Super Bowl Champion, alumnus speaks to Lions

In preparation for the Harvey Martin Classic, this year Texas A&M University-Commerce hosted Super Bowl champion and A&M-Commerce alumnus Alan Veingrad in the Rayburn Student Center on Thursday Sept. 15.

During his college career, Veingrad became a two-time first team All-Lone Star Conference offensive lineman for the Lions and was a first team Eastman Kodak Coaches' College Division All-American in 1984. He then went on to play professionally and win the 1993 Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys.

"I feel great about [Veingrad] coming in," Director of Athletics Carlton Cooper said. "We have an amazing tradition here and we have some amazing people, some that we don't even know yet."

Many students and faculty members came out to see Veingrad and show support for the Lions as they prepare to face the Midwestern State University Mustangs. Veingrad regaled the audience with stories of his career and shared his wisdom with those in attendance, with his overall message being ‘change.'

"I've change a lot in my life," Veingrad said. "I don't look like a football player anymore, I know…but you have to want to make the change. You have to ask yourself ‘what am I changing to? What am I running from? What am I running to?"

Veingrad received a standing ovation from students and faculty members after his speech, and stayed to answer questions and meet with audience members and even stopped to help offensive lineman Jesus Fajardo with his technique.

"I've seen a tremendously positive change here," Veingrad said. "It brought back a lot of emotions for me, to go out and walk back on the football field, and to experience that, and to see that, and to talk to the players and have some of the players come up to me and get pretty personal.

The reception is the first of a handful of events for the fourth annual Harvey Martin Classic, which culminates with A&M-Commerce taking on Midwestern State at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 17 at noon. The game is the first of three games that are a part of the Lone Star Football Festival.