Howdy!
First, a special thanks to the 12th Man and everyone at Texas A&M for the warm welcome extended to my family and me. To say these first 30 days were amazing doesn't begin to describe this experience. New beginnings are always exciting, but my start as Athletic Director at Texas A&M has affirmed what so many have said about this great University: "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. And from the inside looking out, you can't explain it." I'm honored to be "on the inside" now. Thank you for the opportunity to work together as part of one of the country's leading athletic departments.
I hit the ground running and have met with so many incredible people across this great state - over 160 meetings so far! It is important for me to meet, visit and connect with all who play a role in making this Athletics Department and University operate, including the fans! I have had some great visits with University officials, donors and staff members and look forward to continuing this effort.
One group of individuals I met with is particularly impressive: our head coaches. These 15 individuals have dedicated their careers to our student-athletes. They spend countless hours each week working to improve the student-athletes' skills, while teaching them the importance of succeeding at the highest level possible in the classroom.
This time of the year I like to say "Happy New Year" as we begin a new academic and athletic year and feel inspired by the renewed energy around our campus community. I'm excited for the fall to get underway and for our teams to begin competition for the 2019-2020 year. I hope to see each of you at one of the many events scheduled in the days ahead.
Thank you for your commitment to excellence, and for being an important part of the 12th Man.
Gig 'Em.
Ross
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Fan Day
Yesterday was a special day as I experienced my first Fan Day in Aggieland. The support shown to our football team was phenomenal and I know Coach Fisher and the players enjoyed getting to meet everyone.
It's hard to believe that kickoff is just over two weeks away and I hope you are as excited as I am to see the team begin its season against Texas State on Thursday, August 29th at 7:30 p.m. under the lights at Kyle Field.
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Learfield and Mustang Cat Present Check to Brookwood Community & Twin City Mission
At a special event on August 1, Texas A&M Ventures, in partnership with Mustang Cat, presented a $65,000 check to Brookwood Community and a $20,000 check to Twin City Mission. The money was raised throughout the season as Mustang Cat made donations to Brookwood Community for each point scored by Texas A&M's football special teams units. Additionally, during basketball season, they made donations for each free throw made by men's and women's teams. Finally, at baseball and softball, Mustang Cat made donations to Twin City Mission for each home run hit.
At the event, residents of Brookwood traveled to College Station where they went on a tour of Kyle Field and had lunch before visiting Reed Arena. Volleyball assistant coach Wendel Carmargo and juniors Camille Conner and Makena Patterson showed the residents around the facility and hosted a clinic for our visitors, who also play volleyball at Brookwood.
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Men's Basketball in Costa Rica
Pura Vida!
Coach Williams and the men's basketball team had an amazing six-day trip to Costa Rica where the team participated in three community service events while building team chemisty in addition to the three exhibition games against the Panama All-Stars and Costa Rica All-Stars.
The team partnered with Samaritan's Feet where they traveled to two local schools and gave the children a new pair of shoes after washing their feet and interacting with them. During day three of the trip, the team took part in a Special Olympics event where they played games and gave a basketball clinic to children with special needs.
The guys ended the trip with a little R&R in the resort town of Los Suenos and built some team chemistry while learning how to surf and zipline through the rain forest.
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Green Team Initiative
I'd like to introduce the 12th Man Green Team led by TJ Marcum, Scot Obergefell, Howard Gray, Tanna Burge and Rebekah Rabun! The 12th Man Green Team strives to implement, maintain and grow efforts to support and inspire sustainable actions within the Athletics Department.
These actions will occur by taking the steps to:
- Educate employees, student-athletes and visitors on ways that they can take sustainable actions in their day to day lives.
- Empower employees, student-athletes and visitors to take part in sustainable efforts by providing the necessary resources to do so.
- Execute tasks throughout all Athletics Department facilities and personnel that are in line with the University's Evergreen Goals and that support conservation of energy and water, transportation, food and purchasing, waste minimization and social sustainability.
Look for more from the 12th Man Green Team each month!
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Diversity and Inclusion
Our first staff-wide Connecting Conversations discussion was well-attended and allowed for various staff members to engage in meaningful dialogue. Some of the topics that were covered, included respectful communication strategies; aspects of privilege, power and oppression; as well as personal responses to significant current events. Connecting Conversations is a place for Athletics Department Staff to come together to receive and provide support regarding inclusivity, diversity, and difference in an accepting atmosphere. Given the recent tragedies in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, we look forward to being able to provide a brave space to process specific reactions as needed. Thank you to all that attended and we hope others can attend if available.
In light of the recent tragic events in El Paso and Dayton, Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman, Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity, wrote an important message highlighting some simple, yet timely reminders.
Dr. Coleman perfectly stated that "as Aggies, we are all members of one of the world's premier institutions of higher education. Education and development are our super powers. I ask that every one of you be an education-activist to affect change in our communities."
There are a number of ways we can come together and do something to address these issues that we face every day. Programs and resources can be found at diversity.tamu.edu where we can learn how to be an effective advocate for diversity and social justice. Texas A&M takes these issues seriously. As a reminder, there is a way to confidentially report incidents of hate: stophate.tamu.edu. Together, this great University can make a positive impact in this incredible, diverse culture.
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Summer Graduation
Last Friday, 33 of our student-athletes achieved our number one priority as they walked across the stage and received their diploma. We know how rigorous their schedules can be with competition and practice, and I am proud of all them and our academic services staff in their assistance with our students.
It will be rewarding to see numerous student-athletes proudly wearing the "SEC Graduate" patches on their jersey this upcoming season as a display of hard work.
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Buzz's Bunch
August 3 was a special day at Reed Arena as Coach Williams hosted his annual Buzz's Bunch. The event marked the 12th year that Coach has hosted the program with the primary objective of helping children with special needs come together socially while loving the sport of basketball.
Buzz's Bunch began in Milwaukee, while Coach Williams was at Marquette and continued to flourish when he was at Virginia Tech. At the event, children had the opportunity to interact with Coach Buzz, his staff and members of the team in a variety of basketball related activities.
I look forward to getting the chance to meet members from this year's Buzz's Bunch as two non-conference games will be designated as Buzz's Bunch Games. During that time, members receive free tickets and can spend time with players and staff on the court before warmups.
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Swimmers Shine at U.S. Nationals
A large group of Texas A&M swimmers dominated at the Phillips 66 National Championships at Stanford as the men won the team title and the women finished second. Rising sophomore Shaine Casas shined at the event as he earned three medals and became the first Texas A&M male swimmer to win a U.S. National Championship since Athletics Hall of Famer Chris O'Neil in 1987.
At Nationals, the team wore 'EG Strong' ribbons in support of teammate Ethan Gogulski who is finishing up his fourth round of chemo treatment for testicular cancer that was discovered just days prior to the 2019 SEC Championships last spring.
I speak for all Aggies when I say we are all EG Strong and hope for a quick recovery!
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12th Man Foundation Update
Many of you received a special delivery in the mail in the last few weeks as the 12th Man Foundation sent out season tickets earlier than ever before. As the Official Ticket Provider for Texas A&M Athletics, the 12th Man Foundation is the one-stop shop for all your ticket needs for every Texas A&M sport. Season tickets can be purchased by visiting 12thMan.com/tickets.
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More Good Bull
Texas A&M was represented by 26 student-athletes from nine different countries at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru ... The women's cross country team earned a NCAA Public Recognition Award for the third consecutive year ... Men's golf's rising senior Dan Erickson earned All-America Scholar honors from the Golf Coaches Association of America ... Women's track and field along with seven Aggies earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors ... Track and field's Nathan Hite was awarded a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.
First Home Events
- Football: August 29 vs. Texas State @ 7:30 p.m.
- Cross Country: August 30 Aggie Opener, 6:45 p.m.
- Soccer: August 30 vs. CSUN @ 7:30 p.m.
- Volleyball: September 12 vs. Texas State @ 6 p.m.
Thanks & Gig 'em!
Ross
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