Identical to the iconic 12-foot tall 12th Man statue situated in front of Kyle Field on the Texas A&M campus, Texas A&M Law now has its own quarter life-size version, or maquette, of the larger-than-life statue of E. King Gill.
Dallas-based sculptor Robert Hogan, who created the Kyle Field statue, hand delivered the maquette to Texas A&M Law in December.
For nearly 23 years, Hogan has made a name for himself with sports and community sculptures. His creations can also be seen at Houston’s Minute Maid Park, Brenham’s Blue Bell Creamery, the City of Highland Park and more.
Texas A&M Law’s 12th Man, the second in the edition of 36 created by the artist, is placed just outside the law school’s second floor lecture hall.
Kristi Kaiser Trail ’00, Director of Former Students, Alumni and External Relations, said the statue symbolizes the law school’s selfless service, one of the six Aggie core values that define personal and professional standards.
Through both pro bono and community service, selfless service is alive and well within the law school.
In the spirit of this core value, Texas A&M Law students commit to completing a minimum of 30 hours of pro bono service. It is no surprise that each year there are students who go over and above this requirement. Indeed, the spring and fall 2016 graduating classes contributed a combined total of 12,534.8 hours of pro bono legal services.
Students also come out in strong support each year for The Big Event, the largest one-day, student-run service project in the nation. In March, the law school will take part in its fourth Big Event.
Exemplifying the Aggie core value of selfless service, The Big Event provides students, faculty, staff and their families with the opportunity to give back to the community.
For Matthew Pellegrino, Master Maintenance Mechanic, the statue is a fitting reminder to embrace the 12th Man mentality in all endeavors.
“It’s a wonderful reminder to live out this important Aggie tradition,” he said.
Trail agreed.
“This is what Texas A&M stands for,” she said. “The spirit of the 12th Man makes us who we are.”
Hogan said that while he didn’t attend Texas A&M, the spirit and community of what it means to be an Aggie lives within him.
“You walk on the campus and it’s different from anywhere else,” he said. “These values are so important and special.”
The unveiling of the sculpture took place on Dec. 13, 2016. Hogan assisted Dean and Anthony G. Buzbee Dean’s Endowed Chair Andrew Morriss with the ceremonial drape removal and ribbon cutting. Judge Joe Spurlock ’60, also in attendance, represented faculty, with 3L Gregory Franklin ’04, J.D. ’17 representing the students.