Texas A and M University - Aggieland Yearbook (College Station, TX)

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OLD ELEPHANTS DIE AT A M Seniors wade through mud and water as they approach their final days of glory at top. Tuesday November y 26, 1985 at 12:30 in the afternoon. The atmosphere of a riot seemed to take hold of the A M campus as senior students filled the plaza area in front of the Academic Building. The leaders of the group wore red work¬ men. Three other leaders wore blue jean overalls and led the massive group of se¬ niors through various yells to pep them up for the march about to take place. Meanwhile, various groups of juniors had set up ambushes throughout campus. Their toy guns were loaded, in hand and ready to fire when the seniors marched by. A visitor of the campus would think this crowd was worse than the Kent State epi¬ sode several years ago. However, the Ag¬ gies knew it was just the annual tradition of Elephant Walk. The march, Tuesday before the A M vs. TU. football game, symbolized the seniors as dead elephants who would no longer be of use to the Twelfth man student body. Juniors ready to take over their new lead rolls on cam¬ pus, killed the dying elephants with water guns, water balloons and shaving cream. “It was fun to have the juniors you knew try to get you with their water guns and balloons,” said senior Susan Legg. The line of the arm-in-arm seniors marched through several sentimental spots on campus as juniors continued the assault. The seniors were led through the fish pond and through campus. Then blocking traffic on University Drive, they meandered by the Dixie Chicken and down bottle cap alley. After surviving several ambushes at the north campus dorms, the seniors caught a glimpse of a real elephant by the Albritton Bell Tower. The seniors marched into Kyle Field where a surprise steer was waiting for them with 37-10 (the score from last year’s A M vs. TU. game) branded on its side. After a short yell practice, the se¬ niors headed to the Quadrangle. “It looked like a bunch of mud wrestling tournaments were taking place,” com¬ mented senior Laura Goldwater in refer¬ ence to the activities in the Corps area. The mud-covered, dying elephants end¬ ed their trek at the site of Bonfire where a final yell practice was held with the yell leaders atop the stack. This muddy field and collection of wood was to become an¬ other annual Aggie bonfire to be held the next evening. By Lisa Kastensmidt

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signals to hump-it. A M students remain on their feet until halftime. Like most sporting events, fans either shout verbal charms or sorcery. Aggies whoop or hiss their “Riffity, riffity, rif, raf’s.” Scoring points on the field means additional scores for the standing 12th Man. The Parson’s Mounted Calvery cannon fires and Aggies receive their date’s kiss for each score. Whoop! The entire student side of the stadium — and most of the opposite side of the stadium — sways during the Aggie War Hymn at the end of the first quarter. The band then begins preparations for half¬ time. Upon command, “The Pulse of Ag- gieland” runs to the field’s edge before performing like no other military march¬ ing band. Their performances consist of folding and interweaving columns and rows with precision and sharpness, bring¬ ing cheers from both sides of the stadium. Before the football players return to the turf, senior students and boot-wearing ca¬ dets form boot line, a privilege specifically for seniors or “Zips” to spur the team onto victory. After an Aggie win, yell leaders are chased down and carried off by freshmen to the fish pond for a refreshing dunk fol¬ lowed by a yell practice on the steps of the YMCA Building. If Aggies are “out- scored,” a yell practice with the football players and coaching staff is held in Kyle Field immediately following the game. Celebrations and comaraderie flow through the campus and town as the Ag¬ gies strengthen the tradition of a spirit that ■x can n’er be told — the spirit of Aggieland. % By Yollie Lopez Students hump-it during the game against the Uni¬ versity of Houston at Kyle Field. Life 27

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V TOP: Two junior corp students aim fire hoses at seniors as they walk around Duncan Dining Hall and towards the site of bonfire. LEFT: A proud senior displays his class status through elephant ears and a trunk before embark- ing on the elephant walk. ABOVE: Seniors end elephant walk by gathering around the site of bonfire and holding a yell practice. I