Once upon a time...
...back in 2004 a couple of Ags had the bright idea that since they were already driving six hours each way to Aggie games they should make the best of their time there. The kids would be getting old enough to go to games soon and it was decided that tailgating was a good way to make the weekend more enjoyable for everyone. Besides who wants to sit in an air conditioned hotel room when you can stand out in the elements for 12 hours, singe all the hair off your arm by the pit, drop dinner in the grass, and milk the last drop out of the keg, all after cooking in Kyle field for three hours?
So it was decided: something had to be done, and these jokers were just the guys to do it. They discussed their plan with a couple other Ags that lived out of town. One was an attorney who agreed to help get everything legaled up. The other was a Special Forces helicopter pilot who agreed to provide the Freedom and Liberty to undertake such activity. All concerned thought it was a good idea and the four were committed to a life of attending Aggie games together whenever possible.
In the spring of '04 after weighing all their options, the two original gurus of the tailgate found the perfect bus on ebay and pounced. Ironically the bus was in Austin, Texas where it spent its working life with the EANES ISD. Like two coyotes with a prize rabbit they drug their project home and stuck it the barn to hide it from prying eyes. Well, maybe they were hiding it to save their pride because buyer's remorse set in pretty strong about the time the bus brakes locked up. That didn't really make any difference though because the bus wouldn't start, so they didn't need brakes; but it would have been nice to move it so they could get other stuff out of the barn.
Anyway, a lot of mental preparation (procrastination) took place over the next six months. There was some legalling going on and some conversations over how big a hole it would take to bury the bus and cut losses, but that was about it.
Not until the Ags kicked off their 2004 campaign against Utah did reality sink in. It was go time and to make it in time for any of the games that season they had to move fast. Well, the partner with mechanical skills had to move fast, the other had to write a lot of checks. Nevertheless, in a whirlwind of encouragement (that is to say a few encouraging calls from the brother-in-law in Iraq and funny looks from the neighbors) the task was complete and the Short Bus was born.
The GigEm Bus made the last three home games that season and every home game since, with the exception of the Tx State/Hurricane Rita Game.
In the time since the first tailgate the group has grown. Many classmates, buddies, and friends have joined to help keep the party on the short bus going. The work is arduous but the group is resolved to see it through and for their part they do what they can to keep Kyle Field full, as going to the game is all but a requirement. The group has also been touched by loss. One of the original four members made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. In his absence the rest of the group has endeavored to perpetuate his legacy at A&M by endowing a memorial scholarship in his honor.
Here's to hoping those kids, who helped inspire all this, grow old together... tailgating at Aggie football games.
Will Scogin'23 & Jake Worrell '23
Cousins, and future L-1 Rebels
