In the aftermath of Texas A&M ensuring the survival of the Big 12 by spurning the SEC, two Texas media sources who cover the Big 12 told me today that Texas A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne has been besieged by angry Aggie fans over the school’s decision.
(Byrne Actually Wanted To Bolt Big 12 For SEC)
My sources indicated the reason for that dissatisfaction is two-fold.
1) A&M fans wanted to go to the SEC to finally escape the shadow of the Univ. of Texas.
2) A&M fans are upset that Texas essentially dictated the conditions required for the Big 12’s survival.
This afternoon I was forwarded a voicemail from a media source alleged to be Texas A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne. In the voicemail, Byrne is angrily responding to an email he received from a Texas A&M fan.
I’ve edited out Byrne giving out his direct number, but the rest of the voicemail is unedited - and not completely safe for work. Headphones are recommended.
The emailer, posting under the screen name “bcsags04″, re-posted the email that elicited the angry response from Byrne on the Texas A&M Rivals message board (user/pass required).
The email:
bcsags04
——————————————————————————–
i sent bill bynre an email yesterday:Hey a–holes [edit]
I am a third generation aggie and class of ‘06. my family and I, including many extend family members have had season tickets at kyle field for up to 20 yrs.
We also tailgate spending a lot of time and money during the fall in college station. That all ended today
We are canceling our season tickets and will never again donate to the 12th man until there is all new board of regents minus Gene Stallings, a new ad, new president (that guy is a disgrace).
Dollar bill, I hope you have time to pull your tongue out of dodds butt to read this email
Sincere regards
[name redacted]
In Byrne’s defense, I have been told by more than one source the past week that he was not involved in the decision to remain in the Big 12. Instead, Byrne was one of the school’s leading proponents to join the SEC.
Hopefully that word will be sufficiently circulated in the future, as Byrne isn’t to blame for the Aggies being relegated to the Big 12.
I’ve got a message into Texas A&M about the voicemail.
UPDATE: Byrne has now acknowledged he left the voicemail and apologized.
8:46 pm on June 15th, 2010
Bill Byrne didn’t support A&M going to the SEC. He personally wanted to go to the PAC-10/16
9:01 pm on June 15th, 2010
I personally appreciate the response. The email was ridiculous. The AD then asked the moron to come say the same thing to his face. Took time out of his day to give it right back!
9:13 pm on June 15th, 2010
The guy e-mailer deserves an arse kicking. Way to go Mr. Byrne!!!
10:05 pm on June 15th, 2010
How can you give the guy who wrote that email any ounce of thought?
A typical Texas redneck.
11:27 pm on June 15th, 2010
Threatening to kick someone’s ass deserves termination
11:49 pm on June 15th, 2010
Bill Byrne was NOT favoring moving to the Pac-10 at all, never was cause of the timezone change. He even said that he did not like student athletes returning on ‘red’eye flights and having to go to 8am classes.
7:38 am on June 16th, 2010
Way to take a profound stance on the issue Mr. Anonymous….
7:38 am on June 16th, 2010
I love anonymous posters citing rumor as fact. Facts are, Byrne wanted either the Pac 16 or the SEC and put in his two cents to the President of the University as such. The interview where he was cited is on Aggie Websider, or tamu.scout.com.
Facts are Byrne was not the decision maker here and whomever this genius was who sent him the BS email does deserve to get his backside whipped. Bill is a very personal guy, he calls boosters with any questions some very small and insignificant and has called me personally twice to answer questions I have had. He takes time out of his day to do things right and this person who emailed him needs to apologize to the man.
John Jakubik
TAMU ‘89
9:46 am on June 16th, 2010
Texas A&M will always be Texas’ little sister, unless they switch to a new conference. Even that switch wouldnt assure they get out from under Texas’ shadow, but it would be their only hope.
10:04 am on June 16th, 2010
Nice Job, Bill Byrne!!! No man should have to put up with disrespectful BS, such as what this man emailed.
Furthermore, I hardly believe the emailer is an Aggie. That was the poorest grammar and punctuation, Ive ever witnessed out of an Aggie.
Very Funny, Robert from Kingwood!!!! When did you graduate from A&M?? Class of 89??
10:17 am on June 16th, 2010
I agree with George. No one should have to put up with the disrespectful BS from anyone. Apology or butt kicked…take your pick.
11:56 am on June 16th, 2010
I am thrilled that UT and A&M will still be together in the same conference. I love the rivalry and I do NOT consider A&M UT’s lil sister. That’s ridiculous . BTW A&M just won the National Championship in Track, so…The Big12 NEEDS Texas A&M University for much more than sports, however. The academic prowess of Texas A&M is terrific and is even more important than sports anyway. I am a Texas fan, but when A&M is playing someone other than Texas I always root for the Aggies, and I don’t think I am alone here.
1:38 pm on June 16th, 2010
if you ags change conferences w/o us T-sips, we won’t play yall anymore and you’ll have to get a new song since the one you have now is all about us. poor aggies.
3:55 pm on June 16th, 2010
I agree with Bill Byrne. This idiot needs a good ass-kicking.
As for the hysteria over staying in the Big XII, I have yet to see one salient reason we should have moved. The idea that A&M is “in t.u.’s shadow” as long as were in the same conference is ludicrous. You think it’s better to be in the shadow of Florida and LSU!?
t.u. is our chief rival, and I support keeping the remnants of the Southwest Conference together. The Big 8 said we couldn’t compete; they were wrong. Now we shed two anemic football programs, and have a new deal that benefits all. The anger is hysterical and NOT becoming of a Aggies.
4:39 pm on June 16th, 2010
Still laughing about the person who said athletes attending 8am classes. The funny word is attending.
10:56 pm on June 16th, 2010
I’m a former student athlete at Texas A&M (class of 2007) and I do not appreciate the above response from KNLaugh. I bet you never even played a sport yet you want to sit on your high horse and look your nose down to those of us who did more in one day than you got accomplished in an entire week.. Until you know what it’s like to be a student athlete at an accredited and incredibly successful university like Texas A&M, it’s probably best that you keep your mouth shut. Stick to the topic at hand and find another way to vent your jealousy of student athletes.
Thanks and Gig’Em
4:34 pm on June 17th, 2010
aTm has a football team? Good to know. You must be happy that UT formed the Longhorn League and let you stay.
4:35 pm on June 17th, 2010
“I bet you never even played a sport yet you want to sit on your high horse and look your nose down to those of us who did more in one day than you got accomplished in an entire week..”
Hey Anonymous, is English an elective at aTm? If so, why didn’t you take it? If not, why did you not attend? Was it an 8am class?