Illegal Motion? Legislature Could Require UT-A&M Football Game
Football in Texas has been described as a religion—now it could be the law.
Rep. Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City) hasn’t often courted controversy. In fact, Guillen has cruised through six consecutive elections with more than 65 percent of the vote. In five of those races, he ran uncontested. Now he may face some of the most intense scrutiny of his career—because of a football game.
Well, not just any football game: the traditional but now defunct UT-A&M football game. The football rivalry ended in 2011, with the 118th match-up between the two teams. Texas won, as they did 75 other times in the series.
Now House Bill 778, introduced by Guillen, would require the two universities to play a regular season, non-conference game every year. If they refuse? The Legislature would mandate that the university which turns down the game “may not award to any student for the following academic year an athletic scholarship, grant, or similar financial assistance funded with state money.” That means no football scholarships from state funds.
“UT enjoyed our conference rivalry with Texas A&M and we were disappointed A&M decided to leave the Big 12,” Powers told the Alcalde. “We’ll leave it to lawmakers to weigh in on this legislation.”
But that punishment may be less effective than it sounds. Though they wouldn’t comment for this story, officials from UT Athletics confirmed that the University’s athletics programs, including its scholarships, are self-funded. Jason Cook, Texas A&M’s vice president for marketing and communications said he’s not aware of any state funding that goes toward athletics scholarships.
Responses from the general public—at least on Twitter—have mostly chided lawmakers for not focusing their energy on more important matters.
Though university presidents rarely comment on legislation under consideration, Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin responded quickly to the news.
“We remain hopeful that the game may continue one day through the normal scheduling process,” Loftin said. “Having said that, we, of course, will follow any specific direction from the Legislature.”
UT president Bill Powers gave a response that also put the responsibility on lawmakers.
“UT enjoyed our conference rivalry with Texas A&M and we were disappointed A&M decided to leave the Big 12,” Powers told the Alcalde. “We’ll leave it to lawmakers to weigh in on this legislation.”
Guillen—an Aggie—did not comment specifically to the Alcalde, but in a prepared statement called the game a “sacred tradition,” and said that it is “as much a Texas tradition as cowboy boots and barbecue.”
“I think the people of Texas want a game,” Guillen said. “And we’re trying to get them one.”
As of press time, the People of Texas could not be reached for comment.
Whether Guillen’s bill makes it past the goal line remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: the eyes of Texas—and Texas A&M—will be upon him.
Editor’s Note: For the sake of full disclosure, it should be noted that the author once worked in Rep. Guillen’s office as an intern. He did not formulate football policy during his time there.
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21 Comments
Spending one second on this is probably the most wasteful, stupid thing I’ve ever heard of. I loved not having to play aggies this year.
I don’t think he’d be so quick to propose this legislation if the Aggies had had a bad team this year.
Absurd!! Just absurd!
My fellow Americans, do you not see that Rep. Guillen came up with this plan on his OWN time, and with the support of many people? It is common knowledge that politicians waste a great deal of time, and government funds on excessive luxuries that benefit ONLY themselves. This issue would would be a gift to the private sector – the public, namely YOU. Why are you complaining? His intent is to restore a tradition, and a bit of fun for fans who feel passionately about the loss of the game. I am somewhat surprised at your reactions. The men who govern our country are are not capable of concentrating on the HARD STUFF 24/7. Believe me, they would BURN OUT in short order if they did. Why do you object to one man trying to toss a little fun your way? All work and no play is not healthy. I salute this gentleman for his effort and I hope that House Bill 778 will pass with flying colors.
Has Rep. Guillen studied the harm this possible imposition could cause one or both universities? Who knows better how to manage these two football schedules – each individual university, or state government? My goodness, even if I was a regent to one of these universities, I might voice my opinion, but I’d be careful about IMPOSING what I thought was best on the athletic department.
This is GOVERNMENT GONE WILD!
Frankly, I would like it if our elected officials DID concentrate on the “HARD STUFF” for once in their lives! The rest of the western world have passed us by in science and engineering, because our dullard officials are too busy fighting culture wars and deciding who should play football. You talk as if our state and federal lege actually accomplish anything of merit – we haven’t done that in decades. America is no longer the leader in innovation and technology – why is that, if our elected officials work so dang hard?!
I don’t think the issue here is what Rep. Guillen was doing in his own spare time, it is the time that will now be taken up in legislative sessions that could be spent on OTHER MORE IMPORTANT THINGS…I was sad that UT and A&M don’t play anymore, but I’d rather see my state government focus on things outside of the realm of entertainment.
The legislature’s time would be better spent passing bills to restore school funding.
In the words of Taylor Swift – We will never, ever, ever, get back together.
I guess this “bill” is another answer to the financial concerns, the educational worries and the other nonsnese Legislative mandates that have been made in the past years by our Legislators and Perry. Hey, maybe some of this money that supports the “Guillen Bowl” will help school districts in their financial worries. In that case, lets have them play tow or three games a season. Otherwise, Mr. Guillen, do your job as an elected official and not an idiot that has forgotten why you were elected.
I will enjoy the next time these fine universities play each other in football, but neither I nor the state legislature has the moral right to impose these types of wants (tyranical?) on to these two universities. Let each university decide their schedule. My goodness, have we (Rep. Guillan) thought through the possible harm to one or both programs caused by this?
The guy’s making a joke. Calling a football game a “sacred tradition” should made that obvious. Doesn’t anybody have a sense humor anymore?
Are you from Texas, Edwin?
I don’t think anyone’s joking.
Wait..wasn’t it the Aggies who decided to leave the Big 12 and thus end games with Texas?
Actually, A&M tried to keep the series going with Texas as a non-conference one (a la GA/GA Tech, FSU/Florida, etc.). It was Deloss who decided to thumb his nose at the Aggies for leaving, thinking that they had more to lose by not continuing the series (and, oh by-the-way, Texas would be able to turn that into a televised home-game EVERY Thanksgiving, against a round-robin of TCU/Tech/Baylor dates — read: $$$). Then he politicked as much as he could to avoid a UT/A&M matchup in the Cotton Bowl this year (which wouldn’t have panned out anyway, with OU getting bumped down), out of spite AND fear. The sooner UT gets rid of Delo$$, the better. Get the series started again.
Big deal. The bill has no enforcement ability since neither athletic department spends any of the tax dollars on football scholarships.
The aggies are good at run and hide. STAY HIDDEN
This can be catastrophic, you have 2 crucial elements merging, a probable fatal collision: a democratic representative and an Aggie (all in one body). On one side he feels entitled, government is our daddy and on the other side there is an inferiority complex. Why, why, there is only one first class University in Texas, declared by statute, and is not us. Mom, dad, please help! Can someone call the WH?
I love section 3 of this bill proposal, “SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house …. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.” … Nothing like hedging your bet, eh?”
All Bills have that statement. Even if Guillen drafted the House Bill it would of gone through Leg counsel for editing format. They put that statement in because it is required. With out a start date the bill would be ineffective.
Oh for the love of God…between TV contracts, conference rules, obligated monies, etc, the reason the game became such a rivalry was due to it being the last game of the season celebrated over Thanksgiving. The law suits alone by the SEC and Big 12 conferences, all of the conference teams, and most likely several commercial efforts will be staggering and cost both universities hundreds of thousands of dollars for no other reason than another Texas Legislative Retard had its single working brain cell suddenly ‘find activity’ yet have no idea what to do with it…except to yet again prove it isn’t worthy of being in public office.
Way to kill your career, dip stick. Ooops, sorry. Forgot it was TEXAS. Mixed among his colleagues with likewise single brain-cells, who would notice? or for that matter, CARE?!
I hadn’t noticed the difference.