Howdy!
We are so excited to have joined the Aggie family and have been overwhelmed by the tremendous outpouring of support from Aggies across Texas and beyond. I've also heard from many people around the country who are personal friends or involved in collegiate athletics in some fashion. Everyone who has reached out understands the great responsibility and the awesome opportunity that comes with being the Athletics Director at Texas A&M.
As I drove from Oxford to College Station July 1 (with our dog, Mickey!) I could not help but scroll through many thoughts about my own personal journey in college athletics, but also what lies ahead for us and Texas A&M. Driving for nine hours provides time for reflection of the past and it also allows time for thinking about being a leader at one of the nation's top Universities. After just five days on the job, I can see the excellence, leadership, loyalty, and spirit that makes this place so special and I can say with confidence that the best is yet to come.
I would like to thank R.C. Slocum, who I have become friends with over the years and especially in these last few months, for all that he has done for the department during this transition. He is a man of great character and loves Texas A&M wholeheartedly. I would like to share what he had to say about his time as interim athletics director:
As my time as Interim Athletics Director comes to an end, I would like to thank President Young for this incredible honor. Special thanks to the coaches, staff and student-athletes for an amazing three months. I am so impressed with each of you. You made this a very enjoyable experience for me. I got attend many exciting events, but I think the most meaningful was the graduation ceremony where all of our graduating athletes were honored. Our 12th Man donors should be very proud of their role in making this possible.
As we begin a new chapter in Texas A&M Athletics, I am pleased to welcome Ross Bjork as our new Athletic Director. Ross has done an outstanding job at Ole Miss. He understands the Southeastern Conference and will do a great job leading our programs into the future. I wish him well.
There is always work to be done and our journey never stops, but I can assure you that we will have a positive attitude and our work ethic will be second to no one. Once we combine the resources we have at our disposal with a positive belief system and hard work, we can and will continue building an amazing athletics program that wins at the highest level, while doing it the right way.
Gig 'Em!
Ross
|
SEC Academic Honor Roll
One thing that will always remain constant is our devotion to graduating student-athletes. I was pleased to see that 88 students were named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll and 47 were named to the SEC First Year Honor Roll.
Throughout the 2018-19 academic year, we had 283 students named to the fall, winter, spring and first-year honor rolls, which is a tremendous feat. To be nominated for the honor rolls, a student-athlete must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher. These accomplishments highlight the work ethic of our student-athletes as well as the great work that the academic support staff puts in day in every day.
|
|
|
|
AVCA Hall of Famer
A special congratulations to former volleyball coach Laurie Corbelli, who was selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Laurie had a marvelous 32-year career and spent 25 years as the head coach at Texas A&M.
She amassed a 519-252 record at Texas A&M and guided 38 All-America selections.
Congrats, Laurie!
|
|
|
SEC Football Media Day
The unofficial start to the football season begins next week as head coach Jimbo Fisher along with student-athletes Justin Madubuike, Kellen Mond and Braden Mann will represent Texas A&M at SEC Media Days on July 16 in Hoover, Ala.
Fans can get a behind the scenes look by following Aggie Football on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as well as watching the press conferences live on the SEC Network.
|
|
|
Burgess Banquet
On September 13, we will honor 10 Texas A&M legends at the annual Burgess Banquet. I am excited to experience my first Texas A&M Hall of Fame induction as we celebrate these great individuals who have made a substantial impact to Texas A&M.
You can join me at the celebration as sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are still available by calling the Lettermen's Association (979-846-3024) or at 12thMan.com/BurgessBanquet.
More information on our honorees can be found here.
|
|
 |
|
Season Tickets
The 2019-2020 athletic year is just over a month away and you can make sure you are a part of the action as season ticket renewals for men's and women's basketball, soccer and volleyball are available through the 12th Man Foundation. Additionally, single game tickets for home football games become available this Monday (July 15).
Season tickets begin as low as $50 for volleyball, $60 for soccer and $100 for men's and women's basketball. Annual per seat contributions are required for some seating areas. Season ticket holders can renew their seats by logging into their account at 12thManFoundation.com and completing the renewal application. For assistance, or to speak with a representative about all of their ticketing options, fans are encouraged to call 979-846-8892.
In addition, season ticket options consisting of unsold 2018-19 inventory are currently live for supporters wishing to purchase new basketball, soccer or volleyball season tickets in person, on the phone or at 12thMan.com/Tickets.
|
|
|
Diversity and Inclusion
A new initiative from our CARE Committee, the Summer Bridge Program is a transition program for incoming freshman football student-athletes aiding them in becoming acclimated with the structure of Texas A&M and is facilitated by Scholastic Supervisor Jonathan Wallace.
The student-athletes are enrolled in one core class per session and participate in transformational learning as a part of their experience. This gives the student-athletes the opportunity to earn six credit hours toward their degree program and gain essential tools necessary to excel academically, socially, and professionally at the collegiate level.
The interactive presentations cover a multitude of topics including social media awareness and branding, email etiquette, NCAA compliance rules education, and dress etiquette.
The presentation was a success as the student-athletes engaged in meaningful conversation and gained a greater appreciation for diversity and inclusion.
|
|
|
Women's Basketball Clash
Reed Arena will be rocking in early November as Gary Blair and our women's basketball program is renewing its series against Duke on Sunday, November 10. The game will be the seventh matchup between the two teams and every meeting has seen both teams ranked in the AP Top 25.
Our women's basketball team is coming off a Sweet 16 appearance and have been ranked as high as No. 4 in early preseason rankings. Great seats for season tickets are available.
|
|
 |
|
SEC Clinical/Counseling and Sport Psychology Committee Meeting
Dr. Ryan Pittsinger and Dr. Lauren Craig within Counseling and Sport Psychology Services are currently hosting the 6th Annual SEC Clinical/Counseling and Sport Psychology Committee Meeting.
The annual two-day meeting, which is attended by mental health and sport psychology professionals from each SEC institution, as well as William King, SEC Associate Commissioner for Legal Affairs and Compliance, will conclude today. The goals of the meeting are to discuss best practices regarding the mental health and well-being of student-athletes, develop clinically informed policies and procedures, and to further professional standards that ensure competent and ethical practice.
I opened the meeting by welcoming everyone to Texas A&M and Lori Williams, Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator discussed her various roles within the department, including efforts specific to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Over the course of the meeting, numerous Athletics Department staff presented on a variety of topics in their respective areas of expertise, including Lori Robinson, Director of Learning Services; Howard Gray, Director of Sports Science; Jonathan Tanguay, Director of Performance Nutrition; as well as Tanna Burge, Director of Strength & Conditioning.
|
|
|
ESPYs
While we unfortunately did not come home with new hardware from the ESPYs in Los Angeles Wednesday, it was a great event and one that our coaches and student-athletes will not forget. Without a doubt the seven-overtime victory against LSU was the best college football game last season and one that Aggies will always remember. Infinite Tucker's dive will be shown for many years as it was an iconic finish in one of the biggest meets in collegiate track and field.
If there was an ESPY for the best dressed on the red carpet, there is no question that we would have won!
|
|
|
SEC SAAC Leadership
Five of our student-athletes, Rachel Bernardo (women's cross country/track and field), Jake Gibbons (men's swimming and diving), Ciera Johnson (women's basketball), Josh Nebo (men's basketball) and Keeath Magee (football), had the unique opportunity of attending a joint meeting of the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Councils and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at the conference office in Birmingham, Ala.
The two-day meeting allowed the student-athletes to engage in an open discussion with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey followed by presentations by Thaddeus Bullard, WWE's Titus O'Neil and Dr. Rob Bell.
Our conference does an amazing job with the leadership councils and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee which allows our student-athletes to interact with campus leaders and conference office staff and have conversations on pertinent legislation and other topics of discussion.
|
|
|
To receive From the Desk of Ross Bjork, an internal message shared with Aggies externally, in your inbox each month, click here. |
|
