TexAgs

TexAgs
Type of site
 Online community
Available in English
Owner Maroon & White, LP.
Created by Peter Kuo
Slogan(s) We Know Stuff
Website texags.com
Alexa rank Decrease 21,695 (April 2016)[1]
Commercial Mixed
Registration Optional
Launched July 22, 1998[2]
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, 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.[2][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 of 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.[26][27]

References

  1. ↑ "Texags.com Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved 2014-04-01.
  2. 1 2 Griffin, Tim (1999-07-31). "College football fans zone in on the Web". San Antonio Express-News.
  3. ↑ "TexAgs Media Kit". TexAgs. 2015-06-18. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  4. ↑ "Most Popular In College and University". Alexa Internet. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  5. ↑ "Most Popular In NCAA Division I-A". Alexa Internet. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Travis, Clay (2013-07-01). "Texas A&M and the SEC: A Perfect Match for TexAgs.com". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  7. 1 2 3 Buckley, Christopher B. (2008-06-23). "Cyber Fanatics: TexAgs.com fans commune online". The Battalion.
  8. ↑ "TexAgs.com and The Association Announce Strategic Marketing Partnership". 2007-02-01. Retrieved 2008-07-12.
  9. ↑ Fullhart, Steve (2006-10-28). "The TexAgs Internet Explosion". KBTX. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  10. ↑ "TexAgs Forums". TexAgs. 2015-06-18. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  11. ↑ Roberts, Selena (2007-07-15). "Internet Whistleblowers Go Where N.C.A.A. Fears to Tread". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-12.
  12. ↑ Steele, Michael (2006-08-29). "TexAgs' Brandon Jones turned a hobby into a career". The Battalion. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  13. ↑ Doyel, Gregg (2006-12-12). "Our best defense shouldn't come from a message board". CBS Sports. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  14. ↑ "Dr. Gates breaks cover". TexAgs. 2006-12-07. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  15. ↑ Cohen, Rachel (2006-12-08). "Anonymous posts on TexAgs.com came from Gates". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2007-07-15.
  16. ↑ "Post on Texags by Secretary Gates". TexAgs. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  17. ↑ I doubt that NC State has a Ranger65 at StateFans Nation
  18. ↑ CBS News
  19. ↑ The Houston Press
  20. ↑ TexAgs.com: Aggies Only
  21. ↑ Bragg, Roy (2008-05-16). "UPDATED: Spurs supporters use online message boards to meet people, blow off steam". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2008-05-17.
  22. ↑ "January 21, 2009 AGGIE ROUNDUP".
  23. ↑ "Would you sign up for an ESPN-free TexAgs?". TexAgs. 2011-08-14. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  24. ↑ "* Some of My Thoughts on Moderation - Please Read *". TexAgs. 2006-03-09. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  25. ↑ "* Some of My Thoughts on Moderation - Please Read *". TexAgs. 2006-03-09. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  26. ↑ "Why posters need multiple aliases?". TexAgs. 2003-09-23. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  27. ↑ "Hey Staff". TexAgs. 2007-02-28. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
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