The undefeated TCU football team is headed to the Big 12 Championship game Dec. 3. It has been an incredible season on the field, but it has been equally notable off the field.
Amon G. Carter Stadium reached a record student attendance with 6,512 – more than half the student body – in attendance for a single game. TCU has been featured four times this season on a nationally televised pregame show, with one of them airing live from TCU when Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff descended on campus Nov. 5. A fifth national pregame show appearance will take place on this weekend’s ESPN College Gameday ahead of the championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“Our students are always really connected with cheering on our athletics teams, but this year has been especially exciting. The student engagement, particularly at games, just shows how excited our students are,” said Brad Thompson, director of student activities. “This small-school experience coupled with large-school athletics and winning teams is a great combination for a really robust student experience outside of the classroom.”
The success is also felt throughout Fort Worth and through Horned Frog alumni, donors
and friends. The Carter had three consecutive sellouts, including a crowd of 49,594,
the largest since the renovation of Amon G. Carter Stadium in 2012 and the second
largest crowd in program history. The trend continued outside the walls of TCU, with
alumni watch parties and events increasing.
“The success of our student-athletes provides platforms to excite alumni about all events happening on campus and in chapter and club cities around the nation,” Amanda Stallings, associate vice chancellor of alumni relations, said. “TCU is proud to have the Lead On philanthropic campaign, TCU’s 150th and football success converging together. It is an exciting time to be a Horned Frog.”
TCU Alumni Association will host a Big 12 Championship Riff Ram Rally the night before the game, as well as various watch parties. Students were given the opportunity to purchase tickets in the designated student section, and Frog Club members were provided purchasing options as well. TCU allotments are now depleted, but for those interested in attending the game, visit the Big 12 championship game website or all can watch live at 11 a.m. on ABC.