Full-Court Press
EVERY Aggie across America and the international theater felt the sorrow first-hand for the dozen students who lost their lives building the traditional bonfire. A moment for
A&M’s fallen 12Part of being a freshman at Texas A&M University is taking part in the construction of this 40-foot mountain of lumber prior to the annual football game with the University of Texas.
All the freshmen in the Corps of Cadets and many of their civilian counterparts take time out of their busy schedules to be a part of this traditional school-wide event.
Not everyone climbs on the logs to make sure they are properly in place. Many serve coffee and doughnuts to those scaling the ultimate wood pile. Others help in getting the lumber there in the first place.
One of my first assignments as an inexperienced college reporter for the student newspaper was to do a story on the people building the bonfire.
"Go over there and ask some of the freshmen Corps of Cadets what it means to be a part of this tradition," Battalion sports editor Paul McGrath said to me 23 Novembers ago.
"Don't wear those blue shades and put your hair up under your hat so those guys don't mistake you for a Communist. And don't forget, this is for the centennial senior Class of 1976, of which I am a proud member. So don't screw it up."
IN those days, being a member of the Corps just wasn't cool. The fathers of the institution wouldn't have put it that way, but they were smart enough to realize that civilians and women would have to be allowed on campus for the university to see its bicentennial.
I walked up to the officer on duty, identified myself as a reporter for the student newspaper and asked if I could interview some of the fish. He eyed me suspiciously and asked, "What do you know about it?"
Thanks to being born in nearby Bryan, Texas, and being raised by a father who was in the Class of '56, I knew all about the bonfire, the spirit of Aggieland, sawing varsity's horns off and the story of Dr. E. King Gill, the original 12th man.
After convincing the guard on duty I wasn't one of those Watergate rabble rousers, I talked with my fellow Aggies about this time-worn tradition. Granted, we weren't from the same side of the railroad tracks that run through College Station, but whipping Texas was one thing we all agreed upon.
A&M went on to beat Texas on a cold November evening in 1976. It was the first time the Aggies won in Austin, Texas, since Heisman Trophy back John David Crow carried A&M to a victory 20 years before.
It was also the turning point in this great rivalry. Since then, A&M is 15-9 vs. Texas, including the emotional victory two weeks ago at home before the largest crowd ever to watch a football game in Texas history.
If only those 12 people could have been at Kyle Field to see it. Aggies head coach R.C. Slocum described the win as a small part of a healing process for Aggies everywhere.
YOU have to believe that the Texas A&M women's volleyball team will have its fallen comrades in mind and spirit prior to tomorrow night's regional matchup with Hawaii at the Stan Sheriff Center.
As much as the 12th man helps the Aggies in home games, the Wahine faithful are a loud and dedicated group themselves. The raucous environment will give the Aggies a taste of their own medicine.
But before you start waving your ti leaves and raising the roof after every Heather Bown kill, take a moment of silence for those students who died while supporting their school.
The A&M family can use your thoughts and prayers.
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.