Spring Break
Have you seen this tradition?
Often overlooked, lesser-known traditions add to A&M's colorful history
By: Carrie Pierce
Issue date: 11/22/04 Section: Aggielife
Toeing the line
During halftime of every home football game, A&M seniors line up at the south end of Kyle Field where the football team enters to greet the team back on the field, and this tradition is known as Boot Line, said Kelsey Walker, a senior political science major.
"The yell leaders come, too, and we have a mini-yell practice," Walker said.
The seniors have a chance to see the players up close and cheer them on for their "second wind" and half of the game, Walker said.
McNeel said this tradition evolved from "Old Army" days when the cadets would form a block "T" on Kyle Field at halftime.
"As the population at A&M grew, there were too many people on the field," McNeel said.
The overcrowding led to the seniors lining up to cheer on the team. Walker said that not many seniors have attended Boot Line this year.
Penny for your thoughts
Rumor has it that before an Aggie takes an exam, it is good luck to put a penny at the feet of the Sul Ross statue, located in front of the Academic Building.
"I've only done it once," Walker said. "I thought I was going to fail, but I didn't because I put my pennies on Sullie's feet."
Walker said a lot of pennies are dropped off, especially around midterms and finals.
"I've even seen quarters," Walker said.
Courtney Potter, a junior recreation, parks and tourism sciences major and the Tours and Traditions executive for MSC Hospitality said this tradition started when Sul Ross was president of A&M.
"He was big on academics and after helping students he told them that they didn't owe him anything but a penny for their thoughts," Potter said. Thus, the tradition of leaving pennies began.
McNeel said it is rumored that the money left for luck is collected and given to a charity or a scholarship.
Mustering a victory
Muster is held on April 21 each year, and it isn't just a coincidence - the reason for this date reaches back to the 1890s.
During halftime of every home football game, A&M seniors line up at the south end of Kyle Field where the football team enters to greet the team back on the field, and this tradition is known as Boot Line, said Kelsey Walker, a senior political science major.
"The yell leaders come, too, and we have a mini-yell practice," Walker said.
The seniors have a chance to see the players up close and cheer them on for their "second wind" and half of the game, Walker said.
McNeel said this tradition evolved from "Old Army" days when the cadets would form a block "T" on Kyle Field at halftime.
"As the population at A&M grew, there were too many people on the field," McNeel said.
The overcrowding led to the seniors lining up to cheer on the team. Walker said that not many seniors have attended Boot Line this year.
Penny for your thoughts
Rumor has it that before an Aggie takes an exam, it is good luck to put a penny at the feet of the Sul Ross statue, located in front of the Academic Building.
"I've only done it once," Walker said. "I thought I was going to fail, but I didn't because I put my pennies on Sullie's feet."
Walker said a lot of pennies are dropped off, especially around midterms and finals.
"I've even seen quarters," Walker said.
Courtney Potter, a junior recreation, parks and tourism sciences major and the Tours and Traditions executive for MSC Hospitality said this tradition started when Sul Ross was president of A&M.
"He was big on academics and after helping students he told them that they didn't owe him anything but a penny for their thoughts," Potter said. Thus, the tradition of leaving pennies began.
McNeel said it is rumored that the money left for luck is collected and given to a charity or a scholarship.
Mustering a victory
Muster is held on April 21 each year, and it isn't just a coincidence - the reason for this date reaches back to the 1890s.
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