Texas A&M football fans angry over new 'off the wood' policy

Texas A&M Aggies fans and Corps cheer against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on October 3, 2015 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Keep going for a closer look at the many traditions in College Station. less Texas A&M Aggies fans and Corps cheer against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on October 3, 2015 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Keep going for a closer look at the many traditions in College ... more Photo: Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images Photo: Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close Texas A&M football fans angry over new 'off the wood' policy 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

Texas A&M students got a surprise on their football tickets for Saturday's season opener against UCLA. Printed across the top of the tickets is a message: "Step 'off the wood' Stand on the Concrete."

Aggies fans standing for the entire game is one of the many Texas A&M traditionw, but taking it a step further and standing on the stadium bleachers instead of just on the concrete floor is common practice among students.

Judging by social media reaction, A&M students aren't planning to honor the request.

I honestly REALLY hope some stadium employee tries to make me step off the wood during the game. I've been looking for a nice argument — Cameron Palmer '16 (@MacdaddyPalmer) August 30, 2016 The entire student body when they tell us to step off the wood pic.twitter.com/YJAGnWhKC2 — Bobby Gould (@bobbygould5) August 30, 2016 Whoever's brilliant idea it was to make Aggies step off the wood at football games needs to understand that they're outnumbered

Texas A&M senior athletics director Jason Cook told SBNation's Good Bull Hunting the request will make for a better viewing experience for everyone attending the game and is being done out of a concern for student safety.

"With the Kyle Field redevelopment, we learned that we have some obstructed views of the field from the east side of the stadium when students stand on the bleachers and not on the concrete. Additionally, we have a potential safety issue with students standing on bleachers that were not designed for such purpose," Cook said.

Cook also told SBNation the message was printed only on student tickets and it will be reinforced with signage around the stadium. He also said stadium staff has the authority to enforce the new rule.