Favila: It's a shame when change ruins tradition

Change is inevitable. It’s really the only constant in the world. Nothing lasts forever except change. It’s a paradox.

Yet, there are some things we just expect to be there. Things we simply don’t expect to change. Things we take for granted. For example, we expect the sun to always rise in the east and set in the west. We expect the stars and the moon to shine at night. We expect oxygen to fill our lungs when we breath.

And we expect the annual Texas-Texas A&M football game to be played every November.

On Friday, however, The Associated Press reported that this year’s annual grudge match between the Longhorns and Aggies would be the last one for at least the next six years. With A&M heading to the Southeastern Conference beginning next year, Aggies athletic director Bill Byrne told the AP his counterpart at Texas emailed him to let him know that the Longhorns’ nonconference schedule is full through 2018.

Therefore it would appear that the 118-year old rivalry that began back in 1894 will end Nov. 24 in College Station — at least for now.

What a shame.

I don’t pretend to be a huge fan of either Texas or A&M, but as a sports fan I appreciate a good sports rivalry. And while I went on record a few weeks back in support of the Aggies leaving the Big 12 for the SEC, I guess I just never expected the move would mean the death of such a spirited battle. I guess I figured the two universities would somehow always be linked.

I have very found memories of Texas-Texas A&M. While I’ve never been fortunate enough to attend the contest in person, I’ve watched it on television for as long as I can remember.

To be honest, I enjoyed it more when the game was played the morning after Thanksgiving. There was just something very comforting about being able to wake up knowing that there was a refrigerator full of leftover turkey and that Texas-Texas A&M would be on TV.

But even on Thanksgiving night, the game is still one of those must-see events although Texas owns the rivalry holding a 75-37-5 advantage. It was a tradition and it’s unfortunate that change has to kill it.

I mean if Texas-Texas A&M can be allowed to go by the wayside, what’s next to disappear? Michigan-Ohio State? Yankees-Red Sox? Cowboys-Redskins? The Battle of the Arroyo? Weslaco High-Donna? Oh, wait. That one was killed years ago. 

Dave Favila is the sports editor at the Valley Morning Star. You can reach him at (956) 430-6214 or via e-mail at davidf@valleystar.com.