The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, August 23, 1956, Image 20
TKe Battalion .... College Station (Brazos County), Texas ^ PAGE 6 Thursday, August 23, 1956 Freshman- Date and Aggie land DON’T GIVE UP HOPE, THERE’S ALWAYS A WEEK END—An unidentified senior and his date enjoy Rue Pin- alle, A&M’s version of a French nightclub at one of the weekend dances during the 1955-56 school year. This is one of the many activities scheduled for those crowded football weekends. BY SHIRLEY GUMERT Battalion Staff Writer (ED NOTE: Shirley is the wife of Aggie Senior John Gumert, author of our ‘First Corps Trip’ story in Section II. A senior journalism student at TSCW, Shirley has written this story based on her own ex periences learned while dating her husband during his years at A&M.) One of the most believable Ag gie traditions is that freshmen AL WAYS have the prettiest and greatest number of dates to visit the campus. Whether the occasion is a fall football game or a spring ball, the Fish’s dates seem to domi nate the scene. Aggies say that there are many reasons for this tradition. In the interest of poor old-seniors -who have nothing but boots, water- fights and a glimpse of Fish Jones’ date to comfort them on weekends, this article omits the reasons. It is simply directed to girls soon to make their first trips to Aggie- land—from one who came to the A&M’s Famous Singing Cadets before she campus three years earned her MRS. Fish have their first big dating opportunity on Sept. 22 this fall, for the Villanova game. After you prospective dates have accepted invitations for the weekend (first advice: Do accept promptly.), you may begin to wonder what to ex pect. For full details, ask a friend who has already been to Aggieland several times. This article is only an outline for you (and yo(h* mother). At A&M, you’ll meet a variety of Aggies—your date’s buddies, his “Fish Old Lady,” his CO, Pinky Colonel Joe and Loupot. Wait and let your Fish explain the present- day Aggies (if he can), but try to be a little informed about Pinky, Colonel Joe and Loupot before you arrive. Pinky is A&M’s official greeter and accurate forecaster of the an nual Turkey Day score. His real name is P. L. Downs, Sr. Class of ’02, but Pinky is the only handle used for him. Whether he’s wear ing a bright pink shirt or a con servative business suit, Pinky has the most sincere “Howdy Aggie!” greeting on the campus. Colonel Joe Davis is the Com mandant of the Corps, the advocate of “Old Army” and the ideal of all who plan to go Regular Army. An already famous “cush” question for the Fish is “Which Aggie drowned out Colonel Joe last year?”. It’s also good to know as many traditions as possible before you make your first trip to A&M. Get a Freshman Handbook if you can, and learn the “Aggie War Hymm, yells, etc. You still won’t be prepared for tradition at its loudest and best— the Aggies’ Twelfth Man support of the football team' and famous Aggie band. When you first walk into Kyle Field or go to yell prac tice, you’ll wait for the roar to die down, only to find that Aggies (especially Fish) never stop yell ing. BAKER TIRE COMPANY N. C. Baker, Owner 708 N- Bryan Tires — Tubes - Batteries Day TA 2-8159 Night VI 6-7038 Tire Recapping Tire Repair ONE-WAY TRAILERS FOR RENT — ANYWHERE IN THE U. S. U I Trade for Anything” Freshmen Eligible For Singing Cadets The Singing Cadets are the of ficial “gleeclub” of A&M and have received recognition over the state for their popular singing programs. All students, including freshmen, are eligible to become a part of this group. If you are interested, you should contact Bill (Pop) Turner, di rector of the group, at the Music Hall and arrange for an audition. (Music Hall is located near the South Area Dormitories). These auditions can be arranged during Freshman Week, first week of regular semester between the hours of 4 p. m. and 6 p. m. Singing Cadets hold regular weekly rehearsals at the Music Hall and during the fall and spring semesters present numerous con certs both on the A&M campus and over the state. Special holidays are always high lighted by theii- presentations. Con certs are held on Christmas, Mothers’ Day, Aggie Muster Day and a regular spring concert. Besides these programs the Cadets travel to such cities as Dal las, Sherman, Abilene, Gonzales, Fort Worth, Mt. Pleasant, Laredo, San Antonio and Denton—to men tion a few of the towns the group visited last year. Usually numbering about 50 men, The Singing Cadets ai’e presented with keys each year for their par ticipation. The group elects ad ministrative officers each spring who serve during the following year. Y ALL C OME to LOUPOTS Owned and Operated by An AGGIE For The AGGIES Save 331/s to 50% On Used Books Supplies Clothing Trade With Lou 1 Everything a Freshman Needs Buy With Confidence Full Cash Refund For 2 Weeks By the way, those are yell lead ers, not cheer leaders, out front. Be able to identify Reveille, the Aggie mascot, too, and know where the tomb of Reveille I is. And besides that tomb landmark, you’ll soon be familiar with the Aggies’ own (paint encrusted) Old Sully—a statue of Lawrence Sul livan Ross, soldier, statesman and knightly gentleman. There are many traditions about Sully you’ll learn. However, if you’re a Tessie, be sure to notice his instantaneous salute in your direction. And ask no questions. Your date may require you to jump off Gathwright Hall, a three- story building. If he lets you eat in Sbisa or Duncan mess hall, you may be surprised at hearing about bull neck, sand, etc, If it weren’t for your presence, your date would be wearing his napkin tucked into his collar, too, so don’t laugh at the other Fish. Besides meeting Aggies and learning their traditions, you’ll al so meet their parents and other Aggies’ dates. If you return to the campus often, you’ll soon be look ing for and finding many familial' friends. It might be a relief to your mother to know that College Sta tion’s hospitality couldn’t be more genei'ous. If your date gets you a room in a private home, you’ll be staying with people who will be come as close as members of your own family. Ready with just the right amount of advice and speak ing enthusiastically about A&M, the family helps make the week end more complete. Of course, you may be staying in A&M’s fabulous Memorial Stu dent Center or in a hotel or tourist court located near the camus. Such facilities are also above average. The headliner events this fall will naturally be Aggie football games, but your date will plan many activities besides the game itself. So pack a variety of clothes. For the game itself, toss a coin as to what to wear. Remember that September in College Station is HOT. However, if you bring only cottons, it’ll bd sure to snow— or at least rain. Life is against the Aggie date. Pictures of girls in high heels at Coed-tl games may look sophisti- I cated, but there’s another side to the stoi'y at A&M. Dates planning to become part of the Twelfth Man stand through the entire game and “Saw Varsity’s horns off” as en thusiastically in the fourth quarter as in the fii-st minutes of play. Some girls are brave (or maybe blister proof), but your date will probably admire you moi’e if you’re able to walk down the ramp in com- fortable flats at game’s end. Usually, a dance is squeezed into* the weekend schedule at A&M. Your date should be able to tell you whether the dance is formal, semi-formal or casual. Or get ^ subscription to the Batt and read what it says. Aggies have several favorite picnic spots near the campus so you may need blue jeans or shorts, too. ENROLL NOW Fall Term Opens September 10th This is the time to start your business career. Never before have there been such excellent opportunities. Join the many others that will enroll in the stenographic, secretarial and bookkeeping courses. Night School begins Sept. 17th McKenzie-Bafdwin Business College 702 South Washington new low price back-to - school special Parker "21” pen and pencil set this week special 7 95 ifci Regular *970 Value Special purchase! Famed Parker "21” pen and pencil gift-boxed sets in blue, red, green or black. The Parker pen features the exclusive Electro-Polished Point (medium, fine or extra-fine) for super-smooth writing. Easy "2-finger” filling, hooded point and Pli-glass reservoir. Matching pencil has balanced propel-repel action. An exceptional value for you. An attractive gift for student or business man! Attractively packaged in handsome Gift Boxl The Exchange Store 'Serving Texas Aggies' WHEN YOU WANT A SNACK - TRY TRIANGLE DRIVE-IN WHEN YOU WANT A DINNER - TRY TRIANGLE DINING ROOM WHEN YOU WANT A BANQUET-TRY TRIANGLE BANQUET ROOM