Paving the way for future generations, this group of Aggies broke barriers and set the stage for many who have come after them. Introducing the “Trailblazers”--the first Black athletes in all varsity sports at Texas A&M.
Learn more about the trailblazers of Texas A&M Athletics through the information and links below.
SWIMMING & DIVING
Alia Atkinson '10 • Jamaica
- B.S. in Science of Philosophy with a minor in English
- 5-time Olympic Qualifier (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)
- 19-time All-American
- 10-time Big 12 Champion
- Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame (2019)
EQUESTRIAN
Terri Beaudion '05
- Degree in Economics
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Mario Brown '73 • Chicago, Illinois
- transfer from King Junior College
- two-year letterwinner for the Aggies (1971-72 and 1972-73 seasons)
SOFTBALL
Josie Carter '87 • Guthrie, Oklahoma
- AIAW National Champion (1982)
- NCAA Champion (1983)
- 2-time All-American outfielder (1984, 1985)
- College World Series All-Tournament team (1984)
- 2-time nominee for Broderick Award as the nation's top female athlete (1983, 1984)
- 1987 Pan American Games (Team USA)
- Physical Education degree, 1987
- Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame inductee (1995)
SOCCER
Alicia Fain ‘97 • Spring, Texas
- Forward on Texas A&M's inaugural varsity team in 1993
- 17 career matches in two seasons, scoring 2 goals on 24 shots and adding an assist
BASEBALL
Mike Frazier ‘75 • Houston, Texas
- product of Elmore High School in Houston
- four-year letterwinner for the Aggies and a management major
- Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 4th Round of the 1971 MLB Draft, the Cleveland Indians in the 8th Round of the 1974 MLB Draft and the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2nd Round of the 1975 MLB Draft
TRACK & FIELD
Ellen Smith Robinson ‘82 & Evelyn Smith Golden ’82
- products of Trimble Tech in Fort Worth
- both four-year letterwinners, Ellen a 3-time All-American and Evelyn a 2-time All-American
- Evelyn earned All-America honors in the 400-meter relay and the 1,600-meter relay in 1982. Ellen earned All-America honors in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing third in the nation in 1981, and was on the same relay teams with Evelyn that earned All-America honors in 1982.
- Read more: Click Here
SOFTBALL
Iva Jackson '85 • California
- AIAW National Champion (1982)
- NCAA Champion (1983)
- Degree in Health Education, 1986
WOMEN'S TENNIS
Stacey Knowles • Chicago, Illinois
- Walk-on who played two seasons for the Aggies (1984-85 and 1985-86)
- transferred to Illinois and completed eligibility with the Illini
FOOTBALL
Hugh McElroy '71
- Two-year Letterwinner (1970 & 1971)
- First black athlete to start in a football game for the Aggies
- first Black athlete to score a touchdown for the Aggies
- Also competed on the track team, first competition in the spring of 1968, javelin throw, sprints
TRACK & FIELD
Curtis Mills '71 • Lufkin, Texas
- first Black athlete in any sport at Texas A&M
- First Competition - Spring 1968
- Was a member of two world record-setting relays in 1970 (with brother Marvin)
- Ranks on the 10th fastest mile relay in A&M history
- Inducted into the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame in 1979
- Served as the first black president of the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association in 2005
- One of 6 children, all attended college and earned degrees
- Education, Curriculum & Instruction degree, 1971
MEN'S TENNIS
Chike Obianwu ’93
- Petroleum Engineering degree, 1993
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Peggy Pope '80 • Carthage, Texas
- Played for Texas A&M in 1978-79 and 1979-80 seasons, Post
- Transfer from Panola JC where she was a NJCAA All-American
- Leading scorer and rebounder in 1978-79
- Physical Education major
- Was drafted by the Milwaukee Express of the Women's Basketball League in 1980, later signing as a free agent to play with Nebraska
MEN'S GOLF
Stephen Reed '04 • Houston, Texas
- two-time team captain (2003 and 2004)
- Played all four years, All Conference citation in 2003
- Journalism and Spanish major
FOOTBALL
James Thomas “JT” Reynolds '69 • La Marque, Texas
- Member of the team from 1967-1968
- Joined the team in 1967 during spring ball, played special teams (kick-off squad) against SMU in first game of regular season, played defense sparingly
- Linebacker (Rover) / Special Teams
- Came to A&M in September 1965
- Born October 30, 1946 in Galveston, Texas A&M University Wasn’t recruited out of high school
- Earned scholarship in 1968
- Degree: Recreation, Parks & Management, Wildlife minor (1970 graduate of Texas A&M)
- Retired as one of the highest-ranking park superintendents in the National Park system having served in that capacity at Grand Canyon and Death Valley National Parks
WOMEN'S GOLF
Zoe Slaughter '24 • Houston, Texas
- currently a junior on the golf team
- helped lead the Aggies to the NCAA Semifinals in 2022
- an All-Conference golfer her first season at University of Houston
- Read More: Click Here
VOLLEYBALL
Stacey Smith '87 • San Antonio, Texas
- Product of San Antonio's Jay High School
- Freshman outside hitter/middle blocker for the '83 Aggies
SWIMMING & DIVING
Nik Tate '02
- competed in Breaststroke and Freestyle for the Aggies
- B.A in Political Science/History at Texas A&M
- J.D. in Law from Howard University School of Law, 2005
- Currently Chief Administrative Officer, City of Lansing, Michigan
VOLLEYBALL
Lisa Williams '87 • Dallas, Texas
- product of Carter High School in Dallas
- outside hitter and middle blocker for the 1983 Aggies
FOOTBALL
Sam Williams '68 • Houston, Texas
- Product of Wheatley High in Houston
- Joined the team in 1967
- Class of ’68, graduated in 1969
- Still had one year of eligibility remaining upon graduation
- Joined team as a walk-on, eventually earning scholarship
- Played wide receiver for the Aggies
- Reportedly had a 100-yard receiving game in the 1968 Spring Game
