Texas A&M to Cancel Bonfire Again

Texas A&M students traditionally built a bonfire every November to mark the yearly football game against the University of Texas at Austin.

But in 1999, the 55-foot high bonfire collapsed just a few days before it was supposed to be lit.

The collapse killed a dozen people and wounded 27 others.

Ray Bowen, Texas A&M president, held a press conference last week to announce that it would cost about $2.5 million for construction, insurance and design of a professional safety plan.

Bowen stated in a press release that the university could not afford to spend that much money.

Bowen also stated in the release that he only spoke for the year 2002, as he is resigning later this year.

But this marks the second year in a row that the university will not have a bonfire to commemorate the rivalry game.

Bowen stated that he hopes to encourage the beginning of a new tradition and believes that the bonfire did not define Texas A&M.

"My advice -- for whatever the advice of a lame-duck president is worth -- is that the students face the inevitable and focus their energy on creating a new challenge, a new tradition," Bowen stated in the release.

"I believe that with a little effort another tradition can be created which has the benefits of bonfire but does not carry the danger, on the one hand, or the expense, on the other."

Students and alumni have varying opinions on the end of the bonfire tradition.

Texas A&M Student Body President Schuyler Houser said students are generally disappointed that the university will not have a bonfire for the second year in a row.

But Houser said she thinks the student body understands the reasons behind Bowen's decision to suspend the bonfire.

Houser said she hopes that students will become excited about other spirit activities and begin new traditions to replace the bonfire.

"Great traditions can evolve," Houser said.

Some Texas A&M alumni said they feel safety is a vital concern but that other solutions should be considered before the university abandons the bonfire tradition.

"It's the symbolism of what you do and the people working together," said Mike Taylor, who graduated from Texas A&M in 1970.

"They are working toward a common goal."

Taylor said he thinks there is a certain amount of university pride that comes with the tradition.

"The bonfire symbolizes our burning desire to beat our archrival, Texas," Taylor said.

Because of the amount of time that has passed since the 1999 accident, about half the student body does not understand the importance of the bonfire tradition, said Trevor Voelkel, Texas A&M Corps of Cadets public relations officer.

The Corps of Cadets assists with the design and construction of the annual bonfire.

Voelkel added that a large percentage of the university's student body is unhappy with Bowen's decision to suspend the bonfire.

For this reason, Voelkel said he empathizes with Bowen's decision.

He said, "I definitely wouldn't want to be in his shoes."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.