Before the Texas A&M vs.
University of
Texas football game, Texas A&M lights the bonfire, symbolizing the undying Aggie spirit and the flaming desire to beat the
University of
Texas .
Freshman at A&M are mostly responsible for the building of bonfire. Upperclassmen guide and supervise the construction.The wood is cut from land that is to be cleared for other purposes.Only hand tools and axes are used in the clearing of the land and cutting of the wood.The yell practice that accompanies the burning of the bonfire begins with the entrance of the yell leaders and the band, plying the “Aggie War Hymn.”The bonfire has been listed in the Guiness Book of World Records.
MIDNIGHT YELL PRACTICE
The first midnight yell practice was conceived as a lark by a small group of Aggies in 1932.Just before the UT game that year, a handful of Aggies were congregated In Puryear Hall in the room of Peanut Owens, then a junior yell leader.One of the group suggested having the Fish in nearby dorms fall out and snake around the campus, ending with a yell practice in front of the YMCA building at midnight.
The group asked two senior yell leaders, Horsefly Berryhill and Tiwo Gim Herman, about the idea.The senior yell leaders said they couldn’t authorize a midnight yell practice, but they would manage to be at the “y” at midnight.The small band of tradition makers planted flares around the building and rousted the Corps.Even the band showed up and midnight yell practice was born.
“HOWDY!”
“Howdy” is the traditional Aggie greeting.Like many
Texas A&M traditions, this one began with the Corps of Cadets.Freshmen Cadets must “whip out” their hands to shake hands with all upperclassmen they meet.They must tell each other their names, where they are from and their majors.Then, both cadets remember the name of the person they’ve just met.
REVEILLE
In 1931, a carload of Aggies were returning from a football game and accidentally injured a stray trying to cross the highway,They bundled the dog in a blanket and took her back to campus.That night, the stray slept in a
Texas A&M dorm in violation of military regulations.
The dog was dubbed Reveille by her newfound friends after she yelped and yelped as the bugler played Reveille the next morning.The dog began following her friends around campus and on practice marches.At the half-time of a football game, she led the band onto the field and performed as if she were the featured entertainment.She won the hearts of the crowd and the students, and her performance earned her the title of Official Mascot of
Texas A&M.
When Reveille died on January 18, 1944, she was given a formal military funeral in the center of the gridiron on Kyle Field.She now lies at the entrance to Kyle Field.Three other
Texas A&M mascots, Reveille II, Reveille III, and Reveille IV, are buried beside her.Reveille V was retired in 1994.Reveille VI is kept and cared for by a mascot corporal in Company E-2, the Mascot Company.
THE TWELFTH MAN
One of the most well-known traditions at Texas A&M is the Twelfth
Man. This colorful tradition has been told and retold to generations of Aggie students, and is part of the cohesive substance that binds A&M students together.
The Twelfth Man tradition is the reason students stand for each entire football game.They stand in readiness in case they are needed to go into the games like the original Twelfth Man, E. King Gill.
The late Dr. Gill of
Corpus Christi related this story a few years ago: It was January 1922, following the 1921 football season.The Aggies were AWC champions and had been invited to play
Centre
College in what was then called the Dixie Classic in
Dallas .I had played on the football team, but was on the basketball time at the time, and those in charge felt I was more valuable to the basketball team.
I was in
Dallas , however, and even rode to the stadium in the same taxi with Coach Dana X. Bible.I was in civilian clothes and was not to be in uniform.Coach Bible asked me to assist in spotting players for the late Jinx Tucker (sports editor of the
Waco News Tribune) in the press box.So, I was up in the press box, helping Jinx Tucker when, near the end of the first half, I was called down to the
Texas A&M bench.There had been a number of injuries, but it was not until I arrived on the field that I learned that Coach Bible wanted me to put on a football uniform and be ready to play if he needed me.
There were no dressing rooms in the stadium. In those days the team had dressed downtown in the hotel and traveled to the stadium in taxi cabs.Anyway, I put on the uniform of on of the injured players.We got under the stands and he put on my clothes and I put on his uniform.I was ready to play, but I was never sent into the game.
When Aggie students stand during the games, it is this spirit, loyalty, and willingness to help the team that they are remembering.
THE AGGIE CODE OF HONOR
For many years Aggies have followed a Code of Honor which is stated in this very simple verse: “Aggies do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do.”
The Aggie Code of Honor is an effort to unify the aims of all
Texas A&M men & women toward a high code of ethics and personal dignity.For most, living this code will be no problem, as it asks nothing of a person that is beyond reason.It only calls for honesty and integrity, characteristics which Aggies have always exemplified
The Aggie Code of Honor functions as a symbol to all Aggies promoting understanding and loyalty and confidence in each other.
GIG’EM
A closed fist with the thumb up is a sign of approval and of winning just about everywhere.
When Aggies give each other this sign (which they frequently do), they accompy it with a hearty “Gig ‘Em!” To Aggies, this is encouragement to go out and do your best at whatever you are doing.So when you see some Aggies, give them a “Gig ‘Em!” and they will be proud to give you one right back.
