Aggie Bonfire, Annual event in Texas A&M University
Aggie Bonfire was a long-standing tradition at Texas A&M University that reflected the rivalry with the University of Texas at Austin. The structure was built by first-year students under the supervision of upperclassmen and served as a focal point for the school community before the football game.
The tradition began in 1909 as an expression of growing school spirit at the university. It ended in 1999 after a tragic collapse that killed multiple people, bringing an end to this century-old practice.
The bonfire represented Aggie students' desire to defeat their rivals from the University of Texas, which showed in their passion for the football competition.
The structure was traditionally built in the weeks before the big football game against the University of Texas and required effort from many students. Visitors could see the finished structure before it was burned and the event itself was open to the public for the community to attend.
The fire itself was not the only thing that drew attention - the height of the structure before it was lit was remarkable. At its peak, the building towered more than 50 feet (15 meters) high, making it one of the largest student projects on campus.
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