Angelo State University's Air Force ROTC Detachment 847 has built the bonfire. It is also a tradition to soapsuds the fountain outside Stephens Arena. For alumni, they hold the annual Alumni Awards Banquet, honoring distinguished alumni and university donors. Ram Jam The official Ram Jam was started by the Alumni Association in 2003 and has grown to become the large pregame football tailgating parties they are today. During the fall semester outside the LeGrand Alumni Center, students, alumni, and community members park their cars in the parking lot and hang out around the center to grill and socialize. The events also feature local bands to provide entertainment, free food and refreshments, bounce houses and other games for kids, and alcoholic beverages for those 21 and up. The Ram Band, the ASU dance team, the Angelettes, and the ASU Cheerleaders also perform and everyone walks over to the stadium prior to the game. Ram’s Head The Ram's Head sign is made by bending the middle and ring fingers down over the palm and covering them with the thumb. The extended index and pinky fingers are then bent halfway to represent the curve of the horns. The sign is used at various times during athletic events and typically during the playing of the alma mater. Ring ceremony Prior to each commencement, the ASU Alumni Association hosts a ring ceremony where the university president presents class rings to recipients. Appearing at each ceremony is ASU's mascot, Dominic. After receiving their rings, recipients touch their rings to Dominic's horns for strength, or rub them through his wool for luck. Though Angelo State rings have existed since the beginning of the university, a new official ASU ring was introduced by the ASU Alumni Society in 2003. The top of the Angelo State class ring presents the ASU seal. One side of the ring shows the State of Texas with a star marking San Angelo; below that is an oak branch. On the other side is an image of the mascot, Dominic. Mascots A purebred Rambouillet ram, Dominic, stands as a symbol of Angelo State University and the institution's ties to the region and its people. The first Rambouillet ram, named "Shorty", was donated to the college in 1940 by area rancher D.T. Jones, who had two daughters attending the school at the time. Angelo State's ram went by a variety of names until 1964, when