Establishing college traditions
Meaghan Marquez
The Signal
What will you remember 20 years from now about your college days? Will it be the football games, your professors, your sorority or fraternity? Whatever college you went to, there will be certain experiences, memories and traditions you will never forget.
There are more than 200 colleges and universities in the state of Texas, each of them holding their own traditions specific to that particular
college or university. The largest universities by enrollment in Texas are Texas A&M, University of Texas at Austin, University of North Texas and University of Houston.
Most traditions are harmless with a healthy dose of team rivalry. For example, the Longhorns versus the Aggies is the oldest rivalry between Texas colleges. It seems as though, even if you are not a UT or A&M student, if you are a resident of Texas, you must pick a side – Hook ‘em or Gig ‘em?
Texas A&M was established in 1871, making it the first and oldest public institution in Texas. Because this university is so old, it has
many traditions, stories and symbols. One of the more famous Aggie traditions is the Aggie Bonfire. The Bonfire symbolizes the Aggies’ burning desire to beat “T.U.” – the backwards abbreviation for UT.
“Kissing after touchdowns was my favorite. Silver Taps and Aggie Muster were very dear to me as well; and, of course, the Bonfire,” said Paul McGrath, adjunct instructor in communication and assistant news editor for the Houston Chronicle.
“One of my favorite traditions is Midnight Yell, all the students get together at midnight on game day and do all of our cheers together,” said Nadia Ewing, a university studies major at Texas A&M.
The University of Texas at Austin was established in 1883, making it the second-oldest public institution in Texas. There are many Longhorn traditions important to its students, such as the official school song, “The Eyes of Texas are Upon You,” the lighting of the tower, and the official mascot – Bevo.
Bevo, which is a Texas Longhorn, has been the official mascot for UT Austin since 1916. Some theories suggest the ongoing rivalry between UT and A&M is the reason for his name. Supposedly, a few Aggie students branded Bevo with the final score of the 1915 football game in which the Aggies beat the Longhorns. The final score was 13 – 0. This theory suggests the Longhorn students fixed the brand to look like the word, “Bevo.”
“My favorite tradition is when they light the tower to orange,” said Chris Schillaci, a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
The university will light the tower to that recognizable Longhorn burnt orange on certain special occasions, but especially any football
victory against Texas A&M.
The University of North Texas was established in 1890. With all of its years, it has accumulated many different traditions. They have a distinct school color – green. However, their green is not just any green, but it’s called “The Mean Green.” Its school mascot is a
bald eagle that goes by the name “Scrappy” and wears a “Mean Green” shirt.
“My favorite tradition is when they light the tower to our Mean Green color after a football game,” said Ryan Cecil, a kinesiology
major at UNT.
Finally, the University of Houston was established in 1927, making it one of the younger of the largest institutions. Some of its main traditions are the Frontier Fiesta and Red Cougar Friday.
“My favorite tradition would have to be Red Cougar Friday, I love to see all the students wearing our school color – it’s like a sea of red walking around campus,” said Anna Izat, a graduate of the University of Houston.
Now that the University of Houston–Clear Lake has a mascot, the Hawks, there is no doubt it will mean the beginning of our own new traditions to compliment those already in existence. We already have the annual Chili Cook-Off, but now with the Hawk in the forefront of our minds we as a student body, need to think of traditions that students in years to come will be proud to observe and hold.
