Aggie Network Helps Woman See Game, Daughter Accepted to A&M

The Aggie Network is a powerful and unique force for Aggies; as it so often does, it coalesced to bring one Aggie a little bit of light this weekend.

Alicen Hall Herrin ’95 was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2017 and really wanted to experience Game Day in Aggieland this season.

Alissa Greene ’01, Herrin’s cousin, reached out to the Aggie Network to make it happen. She contacted one of Herrin’s professors while a student, Rodney Culver Hill of the College of Architecture, to see if there was a way Herrin could watch another game at Kyle Field.

Hill contacted Porter S. Garner III ’79, president and CEO of The Association of Former Students, and the Aggie Network set to work.

Mark Fischer ’72, chair elect of The Association’s Board, volunteered four tickets in his personal suite at Kyle so Herrin and her family could comfortably watch the Fightin’ Texas Aggies in tonight’s game.

“The fact that I’m in a position to be able to do it, it’s just something I love doing,” Fischer said. “We’re a unique organization. It doesn’t matter what field you’re in or anything else; if an issue comes up, Aggies are there to help.” 

Staff members at the 12th Man Foundation donated 10 seats so other members of Herrin’s family can watch tonight’s game. Head coach Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M Athletics coordinated sideline passes for Herrin and her family.

Reveille IX will even make a stop by the suite during the game.

As if seeing the Aggies on the field wasn’t enough for one evening, Herrin and her family were surprised with a visit from Texas A&M President Michael K. Young and a piece of very welcome news.

Ansley Herrin, the daughter of Alicen and her husband, Scott ’99, has anxiously been waiting to hear if she’d be the newest member of the Class of ’23 and Young surprised her with her acceptance letter.

"I really only deliver one [admission letter] a year, a really special one," Young said to Ansley, Alicen and their family before the game. "Now I don't know what's inside, but I have a suspicion it's good news for us. I hope you think it's good news for you. We are thrilled to have you as part of [this great] university."

Amid exclamations of surprise, joy and several "whoops," Alicen beamed as her daughter held up her AggieBound banner. Ansley's younger sister, Ashlen, piped up, "I'm next."

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