Texas A&M Students Keep School
Spirit Alive
Traditions Council educates Aggies about customs
By Jaclyn Sherman

     Every school is different, but one thing unites campuses around the nation—tradition. From game-day yells and rallies to colors and mascots, students take their customs and rituals to heart. Because of its long history of spirit, the Student Government Association at Texas A&M University formed a council to help preserve the Aggies’ long-celebrated customs and also to create new traditions.
     The Traditions Council is made up of 42 students and a seven-member student executive board. These dedicated Aggies promote and uphold TAMU traditions by creating awareness around campus as well as throughout the Longhorn state.
     Established in 1975, the Traditions Council strives to ignite the Aggie passion for on-campus traditions by speaking at various events. The council spreads the Aggie spirit by sponsoring variety shows, luncheons with alumni, and receptions. Traditions Council Chair Schuyler Houser says that by uniting current collegians with former students, TAMU's rituals will continue to be celebrated and enjoyed.
     Houser says that for 2000 the council decided to bring back a custom that ran from 1991 to 1995, "Switch Off for Kick-Off." In this spin on Sadie Hawkins, the girls ask the guys to attend the football game. The council occasionally brings old rituals back to life so new Aggies can enjoy them.
     "These council members are passionate individuals, and they know what it takes to be an Aggie," Houser says. "They love where they go to school and want to make sure everyone else knows it, too."
     Each year, the council focuses on one main theme, Houser says. During the 2000-2001 academic year, they'll concentrate on candlelight ceremonies and memorials because of the 1999 tragic bonfire accident. The 55-foot tall bonfire, set aglow for the past 90 years before the annual football game against Texas University, was never lit after 12 students died while setting up the massive structure.
     Another event that gets the students pumped up for football games is a "Midnight Yell," held the night before home games at Kyle Field and on Thursday nights before away games. Since TAMU doesn’t have cheerleaders, five students (three seniors and two juniors) are elected each year by the student body to serve as Yell Leaders for the pep rally. They direct the crowd of students, known as the "Twelfth Man," in old army cheers and the singing of the fight song. The student body is referred to as the "Twelfth Man" because of E. King Gill, a student who stood ready to help his football team defeat the top-ranked opponent in 1922. Gill's readiness and enthusiasm reflected the entire student body's attitude and support. The "Twelfth Man" is in the stands supporting the team and is always prepared to lend a hand.
     The final part of the "Midnight Yell" occurs when the lights go out and Aggies kiss their dates. If someone doesn't have a date, he flicks a cigarette lighter. According to the tradition, the flames make it easier for two dateless people to find each other.
     On September 17, 1999, a new tradition started known as "First Yell," the kick-off "Midnight Yell" of the school year. Aggies ushered in the 2000 football season with concerts, food, carnival games, and a performance by comedian Bill Cosby.
     "Silver Taps," originated in 1898, when the former governor of Texas and president of the university, Lawrence Sullivan Ross, died. Since then, the school holds a service for any student who dies while enrolled at TAMU. When a student passes away, their final tribute is held on the first Tuesday of the following month. On that day, the school places a small card with the deceased’s name, class, major, and date of birth at the base of the flagpole and on a memorial nearby. Later, students gather in silence at the foot of Lawrence Sullivan Ross’ statue. At 10:15 p.m., the campus darkens while hymns chime from Albritton Tower. Fifteen minutes later, a firing squad marches into the plaza and triggers a 21-gun salute. According to the Aggie Traditions web site, aggietraditions.tamu.edu, buglers play "Taps" three times from the dome of the Academic Building: once to the north, south, and west. The tune isn’t played to the east, because the sun will never rise on that Aggie again.

For more information, visit traditions.tamu.edu, or contact the council at traditionscouncil@hotmail.com.

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