Video Project

Hex Rally: Longhorns Sound Off on Changes in Tradition
 

Last Thanksgiving, the University of Texas was gearing up for their final showdown against the Aggies. The 117-year rivalry runs deep among Longhorns and Aggies alike, with several generations growing up with the longtime tradition. It was an emotional end - and a victorious one for Texas - as the future of Thanksgiving football remained unknown.

Students, faculty and staff united at the annual UT Hex Rally to put one last hex on the Aggies the week before the game. The rally, dating back to 1941, has been used as a way of ensuring a Texas win over their opponents. The UT band, cheerleaders and football team chanted and lit red candles all in the spirit of cheering on our players to defeat A&M.

This year, the Longhorns took on a whole new rival, the TCU Horned Frogs. Despite having a new team on the roster, the University was determined to keep the spirit of the Hex Rally alive; the Texas Exes organizers even created the tagline "Same hex, same spirit, new game" to convey their message. “We’re really trying to stray away from it’s just A&M. It’s a UT tradition at the end of the day and we just want students to remember it’s our tradition to own and not something that we give to another team,” said Texas Exes Spirit and Traditions Council Chair Erica Flores.

Even so, some students felt the change in course is more bitter than sweet. Christian Corona, Sports Editor for the Daily Texan, said, “The Hex Rally is just something so special to the rivalry that is Texas and Texas A&M, to have a hex rally before the TCU game just wouldn’t feel right.”

Although the hex didn’t work this year, many students remain optimistic for the future of Texas football and next year’s Thanksgiving game against Texas Tech. Sophomore journalism major Rebecca Salazar said, “In the end I think it's important to continue traditions. I think the spirit is there, so it doesn't matter who we play.”