Former building construction student
to head Cotton Bowl Athletic Association

A former student from Texas A&M's College of Architecture has been elected to head the sponsoring agency of one of college football's storied bowl games.

Thomas Bain Jr., the new chairman and chief executive officer of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, earned a bachelor's degree in building construction in 1971.

"I am excited about the opportunity to serve as chairman of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic,” said Bain, the president of Bain Development, a trading and investment firm in Dallas, who will be coordinating all facets of the CBAA's business affairs. "I love the AT&T Cotton Bowl and what it means to the North Texas community. During my term as chairman, I look forward to helping make the AT&T Cotton Bowl the finest college football experience in America."

During his two year term, he will be overseeing the AT&T Cotton Bowl's 75th anniversary Jan. 7, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The bowl game will take place at night for the first time in its history, with a 7 p.m. central time kickoff.

Bain said he saw his first Cotton Bowl with his father in 1957, when Texas Christian University defeated Syracuse University 28-27. Eventual pro football hall-of-famer Jim Brown scored two touchdowns for the Orangemen in the game.

"I have attended most every classic since that day," he said.

Before coming to Texas A&M, Bain graduated from Highland Park High School in 1967. After earning his bachelor's degree, he earned a Master in Business Administration from Trinity University in 1975. He was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force from 1971-76.

- Posted: Mar. 02, 2010 -