Howdy Ags,

I have a few specific questions for the Ol' Ags (classes of '99 and before), and I guess I'll get right to it:

1) Do you make more or less trips to Aggieland now that bonfire is off campus?
2) Do you feel that A&M has lost any identity, tradition, personality since the collapse?
3) If you were a donor to the university (in any form) before the collapse, are you still a donor and do you donate as much as before?
4) everything aside, would you like to see Bonfire back on campus?

I'm not looking so much for personal remedies to the situation. I am trying to discover what the sentiment is about bonfire from an alumni's standpoint who grew up in the bonfire era.

Responses are Greatly Appreciated. Have a wonderful New Year!

Sincerely,
Kyle Richter '10

Howdy..

I'd recommend you leave your e-mail and correspond though that. You might get better feedback that way.

Good luck.

The semester it fell was my last semester in school. I would be glad to email you my thoughts if you like.

Mr. Richter,

I actually did a report on Bonfire the day it fell in junior high school and I lived through all of it and I have lived in the Bryan/College Station all of my life, so I grew up with Bonfire. As for making or less trips, I don't really make more or less trips. If there an event happening that happens to be in Aggieland, I will go to Aggieland; otherwise, Aggieland doesn't mean very much to me anymore. With the second question, I have lost almost ALL respect for A&M as far as tradition goes. I'm waiting to hear what Elsa Murano has to say about Bonfire returning to campus. If she says no, I will have no respect at all for them. I respect their college as far as the education goes, but they have proven to me that as long as it doesn't involve money, they'll do it, and that's not right. If I could afford it, I would move out of Bryan/CS and only come back for Bonfire. When Bonfire was on campus, I was too little to donate money, but if Elsa returns it to campus, I'll donate; if she doesn't, I won't. I would love for Bonfire to return to campus. What many don't realize is that Bonfire didn't even start on campus, it started off. A&M says in started in 1909. That isn't true; that was the first DOCUMENTED Bonfire. Bonfire doesn't HAVE to be on campus; as long as it's built by students for students and burned brightly, that's all that matters. Ever since the accident, peoeple have taken this subject WAY out of proportion. A&M has proven over and over that it's all about the money to them so I have very little respect for them for that. The Student Bonfire organization (www.studentbonfire.com) has kept the tradition alive and growing. If A&M gets hold of this, they'll make to where no one wants to be part of it. They should let Student Bonfire take over. Their way is safer, looks extremely close to how it did on campus, and they make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. If you want to talk further into depth with this, you can email me at (aggiebonfiresupporter@hotmail.com). Thanks.

Build the Hell Outta Bonfire!

Class of ’80 non-reg bonfire worker here.

Off-campus bonfire has no effect on my trips to Aggieland. While I’ve considered going to the off-campus event, I’ve never taken the time to figure out its location and the logistics of getting there.

A&M has a huge hole in tradition since the collapse. In the aftermath of the tragedy, I was extremely saddened that future Aggies would not experience the camaraderie and brotherhood developed during the building of the Bonfire – from first cut to first flame. I fear that any attempts to bring it back to campus would not result in the same level of student involvement. Bonfire was the foundation for my love of Texas A&M traditions.

Donations not effected

In my heart, I would like to see Bonfire back on campus. My head tells me that the justified fear of liability and injury would result in a new-style Bonfire that just wouldn’t be the same.

BTW – Was your Mom or Dad an Ag? My second son is named Kyle. My wife rejected “Bucky”.

Howdy,

c/o '98 crew chief here

1. I make the same # of trips. I'm a season ticket holder and come for all football games and usually a couple basketball and baseball games a year.

2. YES. Bonfire was an enormous part of our Aggie culture. The loss of Aggie Bonfire certainly changed the school. To what degree is probably still to be determined.

3. I give my money to the 12th Man Foundation. Bonfire has no effect on the amount. My earnings and desire to get better seats determine that.

4. ABSOLUTELY. I would love to see Aggie Bonfire back on campus. I would even be in favor of a modified version.

Hope that helps.

A part of A&M died that day. It's not the same school as it's like it is beating with a weaker heart. Not as much pride and passion for a school is displayed.

I make just as many trips, just do not donate as much money as I used to. If our school decides to buck the trend and make itself unique again, I will gladly donate more money.