Council reveals Midnight Yell origins

Midnight Yell is one of the oldest Aggie traditions students continue to take part in. Every Thursday or Friday night before a football game, Aggies of all ages come out and support the team with the guidance of the Yell Leaders.

While many are aware of the practices that surround the tradition, the beginnings of the late-night ritual are unknown by many Aggies.

Midnight Yell began with numerous yell practices that took place several times each week during The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas' football season, said Matthew Kaehr, a graduate international affairs student and Traditions Council member. Cadets gathered after dinner every Monday, Thursday and Friday for yell practice.

"In 1932, some cadets were in Peanut Owens' dorm in Puryear Hall when they came up with the idea of making the freshmen fall out of their dorms for a Midnight Yell Practice," Kaehr said. "That night, the two senior yell leaders, J.U. ‘Two Gun' Parker and Earl J. 'Horsefly' Berryhill met everyone at the stairs of the YMCA building to host the first Midnight Yell Practice. Railroad flares and torpedoes were stuck into flower pots to light the area."

Today, Yell Leaders pace back and forth because Peanut Owens had feet that were too big to fit on the steps of the YMCA building, so he walked back and forth to keep his balance. Eventually, the other Yell Leaders joined in too.

However, the origin of moving yell practices to midnight and Yell Leaders pacing are not the only evolved traditions.

Until the end of World War II, there were only four Aggie Yell Leaders. After the war's end, a fifth veteran Yell Leader was elected.

The use of a lighter originated from the fact that freshmen without dates would light matches to spot favorite upperclassmen.

Aside from preserving information regarding A&M traditions, Kaehr also has personal sentiments toward Midnight Yell.

"As a graduate student and member of Traditions Council, I feel uniquely privileged. Coming from a University that did not have such a tradition before home (or away) football games, it is hard to describe the euphoria and electric atmosphere of each Midnight Yell," Kaehr said. "It's a phenomenal tradition that really does get us fired up to support the Fightin' Texas Aggie football team each Saturday and it is one of the many reasons I love Aggieland and being an Aggie."

Students said Midnight Yell is one of the most sacred Aggie traditions. Amanda Overfield, a sophomore communication major, enjoys how the practice unifies the Aggie family.

"I love Midnight Yell because it allows all of us Aggies to come together and get excited before a game," Overfield said. "It's another one of Texas A&M's great traditions that brings us together and sets us apart from other schools."

Tony Shurtleff, a senior finance major, is proud to go to a University that buries itself in tradition.

"I love Midnight Yell, because it shows what A&M is all about," Shurtleff said. "[It's] the passion we all have for our school and the bond that we all have as students."