Texas A&M University Names New Head Yell Leader

Texas A&M University has named Zac Cross, a senior from Pearland, Texas, Head Yell Leader for the upcoming academic year. Cross, who is studying construction science and plans to join the U.S. Marine Corps, will lead the group of five Yell Leaders beginning April 21 through the end of the 2023 spring semester.

Texas A&M’s Yell Leaders, the official spirit organization of the university, are comprised of five students who are elected by the student body. In March, Cross, Kipp Knecht and Nathan Drain were elected senior Yell Leaders, and Trevor Yelton and Thomas Greve were chosen as junior Yell Leaders. All five are members of the Corps of Cadets. Cross and Knecht served as Junior Yell Leaders for the 2021-2022 academic year.

“The Yell Leaders are students who are designated to lead, promote and perpetuate the Aggie spirit,” Cross said. “At Texas A&M, spirit is the foundation of everything we do. It is embodied in our traditions and core values. It is our job as Yell Leaders to ensure the entire student body has the chance to participate in these traditions and be part of the 12^th Man.”

Cross is a first-generation Aggie who chose Texas A&M to fulfill a Marine Corps scholarship, but soon realized his college experience would entail much more.

“I was captivated by the sense of family that all Aggies share, despite their background or history,” he said. “Being in the Corps of Cadets, I was able to experience traditions such as Silver Taps, Bonfire and Muster that make Texas A&M a university unlike any other. As a Yell Leader, it is my dream to share these traditions and sense of family with those who may have never experienced it.”

The Head Yell Leader is in charge during the events at which the Yell Leaders participate, and is the final authority regarding participation and conduct of the Yell Leaders. A committee comprised of the Yell Leader advisor, the outgoing Head Yell Leader, a representative from the Athletics Department, and the president and CEO of The Association of Former Students or a designee recommended Cross as Head Yell Leader, and the decision was approved by the vice president for Student Affairs.

“Being a junior Yell Leader was a great opportunity to improve my organizational and time-management skills,” Cross said. “I learned how to manage my schedule to ensure that every event I attended received my absolute best. During more than 300 events, I was able to hone my public speaking skills, learn from people from a variety of backgrounds, and engage in intentional conversations.”

As Head Yell Leader, Cross would like the Yell Leaders to show support to additional Aggie sports teams as their time will allow. Besides leading Midnight Yell Practice and attending hundreds of events and programs, such as Fish Camp and New Student Conferences, the Yell Leaders attend every home and away football game, as well as home basketball and soccer games.

“It would be great if we can find a way to make it out to a few equestrian, track and field, and swim meets to ensure that every sport knows that the Yell Leaders and the student body are here to support all Aggie sports,” he said.

Cross will also lead an effort to share the Aggie spirit with underrepresented students and student organizations during meetings in which the Yell Leaders would answer questions and share their knowledge of traditions. “We handed out cookies to students during finals week last semester,” he said, “It was such a simple event, but it made a big difference to some students who were going through a tough week. I hope to continue to build on events like this so we can interact with students in a more personal setting.”

Cross is grateful for the opportunity to serve Texas A&M as senior Head Yell Leader.

“Texas A&M has given me a second family and a home away from home,” he said. “I am blessed to be able to give back to this university and excited to build on the incredible year we just experienced.

“It is my goal to ensure that every student feel like they have a place and home here in Aggieland.”

Learn more about the Texas A&M University Yell Leaders.