At the sideline of Aggie sporting events, Yell Leaders can be found uniting thousands of fans. With one hand signal, crowds are bewitched by the Aggie Spirit.
Texas A&M University is based on tradition, and the tradition of Aggie Yell Leaders is one of the most well-known. For more than a century, the Yell Leaders have embodied the Aggie Spirit and represented Texas A&M in a unique way.
The first Yell Leaders led the Fightin’ Texas Aggies onto Kyle Field only 38 years after Texas A&M was founded. Since then, the leaders of the 12th Man have inspired Aggies to support the team through both successes and hardships in all sporting events
Supporting Aggie Spirit Ambassadors
Yell Leaders are Texas A&M’s most visible ambassadors of the Aggie Spirit. Today, the five Yell Leaders elected by the student body do far more than coordinate yells for the 12th Man. In addition to motivating sports fans, Yell Leaders speak and lead yells at student events such as The Big Event, Family Weekend, Fish Camp and more. The most prominent of the Yell Leaders’ duties is leading Midnight Yell Practice before every home football game, which now boasts more than 40,000 participants.
Through it all, the Yell Leaders’ commitment to academic success and graduation remains a priority. In order to provide Yell Leaders with the support they need, the Texas A&M Foundation created the Yell Leader Endowment to allow Yell Leaders to devote their time to campus community impact.
The Yell Leader Endowment supports the Yell Leaders in many ways, including:
- Scholarships
- Stipends
- General Operation & Expenses
- Midnight Yell Expenses
- Advisor’s Salary
Pass it Back, Ags
To meet increased demands of Yell Leaders’ time and expenses, we invite you to help preserve this hallowed tradition for future generations of Aggies through a donation to the Yell Leader Endowment. Donations range from annual gifts to endowing major gifts over a five-year period. Stand for the 12th Man today and help us meet our $6.5 million endowment goal.
Meet this year's Yell Leaders!
Then
Texas A&M's first Yell Leaders were selected in 1907. In the early years, the Yell Leaders provided their own uniforms and often wore mismatched outfits to attract attention. It wasn’t until 1915 that they were documented wearing all white and were given maroon “letter” sweaters. The head Yell Leader position, known back then as “Chief,” began in 1936. While Corps of Cadet members were typically selected as Yell Leaders, non-Corps students were also considered for the position.
Now
Today's Yell Leaders are public figures. Comprised of three seniors and two juniors, with one senior designated as “Head Yell Leader,” Yell Leaders are elected annually. They can always be found dressed in all white on the sidelines of the playing field in front of the student section. The Yell Leaders attend all football games, as well as all home basketball and volleyball games. Additionally, the Yell Leaders can be seen annually at Texas A&M Coach’s Nights, all new student conferences, all Fish Camp sessions, and numerous campus events hosted by student organizations and university departments.