The Blitz: Texas A&M-Commerce explores another name change

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In case you missed it while you were celebrating another birthday for America, part one of a four-part series that examines the effects of the transfer portal on Non-FBS football was published on Wednesday. Part two will be published next week.

FCS

  • Earlier this week, rumors began circulating that the Texas A&M Board of Regents will vote on a proposal to rename Texas A&M-Commerce to Texas A&M University-Dallas at Commerce. The reaction of the fans and alums was immediately negative. The Lion Wire released a statement against the change on its Facebook page, and a petition on change.org to stop the renaming of the university gathered over 6,000 signatures in less than 48 hours. 
  • Multiple sources confirmed the rumors of a potential name change are accurate. One source estimated the chances of the name change to be 90 percent. The reasoning behind the decision is to connect the university to the Metroplex, which some alums pointed out that the university is 40 minutes away from Rockwall (with no traffic) and 65 miles away from Dallas. The Texas A&M Board of Regents believes the name change will increase enrollment, which is rapidly declining. TAMU-Commerce has a campus at NorthPark Central in Dallas. We’ll follow up on this story as more information becomes available.
  • Many alums are furious with the entire Texas A&M system, and some donors have indicated they will no longer support the university if the change is made. The relationship between TAMUS and the Lions faithful has been tenuous at best after their beloved East Texas State changed its name to Texas A&M-Commerce in 1995. Many expressed that this move is another slap in the face to the alums, some of whom have expressed a desire to accept East Texas A&M as a compromise.
  • In better news for the Lions, their season-opening contest at San Diego State will be nationally televised on truTV and can be streamed on Max. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. locally. 

NCAA Division II

  • The search for UTPB’s athletic director will enter its next stage when the search committee meets this week. Multiple sources continue to indicate they hope the selection will be announced in late August or early September.
  • Information surrounding the search for an athletic director at West Texas A&M has become scarce in recent weeks. Multiple sources indicated interviews continue to be conducted, and a decision could happen during the Texas High School Coaching Association coaching school the week of July 21.

NCAA Division III

NAIA

NJCAA

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