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College Heights in College Station in Brazos County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
 

The Start of Something Big

 
 
The Start of Something Big Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Ronald Claiborne, July 11, 2024
1. The Start of Something Big Marker
Inscription. Prior to the football game against TCU in 1930, A&M Regent, Pinky Downs (Class of 1906), shouted, “What are we going to do to those Horned Frogs?” Sticking with the theme of frog hunting, he said, “We’re going to ‘Gig’em, Aggies!” As he shouted, he made a fist with his thumb sticking straight up as if holding a spear used to “gig” frogs. On that night, the first hand sign in the history of the Southwest Conference was born.

This statue represents the oldest collegiate hand sign in Texas, and is a mold of Aggieland Outfitters owner and founder, Fadi Kalaouze (Class of 1990). Kalaouze first began his entrepreneurial journey while attending Texas A&M in the late 1980s, selling t-shirts in the hallways of the MSC on game days. After graduation he and his wife, Hege Kalaouze (also Class of 1990), opened Inspirations in College Station’s Post Oak Mall. In 2000, the couple launched Aggieland Outfitters, now known as the leader in Aggie gifts. Our mission is to provide our customers with the best possible selection of Texas A&M merchandise, as well as unmatched customer service. We welcome you to Aggieland and to Aggieland Outfitters. Gig’em
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
 
Location. 30° 37.817′ N, 96° 19.974′ W. Marker is in College Station, Texas, in Brazos County. It is in College Heights. It is at the intersection of 303 University Drive East and Nimitz Street, on the left when traveling east on 303 University Drive East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 University Dr E, College Station TX 77840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: “A Piece of Aggie History” (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas A&M University (approx. half a mile away); Williams Administration Building
The Start of Something Big Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Ronald Claiborne, July 11, 2024
2. The Start of Something Big Marker
(approx. 0.8 miles away); History Building (approx. one mile away); Chemistry Building (approx. one mile away); Francis Hall (approx. one mile away); A&M United Methodist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Bolton Hall (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in College Station.
 
Gig'em Hand Sign image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Ronald Claiborne, July 11, 2024
3. Gig'em Hand Sign
Gig'em Hand Sign (front) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Ronald Claiborne, July 11, 2024
4. Gig'em Hand Sign (front)
Close up of Texas A&M Aggie Ring image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Ronald Claiborne, July 11, 2024
5. Close up of Texas A&M Aggie Ring
Gig'em Hand Sign (alt view) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Ronald Claiborne, July 11, 2024
6. Gig'em Hand Sign (alt view)
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2024, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 12, 2024, by Ronald Claiborne of College Station, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
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Aug. 19, 2026