TexAgs
File:TexAgs Logo ESPN.gif | |
Web address | texags.com |
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Slogan | We Know Stuff |
Commercial? | Mixed |
Type of site
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Online community |
Registration | Optional |
Available in | English |
Owner | Maroon & White, LP. |
Created by | Peter Kuo |
Launched | July 22, 1998[1] |
Alexa rank
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Current status | Active |
TexAgs is an independent Texas A&M University fan website. It features articles, chat, forums, and recruiting information about Texas A&M Aggie sports. The website receives an average of 1,000,000 pageviews per day,[3] and as of June 2008[update], TexAgs was the sixth most-visited college sports website[4] and the most visited NCAA Division I-A website.[5] During the 2012 college football season, the website received an average of 500,000 monthly unique visitors.[6]
TexAgs was created by Peter Kuo in May 1997 and sold to its current operators in December 1999.[1][7] When it debuted, TexAgs only had 2,000-3,000 members, and forums only discussed Aggie football. In February 2007, The Association of Former Students announced a marketing partnership with TexAgs.com.[8] As of 2007, there were more than 60,000 members. The website never used any form of advertising for promotion, as it grew popular via word of mouth.[9] As of 2013, there were over 9,500 paying subscribers,[6] and the website presently includes over 50 different forums.[10]
Notable forum posts include one that disclosed that former University of Oklahoma quarterback Rhett Bomar received payment for non-worked hours from a local auto dealership seven months before the University kicked the player off of the team and reported the infraction to the NCAA.[7][11][12] Former University President and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has posted as "Ranger65".[7][13][14][15][16][17] In April 2010, TexAgs gained national attention when a forum member posting as "dermdoc" posted of terminating an employee because of increased costs due to Obamacare. The employee happened to have voted for President Barack Obama.[18][19] Texas A&M graduate and US Astronaut Mike Fossum posted late on July 29, 2011 from the International Space Station using an account TexAgs staff set up for him earlier that day.[20]
TexAgs has fourteen full-time employees, including the owner, Brandon Jones, and eight part-time employees.[6] Message boards are moderated by twenty volunteers.[21]
In 2009, the website became an affiliate of ESPN.com as part the 20 college TEAM Sports Network,[22] but that relationship has since ended.[23]
On August 22, 2011, TexAgs radio was launched as a daily Aggie sports talk show on KZNE 1150 the Zone. The show airs for three hours on weekdays and includes a one-hour TV show simulcast.[6] Hosts include Gabe Bock, Billy Luicci, and Olin Buchanan.
Criticism
Some current and former members have criticized the operation of the message forums, particularly its moderation policies. Such criticisms include a policy of anonymous moderation by a staff of twenty, led by Brandon Jones, who are allowed to post alongside regular members.
[24][25] This is in contrast to similar websites that list their staff and moderators in an open fashion. Further, such moderation is sometimes seen as inconsistent.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- ↑ I doubt that NC State has a Ranger65 at StateFans Nation
- ↑ CBS News
- ↑ The Houston Press
- ↑ TexAgs.com: Aggies Only
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links
- TexAgs official website
- The Eagle article
- 12th Man Foundation Featured Article Media Monster