Texas A&M University turns 150 years old this year. To celebrate, we’re heading to Bryan and College Station to get an authentic Aggieland experience.
Texas A&M University is celebrating its 150th year of existence. That inaugural class that began in 1876 featured only 35 students. Over the following century and a half, the university has grown to more than 650,000 living Aggie students and graduates.
The university began as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, a military institution based on discipline, leadership, and camaraderie. The university has changed its name and introduced new concepts over the years—the Aggie Band in 1894, the beginning of “Gig ‘em” in 1915, the Memorial Student Center dedication in 1951. Yet the overall values from all those years ago still resonate throughout the university.
Though the main Aggies campus is in College Station, several key university buildings and schools are in neighboring Bryan. Together, the two cities form the community of Aggieland.
I visited Aggieland for a weekend during a Texas A&M football game. And I quickly learned about the community behind these traditions.
Staying up for the Midnight Yell
Back in my college days, I would have jumped all over the idea of staying up until midnight for a pre-game extravaganza. Today, being awake at midnight is a minor miracle. But I was determined to participate in the full Aggieland weekend activities, so shortly before 11 p.m., I began making my way to Kyle Field for the Midnight Yell.
The Aggies have been hosting Yell Practice since 1913, with the first Midnight Yell dating back to 1931. Today, over 25,000 Aggie football fans congregate in Kyle Field every Friday night before a home game. This event happens before away games, as well, but those are in places near where the Aggies’ opponent is located.
My best advice for a first-time Midnight Yell attendee: Go with the flow. The Yell Leaders, a group of five upperclassmen voted on by the student body, interact with the fans and lead the crowd in practicing yells. Virtually every yell is also accompanied by a movement. If you don’t know what you’re doing, select someone from the crowd who looks like they do, and you’ll pick things up pretty quickly.
A Yell Leader also takes the opportunity to share a fable or two, often about the opposing school and how the Aggies are going to beat them. These stories are usually silly and maybe the tiniest bit crass, but they lead to a lot of whoopin’ and hollerin’. That’s the mark of a memorable tale.
Additionally, Parsons Mounted Cavalry fires its cannon three to five times during each event. Everyone I spoke to about the Midnight Yell warned me about the cannon. I was chatting with a few sophomores in the row behind me, who already had a full year of experience with this under their belts. They told me they still get scared when the cannon goes off. Even when you’re expecting it, it’s so loud and booming. I delighted in seeing people jump, startled by the noise. And I was right there alongside them, equally as skittish.
Before everyone heads back home, the stadium lights get turned off. That’s the time when couples can sneak a smooch with their partners. If you’re rolling solo, just enjoy a moment of serenity before the lights come back on.
Joining the crowd for an Aggies game
The Midnight Yell is one kind of energy; the actual game day is another. Arriving a couple of hours in advance is highly advised, since there’s so much to do around Kyle Field before you head inside.
You can snap pictures with sculptures of legendary players and coaches or pose with the 12th Man letters. There are several fun activities, such as an H-E-B booth where you can bench-press a barbell loaded with groceries instead of weights. And the tailgating scene is top-notch.
Earlier, I had met a pair of representatives from the Aggie Moms—more on that below—who invited me to check out their tailgate. This is one of the larger tailgates at the event. I caught up with them after the game and learned they had handed out 1,200 slices of pizza, 1,120 bottles of water, 36 bottles of wine, and 11 cases of beer. Would you expect anything less than stellar hospitality from a group of mothers?
The Corps of Cadets also does a march-in before the game, where military members lead their units and a band plays while marching throughout several areas around the field. Crowds gather all along the route, which tours extensively enough that you should be able to spot the cadets (and you’ll definitely hear them) if you’re in the general vicinity of the field.
As I headed into Kyle Field, I came across another tradition: the tapping of the rings. Aggie alums rhythmically tap their rings against the escalator as they ride up to their seats. Everyone within earshot responds with a resounding “whoop!”
Shortly before kickoff, Reveille, Texas A&M’s mascot, leads the team out onto the field. Once the game began, I recognized some of the yells from the Midnight Yell the night before. Practice does make perfect!
Another fun game-time moment is the crowd participating in calling a first down. The public address announcer calls out “And a fightin’ Texas Aggie…” with the crowd responding, “First down! Woooo!”
You might also get to see the 12th Man Kickoff, where every player on the field during a kickoff is a walk-on student. Walk-ons put in all the time and energy into practices without any of the support of a scholarship. It’s special to see them get a shining moment on the field.
Finally, halftime is usually a time when a lot of people head to the concession area for a snack or the bathroom for some relief. If you do that, you’ll miss the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, one of the most disciplined and talented marching bands out there. The Block T is the signature formation, and the band’s movement on the field alongside classic tunes is an entertaining combination.
Embracing the Aggieland traditions
Over 150 years, Texas A&M students, faculty, and alumni have adopted some delightful traditions. I picked out a few of my favorites that I encountered during Aggieland weekend.
Reveille is queen
Also known as “The First Lady of Aggieland,” Reveille is one of the most recognizable college mascots. She outranks every member of the Corps of Cadets. At special events, she rocks a maroon coat decorated with five shining stars.
Since 1966, every Reveille has been a purebred rough collie. The stylish gal serves the Aggieland community with aplomb and grace, and upon retirement, she’s rewarded with a pampered, luxurious life.
Perhaps nothing highlights Reveille’s stature better than her classroom visits. If she comes by and lets out a bark, that’s it. Class is dismissed, no questions asked.
The alternative to boos
Booing is a staple of just about any sporting event, a way to express your displeasure at a call or action. Yet if you head to an Aggies game, you might notice a distinct lack of that particular sound.
As Derrick, my seatmate at the game, told me, “Aggies don’t boo. They hiss.”
A ref misses a pass interference call? Let the hisses out. An opposing player showboats after making a tackle? Ssssssshow them you won’t ssssssstand for it.
I find the hiss to be even more poignant than the boo. It’s like if someone flips you the bird, and you give them a thumbs up. Just the perfect amount of sass while still getting the message across.
The Aggie War Hymn
Though the Yell Leaders have quite the variety of yells on hand to lead fans throughout the game, there’s one particular move that seems to get everyone extra jazzed.
The Aggie War Hymn has a long history (and throws some barbs at the University of Texas). While the crowd embraces the chance to “saw varsity’s horns off,” everyone links arms and legs and sways back and forth, mimicking a sawing motion. Did I know any of the words coming into the game? No. Did I still get caught up in the swaying? Absolutely.
More than merely football
I’ve heard a few people say that Bryan and College Station are football towns. While Saturdays during the fall are certainly popular, the cities have plenty of charm year-round.
One of the cooler recurring events is First Friday, which has been going strong since 2005. The festival takes over downtown Bryan and features local vendors and city representatives showcasing events like Doggie Poolooza. It’s a safe bet to say that I’ve never been to another event where I walked away with goat’s milk lotion, a brookie loaded with about five different cookies, a themed postcard, and a pen shaped like a syringe—that last one was courtesy of the Texas A&M Department of Biology.
Bryan has a sneaky good food scene, too. Whether it’s the Guac-a-Doodle-Blue burger and Yuppy Style Fries at Proudest Monkey, the Pork Belly and Sweet Potato Tots at Station 36, or any of the breakfast sandwiches at Sunbeam Bagels, you can be well fed at all times of day.
And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the art, sculptures, and architecture of the Aggieland Art Trail. Over 125 works span nearly 50 destinations, making for a superb scavenger hunt during a visit. The buildings around downtown Bryan are also full of history, with many being repurposed into more modern venues. For instance, Hush and Whisper Distillery Co. is in the Varisco Building, which was once home to a JCPenney department store.
Finally, I was impressed by the moments of total serenity I experienced during the weekend. While First Friday, the Midnight Yell, and game day were all raucous and hopping with people, there were also several peaceful pockets throughout the city. I enjoyed some calm while admiring a work of art, savoring a coffee, or gazing at the scenery around me. Among my favorite spots: The elevated lookout at Lake Park, which offers a 360 view of the lake and surrounding area.
A welcoming collection of howdies
Seeing the sights of Bryan and taking in a game at Kyle Field were both excellent experiences, made even better by everyone I encountered. I can’t recall a city where every single person I talked to was welcoming. Whether it was someone offering a howdy, pointing something out, or teaching me about a tradition, everyone played a part in enhancing my Aggieland weekend.
Going to the Midnight Yell knowing precisely zero of the yells felt a bit intimidating. However, I felt calm thanks to Kendall and Sunny, who were sitting next to me at dinner and overheard me asking my server about arriving at the event. They explained what to do and watch for, gave me a heads-up on good seats, and generally hyped up the excitement of something that fans do before every game.
The next morning, while in line at Polite Coffee—which sells a mug featuring a cactus that fittingly says “Don’t Be a Prick”—I started chatting with the women behind me. We marveled at the unique drink options and went back and forth on what to choose. I ended up going with the Bed Head, a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte with cold foam and Fruity Pebbles sprinkled on top. Twelve-year-old me would have been so proud of my order.
It turns out I was chatting with two of the faces of the Aggie Moms, Miriam and Melissa. The organization supports Aggies past and present, from raising money for others and delivering care packages to promoting better mental health and student wellness. There’s also the Aggie Mom Boutique and other fundraisers to support local clubs. And you already know I had to check out their tailgate, which did not disappoint.
On the shuttle heading toward the game, a dad named Chauncey noticed I wasn’t wearing any maroon or white, which are the colors of both Texas A&M and Missouri State, the university’s opponent that day. He asked which team I was rooting for, and then chatted with me about how he and his family come down from Fredericksburg for a game or two every season. When we departed the shuttle, he led me to the area with vendors and giveaways near the field, then told me all the hot spots to check out.
As I was getting my bearings, another guy, Daniel, sought me out to say he overheard I was visiting. Why was he so eager to say hello? He wanted to make sure I knew how to get to the Slovacek’s Sausage tent, where they were giving out enormous sausages on a stick. When I eventually made it to the tent and couldn’t decide which sausage to choose, one of the brand ambassadors told me to pick one and then come back and try the other. Sure, I filled up on too many other things, but I very much appreciated the hospitality.
Even after the game, people back at my hotel were eager to share a few stories and laughs. I joined a small crowd on the hotel lawn watching two West Coast teams playing each other on a large projection screen. We didn’t care who won. The inviting company was the important thing.
“It’s one of those things where you say, ‘Why not?’” Kendall told me while giving me intel on the Midnight Yell. “It’s just good vibes.”
She may have been talking about one particular tradition, but I find that to be a fitting descriptor for the area as a whole. Bryan and College Station are just good vibes.
