Texas A&M football is well known for its raucous crowds, but many may be unaware of their official mascot, which doesn’t necessarily reflect their school nickname, the Aggies.
These symbols’ origins are a captivating mix of the school’s agricultural roots, military background, and the serendipitous story of a loyal dog who became an enduring emblem of the Aggie spirit.
So, who is the Aggies mascot?
Who (or What) Is the Texas A&M Aggies Mascot?
While Texas A&M’s sports teams’ nickname is the Aggies, this has little to do with their official mascot.
“Reveille” is Texas A&M University’s official mascot. The tradition began in 1931 with the adoption of the first Reveille, a mixed-breed dog. The story of how she came to campus is one of the university’s most cherished and often disputed tales.
The most accepted tale begins in Jan. 1931, when a group of cadets returning from Navasota, Texas, accidentally hit a small black and white dog with their vehicle. They brought the injured dog back to their dorm to care for her even though pets were not allowed on campus.
The following day, the dog’s presence on campus was revealed when she began barking as the bugler played “Reveille” to wake the cadets. This earned her the name “Reveille.”
Reveille quickly became beloved by the students, and during the following football season, she was officially named the mascot of Texas A&M after leading the band onto the field.
During World War II, the cadets raised $100 to commission Reveille as a general as part of a fundraiser for the K-9 Corps. Today, Reveille is the highest-ranking member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, continuing a legacy that has endured for generations.
The current mascot, Reveille X, took on her role as the official mascot of Texas A&M on April 30, 2021, during the Corps of Cadets Final Review. Like all previous Reveilles, she is female. She is considered the “First Lady of Aggieland.”
When they pass away, the Reveilles are honored with a unique burial in a cemetery outside the north end of Kyle Field.
Why Is Texas A&M the Aggies?
Texas A&M University was initially called the “Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas,” and the nickname “Aggie” was given to students attending the school. The term “Aggie,” which highlights the university’s agricultural roots, first emerged in the 1920s.
Early books about Texas A&M also depicted the Farmers with a lion as their mascot and red and white as the school colors.
Following World War I, “Farmers” and “Aggies” were used interchangeably in newspaper headlines. During the 1920-21 academic year, The Battalion reported that there was even a movement to change the mascot to the “Wildcats.”
However, the Wildcats never caught on, and maroon eventually replaced red as the official color.
In 1949, the yearbook changed its name from “The Longhorn” to “Aggieland,” solidifying “Aggie” as the official nickname for the student body.
In 1963, the institution was renamed “Texas A&M University” to reflect better the broader range of degrees it offered. Despite the name change, “Aggie” has remained a proud and enduring part of the university’s identity.
Before Texas A&M became synonymous with the Aggies, Reveille, and the maroon and white, the college had different mascots and colors. In its early football days, the school was known as the “Farmers,” a nod to its agricultural roots — a title still appearing in yells, songs, and merchandise.
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