Reagor Earns Big 12 Honor
June 21, 1999 | Football
May 10, 1999
· Press Conference Audio Clip
· Reagor classroom visit, Comments & Press Conf. Video!
DALLAS, Texas - Montae Reagor has been selected as the first recipient of the Bank of America Community Champion of the Year award, it was announced today by the Big 12 Conference office in Dallas, Texas. The award is in recognition of his accomplishments at Texas Tech University and in the Lubbock, Texas community.
Reagor is widely recognized as one of the best football players to ever take the field for Texas Tech. He earned first team All-Big 12 and All-America honors in 1998, and was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the two-time defending world champion Denver Broncos. Reagor's commitment in the classroom and in the community is what truly distinguished him. He graduated from Texas Tech in only 3 1/2 years and earned the "Dare to be Great" Academic Award during his time there.
His most impressive contributions, however, were in the community. Reagor regularly gave speeches at six Lubbock area schools about staying in school, staying away from drugs, motivation, and avoiding bad influences. He was involved in the Lubbock baseball "Buddy" League, and also spent considerable time speaking to kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Waxahachie, Texas, his hometown.
"We are proud of Montae and his efforts to give back to the community," said Big 12 Commissioner Kevin Weiberg. "He exemplifies what we encourage student athletes to do in the Big 12 - use their talents as a vehicle to make a difference in their schools and hometowns."
This is the first year of the Community Champion Award, created by Bank of America, a Big 12 Conference Corporate Sponsor. The program was designed to recognize Big 12 student athletes for their contributions to their local communities, in addition to their accomplishments on the fields of play and in the classroom. Each school had three award finalists.
Reagor was selected from amongst these 36 finalists. The other finalists from Texas Tech were Rene Hanebutt and Taurus Rucker. In recognition of excellence, Bank of America contributed $3,000 to each Big 12 school's general scholarship fund, and will contribute an additional $5,000 to Texas Tech's general scholarship fund.
"This award recognizes student-athletes for an effort that many times goes unnoticed - being a good student and giving back to the community," said Tim Arnoult, President of Bank of America Central Region. "Community involvement is important to us at Bank of America, and we are proud to recognize Montae Reagor who is a champion on the field and in the community."