By Kelli Nesbitt, Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator
No, the Texas A&M football season is not starting a month early.
In fact, football has nothing to do with the thousands of visitors pouring into Bryan-College Station this week. Blame this friendly invasion on archery, pickleball, judo, lifeguarding, boxing, golf, skateboarding, soccer, disc golf, swimming, tennis, and track and field.
Those 12 sports comprise the 2015 Texas Amateur Athletic Federation’s Summer Games of Texas, which will be conducted Thursday through Monday at venues across College Station and Bryan. The cities are joining forces with Texas A&M and the Convention and Visitors Bureau to host the event for the second straight year.
The 2014 Summer Games of Texas attracted more than 20,000 athletes, coaches, families and volunteers who registered an estimated economic impact of about $6 million.
The Olympic-like festival features more than 8,500 amateur athletes of all ages from across the state competing in multiple sporting events, mostly in swimming and track and field. The high level of competition resulted in 97 Games of Texas records set in 2014, including 64 in swimming and 33 in track and field.
Admission is free at all events except for boxing, swimming and track and field. Daily tickets are $7 for boxing and swimming, and $5 for track and field.
We invite you to help us welcome our visitors at the opening ceremonies Friday at Blue Bell Park. The parade of athletes begins at 6:45 p.m. led by Reveille IX, the first lady of Aggieland.
You can follow the Games of Texas on Twitter at #TAAFGAMESOFTEXAS. For more information, visit taaf.com or call 979-764-3486.
Here is a look at the full schedule of events:
Thursday, July 30
| Event | Time | Site | Admission |
| Boxing | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | College Station Hilton | $7 |
| Golf | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Texas A&M Golf Course | Free |
| Pickleball | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Bryan High School | Free |
| Swimming | 4-8 p.m. | A&M Student Rec Center | $7 |
| Track & Field | 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. | College Station High School | $5 |
Friday, July 31
| Event | Time | Site | Admission |
| Boxing | 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | College Station Hilton | $7 |
| Golf | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Texas A&M Golf Course | Free |
| Opening Ceremonies | 6:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. | Blue Bell Park | Free |
| Pickleball | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Bryan High School | Free |
| Swimming | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | A&M Student Rec Center | $7 |
| Track & Field | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | College Station High School | $5 |
Saturday, Aug. 1
| Event | Time | Site | Admission |
| Archery | 1-6 p.m. | A&M Education Activity Bldg. | Free |
| Boxing | 1-10 p.m. | College Station Hilton | $7 |
| Disc Golf | 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m | Texas A&M Research Park | Free |
| Skateboarding | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. | G. Hysmith Skate Park | Free |
| Soccer | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Veterans Park & Ath.Complex | Free |
| Swimming | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | A&M Student Rec Center | $7 |
| Tennis | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | A&M Mitchell Tennis Center | Free |
| Track & Field | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | College Station High School | $5 |
Sunday, Aug. 2
Note: Boxing has been added to Sunday’s schedule — 1-5 p.m., CS Hilton ($7).
| Event | Time | Site | Admission |
| Judo | 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Lincoln Recreation Center | Free |
| Soccer | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Veterans Park & Ath. Complex | Free |
| Swimming | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | A&M Student Rec Center | $7 |
| Tennis | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | A&M Mitchell Tennis Center | Free |
| Track & Field | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. | College Station High School | $5 |
Monday, Aug. 3
| Event | Time | Site | Admission |
| Lifeguard Competition | 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Adamson Lagoon | Free |
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