The program cleared the specialty shoes through compliance and then Adidas, the school's equipment partner. Wednesday, a day before the South Carolina game, the team checked the shoes with the NCAA officials calling Thursday's game, Starkey said.

The players were given the first look at their custom shoes Wednesday, a moment worth the effort for Starkey.

"It's hard to put into words. They were literally like kids on their first Christmas," he said.

"There was excitement at first, and there was just stunned silence as they looked and touched them," he continued. "If you're a coach, you want to do something for your kids, and that is the kind of reaction you are looking for. It was pretty cool."

After Thursday's game, the shoes will be used in a manner that will have a positive impact and generate goodwill in the community, according to A&M officials. Possible options are auctioning the shoes for charity or donating them to local children, Starkey said.

"It means a lot, actually, just to have my work in that type of position to be able to be a part of a good, meaningful project like that," Marcum said. "It means a lot to me."