Aggie Traditions Explained by Freshman, Senior

When freshman are asked why they attended Texas A&M, the easy answer that nearly every single one will tell you is “the traditions!” Now that the class of 2016 is about to walk across the stage and join the legions of former students, let’s see just how their passion blossomed.

 

Tradition	Freshmen	Senior
12th Man	Students stand throughout the entire football game in order to show support for their Aggie Football Team! An old tradition that dates back to E. King Gill and the 1922 game against Centre College, when Gill stood on the sidelines the whole game just in case he was needed, or that’s what my dad used to tell me.	After a good amount of pregaming and tailgating, I might find my way up to the game. I’ll stand out of social obligation and keep my eye on the game clock the whole time. I’ll probably (definitely) be on my couch at home in the air conditioning by halftime. The only way I’d be able to go the distance is by the power of lemon chills.
Midnight Yell	Students gather in Kyle Field the midnight before every home game, ready to practice yells so that they are perfect the next day. It’s the best way to spend a Friday night!	The last thing I want to do at 11pm on a weekend is to find my way to campus and stand in a large crowd. If they would arrange one at Chimy’s, consider me there. Plus, then the lighter thing would actually work.
Maroon Out	All of the students purchase “Maroon Out” shirts in order to appear unified in support of the Aggie team. Everybody should head to the MSC to pick one up!	Pull the Maroon Out shirt that I bought Freshmen year from the depths of my dresser. Wrinkled and stained? That is fine, it’s just Maroon Out. Is it even a real tradition? I probably learned that at fish camp at one point.
Mugging Down	Every Midnight Yell, the lights are turned out, allowing dates to “mug down,” or kiss. If students did not bring a date, they can hold up a lighter, and use the lights to find other lonely Ags. Maybe I’ll ask that girl in POLS 206 to be my date…	If I am single, mono doesn’t sound like fun. If I am in a relationship, we can kiss whenever we damn well please.Also, the people who kiss at Midnight Yell have no chill anyway. It is either timid freshman or brazen juniors, there’s no in between.
“Howdy”	The official greeting of Texas A&M! Everyone says it to one another, all the time!	I am pretty sure that I have not even made eye contact with someone on campus in at least a semester or two.
Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band	Our band is dope. I like it when the tubas go “huh” when they turn. We always win halftime.	Our band is dope. I like it when the tubas go “huh” when they turn. We always win halftime.
Penny on Sully	Placing a penny on the statue of Sul Ross in Academic Plaza is supposed to bring the student good luck on their tests. I know I’m going to give it a shot come finals week!	Who can afford to spare the pennies? Hard pass. If that tortoise that they tape dollar bills to is there, I might take my earbuds out though. I’ve also learned that there is no such thing as luck in college, only disappointment.
Century Tree	A popular marriage proposal place for Aggie lovebirds. If a couple walks under it’s branches together, they will be together forever, and if someone walks under alone, they will be doomed to be alone forever. I’ll keep my distance!	Another proposal? He’s a junior. A JUNIOR. Is that old enough to make these kinds of decisions?  I’m a whole year older and this is the fourth day in a row that I’m wearing these sweatpants. Really glad I could contribute to the ambiance of your proposal when I look like human garbage. I also don’t believe in the single forever thing, but I’m not gonna test it.
Aggie Ring	I can’t wait to get my piece of Aggie gold! The Aggie Ring is full of symbolism and will be a lifelong reminder that I’m part of something bigger than myself: the Aggie Family. I am counting the class hours until I can apply. I am NEVER taking it off once I get it.	I only wear my Aggie Ring to job interviews in hopes that the interviewer went here. I make sure to brush my face a lot so they catch a signal from my Aggie homing beacon. Please, please, please hire me. I am desperate.

 

Here in Aggieland, if you do it twice it’s tradition, but once you do it a fourth time, it’s whatever. Remember that the next time you call someone a 2%er.

 

-Beutel Call and GingerbRedass