Latest news with #BigEvent
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Everything Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko said during Coach's Night in San Antonio
For his sixth stop on the Coach's Night tour, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko previewed the upcoming season for the Aggies at the San Antonio A&M Club on Monday night. Elko's appearance at Coach's Night marked the first time behind the podium for the second-year head coach since the Southeastern Conference's media days last week. The Aggies are set to kick off the 2025 campaign against UTSA on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Kyle Field. With a new season of college football in Bryan-College Station, Texas, set to begin in just 39 days, "talking season" is nearing the end. When it comes to football in the SEC, the talking never stops, however. Heading into his second season leading the Aggies, that testament is something Elko has come to learn. As he continues to travel around the state to speak in front of Texas A&M alumni, the spirit and passion from the Aggie faithful are unlike anything Elko has ever seen. Here is everything Elko had to say at Coach's Night in front of the San Antonio A&M Club on Monday, according to TexAgs: Elko credits passionate display from A&M alumni "I want to say thank you to you all. Every time I go to these Coach's Nights, I'm blown away by the Aggie Spirit. I've been at a lot of universities, and there is nothing like this." Elko praises support from fans at Kyle Field "Last year we averaged over 102,000 people at our home games. We were 101% filled in Kyle Field. That number is larger than any other SEC stadium. We have support at an unbelivable level, and now we'll build the program to match it." Elko talks team's willingness to serve community "We've become extremely active in the Bryan-College Station area to give back with the Big Event and with schools. That's really important for young people to give back to keep them grounded, humble and away from entitlement." Elko expresses excitement about Aggie retention "Look at who goes in and who goes out of a program. We've been able to keep so many key players. We were able to retain about 99% of the players we wanted to return to our program, so we're really excited about that." Elko speaks on Marcel Reed's freshman season "Now he understands what it's like to be QB1 in the SEC. What he had to go through last year is not how you'd write the script for a first-time starter bring in and out. What gets lost is the growth he had last year." Elko on Aggie RB room "We returned all of our ball-carriers. Le'Veon Moss will be ready to go. We're excited to have Rueben Owens back. We're glad we got Amari Daniels back. E.J. Smith dealt with a lot of injuries last year, but he's healthy now." Elko excited about offensive line return "It's great to bring back all seven of our top offensive linemen. The last time we were this old at this position, we ended our season playing in the Orange Bowl. It's a really strong starting point to have a group like that." Elko talks WR reform "We had to reform the wide receiver position. Kevin Concepcion has been everything we hoped he could be. He's elevated the level of the entire wide receiver room. Mario Craver continues to develop. We're excited about the development of Ashton Bethel-Roman and Terry Bussey." Elko's defensive standard at A&M "It is not lost on me the standard we have for defense at Texas A&M. Getting Will Lee III back to anchor the corner position was huge. We believe we've elevated the safety position. Taurean York is the rock of that defense." Elko on filling gaps from departing players "We have had more NFL Draft picks on the defensive line since I got here in 2018 than any other team in the SEC. We're comfortable replacing great players. DJ Hicks, Albert Regis, Rylan Kennedy and Cashius Howell will step up." Elko talks program's future "We have 15 starters back. We have all of our specialists back. We're excited about where this program is going. We have to build a program you are all proud of. Let's be proud of who we are and where we're going." Elko dismisses Bussey playing both ways "He will not. His story has to start at wide receiver. That's not to take away of what he can do or that he won't ever be a two-way player, but we need him to impact the game on offense." Elko says Shemar Stewart will not return "Absolutely not. Some people live in this fairytale land of social media where you can create false narratives. I see him every day in our weight room, but he's a Cincinnati Bengal." Elko describes the most difficult challenge in football "The biggest puzzle of modern college football is maintaining chemistry and culture in an era where money has become involved in it. Who you bring into your program is crticial. We have to be intentional about how we bring this team together." Elko praises Regis "It's really exciting to have a player as talented as Albert Regis. He's a grown man. He's a great leader and a phenomenal player. Anchors like that matter." Elko on putting more players in the NFL "We have to have more NFL players across the board. If you look at teams that win the SEC, they're getting 20 players drafted over a two-year period. We will comfortably have 10 kids get their name called at the end of this season." Elko stresses importance of protecting Reed "I'm going to knock on wood one more time. Obviously that's something that has to change. It's not lost on us that keeping our quarterback protected and healthy is a critical piece of our success." Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
South Wales Argus
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Here are the best events happening in Gwent this weekend
The Cwmbran Big Event makes a return to the Boating Lake on Saturday, June 14, from noon onwards. The community event will have free activities, live performances, and family fun. The Cwmbran Big Event is returning this weekend (Image: Supplied) Children can enjoy arts and crafts, whale circus shows, a skateboard academy, hip hop culture classes, laser tag, inflatables, and face painting. Torfaen Sports Development will be running sports sessions. There will be live music from local performers, including No One Knows, Mics & Fins, and The Revamps. A dog show organised by All Creatures Great & Small Animal Sanctuary will also take place. Artisan food and craft stalls will showcase local talent and produce. A spokesperson for Cwmbran Community Council said: "The Big Event is always a fantastic community occasion that highlights the best of Cwmbran. "We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Boating Lake for what promises to be another memorable day." The Legion Music Festival will liven up Usk with free entry on Saturday, June 14, from 6pm to 10pm. The Legion Music Festival (Image: Supplied) Regular open mic night performers such as Daisymae, Katielou, Jamie T, and Gums 'n' Noses will entertain with a variety of musical genres. The same date will see Tintern Abbey host Brother Thomas, the Cellarer, for a historical event from 10.30am to 4.30pm. (Image: Supplied) Visitors can travel back in time to learn about monk life at the abbey. Normal admission prices apply for this event. On Sunday, June 15, the Uskonbury Festival will take place at the Greyhound Inn & Hotel from 12pm to 9pm. (Image: Supplied) This family-friendly festival will feature live music and a range of homemade food and drinks. Kids' activities, a craft makers market, and more will also be on offer. The festival will raise funds for the DPJ Foundation, a charity supporting those in agriculture and rural communities with mental health challenges. Tickets are £20 for adults and £10 for children. Under 5s can enter for free, and under 12s will require a child ticket. More details on these events can be found on the respective organisers' websites and social media pages.
Chicago Tribune
02-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Regional superintendent, Fortune Brands honored at Lake County Partners' Big Event
Michael Karner's job as the Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools focuses, in large part, on educating the children who can sometimes be a challenge for the county's 47 public school districts. Between operating the Regional Safe School for students who need placement outside their home district, offering classrooms for a student who may be suspended for a few days and creating a statewide virtual school, Karner continues to find innovative ways to educate. 'We established the Safe School for grades six through 12 for students when they needed an alternative placement,' he said. 'We give them what they need when their home district can't.' Getting the attention of the business community, Karner started Career Navig8 Lake County for middle and high school students to expose them to potential careers at a young age so they can incorporate it into their education. Karner received the Lake County Partners Talent Advancement Award on Thursday at the organization's annual Big Event in Lincolnshire in front of more than 500 people for his shaping of career pathways, among other achievements. 'Dr. Karner is a superstar in the education space, and the complete list of his accomplishments would blow you away,' said Steve Madden, the chair of the Lake County Partners Board of Governors. 'He has ushered in transformative thoughts, concepts and programs at the cutting-edge of education.' Along with Karner, Deerfield-based Fortune Brands — operator of more than 15 lines, including Moen, Master Lock and Sentry Safe — received the Community Investment Award as it makes a major investment in its corporate headquarters. Madden and Lake County Partners President and CEO Kevin Considine talked about the growth of business in the county over the past year, and future expectations. The crowd also learned about the makings of good locations for business from real estate economist Joshua Harris. Last year, Madden said businesses made $1.43 billion in capital investments, added 4,000 new jobs and, in part through Lake County Partners' efforts, kept 2,500 existing jobs from relocating across the state line to Wisconsin or other locations. Joining with Chicago and six other suburban counties including Cook, Madden said Lake County Partners formed the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership. Members including Considine and Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart, traveled abroad selling the area to companies. 'We're not just individual organizations, cities or counties,' he said. 'Together, we're a powerhouse with unmatched competitive advantages and a high quality of life, and we want site selectors, business leaders, investors and talent to know it.' Appointed school superintendent in 2021 by Hart upon the retirement of Roycealee Wood, Karner was elected to the position in 2022. He has worked with state and federal officials to obtain $18 million in grants to fund many of the programs. After inaugurating the Safe School, Karner said he started the Illinois Virtual School in 2022, offering online learning to 10,000 students statewide, from kindergarten through high school seniors. Each time a student passes a course, their home district is reimbursed for the expense. The Navig8 Lake County career fair in October drew 4,200 middle and high school students to learn what 100 employers do. Karner said he also started a care navigation service to help find mental and physical health care. 'It gives one-on-one service to help people find health care appointments,' he said. 'It has changed a four-month wait to four days in Lake County. It is primarily for mental health needs.' Fortune Brands is making a major expansion of its Deerfield headquarters. Leigh Avsec, the company's executive vice president for external affairs, said for the first time the corporate staff of all of the company's brands will be housed in one place. Some of Fortune Brands' businesses are well known to consumers, like Master Lock. Avsec said the others are very well known in their industry. She talked about how their safes preserved valuables when people had to flee a disaster. 'People had three minutes to flee,' Avsec said. 'When they returned (almost) everything was lost. When they opened the safe, all their valuables were there — their papers, their jewelry. It was all there.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Redford food pantry holds May 8 fundraiser after deep federal aid cuts
The Brief Redford Interfaith Relief on Beech Daly offers free food and supplies to those in the community who need it most. Cuts in federal aid by the Trump administration has caused a 35 to 40 percent shortfall in food funding. The Big Event fundraiser is set for May 8 at Redford Union to help the food pantry raise money. REDFORD TWP, Mich. (FOX 2) - Volunteers are hard at work prepping for shoppers at Redford Interfaith Relief. Big picture view Wednesday is delivery day at the food pantry and soon the shoppers will make their monthly trip to the store - where everything is free. "This place has really been a godsend," said shopper Sabrina Towns. Towns discovered Redford Interfaith Relief when she was going through a divorce and raising her two sons. "This program is amazing," said Robin Simmons. Simmons had lost her job and was on disability - trying to feed her family. "It has helped my family out - relieved stress and pressure off of me - just by giving," she said. "It's not like they pack a box for you - you actually shop for yourself - based on the needs of your family - the size of your family." "I can focus on other bills - by coming to this program - so I appreciate it - to the fullest." She also volunteers there - it's a small but mighty operation. The number of families in need - has doubled. "We serve up to about 350 households monthly right now," said executive director Angela Wolf. "And we also deliver to about 60 homebound seniors as well." But most of their funding comes from the federal government - and the Trump administration has stopped sending aid. "Right now our funding that's been on hold is through the emergency food and shelter program and that's about 35 to 40 percent of our food funding," said CCC And that's a serious problem - they need to find other sources of revenue to continue this safety net. Keeping families fed is the priority there - and they have a big event - The Big Event. And you can get involved and help them keep these shelves stocked. It's coming up May 8th at Redford Union High School - with great food and auction items - lots of fun - providing a whole lot of help. "Almost everything has been donated - so it's all profit that can go to feed the community," said David Zarek, Redford Interfaith Relief. "The more people we get we won't have to worry about the budget shortfalls that way." Visit to get your tickets and more information about this incredible community resource, that needs a little help of its own. The Source Interviews with members of Redford Interfaith Relief were used in this story.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Thousands of Aggies to give back in The Big Event
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) – The largest single-day student-led service event in the nation will be happening in the Brazos Valley this Saturday! Texas A&M University's Big Event was introduced in 1982, and since then has brought tens of thousands of students together to say 'Thank You' to residents of Bryan and College Station. Aggies will complete service projects such as yard work, window washing and painting for residents of the community. The message and the mission for The Big Event remains the same — to simply say 'Thank You.' It is a proud member of the Student Government Association at Texas A&M, and a recognized student organization of the university. The timeline for The Big Event is below: 8 a.m. — Volunteer check-in begins at Aggie Park with vendors and entertainment. Individuals in white polos, Executive members and Directors, are available for quotes. 8-9:30 a.m. — Kickoff ceremony begins. Speeches are given from Head Volleyball Coach Jamey Morrison, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Tom Reber, Student Body President Cade Coppinger, and Director Becca Dawson and Associate Director Juliana Perez. 9:30 a.m. — Cannon fires releasing volunteers to tool distribution. 9:45-10:15 a.m. — Volunteers head to tool distribution, picking up various tools needed for their jobs in Lot 97 on campus. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. — Volunteers head to their job sites and start work. 2 p.m. ~ EOD — Tool return at Lot 97 from volunteers, and clean up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
