2008 Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum Announced

DALLAS, TEXAS – The Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum announced today the 2008 Athletic Forum speaker line-up.

            The 2008 series gets underway on Friday, February 15, with the 18^th Annual Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet. The Award is presented annually to the nation’s leading college running back. ESPN’s College GameDay hosts Lee Corso, Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will host the event.

            Charles Barkley, TNT basketball analyst and one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, will speak on Wednesday, March 12. Barkley was an 11-time NBA All-Star and was voted league MVP in 1993. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will appear on a date to be determined in spring of 2008. Goodell was named Commissioner in 2006 and has had an immediate impact on the league. On Tuesday, September 16, the featured guest will be 2007 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Tony Gwynn. Gwynn is the only player in major league history to win four batting titles in two separate decades, and is currently the head baseball coach at San Diego State University. The 2008 Forum concludes on Wednesday, November 5, with baseball Hall of Fame player and former American League manager of the year Frank Robinson. Robinson is the only player to win both the American League and National League MVP.

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Honoring the legends of sports for 19 years, the Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum celebrates outstanding success in athletics.  Based in Dallas, the series features major figures from a variety of sports.  The Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum includes four luncheons and the prestigious Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet.