The Eagle"More than 500 people gathered Friday afternoon outside of the $485 million stadium to watch the statue of the late 1957 Heisman Trophy winner and athletic director John David Crow find its new home at the northwest corner of the stadium and unveiled a sabre-wielding cadet atop of the new Core Values monument.
"It is fitting that on this day of remembrance and blessing that we rededicate a monument to a man who embodies everything that was good about a Texas A&M athlete and everything that is good about the Texas A&M spirit," said Sam Torn, past chairman of the 12th Man Foundation, "and a monument to those values that he upheld and to which we should all aspire."
Crow's bronze eight feet, six inch-tall statue stood for almost five years in front of the Bright Complex, but his passing in June at the age of 79 lead to an interest from A&M officials to relocate the statue to a more prominent position outside of the field. Former Texas A&M System regent Erle Nye said his longtime friend, Crow, would have put his humble nature on display for the audience if he was there to see the rededication.
"It's altogether appropriate," Nye said. "I think he would be pleased with the new location, although given his typical modesty, he probably wouldn't admit it," Nye said.
Texas A&M University President Michael Young had only been in College Station less than two months before Crow's passing, so everything he knew about the Aggie legend was through stories. He said Crow's reputation matched the size of the statue.
"The core values are central to this institution and I think it is fitting that on this day, we not only dedicate the statue to him, but we dedicate the core values, because the two will always be, in our minds, inextricably linked," Young said.
After Crow's statue rededication, the crowd of fans, administrators, yell leaders, cadets and members of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band moved to the west side of the stadium at the entrance of the Hall of Champions to unveil the Core Values monument.
At the base of the 24-foot tall monument is a limestone base with a rough-hewn rear that smooths out to represent incoming students as they develop in their years at the school. Three symbols found on the Aggie Ring and the core values of respect, leadership, integrity, loyalty, excellence and selfless service is a nod to the students as they gain experience. Finally, a bronze Ross Volunteer with sabre drawn atop one of four platforms caps off the monument.
At the conclusion of the event, Torn challenged those in attendance to not only celebrate what the statues stand for, but live what they represent.
"If we are to be different, if we are to be unique, if we are to be special, we must not simply talk these values, but we must every day in every community across this nation and the world be embodied in what we do and who we are."