Blitz Head Coach Compton to be Inducted into University's Athletic Hall of Fame
May 2, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Bakersfield Blitz News Release
Bakersfield-We are pleased to announce, Bakersfield Blitz Head Coach Gary Compton is to be inducted into the Texas A&M-Commerce University Athletic Hall of Fame. The official induction will be at the Hall of Fame Induction Banquet on October 28, at Texas A&M-Commerce University in Commerce, Texas.
The Texas A&M-Commerce (East Texas State) University Athletic Hall of Fame began in 1978 by the LIONS Athletic Association to honor "those persons, living or dead, whose contributions have brought lasting fame and honor to themselves and to the University." Consideration for induction is based on contribution while attending the University. Gary Compton and other new inductees will be recognized at the Homecoming football game on October 28.
Gary started his football career in his hometown Irving, Texas. He attended East Texas State University, now named Texas A&M - Commerce University, where he was a four time All-Lone Star Conference, a two time All-American, and a member of the 1990 LSC Championship team. When Gary's collegiate career was over, he held or shared these team records for receiving - most receptions in a career (181-also the Lone Star Conference record); most receiving yards in a career (3,041 - also the Lone Star Conference record); most receiving touchdowns in a season (12 in '90 -shares team record); most touchdown receptions in a playoff game (8-shares team record); most points and most touchdowns in a playoff game (18 and 3, respectively - both shared team records).
Among Gary's plethora of awards are Team's Most Valuable Offensive Back in '90, Team's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman in '87 and '88, and Winner of the Sikes Award (Most Valuable Player) in '90, just to name a few.
Coach Compton comes to the Blitz almost straight off the field as the new Head Coach. In 2004, Gary played his last season for the Arena Football League as a star receiver for the Philadelphia Soul. Previous years were spent playing for the AFL Dallas Texans, the Fortworth Cavalry, the Milwaukee Mustangs, the Indiana Firebirds, the Grand Rapids Rampage, and the Tampa Bay Storm. For the 2005 season, Coach Compton coached the Philadelphia Soul as their Offensive Coordinator.
Some of Coach Compton's numerous awards are 2001 "Built Ford Tough" Man of the Year, First Team All-Arena -WR/LB, All-Ironman Team - WR/LB, and Second Team 15th Anniversary Team - WR/LB.
Coach Compton has led the Blitz team to a current standing of 3-1, with an undefeated record on the road. Coach Compton and the rest of the Blitz team will continue their run for the championship when they play, for the second time, the Spokane Shock. Kick off is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Spokane Arena.
Season tickets for the Blitz 2006 season are still on sale, as well as single game tickets. Ticket plans start at the prorated price of $70 and single game tickets are as low as $10 in the lower bowl. Tickets will be available at the Rabobank Arena box office and any Ticketmaster location. To learn more about the Blitz and their 2006 season visit bakersfieldblitz.com for more information.
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