Jack Fritts' Muster Speech

(Excerpted from the book “HERE” The Muster Speeches at Texas A&M University by Jerry Cooper)

"Jack Garner Fritts was born February 1, 1932, in Austin and earned a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry at Texas A&M. He was president of the Association of Former Students in 1982 and a key figure in initiating plans for construction of the Clayton W. Williams Jr. Alumni Center. He also served as chairman of the building committee that had gifts and pledges in hand to pay for the $7 million structure on the day it opened in 1987. Jack Fritts originated the candlelight ceremony that is now an integral part of Aggie Muster. Fritts was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas A&M in 1987."

Jerry Cooper reads an excerpt from Cooper’s Aggie Muster speech, delivered at Reed Arena.

Jerry Cooper is a native of Texas City  and a member of the Texas A&M Class of ’63. Upon graduation with a journalism degree, Cooper joined the U.S. Army and served as a Civil Affairs officer in Vietnam. Honorably discharged as a first lieutenant, Cooper returned to civilian life and the state of Texas as a reporter/photographer for the Galveston Daily News. In September 1971, he began a 31-year career as editor of Texas Aggie magazine. Advisor to some two dozen authors of Texas A&M-related books, Cooper has authored three A&M-themed books of his own, including, most recently, “HERE” The Muster Speeches at Texas A&M University.