Texas

Texas A&M University considers bringing back tradition of Aggie Bonfire

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2024

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.

Student bonfire organizers react to Texas A&M tradition possibly returning to campus

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Texas

Texas A&M is reportedly close to hiring its new defensive staffer

Published

10 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Texas A&M is reportedly close to hiring its new defensive staffer

The staff shake-up continues amid CFP preparation, as Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko is reportedly adding another to his staff.

Soon after the news that the Aggies were expecting to hire former Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams, Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported that former Rutgers co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Zach Sparber would be added to the staff in some capacity. Sparber is very familiar with new Texas A&M DC Lyle Hemphill, having worked with him at JMU and Duke.

It is an interesting hire, as similar to Travis Williams, Sparber is also coming off a defensive staff that was let go after bottom-of-the-conference defensive performances. However, before joining the staff at Rutgers, he helped James Madison’s team rank 21st nationally in scoring defense as the linebackers coach. While his official role has not yet been announced, his experience with Hemphill should help with continuity heading into next season.

No. 7-seed Texas A&M hosts the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (10-2) in a CFP first-round game at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Kyle Field. The game can be viewed on ABC/ESPN.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.

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How to get tickets for #7 Texas A&M vs. #10 Miami in College Playoff 1st round

Published

22 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

How to get tickets for #7 Texas A&M vs. #10 Miami in College Playoff 1st round

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The 10th-ranked Miami Hurricanes hit the road for College Station for a Saturday afternoon matchup against the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The game is scheduled for noon ET (11 a.m. CT) with tickets still available to watch live.

How to get Texas A&M vs. Miami tickets for the best prices: Tickets for the Texas A&M vs. Miami playoff game are available on secondary markets Vivid Seats, StubHub, SeatGeek and Viagogo.

The lowest prices are as follows (as of Dec. 15):

Vivid Seats starting at $375
StubHub starting at $388
SeatGeek starting at $315
Viagogo starting at $345

The Aggies own the homefield advantage and are listed as 3.5-point betting favorites to play their way into the second round. Texas A&M won its first 11 straight games of the 2025 season before falling to rival No. 16 Texas (27-17) in its regular-season finale. The Aggies were battle-tested in going 7-1 in a Southeastern Conference that put five teams into the College Football Playoff field. They also join Miami as teams to beat Notre Dame this season, winning a 41-40 shootout back in Week 3.

#10 Miami (10-2) at #7 Texas A&M (11-1)

College Football Playoff 1st round

When: Saturday, Dec. 20 at noon ET (11 a.m. CT)
Where: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
Tickets: Vivid Seats | StubHub | SeatGeek | Viagogo
TV channel: ABC/ESPN
Streaming on: FuboTV (free trial) | DirecTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate)

The Hurricanes’ 27-24 win over then-No. 6 Notre Dame was the best line entry on the team’s résumé as the third-place finisher in the messy Atlantic Coast Conference. Miami rattled off four straight wins to close the season and showed the kind of explosive scoring offense required to stack up with Texas A&M, scoring 34-plus points in each of those four wins. The Canes closed the season with a 38-7 blowout win over then-No. 23 Pitt to strengthen their CFP case.

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14-year-old suspect in deadly North Texas shooting taken into custody in Dallas, police say

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

14-year-old suspect in deadly North Texas shooting taken into custody in Dallas, police say

Updated on: December 15, 2025 / 10:07 PM CST
/ CBS Texas

The 14-year-old wanted in the deadly shooting of a man in Collin County over the weekend is in custody, police said.

Lavon police said Monday night that the teenage boy was taken into custody in Dallas without incident.

Police say the shooting happened Saturday night, just before 9 p.m. on Wellington Drive in Lavon, when an argument broke out between the 14-year-old suspect and a 24-year-old acquaintance.

Police say that the altercation turned deadly. The teen shot and killed the 24-year-old before fleeing the scene.

“A murder is a very rare thing in our city, so it’s shocking,” said J. Michael Jones, the Lavon Chief of Police. “And it’s even more shocking that this suspect is a 14-year-old.”

Community ISD confirmed the suspect is a student at Community Trails Middle School, where district leaders took extra precautions in case he is still in town.

Earlier Monday, Jones urged the suspect and anyone helping him to turn him in, saying, “I will find you. I will investigate you, and I will put you in jail.”

Lavon police thanked the community and several law enforcement agencies for their help with the investigation, including the Collin County District Attorney’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Louisiana State Police, the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, the Community Independent School District Police Department, the Lavon Fire Department, and many others.

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