Why don't a few of you old farts...

[DOOMS]

...describe to us young bucks what it was like watching and/or playing a football game in War Memorial stadium and when Aggie Stadium first went up?

[Maxell]

My first time in War Memorial was as a kid. My parents took me and we sat under the shelter. I just remember it being loud. There were well over 20,000 folks there(don't ask me how). The infield dirt probably extended out to the 35 yard line. So there were really "clouds of dust". Players would really be cut and bleeding because of the dirt and rocks(real football). The team wore the metallic gold helmets which made them look like Notre Dame to me. The band had big booming bass drums that echoed through the sheltered area. I'll never forget it.

[aggielaw]

My father graduated fom "T" and the later returned to teach ROTC in the seventies. He was in charge of the drill team. I remember them doing their thing with those shiney silver helmets.

I would run around the stadium with other youngsters and be on the sideline with the cheerlaeders. Those girls looked so fine with those afros.

The outside of the stadium was a constant flow of people coming down Yanceyville Street. The stadium had multiple RVs line-up next to it and people would sit on top of them to watch the game without having to pay to enter the stadium.

I seem to remeber kids playing touch and tackle football inside the stadium down near the tennis courts. So much love and so much fun.

[Aggie One]

Some of the most exciting moments in A&T football took place in Memorial. I was there in 1968 when A&T ended Morgan State's 30 game win streak during homecoming 7-6 before a standing room only crowd, the epic see-saw 28-28 tie with NCCU in 1969, the 14-13 upset of then fifth ranked and undefeated D-II Virigina State in 1970, the 15-14 upset of S.C. State in 1975, a late come from behind 21-20 win over a really good Arkansas Pine Bluff team in 1979 and the 33-12 thumping of NCCU in 1978 that gave A&T the MEAC championship my senior year.

Then the first game ever in Aggie Stadium when A&T held on four downs inside the five knocking off Winston Salem State and Bill Hayes 21-14 by knocking a sure touchdown reception loose with a vicious hit in the back of the end zone with 19 seconds left.

That's just a few.

[DOOMS]

You must be a mind reader. I was going to ask about '68. How'd it compare to '99?

[Aggie One]

A&T in 1968 was a methodical machine that was built on an awesome defense led by Ben Blacknall and a explosive offense with All-CIAA quarterback Stanley Jacobs, and two All-americans, WR Willie Wright and center Mel Rose. Earl Banks' Morgan team was a running dynamo with Frenchy Fuqua and five or six pro draft choices. Both teams were about dead even and it was winner take all.

I believe 1999 was a bigger upset because no one had laid a hand on FAMU all year long and we were a huge underdog. It was Bill Hayes' finest coaching performance of his career.

[Bornthrilla]

I believe 1999 was a bigger upset because no one had laid a hand on FAMU all year long and we were a huge underdog.

Actually, I believe Tennessee State defeated them earlier in the year when they still had all their starters healthy.