Traditions Texas A&M University has many time-honored traditions, many of which began when the Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas was established in 1876. Traditions continued to evolve as service in the Corps was no longer a requirement, giving a new generation of students an opportunity to alter traditions. Such traditions involve university-sponsored events such as Silver Taps honoring students who have died, to student-run events, which include the Student Bonfire. Students attending TAMUG are known as Sea Aggies. The same Aggie ring that TAMU-College Station wear is offered to all students who have 90 credit hours (45 with the University) at TAMUG. Sea Aggies may also purchase tickets for all sporting events, fine arts performances, and concerts held in College Station. Starting in the 1970s, the students of Texas A&M at Galveston created their own Aggie Bonfire, mirroring the traditions of the College Station student body. However, the Galveston campus ceased observance of the tradition after the structure in College Station collapsed on November 18, 1999, killing 12 students. Traditions unique to the Galveston campus include underclassmen students rubbing or placing coins upon the anchor of the TS Texas Clipper in front of the library prior to an exam for good luck. To walk beneath the arc of the anchor's chain is reserved as a senior privilege. Stepping on "Senior Knoll" is also reserved only for upperclassman. Midnight Yell Practice is held on Thursday nights instead of the traditional Friday. This allows those attending the game in College Station to have time to make the two-hour drive on Friday. A student can subsequently go to a second Midnight Yell in College Station. After disappearing in the late '70s, the Texas Maritime Academy band was resurrected in the fall of 2010. Under the guidance of Cmdr James Sterling '71 US Navy (retired), who originated the TMA band as a cadet, the newly established band debuted at the 2010 Parent's Day Pass in Review ceremony. Silver Taps is a nighttime bugle tribute paid to Aggies who were enrolled in classes at the time of their death, held at Academic Plaza in the College Station campus. Response to Hurricane Ike In preparation of Hurricane Ike, TAMUG closed on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, at 5 pm and evacuation was ordered. Ike made U.S. landfall at Galveston, Texas, on September 13 at 2:10 am. It was the third-most destructive hurricane to ever make landfall