COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Following reports that surfaced in April that interest was being gauged to bring back Bonfire--a suspended Texas A&M tradition--University President Mark Welsh confirmed in a message on Tuesday that bonfire would not return to campus.
"However, after careful consideration, I have decided it is not in the best interest of Texas A&M and the Aggie Family to bring Bonfire back to campus," Welsh said. "I heard from many of you, as well as former students and friends of the university on this topic, and I thank you for your honest, thoughtful feedback. While the input varied, the majority of those who reached out were not in favor of reinstituting Bonfire."
The prospect of bringing Bonfire back is a topic that some older Aggies have been in favor of seeing return, while some younger alumni and even current students have a more lukewarm sentiment towards the tradition, as many were very young or were not even born.
Bonfire began in 1909, growing as the years went on to be a symbol of the Aggies' "burning desire to beat the team from the University of Texas, and the undying flame of love that every loyal Aggie carries in his heart for the school,” according to a 1947 campus handbook.
However, early in the morning on Nov. 18, 1999, the stack of logs that had been built by students collapsed, killing 11 current students and one former student. Dozens more were injured as well.
A lawsuit was settled following the tragedy, and the tradition was discontinued on the A&M campus. Today, the Bonfire Memorial stands in the location of the 1999 site, and has 12 portals oriented to the hometowns of those who died in the collapse.
Off-campus bonfires have continued to be hosted, but are run completely independent from other campus activities.
Welsh noted in his message that a special exploratory committee that was tasked with "appropriately commemorating" the return of the A&M-Texas rivalry was firm in stating that the only way for Bonfire to return in a "legally viable" manner was for it to be an "engineer-designed, contractor-built project," which strays from a core aspect of Bonfire: the student-led, organized, and built aspect of the tradition.
With the prospect of Bonfire returning officially shelved by A&M administrators, other event recommendations have been put forth to celebrate the return of the Lone Star Showdown after its 12-year hiatus.
Among the recommendations were a golf tournament and a "rivalry run," which would involve carrying the game ball from the State Capitol in Austin to College Station. The proposed event's benefits would go towards military veteran groups at both schools.
While plans have not been made official, Welsh says event concepts will be unveiled soon.
The Texas A&M-Texas game is set to be played on Nov. 30.