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COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas Sports Hall of Fame (TSHOF) Selection Committee has set the final ballot of nominees to be voted on for induction in early 2012 and Gary Blair, head coach of the 2011 NCAA National Champion Texas A&M Women's Basketball team, is at the top of the list.
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In his eighth season as head coach, Blair guided Aggie women's hoops to its first national championship in the program's first ever trip to the NCAA Women's Final Four.
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The all-time winningest women's basketball coach in school history, Blair has helped Texas A&M attain a school-record six-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, a program-best No. 1 ranking in the national polls and a school-record 33 wins in the 2010-11 season.
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As one of the winningest active Division I coaches in the women's game today, Blair is also one of only three all-time NCAA Division I women's basketball coaches to lead at least two different teams to the NCAA Women's Final Four. He currently ranks in the top 20 in career victories and in the top 30 by winning percentage among active Division I coaches with an impressive 596-242 overall record (.711).
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Fans that become Official Voting Members (OVM) of the TSHOF will be able to help the selection committee determine the newest class. The OVM sign-up deadline to be able to vote for the upcoming class is WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011. Those who join at the $25 or $50 level will receive an official ballot to vote. Fans can sign up by going to the museum's website, www.tshof.org or by calling 800-567-9561.
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Generally six nominees from the primary ballot and two from the veterans' ballot will comprise the Class of 2011 presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies. The official announcement of the Class of 2011 will be made in September and the ceremonies to enshrine the Class of 2011 will take place in early 2012 in Waco.
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A&M fans who become OVM's can also vote for other Aggie greats like Shawn Andaya (Softball), Charlie Krueger (Football) and Charlie Milstead (Football).