OUR VIEW: Who turned on the lights?

Tradition.

Utah State has many traditions that celebrate the heritage and pride of the school and its accomplishments. The “A” on the quad is well-known across the state as a place to kiss and become a True Aggie. USU has the best ice cream in the state in Aggie Ice Cream.

But one of the great traditions that seems to have fallen by the wayside is the lighting of the blue “A” atop Old Main. Typically this light stays white and can be seen from across the city. But when the light is blue it is a clarion call of triumph that alerts Aggies everywhere that one of their sports teams has won a game.

But lately the “A” often remains a bland white even when a sports team wins a game. After some of the biggest basketball games this season the “A” was white, which gave misleading information to Aggies that their team lost, even though it won. Other times the bright blue of the “A” confuses devoted Aggie fans, who rack their brains trying to remember what sporting event they missed.

While this tradition is not absolutely vital to the operation of the school, it is a matter of school pride. Aggies are known for having strong school pride and the lighting of the “A” is part of that. The “A” needs to be changed to blue when the sports teams win. The Aggie blue “A” is like the Batman symbol to Jaycee Carroll. When it is lit it gives Aggie fans a reason to be proud of their school and athletic programs.

It is not difficult to light the “A.” Noah Riley should grab a rope, climb up the tower of Old Main like Quasimodo and flip the switch. But chances are Riley is probably busy and Old Main would collapse if someone tried to climb it, so nix that idea.

Honestly, anybody with a knowledge of where the switch is and authorization to do it should light the switch. If there is nobody currently designated to light the “A,” someone needs to be given this important duty. It is a matter of school spirit. Let’s keep it.