Howdy!
What an exciting time to be in Aggieland! We have made an exciting hire in Buzz, our women's basketball team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the second year in a row and returns all five starters next year. Track and field hosted their first outdoor meet since 2004 and a multitude of our spring sports continue to compete at the highest level against the toughest competition.
This weekend proves to be a busy one as we welcome Aggies from all over for Family Weekend. I hope to see everyone out supporting our student-athletes and teams that are competing this weekend!
|
The Buzz is Back
Last week we announced the hiring of our new head men's basketball coach, Buzz Williams. I believe Coach Williams is one of the best men's basketball coaches in the country and I could not be happier that he has returned home to Aggieland. Buzz served as an assistant under Billy Gillespie during one of the greatest eras in Texas A&M Basketball history. I have no doubts that Coach Williams will help us win championships with integrity as his resume speaks for itself.
The 12th Man was in full force last Thursday as we welcomed Coach Williams and his family back home at our Welcome Event. Fan support is paramount to the success of our program and as we have already sold more than 500 season tickets for next season. I appreciate everyone coming out and showing their support!
|
|
|
|
Sweet Sixteen
I am incredibly proud of our women's basketball team! Not only did they put themselves in a position to host a NCAA Regional; but, they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen and gave NCAA National Finalist Notre Dame all they could handle in Chicago.
Coach Gary Blair did a fantastic job with this year's team! Our potential is limitless as our team returns all five starters next year, including All-American Chennedy Carter. Chennedy is a generational talent and has the handles to prove it.
I would be remiss if I didn't give a special thank you to all of our staff and volunteers who helped make the NCAA College Station Regional a success. It is never easy pulling off an event like that on such a short notice. Being a host site gives us an opportunity to show off our University and community in a positive manner.
|
|
|
Season Tickets
With all of the excitement around men's and women's basketball, 2019-20 season tickets are on sale now and I am also happy to announce that season tickets prices will remain unchanged from last year. The folks at the 12th Man Foundation report an 18 percent increase in season ticket sales and we look forward to seeing everyone next season at Reed Arena!
If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please visit 12thMan.com/tickets.
|
|
|
STAND UP Workshop
On April 10, Texas A&M Athletics hosted a STAND UP Workshop to provide information about sexual assault, dating and domestic violence and stalking. The workshop taught participants helpful ways to have conversations with individuals who have been involved in a traumatic event.
With April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, it is imperative that we continue to provide training and awareness for those who are impacted by these issues.
|
|
 |
|
Track Dedication
Our men's and women's track and field teams opened the beautiful E.B. Cushing Stadium in style this past Saturday, sweeping the team titles at the first outdoor meet in Aggieland since 2004.
Prior to the meet, we honored lead donors Tim and Amy Leach at the E.B. Cushing Stadium Dedication. Joining us were Chairman of the Board of Regents Charles Schwartz in addition to Chancellor Sharp and President Young. Track and Field Lettermen were also in attendance, including a true living legend in Randy Matson, who was the first person to throw a 16-pound ball of steel more than 70 feet. Due to inclement weather, the event was moved into the team meeting room that is named for the Hall of Famer. What a testament to our new facility that we had the ability to move the dedication from outdoor under tents to a team meeting room that accommodated the more than 150 people in attendance.
I encourage everyone to come out and support Coach Henry and his program as we host the Texas A&M Invitational today and tomorrow, Alumni Muster on April 27 and Texas A&M Invitational II on May 3-4.
|
|
|
Honored by Association of Former Students
While at the E.B. Cushing Stadium dedication, Ray Huffines '74 was surprised by Porter Garner and our friends at the Association of Former Students as he was named a Distinguished Alumni, the highest honor bestowed upon a former student at Texas A&M.
Ray has been an ardent supporter of Texas A&M University and Texas A&M Athletics for many years and also serves on the 12th Man Foundation Board of Trustees. He has also served the University in numerous roles including Muster chair and as a founding member of Parsons Mounted Cavalry. Ray truly epitomizes our University Core Values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity and Selfless Service.
Congratulations Ray!
|
|
|
SEC Faculty Achievement Award
What an incredible honor as Dr. Roderic Pettigrew, the Robert A. Welch Endowed Professor in Chemistry, was named Texas A&M University's recipient of the SEC Faculty Achievement Award.
To be considered for the award, one must achieve the rank of full professor, have a record of extraordinary teaching and have a record of research that is recognized nationally and/or internationally.
Dr. Pettigrew is known internationally for his pioneering work involving four-dimensional imaging of the cardiovascular system using MRI and his research focuses on integrated imaging and predictive biomechanical modeling of coronary atherosclerotic disease.
On behalf of the Athletics Department, I want to congratulate Dr. Pettigrew on this amazing accomplishment!
|
|
|
ACE Award
Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance, Tanna Burge, was recently presented with the Women's Progress Staff Award at the Accountability, Climate, and Equity Awards.
The Women's Progress Staff Award, sponsored by the Women's Resource Center, is given to non-faculty employees, who strive to improve the work environment for women and positively promote women in the workplace.
Thank you for everything that you have done for our student-athletes, Tanna, and congratulations on receiving your award!
|
|
|
SEC Team Physician of the Year
Our very own Dr. J.P. Bramhall was named the Southeastern Conference's Team Physician of the Year after a vote from the SEC Directors of Sports Medicine/Athletic Training and their staffs.
A $1,000 award will be provided to Dr. Bramhall to use for the student athletic training education program in a manner approved by him.
I have seen first-hand how hard Dr. Bramhall works and I am proud to call him our own. Providing an unmatched student-athlete experience is one of our primary objectives and knowing that we have the top physician in the conference caring for our student-athletes is a great feeling.
|
|
|
The Big Event Recap
There was a beehive of activity in Bryan/College Station community as more than 180 of our student-athletes joined their fellow students in The Big Event on March 30, the largest one-day, student-run service project in the nation.
The football team assisted with interior and exterior cleanup at Twin City Mission as soccer cleaned dirt and grime from signs and sidewalks, repaired fences and painted mailboxes.
Men's and women's swimming and diving raked and cut overgrown grass, weeded yards and spread rock and men's and women's golf trimmed branches, cleaned windows, dug a drainage ditch and chopped down dead trees.
This is a tremendous way for our student-athletes to give back to the community that gives them so much, and this makes me so proud to be an Aggie.
|
|
|
Ring Day
Today, 59 of our student-athletes are seeing their years of hard work pay off as they receive their Aggie Ring, connecting them to Aggies across the world. Our No. 1 objective is to graduate student-athletes, and our academic staff has done a wonderful job in assisting our student-athletes in their academic endeavors.
I am incredibly proud of all of our student-athletes as we know how rigorous the requirements are to earn the Aggie Ring. The Aggie Ring will connect them to 428,000 living former students worldwide!
|
|
|
Gamer Camp
For the first time ever, Texas A&M Athletics is hosting a Gamer Camp Powered by iBuyPower for boys and girls ages 13-18. The camp allows gamers to play in unique locations such as the Ford Hall of Champions inside Kyle Field.
Campers will be using the latest gaming computers and peripherals provided by iBuyPower, which specializes in high-performance video gaming gear and is the supplier of choice for many of the world's top Esports teams.
To learn more about the Gamer Camp, visit our camp page at 12thMan.com/GamerCamp. Early registration opens April 19!
|
|
|
Champions Council
We just wrapped up a great weekend of Champions Council events to celebrate our fantastic donors. 12th Man Foundation donors truly make an impact on the futures of our student-athletes and the success of Texas A&M Athletics.
Activities included a wonderful evening of fellowship at the campus Rec Center including hearing from Jimbo Fisher. During Friday night's dinner, Sharon '81 & Jim '81 Wilson were honored as the recipients of the prestigious E. King Gill Award.
The Champions Council members were able to enjoy football practice, attend the E.B. Cushing track dedication and had lunch with Buzz. Champions Council members are supporters who contribute a minimum of $50,000 toward Championship Athletics, not tied to their tickets. We truly appreciate the support of these donors and I really enjoyed the weekend with them.
|
|
|
Leading Champions
Texas A&M Athletics partnered with the Mays School of Business on their Leading Champions program which featured many of our head coaches. This three-day leadership development experience gave attendees the opportunity to engage with Mays faculty, members of our coaching and personnel staffs and tour of our athletics facilities.
A special thanks to head coaches Gary Blair, G Guerrieri, J.T. Higgins, Pat Henry, Tana McKay, Andrea Gaston and Laura "Bird" Kuhn, assistant football coach Maurice Linguist, football's Director of Player Personnel Austin Thomas and 12th Man Productions' Andy Richardson for their involvement in this project.
We truly enjoyed this unique partnership with Mays School of Business.
|
|
|
Family Weekend
Family Weekend is finally here! In addition to the Maroon and White Spring Game tonight, baseball and softball welcome nationally-ranked Auburn and Florida, men's tennis faces off against Mississippi State and Ole Miss to close out the regular season and track and field hosts the Texas A&M Invitational. We hope you find time to come out and support all of our student-athletes and programs! Be sure to visit 12thman.com for the times of all the activities.
Tickets are available for the weekend and can be purchased here.
|
|
|
BCAs
On Monday, the athletics department will host one of my favorite events of the year, the Building Champions Awards, or BCAs as we call it.
The annual event will be held at the Texas A&M University Hotel and Conference Center for the first time ever and allows us to celebrate our student-athlete's achievements over the last year.
We had an incredible event last year and I look forward to seeing all of our student-athletes and honor their accomplishments on and off the field!
Thanks & Gig 'em!
Scott
|
|
|
To receive the AD's Yell, an internal message shared with Aggies externally, in your inbox each month, click here. |
|
