Wear White, Wave Maroon

Courtesy of Aggie Wildfire Relief

The Texas A&M University student body has united to ask fans to ”Wear White, Wave Maroon” during the Aggies’ home football game on Saturday, October 15, as part of an effort to help the victims and volunteer firefighters affected by recent wildfires across the state.  Aggie Wildfire Relief, a student group made up of representatives from more than 25 campus organizations, is hosting this event, and is raising funds through the sale of maroon “12th Man Towels."

All fans attending the October 15 football game at Kyle Field versus Baylor University are encouraged to wear white shirts as a united symbol of hope for a return to normalcy in the lives of those impacted by the fires. 

Aggie fans are asked to purchase a specially-designed maroon 12th Man Towel to wave during this game.  Since 1985, Texas A&M students and fans have waved white 12th Man Towels during football games in support of their team, and typically wear maroon clothing on game day.

Towels are on sale for $3 each, and may be purchased online at www.aggiewildfirerelief.com or at several on-campus locations from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on weekdays.  There are no on-campus sales locations on game day, but the C.C. Creations Warehouse (112 Holleman Drive) and Tent Sales (Albertson’s parking lot) will have towels in stock prior to the game.  Proceeds from the sale of the maroon towels will directly benefit those whose lives and property have been affected by the wildfires through the American Red Cross of Texas, as well as the volunteer firefighters battling the blazes through the Texas Wildfire Relief Fund. 

Already, Aggie Wildfire Relief has raised $8,000 through a grassroots campus towel sales campaign and at least another $8,000 through online sales and donations.  Negotiations with corporate sponsors are under way to underwrite the production costs of the maroon towels.  Additional sponsors are being sought with branding opportunities available on the website and the towels themselves.

Aggies pride themselves in their ability to rally around a common goal. “Let this be an encouragement to each of you and a statement to the nation that Aggies stand in selfless service for Texas. We were the first public institution in Texas and we will continue to be a student body and network of former students, friends, and family that step up to meet the needs of our fellow Texans. The Aggie Spirit of loyalty, service, and leadership that began here in 1876 remains strong and evident on campus still today in 2011. This Texas Wildfire Relief effort to wear white and wave maroon on October 15 in Kyle Field when we face off with Baylor is just one more amazing example of the 12th Man coming to the aid of those in need,” remarks Student Body President Jeff Pickering. 

The “Wear White, Wave Maroon” event was originally planned for the September 24, 2011 home football game against Oklahoma State University, but was deferred in favor of the previously-scheduled Aggies CAN food drive on that date.  As Texans, both Aggies and Baylor Bears can come together to help out the citizens of the Lone Star State.  “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, but everyone just needs to come together and support wildfire victims, because we’re all Texans, and we’re all affected by this,” said Will Hatheway, one of the event’s organizers.

Texas A&M University is a flagship university in Texas and is currently the sixth-largest university in the United States in enrollment.  Located in College Station, Texas, the AAU-member university boasts designation as a land, sea, and space grant university.  Currently, the Aggie football team is ranked in the top fifteen in the AP and USA Today polls. Known as the 12th Man, the student body of Texas A&M University stands for the entire duration of athletic events, as a symbol of readiness to step in for the team if needed.

For more information, visit www.aggiewildfirerelief.com.