Additional events surrounding Lone Star Showdown begin on Friday

On Saturday, the Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown will be renewed on the gridiron as Texas A&M hosts Texas at Kyle Field. Leading up to the highly-anticipated battle, Vice President of Student Affairs BG Joe Ramirez and head yell leader Jake Carter joined TexAgs Live.

Click HERE to learn more about this weekend’s schedule of events

Friday, November 29

• Ruck Across the Brazos - Kyle Field - 5/5:15 p.m.
• “Standing Room Only: The Legend of the 12th Man” - Rudder Theater - 2 p.m.
• Yell Practice with Mike Elko and the Aggie Football Team - Kyle Field - 5:30 p.m.
• 12th Man Fireworks Show - Kyle Field - Immediately following Yell Practice
• Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown Concert - Reed Arena - Doors open at 7 p.m.
• “The Burning Desire” - Rudder Theater - 7 p.m.

Saturday, November 30

• 13-0 Burn - Aggie Spirit Lawn in Aggie Park - 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Corps of Cadets March-In - The Quad - 4:30 p.m.
• Texas A&M vs. Texas - Kyle Field - 6:30 p.m.

Key notes from Joe Ramirez interview

• I am very excited about this coming weekend. I graduated back when we played Texas every year, and it was the biggest game. It didn't matter what our record was. Beating Texas was a winning year. I am excited about what Mike Elko has done with the team this year. I am looking forward to a great game this Saturday.
   
• I chose Texas A&M because I wanted to be in the Aggie Band. When I was in high school, I saw the Corps march into downtown Houston, and I saw the Aggie Band. I was hooked, and I wanted to be part of it. I didn't know where Texas A&M was or anything about the traditions. That is what made me decide to come to Texas A&M.
   
• I was lucky enough to get into Texas A&M. Thankfully, the academic standards weren't as high back then. I came to Texas A&M, joined the Aggie Band and served four years in the Corps of Cadets. I loved my time with the band. I had a chance to command one of the companies during my senior year. When I graduated, I owed the Army four years of service. They paid for my last two years of school. I ended up serving in the Army for 31 years. I traveled all over the world. I have been blessed and lucky. No matter where I was in the world, I never missed the Army-Navy and Texas A&M-Texas games. Those games are a big deal to me. In 2010, I had a chance to return and be the Commandant of Cadets. I did that for ten-and-a-half years and loved every bit of it. In 2021, Kathy Banks asked me to become the interim Vice President of Student Affairs. I did that for six months before she asked me to assume the role permanently. I have been doing that for three-and-a-half years. I am set to retire in January.
   
• The setup for Yell Practice is different this week. We have been working on this as a committee for 10 months now. Yell Practice will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday evening. We tried to center it around when we would normally burn the Bonfire. We talked to coach Mike Elko. We wanted the team to be at Yell Practice. It is important they are a part of this Yell Practice. It will be at Kyle Field, and we are expecting a great crowd.
   
• At the end of Yell Practice, there will be a 12-minute fireworks show on the west side of the stadium. It will be set to music and quite the show.
   
• We have already sold well over 6,000 tickets to the concert, and there is a lot of interest. The doors open at 7 p.m. CT, and the first performer comes on at 8 p.m. CT.
   
• We have a team of veterans and cadets marching a game ball from Austin to College Station. A veteran and cadet from each team will present the ball to coach Elko.
   
• The 13-0 Burn barbecue cookoff is a cookoff competition. We have 12 community teams and four student teams. There are competitions in chicken, pork ribs and brisket. We have nine judges, with three judging each category. It will be held in Aggie Park on Saturday. The judging for chicken will be at noon, pork ribs at 1 p.m., and brisket at 2 p.m. The winner will be announced at 4:30 p.m.
   
• We wanted to offer something for people on campus that day. Two movies will be showing at Rudder Theatre on Friday, starting with "Standing Room Only: The Legend of the 12th Man" at 2 p.m. and "The Burning Desire" at 7 p.m. CT.
   
• I was concerned that we would not play Texas again. There was a time when people didn't feel we needed them on our schedule. I am an old-school kind of guy. I remember how big the game was every year and how much it meant. I was here from 1975 to 1979. We won two years and lost two years. It was for bragging rights. Everyone gets up for this game. When it comes to this game, the rest of the season doesn't matter.
   
• My wife and I have nine children and eight grandchildren. I have been doing this for 45 years, and I am not getting any younger. I wanted to retire when I was young and healthy enough to enjoy it. My wife and I will travel and spend time with kids and grandkids. I will be one of those guys sitting at Denny's at 6 a.m., drinking coffee and talking to my buddies about Aggie football. I have truly enjoyed my 31 years in the military and 14 years at Texas A&M.
   
• I am excited to see this game back. I am excited for this weekend and all the events around the game. More importantly, I am excited about what this means for all of us in the state of Texas. This is the game of the year in the state. I am looking forward to a great game, seeing the 12th Man out in force and beating the hell out of Texas.

Key notes from Jake Carter interview

• I have never been to this historic rivalry. It was 13 years ago. I am super excited. The students are super excited. The students and the 12th Man will come through for us this weekend.
   
• My dad went to Texas. No Aggie blood at all. I watched some of the games but never truly grasped how big it was.
   
• It's more than just a game for A&M. It's like a “Who runs Texas?” From what I have seen, people have been waiting years for this game to happen again. From people who grew up in Aggie families to see how excited they are, it got me excited. To be able to serve in this role and be able to be part of the 12th Man, the best fanbase in the country, excited for this game; it’s a pretty easy job too, but we’re really excited for it.
   
• Having the team at Yell Practice is really special. Where else do you see the entire football program come out and be a part of the student body to get ready for the game? We have the team coming out. President Mark A. Welsh III will be there. The game ball will be presented.
   
• We will have a normal run of show for a Yell Practice. Get the 12th Man excited for the game. We will also end it with a 12-minute fireworks show. It will be a little longer. Expecting a big crowd, too.
   
• It means a lot. Being able to go play with the team for a week as the head yell leader, I got to go speak with coach Mike Elko and talk to him about it. He was all about it. He said, “Whatever you need, I want to be here for you, and I want to be a part of the traditions here at Texas A&M.” It speaks to his character. It was more than just football.
   
• To the 12th Man, let's bring the energy. Part of this game is on us. Kyle Field is known for a reason. Hopefully, we will break the record and bring an incredible atmosphere for this team and coach Elko. What a blessing to be a part of this game.