The upcoming group of Texas A&M graduates will get a pep talk from one of the university's most successful coaches before they get their diplomas.
Aggie Women's Basketball Head Coach Gary Blair will be the summer commencement convocation speaker at the August 9 ceremony. A&M President R. Bowen Loftin made the announcement Wednesday.
"Coach Blair is not only highly successful in leading and inspiring young women to excel on the basketball court, in the classroom and in life generally, but he has also proved to be an extraordinary good-will ambassador for Texas A&M as he interacts with the public and the media in his unique manner, " Loftin said in a statement. " I am confident he will bring an engaging message that will be well received by our degree candidates, their families and others attending commencement convocation."
The event takes place at Rudder Auditorium at 5:30 p.m. on August 9. Graduations will take place the next day at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Recently, Blair was announced as a new inductee into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Last year, he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
Under the coach, the Aggies captured the national championship in 2011 and have been to the NCAA tournament seven consecutive seasons. The Dallas native has led the program since 2003, and has coached college basketball for 32 years.
