Published: September 03, 2008 05:11 pm      

Cotton Bowl Bound

ECU Tigers to meet Commerce in Harvey Martin Classic

Dallas — When the East Central University football squad battles Texas A&M-Commerce on Oct. 18 at the Cotton Bowl, the event will be called “The Harvey Martin Classic’ in honor of the late Dallas Cowboys great.

The announcement was made Thursday at a press conference, hosted by A&M-Commerce, at the Radisson Hotel, Central Dallas.

Martin, who played at Texas A&M-Commerce (known then as East Texas State) from 1969-72, was a four-time Pro Bowl selection (1976, ’77. ’78 and ’79) and NFL Defensive Player of the Year for Dallas in 1977.

In Super Bowl XII, he was named the game’s most valuable player, along with teammate Randy White.

Martin, who died in 2001, played for Dallas from 1973-83 and was part of the famed ‘Doomsday Defense’. He still holds the Cowboy records for sacks as a rookie (8 in 1973), sacks in a season (20 in 1977) and sacks in a career (114).

He was an Associated Press Little, Football News and NAIA All-American at East Texas State as he led the Lions to a national title in 1972.

Members of Martin’s family attended the gathering as did some former Cowboys, including wide receiving great Drew Pearson.

ECU Athletic Director Brian DeAngelis was one of the guest speakers at the conference and addressed the gathering about the excitement of the Tigers being involved in the classic, especially with the site being the Cotton Bowl during the Texas State Fair and that there are many ECU alums in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Also making remarks from A&M-Commerce were President Dr. Dan Jones, athletic director Carlton Cooper and head football coach Scotty Conley. ECU head coach Kurt Nichols was unable to attend because his team was enroute to Thursday night’s game at Sam Houston State.

The Harvey Martin Classic will kick off at 2 p.m. For ticket information contact the ECU athletic department at (580) 559-5314 or the A&M-Commerce athletic department at (903) 886-5558.