Texas Exes is already preparing for the next big rally. The game where we play not the bad but the ugly, yes that's right Texas A&M. The rally will be held on Monday Nov. 23, the week before Thanksgiving at the main mall.
The rally kicks off at 8 p.m. Many Longhorn fans are gathering to hex the Aggies so everyone should come out to help light the red candles There will be speeches from coaches Mack Brown and "Mad Dog" Madden. Fans can look forward to performances from the Longhorn Band, Texas Pom and Cheer, Redefined dance company and more.
The tradition of the Hex Rally started in 1941. The Longhorns football team had not defeated the Aggies for almost 18 years, so a group of students sought out a fortune teller. Mozzelle "Madame Agusta" Hipple, the fortune teller, told the students to gather the community and burn red candles to symbolize challenge and opposition.
The students, fans, and alumni burned red candles the entire week before the game. The Longhorns won 23-0. The legend lived on. The physics department built a candle like torch that is lit at the rally each year in addition to the hand held red candles that are passed out to families and supporters.
The Texas Exes Student Chapter is responsible for putting the rally together and will be selling shirts starting next week. They are available for $12 and only $10 for members. It has been an annual tradition for The University of Texas and students must help keep the victory and the tradition alive by coming out to hex the Aggies once again this November.
Last year was my first year at the university; I attended the Hex Rally and it was a blast. The feeling of school pride at these events is just amazing and its really nice seeing all the different performances. It's kind of like when people get together to light candles to remember someone or an event, it brings about a sense of community seeing all those little flickering lights held by people who all support the same cause.
It's a really neat experience and I plan on attending again this year. Watch out Aggies were getting our red candles out!
I actually just finished publishing this blog tonight...but apparently it says that it has been published on the day that I start drafting it. Whoops....but yeah it should say November 9, 2009. Sorry for the confusion.
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