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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.
See this article as originally published at The Student Leader