30 bucket list items college football fans need to experience

17. Midnight Yell, Texas A&M

Speaking of longstanding traditions you need to see to believe, Texas A&M’s Yell Practice dates to 1913, and the Midnight Yell has been part of college football since 1931, according to the university’s official history on the subject, though the date has been debated.

As the story goes, the first Midnight Yell occurred before a game with archrival Texas. Two freshmen cadets (Texas A&M was an all-male military academy until the 1960s), requested a late-night practice at the campus YMCA building on the eve of the game against the Longhorns. The idea was a hit and a tradition was born.

Nowadays, on Friday nights prior to Saturday football games, tens of thousands of Aggies fans, students and visitors gather at Kyle Field to follow the Yell Leaders (an elected group of five) and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. The festivities include practicing traditional yells intended to motivate the Aggies on the field, or to poke fun at the opponent. During a trip to College Station in October, 2016, for Yell Practice prior to the Aggies undefeated Top 10 matchup against Tennessee, Chuck Culpepper of The Washington Post estimated 40,000 fans in attendance.

One of many unique traditions in Aggieland, Yell Practice isn’t just a home game activity. It occurs two days prior to road games as well, though in a smaller setting on campus.

Texas is arguably the most passionate football state in America, and the Aggies have a passionate fanbase willing to start one of their favorite traditions at midnight the day before a game. However, the Aggies know how to work quickly, and typically Yell Practice concludes around 12:30. It’s only practice after all, the most yelling occurs the next day.