A committee appointed last November by Texas A&M’s president to commemorate the renewed football rivalry with the University of Texas is looking into the return of bonfire.
25 years after the 1999 bonfire collapse that killed 12 people and injured 27 others, the Texas Tribune obtained a letter from a committee member who is also one of the newest members of the A&M system’s board of regents.
John Bellinger of San Antonio wrote to families of the bonfire victims asking for input on the possibility of resuming the bonfire with oversight from A&M’s administration.
A&M president Mark Welsh formed what has been nicknamed the “Rivalry Committee” after the University of Texas became a member of the Southeastern Conference.
Welsh’s chief of staff, Susan Ballabina, released a statement after the Tribune article stating that the committee’s recommendations will be presented to the president in May. Ballabina stated “After the president is briefed, he will share his decisions on ideas that will be implemented.”