Building Connections Across Generations: East Texas A&M Dedicates McCord Family Alumni Center

From updated gathering spaces to a hidden speakeasy lounge, the revitalized Alumni Center invites Lions to return, reconnect and celebrate a century of shared pride.

East Texas A&M University proudly announces the renaming of its Alumni Center to the McCord Family Alumni Center. The name honors the late Sam and Barb McCord, whose 100+ years of combined service and dedication to East Texas A&M have left an enduring legacy.

The McCord Family Alumni Center was officially dedicated on Sept. 27 at a ceremony celebrating the McCord family's remarkable contributions to the Lion community.

A Space Designed for Connection

Thanks to a generous gift from the McCord family , the Alumni Center was renovated to create a welcoming, collaborative space where alumni and students can connect and celebrate their East Texas A&M pride.

The project was driven by a shared vision among the McCord family, Archer Construction & Design, Pfluger Architects, and the university. The goal was to create a home away from home for returning alumni and a welcoming space for current students to build lifelong relationships with the university community.

“The idea was simple,” said Chris Lammers, Pfluger's Higher Education Practice Director. “Create a welcoming spot where generations of alumni can come back, gather with friends and celebrate what East Texas A&M means to them. The design is comfortable, flexible and a place where they can feel at home.”

A Closer Look at the New Space

Among the updates, the center's multi-purpose room was redesigned to offer a flexible venue for meetings, events and gatherings. The 1,070-square-foot space accommodates up to 70 guests and is furnished with functional seating, modern audio-visual equipment, and digital signage.

Lammers said the finishes are meant to support a sense of school spirit, while maintaining a sophisticated feel for alumni who visit campus.

Another renovation highlight is an intimate “speakeasy” room, a sophisticated, concealed lounge where donors can relax or conduct private meetings. The 311-square-foot area comfortably hosts six to eight guests.

The project took just under two years to complete, beginning in June 2023 and reaching substantial completion in April 2025.

The Dedication Ceremony

The Sept. 27 dedication ceremony drew a crowd from the university community, including several McCord family members.

During the ceremony, Michael McCord, son of Sam and Barb, reflected on the purpose of the new space, emphasizing connection, storytelling and community.

“This space is not huge, and it doesn't need to be huge because these conversations can be little, loving, caring. And you don't need a lot of space. You can whisper, or you can have a big group and have a great big party,” he said. “But it is my hope that this place is a place of connectivity, not just of alumni but a place that our students can get connected.”

McCord added: “We've got to get [students] in here; I want them to hear the stories, and then I want them to make their own stories because that's what we do as human beings; we make stories.”

In his remarks, university president Mark Rudin reflected on the McCord's enduring influence and the foundation they helped build for future generations.

“The growth, the trajectory, the relevance of our university was built on the broad shoulders of people like Sam and Barb McCord,” he said. “We would not be where we are today without giants like those folks who have played such a big role.”

The Legendary ‘Stumblin' Sam McCord

Indeed, Sam McCord is a “giant” of a legend at East Texas A&M, and his rise to stardom was nothing short of remarkable. He played high school football for only one year, around 1950, before stepping away from the game for six years to serve in the Korean War, get married and start a family.

Incredibly, at age 23, Sam decided to return to college and football. From 1957 to 1959, he led the Lions as starting quarterback, earning two All-American honors and guiding the team to a 29-3 record, two Tangerine Bowl victories, and three Lone Star Conference Championships.

Balancing stardom with family life, Sam played football while raising two young children. His eldest son, the late Lynn McCord, fondly remembered watching his father play in Memorial Stadium.

Fans affectionately called him “Stumblin' Sam” for his ability to gain extra yardage after being tackled. Former teammate Tony Mandina explained, “It wasn't so much he was stumbling; he refused to go down and would go that eight, ten, or twelve yards!”

Sam was inducted into the Lion Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor in 2006. Friends and colleagues remember him as an “outstanding competitor,” a “kind and generous man,” and “a man of honor and integrity.”

After graduating from East Texas A&M (then East Texas State College) in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education (and later a Master of Education), Sam was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and later traded to the Oakland Raiders. Following his pro football career, he returned to Texas to coach high school football before beginning his long and distinguished career at East Texas A&M.

A Century of Service and Shared Purpose

Sam and Barb’s exemplary service to the university spans a combined 100+ years. The couple were true partners in their tireless dedication and love for East Texas A&M. They lived near campus, where they raised their four children: the late Lynn McCord, Carla Hancock, Michael McCord and Mindy Gallegos.

With a heart for philanthropy, the couple established the Sam and Barba McCord Endowment to benefit the Lion Athletics Football Program. To date, more than 100 scholarships have been awarded from the fund. The McCord family also established Sam & Barba McCord Endowed Scholarships in the couple's honor, which include a Business Scholarship and an Education and Human Services Scholarship.

Sam McCord's Enduring Impact on Campus

Sam’s 30-year professional career at East Texas A&M began in 1964. During that time, he coached football alongside another university legend, Ernest Hawkins. Ultimately, he finished his professional career as alumni director and retired in 1994. In total, he was closely associated with East Texas A&M for 61 years until his passing in 2018.

Barb McCord: A Beloved Presence in the College of Education

Barb served as an administrative assistant within the College of Education and Human Services at East Texas A&M for an impressive 46 years. Retiring in 2019 at age 87, Barb was a campus icon. She was known and loved for her warmth, positivity and engaging personality. Barb passed away on July 7, 2023, following a brief illness.

Carrying the McCord Legacy Forward

Today, the McCord family continues Sam and Barb’s legacy of service and generosity.

“My mother and father loved this university to the absolute core,” Michael said. “Their values have affected many others and are still at work in the university today.”

Notably, Elizabeth McCord—Michael's daughter—is a current student at East Texas A&M, representing the third generation of her family to attend the university nearly 70 years after her grandfather first walked the campus grounds.

The McCord Family Alumni Center now stands as a lasting tribute to two individuals whose love for the university continues to inspire generations of Lions—past, present and future.

If you would like to contribute to the Sam and Barba McCord Endowed Scholarships for students, visit https://www.etamu.edu/giving-mccord/.