TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
TRADITIONS Article provided by the Traditions Council
HoWdY
Howdy is the official greeting of Texas A&M University. Greeting each other with a “Howdy!” identifies us as the friendliest university in the world.
gig ‘eM
Gig ‘em is the universal sign of approval for Aggies. Coined by P.L. “Pinkie” Downs, Class of 1906, when at a Yell Practice before the 1930 TCU football game Downs asked, “What are we going to do with those Horned Frogs?” In reference to frog hunting, he said, “Gig ‘em, Aggies!” and made a fist with his thumb extended up as one
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asked to. Texas A&M went on to beat Centre College 22-14. Today, Aggies stand at all football and basketball games, from the opening kickoff “till the final gun is sounded,” symbolizing our readiness to go into the game or help our fellow Aggies whenever we are needed.
would when using a gig. It was the first hand sign of the Southwest Conference for 25 years until t.u. copied the idea from the Aggies and created their Hook ’em Horns. Now Aggies give each other this sign to encourage and motivate each other.
tHe 12tH MAn
On Jan. 2, 1922, the Aggies from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas played the Prayin’ Colonels of Centre College, Kentucky, in the Dixie Classic. After the tough 1921 football season, the Aggies were “completely exhausted,
both physically and mentally,” according to Red Thompson, a yell leader at the time. But the Aggies came ready to play, and the game’s first points (and the first points allowed by Centre all year) came on a safety off a muffed punt in the end zone. At half time, Coach Dana X. Bible’s
Southwest Conference Champion Aggies were winning, but every player on the Aggie team except for the 11 on the field was injured. Coach Bible remembered that a sophomore multiple sport athlete, who had recently stepped down from football to focus on the new basketball season, was sitting in the press box helping identify players on the field. Coach Bible requested that the player, E. (Earl) King Gill ’24, come down to the field and suit up. E. King Gill went under the stands with a couple blankets and the injured team captain, Heine Weir, to put on his uniform. E. King Gill then stood next to Coach Bible for the rest of the game, ready to play, but was never
AGGIELAND PRIMER
MidnigHt Yell
Beginning in 1913, Corps companies would practice and learn yells; “learning heartily the old time prep.” Aggies in 1934 said that yell practice was “something that cannot be experienced by an outsider” and “something only an Aggie can feel.” In 1931, the first official Midnight Yell Practice was held before the t.u. game on the steps of the YMCA building. Today, Midnight Yell is held the Friday night before a home game in Kyle Field. If playing an away game, Midnight Yell is held on Friday night close to where the game is being played. Aggies practice yells and sing songs for the next day’s game; the
yell leaders tell a junior and a senior fable; and then the lights go out. That is when you get to “mug down” and kiss your date, or if you don’t have a date, take a lighter, “flick your Bic” and hope to find another Aggie looking to mug down.
silver tAps
Silver Taps is one of the most sacred and significant traditions at A&M. Silver Taps is one of the final tributes held for any current graduate or undergraduate student who has passed during the year. Silver Taps is held the first Tuesday of the month following a student’s death. Starting in the morning, the flags on campus are flown at half-staff. The names, classes and majors of the fallen Aggies are on cards placed at the base of the flagpole in the Academic Plaza and on the Silver Taps Memorial. Throughout the day, students can write letters to the families of the fallen Aggies. That night at 10:15, all the lights on campus are extinguished. Hymns are then played on
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