Texas A&M Aggies - Traditions

Traditions

Texas A&M values traditions very highly, many of which revolve around the sports in which the school competes. A few of the athletic traditions of Texas A&M include:

• The 12th Man — The entire student body is referred to as The 12th Man after E. King Gill stood ready to play on the sidelines in 1922.
• The Aggie War Hymn — The War Hymn is played at athletic events during the game and after a win.
• Aggie Bonfire — Built and burned prior to the annual football game with the University of Texas. Bonfire is now an off-campus event after the University cancelled it following the 1999 collapse.
• Fightin' Texas Aggie Band — The Aggie Band is the largest military-style marching band in the United States and performs at halftime during the football games.
• Midnight Yell Practice — Held the night before a home game, the student body gathers at Kyle Field to excite the crowd.
• Yell Leaders — Attending many events, wearing uniforms modeled after a milkman uniform the yell leaders use hand signals to keep the crowd yelling in unison.
• Gig 'em — The slogan used by Aggie supporters, often accompanied with a thumbs-up sign, the first hand sign of the Southwest Conference.
• Reveille — The official mascot of Texas A&M since 1931. Since Reveille II, all A&M mascots have been collies.
• Maroon Out — One designated home football game of the year is a "maroon out" game. All Aggies are instructed to wear maroon.