By Brent Lyday
Dallas – Texas A&M University-Commerce kicked off the week's activities leading to the 2010 Harvey Martin Classic with a press conference on Wednesday at the Dallas City Hall Flag Room. The Lions host the Angelo State Rams on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
"A&M-Commerce is excited about playing the third annual Harvey Martin Classic in the historic Cotton Bowl, where we will celebrate a great football tradition and commemorate the legacy of a football giant, Harvey Martin," said Dr. Dan Jones, A&M-Commerce president. "We are proud to count Harvey Martin among our alumni."
Martin played a vital role in the Lions national championship victory in 1972, and was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame in 1987. He became the first A&M-Commerce athlete to be inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
"I got to face Harvey many times," said Guy Morriss, A&M-Commerce head football coach. "I played offensive lineman and he was a defensive end, and I had a lot of opportunities to smell his breath. He was a premier defensive end and I think he had the respect of every offensive tackle that faced him."
A&M-Commerce will continue to honor Harvey Martin and hopes to improve on its 7-1 overall record in the Cotton Bowl, and 1-1 mark in Harvey Martin Classic games. After defeating East Central, 27-15, in the inaugural game, the Lions dropped a 20-14 overtime matchup to No. 2 Abilene Christian last season.
"I think the players enjoy playing at the Cotton Bowl because it is a tremendous venue and they take pride in the fact they're representing one of their own," Morris said. "They'll be ready to play."
A&M-Commerce will continue the Harvey Martin Classic activities with a luncheon on Thursday at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel at noon featuring guest speaker and legendary football coach, Gene Stallings. A golf tournament follows on Friday at The Golf Club at Castle Hills in Lewisville at 1:30 p.m. Tailgate for Saturday's game begins at 2 p.m. at Gate A of the Cotton Bowl prior to kickoff.
"This is a very exciting time," said Carlton Cooper, A&M-Commerce athletic director. "We're featuring a star-studded lineup on and off the field, which should make for a fun weekend."