Around the Horned With Brian Estridge
Dec. 19, 2001
Frogs vs. Aggies:
I had an opportunity to visit with legendary writer and TCU historian Dan Jenkins last week about this TCU vs. A&M match-up. My intention was to gain some perspective on this historic rivalry, and I must admit that I went into it knowing full well about A&M's 23-game winning streak. But after the lunch, I sure did feel a lot better. Not only did the Frogs own an 11-game non-losing streak (they tied the Aggies twice) of their own in the series from 1925 to 1935, but the two teams met as the elite in college football in 1938. The game between the powerhouses wasn't even close, the Frogs bested the Aggies 34-6 in College Station. That victory helped TCU, behind the play of quarterback Davey O'Brien, win the National Championship. The Aggies then went on to win their only National Championship in 1939. I tell you all this to let you know that I feel better our chances. Be sure and listen for a special segment "Dan Jenkins' Memories" at halftime of the bowl game on the TCU/ESPN Regional Sports Network.
SWC weekend:
Not only will the Frogs and Aggies renew an old flame on the football field on Dec. 28 in Houston, but make plans to hustle back to Fort Worth for the rest of our Southwest Conference weekend, which takes place at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Arkansas faces the red-hot Lady Frogs in the opener of the Fort Worth Classic and then our old friend Dave Bliss and the Baylor Bears scrap with Billy's Boys. This special event downtown at the Convention Center still has great seats remaining, just call (817) 257-FROG.
Tickets, got tickets?:
We can't reiterate enough how important it is for you to purchase tickets to the galleryfurniture.com Bowl on Dec. 28 from the TCU Athletics Ticket Office. Over 8,000 tickets have been sold through TCU already and we need to try and match the Aggies in filling the 50,000-plus seat Astrodome. To purchase your tickets, call the Athletics Ticket Office at (817) 257-FROG or order online at www.gofrogs.com.
Renaissance man:
Finally with regard to this football team, if you ever have a chance to spend sometime with Chuck Dreisbach, the defensive coordinator for the Frogs, don't think your conversation will focus on football only. Not only is Chuck the only defensive coach I have ever seen eat sushi in a defensive staff meeting room, he makes an annual trip to see the Nutcracker, has read the first two Harry Potter books, and is a big fan of the movie Shrek. And don't forget, he calls a pretty mean third-down blitz!
Local celebrity:
We were the first to mention it, so we felt compelled to follow up on our story about Richard Sybesma, the head swimming coach at TCU, and his run with the Olympic torch through the TCU campus (a photo gallery can be found here on gofrogs.com). Richard is by far one of the most active coaches in the community, and he himself was moved by the reaction he received on his big day. Many of his friends and colleagues turned out to watch him run the 2/10ths of a mile with the torch in memory of former swimmer Matt Walters. Kudos to Richard, you made us proud!
Frogments:
Congrats to Junior Blount, starting guard for the men's basketball team, as he was recently engaged. Let's hope it doesn't effect his shooting!...Defensive end Chad McCarty already has his undergraduate degree and he'll have his master's nailed down by the spring!...Look out for Jeff Mittie's women because they have knocked off two NCAA tourney teams from last year and face another on Dec. 29 when Arkansas comes calling at the Fort Worth Convention Center...Our airtime for the bowl game will be 11:30 a.m. with a special one-hour warm-up show that will feature a conversation with former head coach Jim Wacker, a look back at the last three Frog bowl games and a roundtable featuring former Frogs who played in the 1984 Bluebonnet Bowl.
From the streets and avenues of North Texas to the Information superhighway, I'm Brian Estridge. We'll see you on the radio.
