Howdy!
I hope that everyone had a great Easter weekend with your loved ones. During this time, my thoughts turn to gratefulness and I simply want to say “Thank You”. I especially want to give thanks to all frontline workers, and we were proud to do our part on April 9, by lighting Kyle Field, Blue Bell Park and Reed Arena in blue to honor their service and dedication.
In times of challenge, we find ourselves. We discover our true culture, and character is revealed. Seeing everyone’s dedication to our student-athletes, supporters, fans and to one another has been a truly rewarding aspect of this unique moment in time. In times like these, we must stay focused on our vision and continue to be innovative with all we do. We must be intentional about communicating with each other, understanding we are stronger together. In these times of separation, we are finding ways to stay connected. Strong communication will provide the direction we take when navigating this unprecedented circumstance.
At this moment, our efforts are focused on serving student-athletes and preparing for our return to campus. We have fall sports to prepare for, moving forward with our plans to improve fan experience, and to be sure, we are keeping fans engaged through social media and a consistent flow of content and information. In the meantime, I’ve been humbled at the deep interest in Texas A&M from media locally, regionally and nationally. We also launched a new platform for Texas A&M Athletics through the weekly “Aggie Town Hall,” during which time I answer questions from fans from all over the country. Join us every Monday at 3 p.m. on Facebook. Our consistent virtual “Press Conference” is dedicated to taking questions from interested media, those who are telling the stories of Texas A&M. We must remain transparent, front-facing, and embrace our role as leaders during these uncertain times.
As anticipated, there have been questions from fans about the status of fall sports. While there are uncertainties, we know that as the nationwide situation with COVID-19 is closely monitored, appropriate decisions will be made. Texas A&M will not make that decision alone. It will be a collective review decided through consultation with health officials, University leadership, local leaders, and our fellow Southeastern Conference colleagues. I personally look forward to once again being part of Yell Practice the night before the football season opener. I look forward to seeing volleyball continue their championship progression that starts with the first serve. I look forward to our nationally-recognized soccer team kicking off its 2020 campaign. I look forward to the sound of the starter signaling the beginning of a new season of cross country. I look forward to equestrian beginning their quest for a 13th national championship.
There is “great discussion” and anticipation on social media about the uniforms the Aggie football team will wear in the upcoming season. We’ve not yet revealed the uniform, but will plan to do that in the near future. This is only one example of fans and supporters needing something to focus on other than social-distancing! Right now, to see those uniforms on the field, we must continue to do the basics: wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and exercise social distancing. We will sway again in Aggieland, and it starts with doing our part. Until then, stay in touch through a virtual environment, and let’s focus on doing what Aggies do: BTHO COVID-19.
Gig 'Em!
Ross
Texas A&M Responds: COVID-19
Texas A&M President Michael Young announced a new feature on the University website (www.tamu.edu): Texas A&M Responds: COVID-19, which showcases Aggies across the globe who are accomplishing amazing feats in the battle against this pandemic and aggregates useful COVID-19 information from University professors, researchers and staff. It is a tremendous resource, and another example of Texas A&M University's commitment to always stepping forward in times of great need.
2021 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Earlier this month, the Southeastern Conference announced that despite the 2020 outdoor track and field season getting canceled, that Texas A&M will still host the SEC Championships next year. This is a fantastic decision by the conference office as not only will we be able to showcase E.B. Cushing Stadium, the premier track and field facility in the country, but this is a tremendous boost to the local economy.
Our friends at Experience BCS estimate that hosting the 2021 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships brings in more than $4.35 million to the local economy.
NCAA Scholarships
Track and Field's Ashley Driscoll and Brittany Parker, Men's Basketball's Wendell Mitchell and Equestrian's Ann Elizabeth Tebow were named recipients of NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships.
Driscoll and Tebow were presented with NCAA Fall Sports Postgraduate Scholarships, while Parker earned the NCAA Women's Enhancement Graduate Scholarship, and Mitchell was awarded a NCAA Ethnic Minority Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship.
Congratulations to all four of our very deserving student-athletes, and we can't wait to see what your future holds!
Women's History Month
Throughout the month of March, Texas A&M Athletics honored several female student-athletes in honor of Women's History Month.
We are proud to highlight trailblazers, champions, leaders and role models who have made a difference and an impact not only for Texas A&M but the 12th Man and beyond.
Aggie Classics on The Zone 1150 AM & 93.7 FM
If you are missing sports like I am, you can have the opportunity to relive some of our greatest football games on The Zone 1150 AM and 93.7 FM in the Bryan-College Station area. The first Classic Re-Air sponsored by Texas Ford Dealers aired last Wednesday and continues this week at 6 p.m. each Wednesday and noon on Saturday.
This week, the 2013 Chick-Fil-A Bowl victory over Duke airs on Wednesday with the thrilling 2012 win over No. 1 Alabama is slated for Saturday.
More Good Bull
- Track and Field assistant coach Sean Brady was named the National Women's Assistant Coach of the Year by the USTFCCCA.
- Women's Basketball's Chennedy Carter earned multiple All-America honors from the WBCA and USBWA and announced her decision to forego her senior season and enter the WNBA Draft.
- Women's Basketball head coach Gary Blair was honored by the WBCA for eclipsing 800 career wins.
- Former Football standouts Von Miller and Shane Lechler were named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team.
- Fourteen members of the Women's Swimming and Diving team and 10 of the men's squad were named CSCAA All-Americans.
- Equestrian's Katie Conklin, Caroline Dance and Ashley Davidson earned NCEA All-America honors.
- Twenty Equestrian student-athletes garnered NCEA Academic Honors.
- Aggie Soccer legend Ally Watt helped Melbourne City FC to a 1-0 victory in Australia's Westfield W-League Grand Final.
- J.T. Higgins' Men's Golf team earned consensus top 10 final rankings for the abbreviated 2019-20 season--No. 6 by the Golf Coaches Association of America and No. 8 by Golfstat.com and Golfweek.com.
- Football's Justin Madubuike, a projected early pick by draft pundits, was selected to participate in the 2020 NFL Draft virtually.
Gig 'Em!
Ross
