TAMIU Has Fight Song

Did you know that Texas A&M International University has a fight song?

Well, it does! “Go Dustdevils,” the official title of the TAMIU fight song, was written in late August of 2003 by Michael Parker. It was first publicly played by the TAMIU Symphonic Band at their May 2004 concert and since throughout the school year at various University events. 

Parker, director of bands for Bruni High School and Bruni Middle School, composed both the words and music.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Parker has a B.A. degree in both music and psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. His connection to TAMIU is through his wife Maria Evelia Guerrero-Parker, a TAMIU student pursing her major in music education. 

Parker recalled how the fight song came into being.

“It was a hot Sunday afternoon when I dreamt up our fight song. I had recently moved to Laredo so that my wife could be closer to her parents while working on her degree at TAMIU.  After attending TAMIU for a few weeks, we realized TAMIU did not have a fight song,” he said.

When asked what inspired the lyrics, he said, “I just wrote some words that sounded fight-songy.”  When it came to a certain verse, he debated whether to refer to TAMIU as “Laredo’s shining pride” or “South Texas’ shining pride.” Parker opted for South Texas because “TAMIU is about more than just Laredo,” he said.

Parker said he is filled with pride when he thinks about his contribution to the TAMIU community, a community he has grown to enjoy.  Though he has never taken a class at TAMIU, he has played with the TAMIU Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. Michael Stone.

When asked what reaction he hopes the fight song will bring, Parker’s response was “a lot of noise for the Dustdevils, that’s what fight songs are for.”

For further information, please contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 326-2180, e-mail prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.  –This story by Rebecca M. Martinez, Student Intern.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu