Texas Lawmaker Files Bill To Require Longhorns-Aggies Matchup
AUSTIN, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - A state representative has filed a bill that would force a regular-season matchup between the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M Aggies in an effort to renew the once-dominate Big 12 rivalry.
Rep. Lyle Larson filed House Bill 412 that would require the Longhorns and Aggies, who are now in the Southeastern Conference, to play a non-conference game each year on the fourth Thursday, Friday or Saturday of November.
Larson tweeted: "After another Thanksgiving void of one of the most historic collegiate football rivalries, we filed House Bill 412 to start the negotiating process between Texas A&M and University of Texas to bring back the fabled football game."
After another Thanksgiving void of one of the most historic collegiate football rivalries, we filed House Bill 412 to start the negotiating process between Texas A&M and University of Texas to bring back the fabled football game. pic.twitter.com/G365pCTWbS
— Lyle Larson (@RepLyleLarson) November 27, 2018
The state representative assured concerned Texans that issues such as school finance reform, health care, and teacher retirement are the focus of the legislation. He said the newly-filed bill is "symbolic because football scholarships are paid for by each of the schools' athletic foundations."
"The idea behind this bill is to start a discussion, between the universities, so future graduating classes can experience the home and away game that we did," he wrote.
Appreciate your correspondence regarding the annual football game between Texas A&M and The University of Texas. The passion from the folks who have responded is indicative of the intensity of the rivalry.
— Lyle Larson (@RepLyleLarson) November 28, 2018
School finance reform, property tax reform, health care delivery, 1/4
highway funding, water policy, teacher retirement and teacher benefits, opioid addiction epidemic, and much more will be our focus in the legislature. The bill is symbolic because football scholarships are paid for by each of the schools' athletic foundations. Would like to 2/4
— Lyle Larson (@RepLyleLarson) November 28, 2018
see the schools come together and play the game like it was played for a century. Songs, stories and football folklore about this storied rivalry has touched Texans for a century.
— Lyle Larson (@RepLyleLarson) November 28, 2018
The idea behind this bill is to start a discussion, between the universities, so future 3/4
graduating classes can experience the home and away game that we did.
— Lyle Larson (@RepLyleLarson) November 28, 2018
Graduated from Texas A&M in 1981, my father graduated from vet school at Texas A&M in 1956, my brother played linebacker for UT in 1971 to 1973. The rivalry is embedded in our family. Gig'em and Hook'em! 4/4
The two football teams last played on Nov. 24, 2011 in College Station where the Longhorns won.
CBS Austin reports if either team refuses to follow the bill, they will not be able to award any academic scholarships that are funded by the state to any student on their teams.