Bonfire

For many decades, freshmen were charged with guarding the Baylor campus from intruders during Homecoming week. The practice dates back to 1909 when TCU, then located in Waco, was the Bears' first Homecoming opponent. To thwart their cross-town rival's raids, all Baylor men tended overnight fires while guarding the campus. Eventually, manning the barricades became the duty of freshmen men. The enemy also changed, from TCU to Texas A&M.

In 1946, freshmen held guard during the five nights preceding the game to prevent the Aggies from painting the campus or kidnapping Chita, the new bear mascot. Bonfires were lit each night in different strategic locations, with the Friday night blaze serving as the climax.

Over time, the barricade program's focus narrowed to protecting the main bonfire pile. And at some point, required kissing became a central security measure. A Lariat article from 1974 describes the custom: "The procedure for guarding the campus is to stop each car as it passes through campus. If a Baylor student or ex-student will not kiss his date, his date must kiss each keeper of the barricade."

The barricade tradition ended in the 1980s (though kissing reportedly continues to be practiced around campus). But while the barricades have disappeared, the Friday night bonfire tradition has grown even stronger. As the campus has expanded over the years, the fire has been frequently relocated, from the heart of campus to the Intramural Fields, and now to the Ferrell Center.

Of course, much pomp and circumstance precedes the lighting of the bonfire, including a pep rally, motivational speeches, and even activities planned for the whole family.