Omaha, NE - Charles Schwab Field, the venue of the Men's College World Series, stands as a testament to the rich history of champions that have celebrated their victories on its hallowed grounds. However, two prominent programs, Texas A&M and Tennessee, have been noticeably absent from the list of winners. This weekend, the Aggies and the Volunteers will vie for their first baseball national championships, bringing an end to years of Omaha glory denial.

Both teams acknowledge the peculiarity of their absence from the winners' circle. Jim Schlossnagle, the head coach of Texas A&M, expressed his bewilderment stating, "You look at the coaches, players, and history of both programs, and you'd think one of us would have won this at some point along the way." Tony Vitello, the leader of Tennessee's baseball program, echoed this sentiment, recognizing the commitment their respective schools have made to baseball and the oddity of their lack of titles.

The Aggies and the Volunteers have shared a connection that goes beyond their shared frustrations in the College World Series. They first appeared in the same tournament 73 years ago in 1947 when both teams were part of the eight-team field. However, they never faced each other that year. Notably, former Tennessee baseball player and football coach Charley Moran coached Texas A&M's General Robert Neyland in his freshman year before Neyland's legendary coaching career at Tennessee.

Both programs experienced lengthy droughts in their College World Series appearances. Tennessee last reached Omaha 44 years ago in 1977, led by future Baseball Hall of Famer Todd Helton, while Texas A&M's absence extended from 1967 until 1993, when they held the top national seed but were eliminated early. However, in recent years, both programs have seen increased success, with Texas A&M making their third appearance in the past seven years, and Tennessee consistently ranked among the nation's top teams.

The rise of college baseball as a dominant force outside of the West Coast has posed a challenge for both Texas A&M and Tennessee. Over the last 15 years, teams from their conference, the SEC, have won nine out of the last 13 College World Series titles, while other SEC teams have also enjoyed postseason success. Despite growing pains, fans and alumni from both schools have remained loyal, providing unwavering support even during periods of disappointment.

For Texas A&M's Schlossnagle and Tennessee's Vitello, bringing home the NCAA trophy represents a moment of immense significance. Schlossnagle, who came close to winning during his tenure at TCU, shared his admiration for Texas A&M's passionate fan base known as the "12th Man" and expressed a desire to reward that loyalty. Vitello, visibly emotional, drew inspiration from the legacy of Pat Summitt, the late legendary coach of Tennessee's women's basketball team, emphasizing the character and winning mentality she instilled in her players.

The journey towards a championship for both teams has been long overdue. Tennessee's last national title in football dates back a decade ago, and Texas A&M's last gridiron championship was in 1939. The possibility of finally shedding the weight of disappointment has brought former players and fans together, with the lobbies of their team hotels in Omaha filling up with supporters eager to witness history being made.

As Texas A&M's pitcher Ryan Prager stated, "To be able to do it for them, to give them a sense of accomplishment," speaks to the deep-rooted desire to bring joy to the loyal followers who have stood by their respective programs through thick and thin.

The atmosphere in Omaha is charged with excitement and anticipation as Texas A&M and Tennessee look to break the spell that has held them back for so long. These programs, synonymous with college sports excellence, are determined to etch their names into the illustrious history of the College World Series. Whether Texas A&M's "12th Man" will finally see their unrivaled passion rewarded, or Tennessee's legacy will be further immortalized, the stage is set for a showdown that promises to deliver a magnificently historic finale to the Men's College World Series.