LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Texas A&M University-Commerce football team participated in its first Southland Conference Media Day, presented by BuyB1.com, on Wednesday morning at the L’Auberge Casino & Resort, previewing the Lions’ first season in the conference and NCAA Division I.
The first football media day as members of Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) for the Lions began with a social media photoshoot, followed by recording several public service announcements (PSAs) for the conference.
The Lion trio of coach David Bailiff, running back J.T. Smith (Klein Oak), and linebacker Dee Walker (Moultrie, Ga.) appeared on the ESPN+ live broadcast. The recorded version of the broadcast can be viewed HERE.
The day concluded with one-on-one interviews with ESPN New Orleans (KLRZ 100.3), KBMT (12NewsNow) from Beaumont, KPLC 7 from Lake Charles, and Commerce’s own KETR 88.9 FM.
The Lions report back to campus in the first week of August to begin fall camp and take the field inside Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium on September 1 at 7 p.m. for the season opener against Lincoln (Calif.).
Here are few quotes from the Lion contingent.
HEAD COACH DAVID BAILIFF
On the transition to Division I: “It is an exciting time for the entire university. Going to a Division I school entirely changes the optics of the school, academically and athletically. We have an unbelievable president in Dr. Mark Rudin, and this was his vision, to lead us to Division I. It is a tremendous move for the university. ”
“We are excited, because we don’t know where we stack up. This is exciting for the alumni, there is a buzz on campus, and we are looking forward to Southland Conference play.”
RUNNING BACK J.T. SMITH
On competing at a high level in two sports: “It is a blessing to be able to compete at a high level in two sports. My track skills help on the field tremendously. It helps me get away from defenders and once I am gone, no one is going to catch me.”
LINEBACKER DEE WALKER
On playing behind players that went on to the NFL: “They opened up doors that we did not have before. They have shown our young guys the path of how to get to the NFL from here.”
Season tickets are now on sale for the six home games. General admission season tickets can be purchased at LionAthletics.com/Tickets. More information about reserved chairback seats can be found HERE.
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