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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 27, 1984)
Page 2DAThe Battalion/Monday, August 27, 1984 At Texas A&M, students feel the need toyel Yell practice rooted in lasting tradition By HOLLY ROBINSON Reporter “The efficiency of the A and M College rooters has been a subject of much comment and the boys are all entering heartily into the spirit and are getting the ‘old-time pep.’” This is how the Bryan Weekly Eagle de scribed one of the first yell practices of the A and M College of Texas. Though the first Midnight Yell Practice began in November 1932, yell leaders and yell practice have been around since 1912. Those early yell practices might have sounded much like today’s yell practice, complete with “Chick-gar- roo-gar-rem” and the somewhat modified “Saw varsity’s horns off, twist sooner’s tail off.” Those first yell practices were held several times a week until they were' replaced by Midnight Yell Practice. The first Midnight Yell Practice was held in November 1932, the night before the Texas A&M—Uni versity of Texas football game. Ju nior yell leader Peanut Owens and some friends decided to motivate the freshmen for the game by having a yell practice in front of the YMCA Building at midnight. Flares were planted around the building and soon the band joined. The first Mid night Yell Practice was underway. Midnight Yell Practice is held on the Friday night before every home game. Students assemble behind Duncan Dining Hall and, led by the band, march to Kyle Field. Yell lead ers tell jokes and stories and lead the students in yells. Yell practice for out-of-town games is held the Thursday before the game to motivate the football team. If A&M is outscored, yell practice is held in the stadium immediately after the game. If Texas A&M wins, freshmen cadets throw the yell lead ers into the Fish Pond, across from Sbisa Dining Hall, and yell practice is held on the steps of the YMCA Building. Advertising Index Section D Bank: Unitedbank, C.S 6D Beauty Salons: Alberts Hair Design ..ID Shear Class 10D Beverages: Orange Crush 8D Books: Books and More 9D Department Store: Wal-Mart '. 3D Electronics: Yes Computers 4D Entertainment: Pooh’s Park 2D Exercise: Body Dynamics 2D Furniture: Aaron Rents 4D Certified Furniture Rental 9D Jewelers: Diamond Room 9D Gordon’s 9D Texas Coin Exchange 2D Medical Services: Parkw'ay Medical Center ....5D Office Supplies: EOS 5D Property Management: Cripple Creek 10D Newport Condos/Apts 10D Restaurants: Farmer’s Market 8D IHOP 4D Sho Center: pping 707 Shopping Center ID Specialty Shops: The Party Shop 5D Pier 1 Imports 4D Travel Agencies: A&M Travel 5D Aggieland Travel 5D ‘Beat the hell’ yell prompts debate By CARL BECKER Reporter “Beat the hell outta ...!” This yell, no matter at whom di rected, is one of the most popular yells among Texas A&M students and alumni, but also is one of the most controversial. Donnie Al brecht, chairman of the Yell Leader Advisory Board and yell leader ad viser, said the yell nas prompted complaints in the past but they have been scarce. “Several years ago, and it’s not been a recent issue, an official at one of the church-related schools like Baylor or TCU wrote a formal letter saying the yell wasn’t in good taste,” Albrecht said. “Over the last year, there has been one formal complaint I am aware of and it was a letter ad dressed to President Vandiver from an outsider who had been to a game and wanted to know if we could do something better than this (the yell). President Vandiver responded back saying, granted, this is not the most positive thing we can do, but it’s based on tradition, and it’s our opin ion the yell has a place. Personally, I have never had anyone from outside the University complain to me di rectly.” Dr. John Koldus, vice-president for student services, said he has re ceived some complaints, but not many. “From time to time, somebody does complain about the yell,” Kol dus said. “But there is nothing that goes on here that some people don’t complain about and I have not re ceived a greater number of com plaints about this yell than anything else.” Albrecht said he has received no instructions from school officials not to use the yell; he has only been told to use it carefully. Albrecht said both he and the yell leaders are aware the yell offends some people and will try to be careful in its usage, especially in the case of church-related schools. But, that doesn’t mean the yell won’t be used at all, he said. “We’re just going to try and use it at appropriate times,” Albrecht said. “For example, if we’re whipping somebody, or if we’re being bombed off the field by somebody else, we won’t use the yell. I told the yell lead ers, and Kelly (Head Yell Leader Kelly Joseph) specifically, not to abuse the yell or use it at inappro priate times.” Albrecht said some of the com plaints involve the indiscreet use of the yell. He said it has been done at inappropriate times in the past but doesn’t think it has ever been done maliciously. Even if the yell were banned as a result of complaints, Albrecht thinks it still would be used. “I don’t believe for a minute it’s (banning of the yell) enforceable,” Albrecht said. He said the answer to the com plaints is not to ban the yell, but rather to use it carefully. “The yell just isn’t that bad if it’s used appropriately,” Albrecht said. Photo by Dew Slim Win or lose. 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