COLLEGE STATION, Texas – For decades, Texas A&M’s annual Aggie Bonfire was one of the most adored traditions in American college life. The exciting event turned devastating in 1999, when a collapse of the 60-foot-tall log structure tragically claimed the lives of 12 people.
The event hasn’t happened over the last 25 years, but the school is considering an attempt to bring the tradition back, according to The Texas Tribune.
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Back in November, Texas A&M President Mark Welsh created a committee to explore the institution’s options to commemorate the return of the Lone Star Showdown, as the University of Texas will join the SEC and reignite the football rivalry for the first time since 2011. The bonfire is a tradition within those discussions.
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Regent and rivalry committee member John Bellinger wrote to the families of the victims in the 1999 collapse to ask for their input on a possible return of the event. As of January, he had visited six of the families. Three of those families gave him their approval to restart the bonfire, as stated in The Tribune’s report.
Bellinger also suggested hiring a construction company to build the bonfire, as structural flaws from inexperienced student volunteers played a large role in the collapse.
The rivalry committee is expected to meet with President Welsh with its recommendations in May.
This story was created in collaboration with a report from The Texas Tribune.