Senior boots
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Within the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, seniors are given the privilege to wear distinctive brown leather boots, known as "senior boots". These boots are one of the most visible and recognizable institutions of the Aggie Corps, and remain one of the lasting images of Texas A&M University. Boots are available from many vendors in the College Station area, the most famous being Holick's, which was founded by Joseph Holick, the founder of the Aggie Band. Today, senior boots cost nearly $1000, but 85% of all seniors in the Corps still purchase them regardless.
The tradition of senior boots came about in 1914, when the Corps of Cadets changed from the West Point style of uniform. The seniors of the time wanted a way to further differentiate themselves from the other classes, so they began wearing distinctive boots, which evolved into the senior boots worn today. In 1921, they were made by Jack Alesci in San Antonio. By 1925, the boot style was integrated into the official cadet uniform, as a "knee-height English riding boot, of a light brown or tan". Lucchese's in San Antonio became the main supplier of boots.
By 1932, competition closer to campus sprang up. Joseph Holick set up his shop in 1932, and from that point, more suppliers were founded, including Victor's, Russell's, and others. The average price for a pair of boots in 1932 was $32.50.
During World War II, due to the leather diversion to the war effort, Aggie seniors had to buy their boots from former cadets.
Today, Holick's remains the most popular supplier of senior boots. The complete boot package, which includes spurs and chains, today costs nearly $1000.
