The haunting sounds emanated from the towering pile of logs in the dark of night, as if the structure itself was warning of impending doom. Eyewitnesses reported hearing the haunting creaks from the thousands of logs before the central pole broke and the entire stack came crashing down.
More than a million pounds of timber collapsed, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 lives and injuries to many others, leaving a profound mark on a university with a rich tradition spanning generations. As Texas A&M University approaches the 25th anniversary of the tragic log stack collapse that occurred on November 18, 1999, the campus remembers the event that forever altered the Aggie community. The bonfire, which was being constructed for the traditional bonfire celebration ahead of the Texas A&M versus Texas football game, was meant to be a festive highlight but turned into a moment of deep sorrow.
On Monday at 2:42 a.m., the university is set to hold a Remembrance ceremony at the site of the incident, commemorating the time of the collapse. “Each year, Texas A&M students strive to honor the memory of the Aggie Family members we lost 25 years ago,” noted the university president, Mark Welsh III.
The “Fightin’ Texas Aggie Bonfire” was one of the most cherished customs in college football, embodying the relentless spirit of students eager to defeat their long-time rivals, the Texas Longhorns. The tradition traces back to a simple scrap heap ignited in 1907, evolving into a beloved campus event by 1909. Over the years, the bonfire grew significantly, receiving materials shipped via railway, eventually reaching a height of 105 feet before safety concerns led to limitations.
In 1998, the bonfire attracted crowds of nearly 70,000 spectators each year, with only one interruption in 1963 following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. However, during the week leading up to the scheduled burn in 1999, tragedy struck when the log stack, composed of more than 5,000 18-foot logs, fell, claiming the lives of 12 individuals—five freshmen, four sophomores, a junior, a senior, and a recent graduate, many of whom were part of the Corps of Cadets, Texas A&M’s military-style organization.
In the aftermath, rescuers, including football players from Texas A&M, hurried to clear the way for survivors ensnared under the logs. Even athletes from the opposing team organized a blood drive to aid those affected. An investigation into the collapse pointed to improper construction practices executed by inadequately trained student workers as a contributing factor.
In 2003, a memorial was established at the site of the disaster. It features a “Spirit Ring” with 12 portals, each representing the victims. Each portal is marked with an engraved portrait and the signature of one victim, aligned with their hometown, allowing visitors to symbolically step into the archway and fill the emptiness left by those lost.
Following the tragedy, the official annual Aggie bonfire was halted. Recently, however, in light of renewed excitement over the Texas football rivalry which resumed this season, there were discussions about reviving the tradition. A special committee proposed a revival, conditioned on the involvement of professional engineers for safety. However, some community members insisted that a return should see the event organized by students, in keeping with its historical roots.
Ultimately, Welsh announced in June that the bonfire would not be reinstated on campus, stating, “The bonfire, a significant and sorrowful chapter in Aggie history, should remain as a cherished memory of our past.” Nonetheless, students have continued to hold unofficial bonfire events off-campus, with plans in place to burn this year’s fire on November 29, the eve of the game against Texas.