Texas
Texas A&M University considers bringing back tradition of Aggie Bonfire
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) -Nearly 25 years after the deadly collapse of Bonfire on Texas A&M’s campus, reports have surfaced about discussions of bringing back the tradition.
This comes ahead of the renewed football rivalry with the University of Texas which is set to join the SEC this fall.
Sources confirm to KBTX that one of the regents and a member of the “Rekindling the Rivalry Committee” has proposed bringing back Aggie Bonfire, but nothing is set in stone at this time.
The Aggies and Longhorns are set to faceoff this fall in their first football game since 2011, and the rivalry committee has been tasked with recommending ways to commemorate the occasion.
A source close to the discussions said Regent John Bellinger proposed bringing back the tradition of Aggie Bonfire as a university-sanctioned event.
KBTX reached out to Texas A&M leaders and received the following statement from Susan Ballabina, the Chief of Staff, Office of the President.
“President Welsh charged the Rivalry Committee to explore options and recommend activities as we welcome UT into the SEC. The committee will bring those ideas to President Welsh in May. After the president is briefed, he will share his decisions on ideas that will be implemented.”
The tradition of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Bonfire began to symbolize Aggie’s “burning desire” to beat the University of Texas in football.
That tradition continued until November 18, 1999. Tragedy struck when the stack collapsed, killing 12 Aggies and injuring 27 others.
Since that day, Aggie Bonfire no longer burns and the Bonfire Memorial was dedicated on the exact location of the fallen 1999 Bonfire.
Sources say Bellinger asked families of those killed in the collapse of the 1999 Bonfire for their opinion about the future of Bonfire.
We also reached out to several family members on Monday. While some showed support, it remains a divided issue.
Some people have expressed concerns about honoring the 12 Aggies and their loved ones. Some have also questioned the logistics of who would build the bonfire, how it would be paid for and how safety would be ensured.
A committee member said their top priority is with students, respecting past students and traditions.
They said there are a number of events the committee is evaluating such as flyovers, concerts, or having U.S. Navy Leap Frogs parachuting onto Kyle Field with the game ball.
The committee is expected to share its recommendations next month.
Texas A&M has confirmed the university has not done any work related to the regent’s proposal to return Bonfire to campus at this time.
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A day off at the pool — and a little sunburn — didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins’ momentum.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins went on to complete a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday.
Minnesota has won four games in a row and scored 25 runs in the three-games series in Texas. The two teams had a rare, mid-series day off on Wednesday with the England-Croatia World Cup game being played in Arlington.
“We’re locked in every day,” Lee told Audra Martin on the team’s broadcast. “Yesterday, taking time off, lay out by the pool, get a little burnt and then right back to it. We did a good job getting focused. I feel like we do that with rain delays, too, just lock back in and we’re doing it.”
Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to straightaway center that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna. Larnach’s third hit was an RBI single in the fifth, and Ryan Kriedler hit a two-run homer in the eighth.
Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven but needed 97 pitches to get through five scoreless innings while allowing three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth, and has given up 17 runs while losing three starts in a row.
The Twins never trailed in the sweep that extended their winning streak to four, matching their longest this season. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any American League opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.
Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have lost five of six games. They are 0-15 when giving up multiple runs in the first inning.
Twins DH Josh Bell, who was born in nearby Irving and grew up in the area, had an RBI single before Lee’s homer. Bell hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the series-opening 4-2 win Monday, and had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the first of a 12-2 win on Tuesday.
“We’re just passing the baton each time,” Lee said of the offensive output. “Our guys are hot. They feel good and they came out swinging today. It was awesome to see. We’ve done that for a while now.”
Up next
Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26 ERA) starts Friday at Arizona. The Diamondbacks are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11).
Watch CBS News
A Texas state trooper was killed in a crash in the Panhandle, becoming the 244th Texas Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, according to the agency.
Sergio Romero, 27, died Wednesday after a semi-truck pulled in front of him as he attempted a traffic stop around 4 p.m. on U.S. 287 in Childress County, DPS said.
In a statement, Col. Freeman F. Martin praised Romero’s courage, integrity, and service.
“Today, we grieve the loss of one of our own,” Martin said. “… Our hearts break alongside his family, friends, fellow troopers, and all who loved him. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service of his fellow Texans.”
Romero previously served with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office before joining DPS as part of Class B-2025 in Childress, the agency said.
He is survived by his wife, Francisca, and their two young sons.
Funeral arrangements are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
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