Breakups suck...let's just get that out in the open right now. They are awkward, painful, and often leave you wondering what exactly went wrong. We (ladies) usually spend way too much time replaying and over-analyzing every little detail in our heads...kinda crazy really! But for the past few weeks a lot of people (mostly men actually) have been paying close attention to a big time breakup happening right here in Texas.
That's right, I'm talking about Texas A&M's divorce from the Big 12. Now I know, I'm an Aggie, so my stance is probably biased right? Give me a chance to explain...you just might be surprised!
Last summer the internet blew up with rumors of Mizzou bolting for the Big 10. People were speculating left and right...who would go where, would the Big 12 survive...you name it and there is probably an article about it somewhere. When all was said and done, Nebraska and Colorado went their separate ways, leaving behind a 10 team conference "held together" by the promise of more money for everyone and better tv deals. And all was right in the world again...or was it?
Fast forward a year later and here we are again...on the brink of another team leaving a conference that was once regarded as one of the best in the country. But this time it's my team.
I remember sitting at my desk a few weeks ago when seemingly out of nowhere my twitter feed went crazy with rumors that A&M was once again negotiating with the SEC. Huh? Didn't we just do this? Talk about deja vu.
Now here's where it gets ugly...the reason for the breakup.
I have read A LOT of articles lately and there are a lot of opinions floating around about what the final straw was for A&M. Some will say it's the Longhorn Network, others chalk it up to jealousy...maybe it's a combination of both, or maybe there's more to it than the burnt orange and white down the road. It is possible that no one will ever own up to the real reason(s) for the split...it's always easier to deflect the blame onto someone else anyway. It's not you it's me, right? Right.
Here's what I know...I was raised to be a Longhorn by parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins that all proudly hailed from the school down in Austin. And as a kid I loved it. I also didn't know much else. Sure I knew there was a school of Horned Frogs in my town...and some Bears down the road...but nothing even held a candle to the Longhorns. That was until I realized that maybe it wasn't for me. Back then it had nothing to do with sports either, it was more about finding a place where I fit the best. And for me that place was in College Station...at a school I should've snubbed my nose at based on the name alone. Lucky for me I had parents who wanted the best for their kids, no matter what. It wasn't until I was fully immersed in the Aggie culture and traditions that I truly became a college sports fan. Not that I had much to cheer for, we were pretty mediocre (bad) at football during my 5 years at A&M. But I yelled anyway. And I stood to support my team. All the while trying to respect the achievements of our rivals in Austin (with the exception of games played around Thanksgiving every year).
For the most part I think I was pretty fair...I was ok with being in a conference that sent a team to the national championship game every couple of years. At least that's what I told myself anyway. And for a while that logic was ok...but then the playing field changed.
It wasn't until Nebraska and Colorado left that I realized the problems we were facing. Or maybe I just chose to ignore them as long as I could. Sure there were 2 schools (yes I said 2) that got most of the attention in our conference, but isn't that because they were winning? And isn't that how it should be? That's what I thought anyway. But it seems over the past few years things have started to change. Teams have been thrust into the spotlight for a number of reasons that don't involve winning games (see North Carolina and Miami). There are also the teams that choose to have the spotlight shine on them. And I think this is where the bigger problem comes into play.
We all want to be the best (whether we openly admit it or not). Constantly having the spotlight shine on someone else gets old and sometimes we do things, smart or otherwise, to bring it back to us. What this has meant lately is instead of trying to maintain strong traditions and build upon the relationships at your disposal, you decide to look out for #1. This doesn't just apply to Texas (and their network) either. Nebraska and Colorado were looking out for themselves when they decided to leave last year...they both wanted a bigger piece of the spotlight. And the same can be said for A&M this year as well. We feel like it's our time to shine...take our talents to a place where we feel they'll be more appreciated. Note I didn't say more prominent.
So who's really to blame? That's what we're all looking for isn't it? Someone to blame it on. Something that makes us feel better about things not working out the way we hoped they would. Most won't admit that this divorce is going to be painful, but it is, especially if losing our rivalry with the Longhorns is a side effect. And like any couple that splits, we'll both move on with our lives. But it doesn't mean that occasionally we won't look back longingly and wonder what could've been if things were different.
With that said I am proud to be an Aggie and wholeheartedly support the decisions being made. I am both excited and scared for the road ahead, it will be an uphill battle and I hope that we can step up to the plate. All I have left to say is I can't wait for the road trips!!
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