Stephen F. Austin State University will welcome ESPN sports anchor Jay Harris, New Jersey sports anchor Tony Cornish Jr. and NBA legends Robert Reid and Kevin Loder to campus for several upcoming appearances.
The SFA Office of Multicultural Affairs is teaming up with the Athletics and Campus Recreation departments to produce an event titled "A Conversation on Sports and Media" at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, in the Grand Ballroom of the Baker Pattillo Student Center. The public is invited to attend.
Cornish, who works for WZBN TV-25 in New Jersey, will moderate the event, while Harris, SFA marketing instructor Marc Williams, Reid and Loder will participate in the discussion. The event is designed to make students aware of career opportunities in sports and media.
"It is a tremendous honor to have such an inspiring group of individuals come speak to our students at SFA," Williams said. "They are all men of integrity and honor and are positive role models for the students."
Dr. Terrence Frazier, SFA director of multicultural affairs, said the idea of having Harris, Cornish and the NBA legends speak on campus, stemmed from collaboration between his office and Williams, a sports marketing professional.
In addition to the discussion, Campus Recreation will host the guests from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the SFA Recreation Center where they will speak to several SFA classes. A meet and greet scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the Recreation Center will be open to the entire campus community.
"I'm excited about meeting the students at Stephen F. Austin State University," Harris said. "I've heard lots about SFA, and I'm looking forward to lots of fun and a great day."
Reid, who played in the NBA for 13 seasons, also expressed his excitement at coming to SFA and said he is honored to speak to SFA students.
"I am looking forward to meeting our future leaders, and I hope that our message will give the SFA students more direction on the path that they have chosen," Reid said.
The Athletic Department will host a dinner for the guests and SFA student athletes. In addition, the men will participate in a pep rally at 6 p.m. at Lumberjack Alley in the SFA commuter lot, and students are asked to attend and show their school spirit. The pep rally will precede the 7 p.m. Lumberjack basketball game against Lamar University.
Frazier said he wants to continue bringing to campus speakers who students wouldn't ordinarily get the chance to meet.
"If you don't see someone who is successful, how do you know what success looks like? I emphasize to students everyday how important an education is. You can take my house and everything away, but I will always have my education. That's what I want to instill in students," he said.
The appearances also will support the upcoming Nacogdoches County Relay for Life benefiting the American Cancer Society. Auntie Pasta's, Barnes & Noble, Hotel Fredonia, SFA's American Marketing Association and Clear Springs are sponsoring this week's events. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Elizabeth Ross, promotions and sponsorship coordinator at the Recreation Center, at (936)468-5844 or ejross@sfasu.edu.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!