Hostesses assist football team

By: Daniel Magallanes

Posted: 10/25/07

The Texas A&M is a campus full of tradition. Tradition is built on a daily basis, but even within Aggies there are many things that are not known. The majority of Aggies know who E. King Gill was, and why Aggie fans are the 12th Man. The Aggie football team does not have cheerleaders, instead they have Yell Leaders. However something that most students do not know is who the Aggie Hostesses are.

"The best thing about Aggie Hostesses is being a part of gameday and making a contribution to Aggie Football," said senior member Jen Bradley.

Aggie Hostesses is an organization consisting of 33 women that is committed to helping the football team.

"I applied for Aggie Hostess because I wanted to be part of a great organization, represent Texas A&M, and support the football program," said junior Kayla Luensmann.

Senior Lindsey Bounds, head coordinator, said she has had some of her best moments in college while being part of the Aggie Hostesses. She also said that they look for the best.

"We are looking for classy girls who are genuine and just excited about supporting Aggie football."

The Aggie Hostesses assist with pregame activities. They arrive three hours before the game and participate in the Spirit Walk, then go to the Bright Football Complex. At the Complex, the Hostesses help check-in recruits that are in for the game.

"[The Spirit Walk is] my favorite aspect of Aggie Hostesses," said junior member Kelly Stock. "I love seeing the fans get so excited about the players and coaches."

The Aggie Hostesses have to comply with NCAA rules. One of the rules does not allow them to interact with the recruits.

"You can say 'Hi, how are you? Welcome to A&M,' but that is all," Bounds said.

After checking recruits in, the Aggie Hostesses stand on the field during pregame activities. About 25 minutes before kickoff, they go to their seats.

Their participation with the football team is not limited to football season. They also help coaches with summer camps. They are an organization willing to help the football team in any way they can.

"I decided to apply for Aggie Hostess because I have loved Aggie football ever since I was a little girl," said junior member Kristina Gisin. "My grandpa was class of 1947 and, growing up, Aggie football was a huge part of my life. I was a cheerleader in high school and, because A&M didn't have cheerleaders, I thought this would be the closest thing to being a part of the great tradition at Kyle Field."

Every week the Aggie Hostesses make buddy cards for four football players, but they are anonymous as to who cards which player. They said there is not much direct contact with the team, but the moments they have are fun.

"My favorite memory was at Chalk Talk this past year when (freshman quarterback) Jerrod Johnson sang 'Lean On Me' and (junior tight end) Martellus Bennett answered the ladies' questions," said junior Tiffany Chillion.

Every game day, a Hostess is assigned to a station. They go over what each station does prior to the game. Weekly meetings help the organization stay coordinated.

There is a process to become an Aggie Hostess. First, the person that is interested must fill out an application and turn it in late January or early February. Based on the applications, several applicants are selected to participate in an interview. In 2007, there were about 100 girls interviewed and 17 selected.

Senior member Lindsay Moore said the memories gained through the organization will stay with her for the rest of her life.

"The best aspect of being an Aggie Hostess is that it has helped shape my college career into the most memorable four years of my life," Moore said. "The memories and the girls are unforgettable."