I know from experience on the internet that many people wonder, what is an 'Aggie'. The first thing usually associated with an Aggie, is the fact that they went to college at Texas A&M University, in College Station, Texas. That fact alone, is only a small part of the tradition and spirit that is within Aggies.
Aggie Spirit: Undefinable, yet an awesome force that overtakes students, former students, and friends of Texas A&M University
"From the outside looking in, you cannot understand,
from the inside looking out, you cannot explain."
Aggie Traditions
HOWDY is the official greeting of Texas A&M, and is known as the friendliest campus in the world.
REVEILLE is the mascot, of the Texas Aggies. She is a registered collie and presently number VI. The first mascot, was a wounded black and white stray dog, that was found on a trip. She was adopted and given her name in 1933. The first morning she awoke to the bugler playing Reveille, and howled and barked, hence her name. After some time, she began performing with the band at the games, and was officially named the mascot of Texas A&M University. When Reveille I died in 1944, she was given a formal military funeral on Kyle Field and then buried at the entrance to the field. Currently, all the mascots are buried there as well, in direct view of the scoreboard, so that they can always watch the Aggies outscore their opponents on the field.
BONFIRE is the tradition that began from the gathering of scrap wood in 1909. It has become the world's largest bonfire and symbolizes the desire to "beat the hell out of t.u.!" (the small secular school, university of texas, in Austin, Texas). Aggies gather thousands of trees and put them end on end to make the bonfire, finishing just before the game with the University of Texas, on Thanksgiving. A special tribute to the Aggies that lost their lives building the Bonfire of 1999.
THE TWELFTH MAN is the tradition that represents the true spirit of Aggieland. The Dixie Classic Football Game in 1922, Texas A&M played the national champions, Centre College. At halftime, the Aggies were ahead but had so many injuries, that they didn't think they would be able to finish the game. The coach, remembered E. King Gill, a former football player was in the stands and called for him. Gill volunteered and donned the uniform of an injured player. Although he never actually played, he was the only player left on the bench at the end of the game, which we won won, 23-14. Gill's readiness to play symbolized the willingness of the Aggie fans to support their team. That spirit has been spread throughout the students. The entire student body stands throughout the game, ready for duty if called. All Aggies are considered part of the Twelfth Man.
SILVERTAPS is held the first Tuesday of every month for students who have died during the previous month. Students gather outside the academic building, just after dark, with all the lights turned off on the campus. Taps is played three times, a very solemn version, and everyone leaves feeling as if someone very close to you has died. Shows the importance of each and every Aggie, whether you knew them personally or not.
MUSTER is day of remembrance for all Aggie Alumni, faculty, and staff. The days begins with activities on campus and each year it is dedicated to the 50 year class reunion. The days activities are closed with the Roll Call for the Absent ceremony, when over eight thousand people gather to honor and remember those who are no longer with us. As each name is called, a candle is lit and a friend or family member answers 'here' to remind us all that each Aggie, though no longer present in body, will remain with us in spirit... Muster will continue to serve as the foundation of Aggie Spirit, upholding those ideals and principles common to all students of Texas A&M, common to all Aggies, forever. Today Muster is held in over 400 places world wide, and is held annually on April 21st.
|
This date was last changed on March 1, 2005.