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PRINT THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE Tuesday, November 24, 1998 Local police gear up for annual bonfire COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - More than 150 police officers are gearing up for the traditional Texas A&M University bonfire, expected to draw up to 70,000 people Tuesday night in advance of the annual Aggies-Longhorns matchup on Friday. Officers from the campus, College Station and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will converge near the bonfire site to ensure students act appropriately. "A lot of people, not necessarily students, will try and sneak in booze," said Bob Wiatt, director of the A&M police department. "There may be some people who are able to get away with it because of the thousands and thousands of people at bonfire, but if we catch them, they'll be appropriately dealt with." Last year, university police issued 59 citations for minors in possession of alcohol and arrested five people for public intoxication or disorderly conduct, according to the Bryan-College Station Eagle. Additionally, city police responded to 21 traffic accidents and 65 loud party complaints, said Major Mike Patterson of the College Station Police Department. Patterson said officers will patrol the city's streets before and after bonfire to prevent such problems. "People have started to expect a warning the first time we come out, but in most cases we're going to issue citations," he said. The bonfire is an annual tradition since 1909 to get students fired up for the big game against rival Texas, referred to derogatorily as t.u. The only year the bonfire was not lit was 1963, following President Kennedy's assassination. This year's bonfire, held at the school's polo field, will be 55 feet tall and 90 feet wide, made with some 8,000 post oak logs cut down by students, said university spokesman Jonathan Kraatz. The stack will be lit at 8:18 p.m. Tuesday. The bonfire ceremony features performances by the Aggie band, school cheers called "yells," and pep talks by administrators, football players and coaches. "This is probably one of the better years for the bonfire because both football teams are doing fairly well," Kraatz said. "The student body is getting ready for it." The Aggies (10-1) meet the Longhorns (7-3) at 10 a.m. Friday in Austin. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below: texnews.com Reporter OnLine Local Sports Texas Sports Copyright ©1998, Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below:

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