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

Page 29 text:

ABOVE TOP: The revitalized yell leaders catch their breath and lead a crowd of happy Ags in a post-game yell practice at the Fish Pond. LEFT: Class of ’88 cadets hit the track with push-ups when a yell leader calls their class number out at midnight yell. ABOVE: Junior cadets lead the band and their dates to Kyle Field for another midnight yell as the drum majors and yell leaders light the way with torches.

Page 28 text:

Yell Practices Hump it, Ags! idnight yell practice, a tradition ■ M meant to rev up Aggie spirit the night Y M before a home game, remains virtual¬ ly unchanged since its spontaneous beginning in 1932. It’s what many people mis¬ takenly compare to a pep rally, but true Ags know that Farmers yell, they don’t cheer. And it’s what many people feel is the key to Texas A M’s undying spirit. University Archives credits “Peanut” Owens and his buddies for starting yell practice. One November night before the t.u. game, a group of Aggies with Owens suggested that the “fish” (freshmen cadets) needed to be motivated for the game. The idea was to have the fish fall out and snake around campus to end with a yell practice in front of the YMCA building. Owens persuaded senior yell leaders, “Horsefly” Berry- hill and “Tiwo Gim” Herman, to meet the Corps and the band at the YMCA’s footsteps. Torches and flares were lighted to brighten the area about the building and the plan worked. The yell leaders removed their ties, rolled up their sleeves and led yells. They started with “Got a fable for ya Army!” That night marked A M’s first Mid¬ night Yell Practice. Today, with a little more symbolism, the cus¬ tom goes on. Midnight yell is held in Kyle Field, where about 30,000 alumni and students gather to yell, wildcat, hump it, scream, and get enthu¬ siastic for the game. By Yollie Lopez LEFT: Yell leaders Marty Holmes and Tom Kelley come together to tell a Rock story, a highlight of midnight yell. ABOVE: Aggies sway together to “Saw Varsity’s Horns Off”.

Page 30 text:

Game Day Tradition surrounding the game rwi hough many Aggies won’t remember t how many passes were completed in 1986 or how many yards rushing were gained, they will remember going to yell practices, post-game parties, visits from parents and all the other fun that went along with home football game weekends. As soon as class ended on Friday, it was time to start the weekend. Books were thrown aside and forgotten until Sunday. Final party plans were made, and blue jeans and T-shirts replaced dresses and ties. Dur¬ ing football season, student organizations set up tables in the MSC, the Commons and other frequented locations, selling shirts, mums and other Aggie parapherna¬ lia. Thousands of students gathered in Kyle Field on Friday night before the game — strangers connected by the common bond of being an Aggie — and showed their sup¬ port, often made more vocal by a pre-yell keg party, for the football team, Jackie Sherrill and Texas A M. Many students anticipated the arrival of their parents. Usually a visit from mom and dad meant a bag of goodies — everything from chocolate chip cookies to forgotten clothes — and a free meal after the game at a nice restaurant other than McDonald’s. At halftime, senior Aggies filed onto the field for “boot line,” a receiving line for the players and another way to show support for the school. Saturday nights were usually spent celebrating an Aggie victory. ABOVE: Before kickoff, many families and friends picnic or hold tailgate parties about campus for food, fun, and beverage during the game’s day. BELOW: Watching the main event, the team is inspirited by their teammates playing on the gridiron. 26 Life