Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

When the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic needed a strong leader to step forward at a crucial time in its history, along came Fred McClure to assume the role of Chair of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. His political background provided the Board of Directors the needed expertise to engineer a change in conference affiliation and television networks in 1998. McClure’s vision and determination led to a 16-year relationship with both the Southeastern Conference and FOX Sports, thus turning an uncertain time for the Classic into a pillar of strength. His leadership abilities were deemed of such importance that he was appointed to back-to-back terms as Chair, a first in the bowl's history. The trailblazing Texas A&M and Baylor alumnus was the first African American to serve in the CBAA's top leadership role. Today, a program for young people launching a career in college athletics is named in his honor, the CBAA Fred McClure Internship Program. Good things always seem to happen under his discerning eye.