text size

Rivalry on the Rink: A&M/Texas Series Skates On

Updated: Wednesday, October 3 2012, 10:54 PM CDT
There are several lasting images of the University of Texas/Texas A&M rivalry that spanned 118 years. The final one our cameras captured was in June - three days before the Aggies left the Big 12 for the SEC. Reveille, paid a visit to the ranch to say bye to BEVO as the two mascots, like their respective universities - went their separate ways.

But while conference realignment has put a freeze on head to head meetings between the Aggies and Longhorns on the field and the court, the rivalry on the rink is alive and well, maybe not so friendly.

"Hockey is everything football is, except you've got razorblades on your feet," says UT head ice hockey coach Rick Jardine.

The University of Texas ice hockey team, a club sport in its 12th year, has a home-and-home series with Texas A&M this weekend in what is believed to be the first athletic event between the Aggies and UT since Texas A&M split for the SEC July 1st. Time has clearly not healed all wounds.

"We hate A&M," says Longhorns right wing Joseph Halford. "Ever since they left the Big 12 and they're going to the SEC for football, this is our one chance we get to pound on these guys."

The UT/A&M rivalry is carved so deep into senior defenseman Will Harlin, that it would take a fleet of zambonis to smooth it over. Harlin's father played baseball at Texas A&M. Will is a senior at UT. While Thanksgiving night won't divide the house anymore, he's excited for another slap shot at the Aggies.

"It's my favorite game every year," says Harlin. "I look forward to it. I mark it on the calendar every year. It means a lot to me, it's a rivalry game. It means everything to this team."

Texas A&M swept the season season series from the Longhorns last year. But unlike every varsity sport, that's not the end of the road for this team. Conference realignment put the A&M/Texas rivalry on ice for the foreseeable future, and that's exactly where this group wants it.Rivalry on the Rink: A&M/Texas Series Skates On