Kyle Field Reopening Celebration Kicks Off Friday

Kyle Field is ready to rock – with a three-day celebration of completion of the two-year, $485 million enhancement and expansion of Texas A&M’s storied football stadium. The extended celebration of the grand reopening of Kyle Field starts on Friday and continues through Sunday when “open house” activities include free tours of the new west section of the university’s 102,733-seat stadium.

In a new added highlight, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp has announced that the Commemorative Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard will be part of the festivities celebrating the grand reopening of the redeveloped Kyle Field.

As part of the traditional pre-game activities, the Commemorative Air Force will fly four T-6 Texans over Spirit Walk with the Fightin’ Texas Aggies football team on Houston Street at 3:50 p.m. on Saturday. Then, adding to the pre-kickoff excitement inside Kyle Field, the Texas Air National Guard will fly two F-16 Falcons over the field after the playing of the National Anthem.

The T-6 Texans are coming from the Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in San Marcos, and the F-16 Falcons are from the 149th Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Chancellor Sharp offered special thanks to Governor Greg Abbott for his role in making the Texas Air National Guard flyover possible.

“I am grateful to Governor Abbott for making the grand reopening of Kyle Field even more special with the F-16 flyover,” Chancellor Sharp said. “This was something we really wanted to do for our fans and did not think it would be possible; we tried getting some planes from Corpus Christi but it didn’t work out. Governor Abbott came through and helped make it happen. This is just one more example of his great support for Texas A&M University.”

All costs associated with the flyovers are being paid by the Texas A&M System.

The three-day Kyle Field celebration will begin at 3 p.m. Friday with re-dedication of the relocated statue of the late John David Crow, Texas A&M’s first Heisman Trophy winner. The huge bronze statue was originally placed in front of the Bright Football Complex, but has been moved to a prominent location outside the new west stands of the stadium so that it can be readily viewed by more fans and other campus visitors.

That ceremony will be followed by the unveiling of the Core Values monument, which is also located outside the west stands. The monument calls special attention to the longstanding core values that make Texas A&M and its students unique: loyalty, integrity, excellence, leadership, respect and selfless service.

The celebration continues that night with a fireworks show in conjunction with Midnight Yell Practice, which has as its theme “Honoring America” in recognition of Patriot Day.

Other events include a free concert on Saturday and what is billed as the “world’s largest tailgate.” Aggies and other Texas A&M supporters – anywhere in the world – are being encouraged to participate in the global tailgate and help set a world record. Participants are asked to register – provide a location and estimated number of attendees – at kylefield.com. For more tailgate information, go to http://kylefield.com/global-tailgate.

“For all Aggies – past, present, and future – Kyle Field embodies our culture, our traditions, and our core values, and that is what we will be celebrating,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. “To the rest of the world, Kyle Field projects a message not just about football, but about the overall excellence of our great university. Kyle Field is ‘home’ to generations of Aggies and to the Spirit of Aggieland, and it always will be.”

Sharp said Kyle Field will be the largest collegiate football stadium in Texas and one of the largest in the nation – and unrivaled in amenities. “I can’t wait to hear the reactions from every single fan after opening day,” he added. “More restrooms, better cell phone coverage, terrific food – we hope everyone finds the game day experience even better than ever.”

The free concert, beginning at noon Saturday on Simpson Drill Field, will feature performances by Grammy-nominated Texas country singer Pat Green and the Grammy-nominated rock band Relient K.

“Aggies have always been proud of Kyle Field and the many traditions that unfold there, but this amazing facility will shine an even brighter spotlight on the 12th Man, the athletic program and our great university,” said Texas A&M President Michael K. Young. “My wife, Marti, and I are very excited about attending our first Aggie home football game in what will unquestionably be the nation’s very best collegiate sporting venue.”

An open house and free tours of the west side of Kyle Field will be conducted Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

“Aggies don’t need any added incentive to attend Midnight Yell Practice, but those who turn out to get ready for Ball State will have bragging rights for life – being able to say they were among the very first to view the newly enhanced Kyle Field,” Chancellor Sharp stated.

Additional details and a full schedule of all events can be found at www.kylefield.com.