. The 30,000-square-foot facility will allow Aggie fans to immerse themselves in the history of all Texas A&M sports with artifacts from the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Museum, plus 20 graphic displays. Visitors to the Hall of Champions will be able to explore a virtual trophy

room, athletic records and a timeline of treasured highlight reels. Craig Kaufman, senior architect and principal with stadium designer Populous, said a virtual locker room where fans can design a football uniform, put their own name and number on it and tweet them out has all the makings of a game day favorite. “The Hall of Champions is probably the feature I’m most looking forward to,” Kaufman said. “It will have all the ele-

ments of traditional hall of fames, but adds on unique displays never [before] seen.” Fans approach the west side of the stadium on Victory Street will have the opportunity to take part in the tailgate experience without having to worry about hauling around gear. Victory Street Dining will be open before, during and after games to serve fans food and drink from the stadium’s exterior. — Sam Peshek

Ameritex Flag & Flagpole, LLC “Helping Freedom Fly”

234 One Oak Dr. • San Antonio,TX 78228 Office: 210-310-3524 • Fax: 877-598-3524

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Lindamood Demolition is proud to have been the preferred demolition company for the Kyle Field Renovation Project

Demolition Kayla Lindamood, Owner

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