The Tradition of the Twelfth Man Tradition and history are important parts of life on any college campus. So what makes Texas A&M University so special? The “Spirit of Aggieland” is said to be unmatched by any other college or university in the United States. Most traditions at Texas A&M are filled with the rich background of its Corps of Cadets, which for many years made up the entire student body at the College Station campus. However, when talking about traditions heard round the nation, two particular events come to mind: The tradition of the Twelfth Man and The Bonfire. The tradition of the Twelfth Man began on January 1, 1922 in Dallas with the game against Center College