Elephant Walk, Jr. E-Walk 2009
As one of the oldest standing traditions at A&M, Elephant Walk has a rich history that begins with the class of 1926. After losing the first two games of their football season in 1922, the freshman class marched around Kyle Field together, led by a piccolo player and a brass horn to the tune of a mournful funeral march, trying to break the "curse" of the team. When they became seniors three years later, they decided to take one final walk around the campus together, this time to remember their time spent in Aggieland and the friends and memories they had made. As they walked single file, each man with his hand on the shoulder of his friend before him, an observer noted that they "looked like elephants, about to die." Thus the tradition of Elephant Walk was born. In subsequent years, it became a tradition reserved for seniors that takes place each year before the last football game of the season, traditionally the night that Bonfire would burn.
As the years progressed, Elephant Walk became a much-anticipated celebration. Unfortunately, it also became a time for the junior class to sabotage the seniors. Elephant Walk, through the 1980's and early 1990's was marked as a sloppy display of ill-will and competition between the classes. Injuries frequently resulted as well. This was disgracing our campus and almost ruined the tradition. In 1993, the first Jr. E-Walk gave the juniors an alternative and a new tradition was born. The juniors have their own walk and speaker now and participate with the senior class in the games, pictures with elephants, food and other festivities.
Elephant Walk and Jr. E-Walk are important to this university. They unify classes of thousands of diverse students. The Elephant Walk line has been known to stretch a mile as 3,000 seniors sprawl across campus. Sales from merchandise with the logos of these events usually earn the junior and senior classes about $20,000 that goes to the purchase of a class gift after graduation.
What are this years Elephant Walk/Jr. E-Walk plans?
On Tuesday, November 24, 2009, Texas A&M University's Class of 2010 and Class of 2011 will be hosting the 83rd annual Elephant Walk and 16th annual Jr. E-Walk events. These events mark important turning points in the lives of students and their time as Aggies: the Class of 2010 will be reminiscing on its time at Texas A&M, while the Class of 2011 will be accepting its newfound rank on campus.
Festivities will begin at Spence Park at 10:00am including pictures with live elephants, official shirt sales, and free food. Senior Step-Off will be at 2:10pm from the 12th Man Statue. The Class of 2011 will meet at the Corps Arches at 1:45pm for a Yell Practice and Junior Step-Off at 2:11pm. The program for both classes will follow the walks with a speech from Former First Lady Mrs. Barbara Bush, official 2010 and 2011 class pictures, the announcement of the senior class gift and raffle prizes.
In addition, we would like to invite all faculty and staff to participate in these events which are integral to the Aggie experience and in making Texas A&M such a unique university. Please join us for any or all parts of the Elephant Walk and Jr. E-Walk festivities!
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us:
Ashlie Baty '10
Elephant Walk Director
Cara Gray '11
Jr. E-Walk Director