Am I reading this right? Are we going to light the yell leaders on fire?

quote:

---

have the yell leaders lit by 12 Olympic style torches?

---

The high school down the street stacks pallets 15-20 feet high around a center pole, burns it every year and no one thinks twice about it.

Heck, if I recall my history (I'm old but not that old) the first bonfires were little more than piles of discarded wood, lumber, whatever folks could scrounge.

If you live long enough, everything goes full circle.

Instead of some behemoth construction project, why not dig a crater, have folks tossed wood, pallets, boxes, lumber, used furniture...you name it....into the pit, douse it with some jet A, and then let the yell leaders throw a match to it.

Makes sense to me.

No, it isn't your dad's (or mom's) bonfire. But the trial lawyers et al have pretty much killed that for all eternity.

Whatever is done is going to have to be, if not totally risk-free, at least reasonably free of the likelihood that someone could get killed or maimed. It is going to have to be cheap.

Digging up a polo field with a shovel is not all that risky a proposition, as long as folks ensure there are no buried gas pipelines, telephone lines, or electrical wires underneath.

After the festivities....well, you just bring in the dozers and fill it back in. Then you can dig it back up the next year.

Go for it. The pit of fire is a great idea, with or without eh burning bevos (I prefer it without, personally).

Johnny Cash sang about a ring of fire. Jerry Lee Lewis popularized great balls of fire (when not marrying a rather youngish first cousin).

A great big petroleum distillate enhanced fire in the ground is a terrific idea.

I can't believe someone would actually suggest burning our own logo. I saw that idea on one of the Bonfire Memorial Designs, and was disgusted. Also, I have a suggestion for the 12 small bonfires: as a safety concern, would it be better to actually have them inside the pit rather than in a ring around it?

Some good ideas here so I thought I’d throw mine in.

- I like the twelve small fires, but I also think they need to be in the Pit. If people are going to gather around the Pit it might be difficult with these mini fires on the outside of it.

- For some good PR you might consider giving tickets to the BBQ to the local shelters and other aid organizations. That’s going to be a lot of food and it sure could go to good use.

- I really like the Pit idea. There are several things to be worked out, but it is a solid idea. If the fire issue continues to set us back, as an alternative I like the houses for Habitat for Humanity idea. Maybe you could build twelve houses or something. That’s a lot of houses, so maybe build six and repair six others.


What ever is ultimately done should remember the twelve, help the community, provide good PR, bring Ags together and harness the Spirit.


[This message has been edited by BQ93 (edited 2/5/2002).]

Wow. That really is a great idea.

And, we could still have Cut.

Let's remember what this whole thing was about...

First, from an old Ag that helped cut and build a few of the grand old stacks, let me just say that as preposterous as the pit of fire idea may sound to an outsider, it sounds pretty good to me.

As I've seen on several of the posts, it's much easier to incorporate safety into a "pit" rather than a "tower". The work enjoyed by the groups in Cut and Stack could be directed toward "Dig". The resulting mound of dirt could be covered with tarps, etc. to use as a stage for yell practice.

As far as incorporating the 12 smaller fires, what if you built 12 concrete/steel "eternal flames" to surround the site and "light the way" for the Dig. Then, Red Pots, yell leaders, etc. could light torches from these to ignite the pit.

As far as the wood: in order to satisfy the University's desire to eliminate cut, it could be brought in dump trucks in precut lengths. I know that here in Lubbock, the city as well as other companies (like Asplundh) spend all summer cutting limbs and trees away from overhead lines. I'm sure that wood from Bryan and College Station could be obtained fairly easily.

Second, I must say that I would love to keep the "Bevo tossing" to a minimum. I think the thing that helps set Aggies apart from the rest is that we tend to do things "for" our team rather than against our opponent. I know the outhouse has been a part of the bonfire for a long time and should continue. So, how about we put a "Bevo" in the outhouse?

Third, the idea of a BBQ is fantastic. I've not met many Ags that didn't enjoy a big plate of "Cue". Now, to do that, I think we should have at least twelve of the best beeves the Ag department can feed off rotating on a spit over an open fire for a day or so. Sell tickets to the meal and use a portion of the money to pay for any safety or security concerns and the remainder for a good cause like Habitat for Humanity.

Like I said, I'm an old Ag that has a painting of Bonfire hanging behind my desk. I want nothing more than for the spirit of Bonfire to carry on. I emplore the Student Body to get busy now and lead the way.

Quixote Ag,

Sorry to burst your bubble but building 12 houses for habitat for humanity was already proposed. One of my professors was on the steering committee and we had along discussion last year about bonfire and he did not agree with Bowen's actions, but he did feelt that this would have been a good thing in place of bonfire in 2001. Bowen shot down the idea. I can't wait till he is out of office. Throughout my time at A&M Bowen never listened to the student body and went against them constantly. He even broke is own promise of stepping down if the university was found responsible (when he resigned this question came up and he denied bonfire was the reason of his resignation) I hope the next president of A&M will be a great leader that will hear the voice of the students.

Derrick - didn't burst my bubble at all - i just think that instead of a big BBQ which is what is essentially being discussed, something with just as much hard work and organization as Bonfire could be done - and as far as Bowen is concerned, he has no say in what a student does on their own time, off campus - last time i checked, the constitution of the U.S. was still followed even at College Station - even Bowen can't take that away...

I still think that a single level structure of some kind for Bonfire could be done and other positive projects could be undertaken to make even more meaning from the Bonfire / A&M experience.

Gig 'Em

I like the idea of a pit of fire.

"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Malachi 4:1

I like the idea of a pit of fire.

"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Malachi 4:1

Habakkuk 2:16 "Drink thou also and let thy foreskin be uncovered"

Sounds pretty interesting.

Thanks for trying to come up with something.

jspurlin: email me at janfr81@lycos.com.

I know you!!!

I cannot believe some of y'all are actually considering this. I'm not exactly "OLD" Army yet, but how many former students do you really think would go for this? How many Old Ags (Class of '50 through '80 or so) do you think would enjoy this? I am sure I'll get hammered for the "Things Change" speech, but it seems to me to be cheapening what was once the greatest spectacle in all of college lore.

My Dad was the class of '53 and when he was there they just had a pile of wood for a bonfire. So there!!.....

BQ....a fantastic idea and one that seriously needs to be followed up on.....obviously Bonfire as we knew it is history, with the litigious environment we live in these days, there is no possible way it could come back in the way we remember it....but your idea has a LOT of potential and is probably the most reasonable alternative I've heard yet. Safe and litigation-friendly for the most part, but still involves the ingredients that MADE Bonfire....the camraderie, the student involvement and the "burning desire". Only problem I see is the logistics of working 12 small fires and a large pit in the midst of 70,000 or so people.....I know the polo field is quite large, but can we make that work?

At any rate, a solution can surely be created by someone far smarter than I.....I am all for this idea and if someone can make this come to fruition, then by all means letme know how I can get involved. Even if it's something so simple as a petition drive, I will help. Although something had to be done, simply from a safety standpoint and definitely out of respect to the families of The 12, I think it is a shame that we have a group of seniors coming out that will never know the feeling that the rest of us did. The Spirit is still alive, but I think most of us agree that it's not quite complete without a symbol, a unifying event such as Bonfire was. And BQ, I think you're onto something...a very legitimate replacement for something that we've probably lost forever....keep in touch.....

CAB '90 dixichkn@aol.com

I've been reading all the replies to the first original idea. I am good friends with a member of the Corps of Cadets. For reasons, I will not put a name down, but this individual has started a group of students to perhaps keep some tradition of Bonfire going. We are currently workin on ideas of tradtions to start. For those of you that are interested in participating with this group, feel free to e-mail me:

AggieMAM03@yahoo.com

Each of us has several contacts on campus that could possibly make something like this happen. Let's put our efforts together and get things going.

I think it's a great idea, the only problem I can think of is....we'd have to fill in the hole every year b/c we couldnt leave a huge hole in the polo fields, and if we didn't, we wouldnt have a location for the next year. If we fill it in then it just wouldn't feel the same digging a hole with dirt that had been put in just the year before for the sole purpose of being dug back up. Just a though, LOVE THE IDEA THOUGH.

I think the idea about giving away the BBQ tickets to shelters is great! Do we do that for Muster yet? Because if we don't we should.

I love seeing these great ideas, especially from the BQs. Ya'll probably knew my brother, Russell Brown '92, who was in B-CO. Who knows, I may have even met when I was a kid! (hope that didn't make you feel too old!)

Robin '03


BTHOB

GREAT idea, i think that we need to have some type of idea proposed, and followed through with. The pit is good because it gives students somehing to work at i.e. the tree cutting. I sure hope that i see another before i leave here one day.

i know from my name y'all can see im '06 and that means im not even at aggieland yet, but i love the idea. the 12 bonfire idea is good, but it would actually be better to have them close to the pit so as to minimize the risk for accident. if you built the pit and put each of the mini-bonfires at about a 10-20 ft distance away and lit them, it would work. To light the main pit, all you would need to do is get some rope(.5-1in di) soaked in kerosene or gas, and they could make an easy transfer system to the main pit from each mini.

Howdy!
I saw the original idea today. Since it was posted so long ago, I was wondering if there was anyone still thinking about it or working out details? I love the idea. Ever since Bowen's speech, I've wanted someone to come up with a new idea for bonfire. I think this(and a few others i've seen in response) is a great one. If anyone knows anything, let me know. Thanks and Gig 'Em

Proudest Member of the Fightin Texas Aggie Class of 2002

Good idea as long as the flammable material does not light while the yell leaders are still on the platform, and as long as no one falls in it.

The idea is a good one. The point is there is risk involved in everything, including just living. The first Silver Taps of the fall semester following the year of the Bonfire collapse was for 13 students. Maybe we should all give up driving. The administrators are typical beauracrats (spelling?), no guts.

It has potential! And lucky for you, the administration has kindly prepared a pit already (sorry for the bitterness!) ;( . Seriously though, it does have some potential--its worth a try.

very interesting

You brought this to the top. Why?

found it in a link on another thread. wanted to check it out. I didn't hear about it when it first went around. Not saying we should do it I just think its interesting.

hot rod hill was the "pit" and was a pain when it rained

^Ha^

Don't remind me...

The mud in that bowl was something else.

BTHOB'06!

-------------------------------------------------------
If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

it literally sucked the shoes right off of your feet. i definitely lost a pair of shoes that night. they're still buried out there somewhere too.

quote:

---

it literally sucked the shoes right off of your feet. i definitely lost a pair of shoes that night. they're still buried out there somewhere too.

---

I held on to my shoes. But it took a bit of effort to make them usable again.

It took a bit of effort to make mine wearable again also, but it was my fish's effort, not mine.

I dont know what ya'll are talking about. Mine looked the same after as they did before, covered in ****

Same as chunks said, except mine were covered in **** AND filled with ****