From the Desk of Ross Bjork: May 2020 - Texas A&M Athletics

Howdy!

Though we aren't all together in the same place, it is still humbling to see your dedication to this great University, our student-athletes and to the Athletics Department of Texas A&M. I've heard some say they've been busier now than ever before, and a lot of that is due to our full focus on adjusting to a different work environment, making sure we not only take care of issues that come up day to day, but in preparing for our return to campus. To be clear, we are focused and planning on the 2020-21 academic year and all our sports starting on-time, yet understanding that COVID-19 and our environment will ultimately guide that decision.

We continue to see progress on many fronts as the State of Texas has started to re-open and the University is laying our plans about a gradual re-opening. As for the athletics department, we have created "Howdy 2.0: Re-Opening Texas A&M Athletics" as the formal name of our working groups that will organize guidelines and plans set by our administration, local and state health officials, and policies in effect from the SEC. The re-opening will be gradual and will follow protocols to ensure a safe work environment. Those who have joined us virtually on a number of calls with fans and supporters, either through the 12th Man Foundation or our weekly Aggie Town Hall, know that our most common questions revolve around our fall sports, access to our facilities, and when we will re-open. Better days are coming soon.

There is great anticipation for a return to "normalcy" and no experience is more motivational than a game day at Texas A&M. Personally, I'm excited for this new beginning. As I visit with many of you on Zoom there is a common feeling: we are all working closer together, our fan base is excited about the future of our sports, and when we all return, we will be stronger than ever. Sticking together in times of challenge is one of many definitions of the Aggie Family.

Hopefully, you had the opportunity to attend a truly groundbreaking online event, as we hosted a virtual experience for our student-athletes--honoring their accomplishments in competition and in the classroom with the BCAs, the Building Champions Awards. Thanks to Joe Fields and his team in Student-Athlete Services for their creativity and execution of the awards. Other than their temporary lapse in judgement on their host selection (which, by the way, was a proud moment for me and a true highlight in my career), I was further reminded of the true power of the Aggie Family. Not only did our athletes join us online, also participating were former athletes at A&M who are making an impact at the next level including Olympians, professional players and leaders in the field of sports. To top off the event, there was an after-party with an awesome music mix by NFL standout and DJ, Von Miller. For our former athletes to take time to make a video was impressive, and a true testimony of their loyalty to Texas A&M and their dedication to our current student-athletes. All of the elements combined to create an incredible celebration, a true innovative idea that required a team of leaders to accomplish. Special thanks to our sponsor, CHI St. Joseph Health, for their belief in this project and for their continued dedication to Texas A&M Athletics.

We can't wait to see all of you back in Aggieland, but until that time, we are telling the stories of Aggies every day, keeping our athletes, staff, fans and supporters connected. For sticking with us during this unusual time, we humbly say "thanks." As always, thanks again for your loyalty and dedication to Texas A&M Athletics.

Gig 'Em!
Ross

76 Student-Athletes Graduate

This past weekend, 76 student-athletes saw their names scroll across the videoboard as the University held virtual Commencement ceremonies for over 10,000 Aggies that were broadcast on Facebook and YouTube. Seven student-athletes received their master's degree: football's Cagan Baldree, men's basketball's Chris Collins, men's swimming and diving's Jake Gibbons and Colton Haffey, men's track and field's Robert Grant, soccer's Callyn Walton, softball's Kendall Potts and women's swimming and diving's Monika Gonzalez Hermosillo Holtz.

While we were unable to celebrate our student-athletes' academic success like we have in the past, I couldn't be more proud of these now Former Students!

Building Champions Awards

The seventh-annual Building Champions Awards Show was held virtually on the Texas A&M Athletics Youtube channel.

Many thanks to all of our special celebrity guest award presenters for their help: Olympians Breeja Larson, Alia Atkinson, Maggie Malone and Tori Vidales; ESPN personalities Fernando Palomo and Amanda Scarborough; Alex Caruso and Khris Middleton from the NBA; Mike Evans and Myles Garrett from the NFL; the WNBA's Sydney Colson; track star Jessica Beard; and the COO of the College Football Playoff, Andrea Williams.

The show was capped off with Von Miller DJ'ing the after party.

A full list of our winners, and a full replay of the show, can be found here.

COVID-19 Car Auction

Texas A&M Athletics is joining hands with the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund via the auction of a donated vehicle.

The prize is a red obsession tintcoat 2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon that was generously donated by an anonymous donor. The vehicle comes with a custom license plate that reads "GIGGEM", and has only registered just over 27,000 miles. The vehicle is also limited edition, as less than 1,800 cars of this model were produced.

The auction began on Friday, May 8, and extends until Friday May 15 at 8 p.m. The vehicle will be signed by Jimbo Fisher and Buzz Williams at the conclusion of the sale.

Texas A&M fans, collectors or people simply interested in supporting a worthy cause can access the auction page here and begin bidding.

All proceeds from the auction will go toward providing funds to Brazos Valley nonprofits and small businesses that face economic uncertainty as the region continues to follow CDC, state and city guidelines designed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

These funds will help provide measures such as food, rent and utility relief for residents along with small business relief for the people of the Bryan/College Station area.