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QUOTE
From the Batt web page:
"Pinky Downs, Class of 1906 and a Board of Regents member from 1923 to 1933, is recognized as the starter of the "Gig 'em" tradition. At the Midnight Yell practice before the A&M-TCU game in 1930, Pinky asked the audience "What are we going to do to those Horned Frogs?" Then, he made a fist and extended his thumb and answered his own question, saying, "Gig 'Em, Aggies" to reference a gig - a spear used to hunt frogs".
He also provided the funds for an indoor swimming pool (Downs Natorium) that was next to DeWare Fieldhouse - both now gone. You would see Pinky all over the campus, talking with Ags and saying great things about Texas A&M. He wore a maroon tie every day and he was also famous for his appearances at midnight yell practice.
A fable about Pinky is: he was on his way back to A&M from a trip and was going through Dime Box Texas. He noticed that there was a funeral taking place in the cemetary next to the highway. He stopped and went over to the services and stood behind the small gathering and listened to the preacher. At the end of the services the preacher asked if anyone had anything to say. After a few seconds no one had said anything, so, Pinky said," If no one has anything to say, I would like to say a few words about Texas A&M".
"Pinky Downs, Class of 1906 and a Board of Regents member from 1923 to 1933, is recognized as the starter of the "Gig 'em" tradition. At the Midnight Yell practice before the A&M-TCU game in 1930, Pinky asked the audience "What are we going to do to those Horned Frogs?" Then, he made a fist and extended his thumb and answered his own question, saying, "Gig 'Em, Aggies" to reference a gig - a spear used to hunt frogs".
He also provided the funds for an indoor swimming pool (Downs Natorium) that was next to DeWare Fieldhouse - both now gone. You would see Pinky all over the campus, talking with Ags and saying great things about Texas A&M. He wore a maroon tie every day and he was also famous for his appearances at midnight yell practice.
A fable about Pinky is: he was on his way back to A&M from a trip and was going through Dime Box Texas. He noticed that there was a funeral taking place in the cemetary next to the highway. He stopped and went over to the services and stood behind the small gathering and listened to the preacher. At the end of the services the preacher asked if anyone had anything to say. After a few seconds no one had said anything, so, Pinky said," If no one has anything to say, I would like to say a few words about Texas A&M".
