Tarleton student body reveals new name for student section

BY JOLEE SKINNER / Managing Editor 

Tarleton State University, Student Government Association (SGA) has made the executive order to change the student section name from The 954 to The 952 at Memorial Stadium. 

Student Body President Billy Snipes released a statement on May 22 via social media regarding the executive order passed by the Tarleton SGA that the student section inside Memorial Stadium will no longer be named The 954.

“Recent misinformation has been circulating regarding the origin and meaning of the name The 954, leading to confusion and misrepresentation of our traditions,” Snipes said. “It is essential that we create a student section name that is accurate and representative of our traditions, which is why we are changing the name to The 952.” 

SGA announced this most recent executive order on all their social media platforms regarding the new name change. 

“Effective immediately, all references to the student section shall be changed from The 954 to The 952 in all official school documents, communications and all events,” Snipes said. 

Snipes explained in the public statement why the new student section name is more relevant to Tarleton’s history. 

“The 952 represents the miles that John Tarleton walked from Knoxville, Tennessee to Stephenville Texas,” Snipes said. “With a name that is free from any misleading connotations, this new name will provide an opportunity for our student body to come together under a common identity and continue to support our athletic teams with pride.” 

The student section is located on the east side of Memorial Stadium. This section is the seating area reserved for current students who attend Tarleton. The stadium originally opened in 1951 and then went under renovation in 2017 after the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents authorized $24 million to be used for the remodel of the stadium.