June 10, 2004
Three months ago, Billy Gillispie thought the thrill of his life was coaching in the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
But at least in basketball, your feet are planted firmly on the hardwood.
The first-year Texas A&M men's basketball coach will take part in former President George H.W. Bush's 80th birthday celebration with a parachute jump from 12,000 feet on Saturday at Bryan's Coulter Field.
Gillispie and seven other jumpers will serve as a warm-up act for Bush, who will make his jump on Sunday. Gillispie will take part in a two-hour training session starting at 8 a.m., then members of his training group will be assigned jump times between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jumpers will be accompanied by members of the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army Parachute Team.
"It's such an incredible honor to take part in President Bush's birthday celebration," Gillispie said. "I've always been on the conservative side with no bungee jumping or anything like that, but I've always admired people with the courage to do it. As the jump gets closer, I've started to get a little nervous but I expect it to be a fun experience. Everyone who has done it says it's a huge thrill, so I'm looking forward to it."
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