College Station, Texas, Says Goodbye to In-Person Ticket Pull Tradition
In a surprising turn of events, Texas A&M University has decided to say farewell to a beloved tradition that has been a rite of passage for many students over the years. President Mark Welsh announced via email on Friday that the iconic in-person ticket pull will be replaced with an all-digital format, all in the name of safety!
What Happened?
As sports fans would know, the ticket pull has long been an exciting time for Aggie students, who camp out in front of Kyle Field to secure their spots for upcoming football games, particularly the highly sought-after battles against rivals like the Texas Longhorns. However, safety concerns have grown substantially in recent months. Just last month, chaos erupted when multiple ambulances rushed to the scene as students began to faint in the crowded concourse while waiting to pull tickets for the game against Texas.
“I love our traditions. They are such a magnificent part of what makes this place special,” President Welsh shared in his email. However, he made it clear that the safety of students must come first. “We put students at risk in the ticket pull for the Texas game. I will not risk letting that happen again,” he continued.
Changes in the Air
The decision to transition to a digital ticketing system comes on the heels of several safety measures that the university had previously attempted to implement. This included limits on camping time before each pull and even requirements that tents could be a maximum of 10-by-10 feet. They also banned items like generators, alcohol, and non-portable furniture to alleviate the crowding situation.
Unfortunately, those efforts didn’t quite solve the issue, as students reported dangerous pushing and shoving during the October pulls before the LSU game, followed by the Texas showdown. In fact, a record-breaking 30,000 tickets were distributed on November 18 — a crowd so large that even the university’s attempts to control the chaos fell short.
A New Digital Approach
So, what can students expect with this new digital system? While the university hasn’t released specific details yet, many colleges across the nation have successfully shifted to online ticketing. For example, the University of Texas offers a “Big Ticket” pass, allowing students to claim digital access to all athletic events throughout the academic year. This trend could very well signal a move toward a modernized approach for Aggie tickets, ensuring that students can still experience the thrill of football season in a safer way.
Mixed Reactions from the Crowd
As you can imagine, reactions to the change have been mixed. Some students view the new system as a necessary step forward for safety, while others will undoubtedly miss the thrilling (if a bit chaotic) ambiance of camping out with friends. One former student reflected on their experience, saying, “Literally almost got crushed! There were points I could not move my arms. You could not leave if you wanted to!”
Aggies Move Forward
As Texas A&M prepares for this new chapter, there’s a collective hope that they can still find a way to uphold the Aggie Spirit in whatever new system they implement. After all, traditions are what shape the identity of a university, but with safety being top of mind, it seems that even the oldest customs must adapt to modern times.
Soon, a new era of digital ticketing awaits, and who knows? It might even make things a bit easier for students trying to squeeze their way into the next big football bash. Hang in there, Ags—football season is just around the corner!
