Aggie Football Head Coach Jimbo Fisher Kicks Off 36th Big Event

More than 20,000 Texas A&M University students completed service projects for more than 2,600 Bryan-College Station residents Saturday during the 36^th Annual Big Event.

Before the students picked up their tools and dispersed throughout the Bryan-College Station community, they received some words of motivation and gratitude from first-year Aggie football Head Coach Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M President Michael K. Young and student leaders.

Fisher told the crowd at Kyle Field’s Zone Plaza that the family atmosphere and the student body’s commitment to selfless service reaffirmed that he made the right decision in coming to Texas A&M.

“Everything about Texas A&M and everything about the people here is truly about family, tradition and selflessness,” Fisher said.

Students also heard from President Young, who brandished a pair of gray work gloves and a photo of 500 Galveston Campus students gearing up for Big Event when saying Texas A&M’s students’ desire to give back distinguishes the school from its peers.

“This place, more than any place I’ve ever seen, rolls up its sleeves and knows that the privilege of a great education gives you an obligation to give back,” Young said. “Nobody in the world knows that better than Aggies.”

Since launching at Texas A&M in 1982 as a day of gratitude and service to the community, Big Event is now the largest one-day, student-run service project in the nation. Universities from around the world now take part in the event.

Big Event 2018 Director Trent Armstrong, a senior accounting major from Coppell, Texas, reminded his peers that Big Event is a rare opportunity to interact with residents.

“The Big Event provides an avenue for students and residents to get to know each other by allowing students to take initiative, offer a helping hand, and express our thanks for the constant support that the community shows to our university,” Armstrong said. “I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and buy into the mission of the Big Event. Go out and start building those relationships and build those connections between the student body and the residents.”