With friends, family and teammates gathered in the Bright Football Complex’s Hagner Auditorium, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher presented members of the A&M football team with their Aggie Rings.
The ceremony took place Wednesday before the team traveled to Tuscaloosa for the Aggies’ game against No. 1 Alabama.
Porter Garner III, CEO and President of The Association of Former Students, reminded the players in attendance that the Aggie Ring was the most noticeable tradition of the Aggie Network.
“First let me congratulate everyone getting their ring,” Garner said. “This is a major milestone in the life of an Aggie. … The important thing today is that you are putting on the greatest symbol of the Aggie Network. This ring will tell a lot of people a lot about who you are. … There is no other network like the Aggie Network.”
After presenting the rings to telecommunication senior Erik McCoy, university studies senior Daniel LaCamera, recreation, parks and tourism sciences senior Connor Lanfear, business administration senior Riley Garner, industrial engineering senior Kwame Etwi and economics senior Justin Dworaczyk, Fisher paused before calling the next name on the list.
“We’ve got another ring here for somebody who didn’t expect that they were going to get their ring today. … But I think it is a big moment,” Fisher said.
Recreation, parks and tourism sciences senior Donovan Wilson didn’t think he’d be receiving his ring this semester. But thanks to some secret planning by his mother, Michell, the A&M defensive back was surprised with his own piece of Aggie gold. When Fisher called his name, the auditorium erupted.
Donovan Wilson said he had no idea he was included in the ceremony, but felt extremely thankful.
“I was just shocked and excited,” Donovan Wilson said. “I didn’t expect it at all. … To be able to connect with all the Aggies and the network, to be a part of it is like a dream come true.”
For Wilson’s mother, the opportunity to surprise her son with his Aggie Ring and watch the joy in his face was something she said she would cherish for the rest of her life.
“I already knew the importance of the ring,” Michell Wilson said. “And for him — the hard work he’s done — to be able to help him achieve his that goal, it meant the world to me.”
Holly McBerty, administrative coordinator for Fisher, helped arrange the surprise. McBerty said Michell Wilson contacted her a few weeks ago looking for a way to get the ring to Donovan Wilson since he had no idea she had ordered it for him.
McBerty said she felt lucky to help make the day memorable for Donovan Wilson.
“I was so happy for her to see her son work so hard and get his Aggie Ring and for her to be able to provide that for him and see how excited he was,” McBerty said.
Blake Jones, senior yell leader and industrial distribution senior, was invited to partake in the ceremony since he too would be traveling to Tuscaloosa on Ring Day.
Jones said he was thankful for the opportunity to have Fisher present him his ring. A third-generation Aggie, Jones said he looks forward to continuing the legacy of wearing the Aggie Ring.
“It means a lot, especially coming home from an Aggie family and now to be the third generation wearing the Aggie Ring, is just super special to carry on,” Jones said.
Kingsley Keke, ag leadership and development senior, said receiving his ring in front of his teammates made him emotional.
“I don’t cry a lot, but I almost shed a tear,” Keke said. “[I’ve been] working hard in class and it showed today. I’m blessed.”