True Aggies explained
State University, some students will also expect to kiss a complete stranger in front of hundreds of people.
Someone new to USU who has not yet heard of the school’s tradition called “True Aggie Night” may think that kissing someone in front of hundreds of people is absurd. Yet at USU, this practice is not only accepted – it’s a tradition.
According to ASUSU’s website for one to become a True Aggie, they must go to the “A” next to Old Main and kiss their love interest, friend or even a stranger. On Homecoming or A-day, neither of the kissers needs to be a True Aggie. However, on a full moon, at least one kisser needs to be a True Aggie for the other to become one.
The tradition of becoming a True Aggie started in 1916 when a group of young men from Salt Lake City came to USU. While in high school in Salt Lake, these young men tried to start a school club. The school would not allow them to, so the young men started their own club and called themselves the “Be-Nos.”
The Be-Nos then came to USU and continued their club. One member of the Be-Nos built the “A” as we know it. A three-dimensional white A base with a blue platform on top. The tradition started when a young man had to kiss a young lady on top of the “A” under a full moon at midnight.
The tradition is now run by the Student Alumni Association. Today, students receive a certificate stating that they are a True Aggie. The True Aggie nights are now held on Homecoming week, special A-days the SAA set up and full moon nights.
The tradition will live on and this year the first True Aggie night will be held on Friday, Sept. 2 at midnight. Hundreds of students are expected to show up, but in the past as many as 2,000 students have attended.
A special couple every year gets the right to stand atop the “A”. It’s usually the president of the university. In the past, former USU President Kermit Hall and his wife attended and participated in this tradition.
After the couples kiss, they get a card the states that they are a True Aggie. Students can take the card to the Alumni House and get the card laminated.
Students interested in becoming a True Aggie should get to the A early on Friday and get ready for an evening full of some good lovin’, fun and tradition.
-seirra@cc.usu.edu