Students place pennies for luck

Stressed out students put their last hope in a 12-foot bronze statue, dressed in proper cowboy attire.

Students place a penny on the boots of the Senator Frank Madla statue–one of the most influential figures in A&M University-San Antonio’s history–hoping the tribute will bring good luck on exams.

The tradition began at Texas A&M University-College Station where students, hoping for good luck, place a penny on the bronze shoes of the Lawrence Sullivan Ross statue.

Lawrence Sullivan Ross was the president of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1890. Sullivan took over the rundown college during troubled times and brought back life into the college by increasing enrollment and adding new buildings, now called Texas A&M University-College Station.

Similar to Lawrence Sullivan Ross, Frank Madla was a former senator and philanthropist for the South Side community. Madla played a key part in establishing Texas A&M-San Antonio.

The late Senator Madla:

Born and raised in San Antonio, Madla served as a Democrat for 33 years in the Texas Legislature. Senator Frank Madla’s dream was to bring a higher education to the South Side of San Antonio.

In 1997, Madla requested proposals from Texas Tech, University of Texas and Texas A&M University Systems. Responses were received by Texas Tech and the A&M System.

According to a Lubbock-Avalanche Journal article, Madla chose the A&M System over the Northwest Texas campus.

In 2000, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved of Madla’s and A&M System’s proposals. Classes began that fall on the Palo Alto Community College campus.

Madla died tragically in his residence ten years ago, the day after Thanksgiving, from smoke inhalation due to an accidental fire.

Without Madla’s proposals, A&M-San Antonio wouldn’t exist.

His spirit and legacy live on to this day. The main building bears his name, and school’s colors are dubbed after the beloved senator: Madla Maroon.

“He was a school teacher for over 40 years and was dedicated to all students and a firm believer that everyone should have access to higher education. It’s why he fought so hard to author and successfully pass Senate Bill 800, creating a University in the southern sector of San Antonio,” Frank Madla’s son, Dr. Frank Madla III, M.D, said.

Although Madla never got to witness the honors bestowed upon him, Madla Jr. says he was a humble man that would have shied away from them.

“He once shared with me, ‘the biggest honor as a teacher and public servant is to have my name on the top of Senate Bill 800, creating an educational opportunity for others,’” Madla Jr. said.

Pitching pennies

Gabrielle Viadure, a freshman majoring in psychology, heard about the tradition during the new student orientation.

“I am superstitious so I plan to do it before finals. I believe in good and bad luck, so if I place a penny, it will boost my confidence that I am gonna pass the test,” said Vidaure said.

Hoping for a better grade, C Arce, freshman business administration major put the tradition to the test.

“I heard from Jag X that it was a tradition for good luck on a test, so I place a penny on the boots for my first test in college, a history test,” Arce said. “I got a 93, baby!”

Jag X, is a program that offers orientation for various needs of freshman and transfer students aiding them in the transition from other schools.

Making a tradition

Despite students placing pennies, the ritual has yet to be officially named. Admissions Counselor Hugo Cantero, invites students to give input for a name for the penny tradition.

“College Station has Pennies On Sully, we are embracing similar spirits but ideally different traditions,” Cantero said.

Madla Jr. recalled placing pennies at the foot of his alma mater.

“I often visited his statue with pennies during my four years at Texas A&M. And will add that I likely left more money at the foot of the Sully statue then I ever spent at the bookstore,” Madla Jr. said.

There is no bigger honor to my father then the students who attend A&M San Antonio, pursuing a better life by way of an education,” he continued.

With finals fast approaching, students stand facing the statue while holding a penny as they silently make their wish, ending the ritual by placing the penny on the bronze boots.

Penny placing is a ritual that could become a tradition on campus if it stands the test of time.