Miss Rev. is eighth dog in A&M mascot tradition

Reveille is known as the first lady and official mascot of Texas A&M University. As the highest ranked member of the Corps of Cadets, she holds the position of a five-star general.

"Students love Reveille," said Andrew Sibal, a freshman general studies major and traditions council member.

Her story dates back to 1931 when a group of Corps members were hunting in Navasota and hit a black and white dog. They brought her back to campus to take care of her and the next morning to the sound of the bugle call "Reveille" she began to bark, hence her name. In the fall of the next football season she was named the official mascot of Texas A&M when she led the band onto the field during half-time.

When Reveille I died on Jan. 18, 1944, she was given a formal military funeral on Kyle Field. She was buried at the north entrance of Kyle Field, just as every Reveille is, facing the score board so she can always see when the Aggies are winning.

There have been other unofficial mascots, but after Reveille III is when they began the tradition of a full-blooded Collie. If she barks in class, tradition says class is dismissed. Company E-2 has the honor of caring for Reveille. If she sleeps on a cadet's bed they must sleep on the floor and she is always addressed as "Miss Rev."

"We've had many unofficial mascots before Reveille," Sibal said. "The way the Collie exceeds class and dignity is ideal of the University."