College Station may be 571 miles from Starkville, but Texas A&M and Mississippi State University have more in common than the distance would suggest.
The two schools are similar, but the traditions of each make them unique. A&M’s recent acceptance into the Southeastern Conference will give MSU students and fans the opportunity to get to know the Aggies.
Travis Patrick, a senior sports management major, grew up near MSU going to games and cheering on the Bulldogs but now attends A&M.
“I believe that the universities are extremely different,” Patrick said. “After growing up around State and now being a senior in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, I feel that I have seen the best of both worlds.”
Gabrielle House, Outreach and Awareness sub-chair for the A&M Traditions Council, said the school’s traditions show what being an Aggie is all about.
“Each tradition, in its own way, exemplifies why being an Aggie is so special,” House said. “They characterize the spirit that dwells inside every Aggie and evoke a sense of fervent pride, respect and loyalty to our school.”
One of these traditions is the importance of its mascot. Much like MSU, A&M has its own dog to boost student morale. In 1931, a group of cadets accidentally hit a small black and white collie, and the cadets took the dog with them to nurse her back to health. The following morning a bugler blew “Reveille”— the walk-up call — and the dog began to bark. The cadets named her Reveille after the incident and kept her as a revered mascot.
Since then, Reveille has been a staple at the university. Over the years, other collies have taken her place as the most esteemed dog on campus. Each collie has her own handler, a cadet who takes the dog with him everywhere. The dog’s handler ensures she is always treated with the upmost respect. If Reveille is in her handler’s bed, the cadet must sleep on the floor. 
 
 
 
 
If she barks while a professor is speaking, the professor immediately dismisses class. She is politely addressed as “Miss Rev, ma’am.”
Michael Ann Morrison, a senior history and literature major at A&M, said students are always enthusiastic to see Reveille on campus.
“Everyone gets so excited to see her, because we want a picture with her,” Morrison said.  “Posting a picture with Reveille on Facebook is on everyone’s pre-graduation bucket list.”
Another tradition of A&M that promotes student enthusiasm prior to games is the Midnight Yell. The Midnight Yell is a pep rally held by students before every game.  The students shout old army yells, sing the school songs and listen to stories of Aggie victory. 
House said the atmosphere of Midnight Yell isa particularly unique and indescribable experience. 
“The enthusiasm for BTHO (beating the hell outta) whoever we’re playing is almost tangible,” House said. “From singing along with the Aggie band to listening and whooping for the yell leaders, it’s a fun time to spend time with friends, celebrate the end of another school week and anticipate another fun-filled weekend of Fightin’ Texas Aggie football.”
House said during football games, Aggies pride themselves on their dedication and loyalty to their team that stems from their biggest football tradition, “The Twelfth Man.”
The tradition began during a football game in 1922.  The Aggies were winning, but all 11 players were injured.  The coach remembered a player named E. King Gill who quit the team early to prepare for basketball season.  The coach called him to suit up and be ready to play. He stood ready on the sidelines for the rest of the game, and the Aggies went on to win 24-14. 
Later Gill was quoted as saying, “I wish I could say that I ran for the winning touchdown, but I didn’t. I simply got ready and waited just in case I was needed.”
In honor of Gill’s readiness to serve his team, all Aggies remain on their feet during the entire game. 
Morrison said Aggies learn to quickly adjust to standing.
 ”A lot of people will yell at you if you sit down and call you a two-percenter,” Morrison said.
Throughout the game, the all-male cheerleading squad, or “yell leaders,” leads the fans in several cheers and chants. The yell leaders are comprised of five upperclassmen elected by the student body.
Patrick said in order to gain a full understanding of Aggie traditions, someone must actually see them for himself.
“One of our sayings is: ‘From the outside looking in, you can’t understand it. From the inside looking out, you can’t explain it’,” Patrick said. “You will just have to experience it firsthand to see what it really is.”