The Blue and Gold Service Award is presented to a deserving individual, business, or organization that embodies the four pillars of the association, are connected with the university and community, has Javelina Spirit, and supports the values and mission of the institution. It can only be awarded to an individual who did not graduate from the university. This year’s recipient is longtime university staff member Fred Nuesch.
Nuesch has served Texas A&M University-Kingsville for more than 50 years since his arrival on campus in 1968. He retired in 2003 after serving as the Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations for 35 years, but continued his loyal service to the university as the Coordinator of External Affairs. He continues to put out a weekly newspaper tabloid, Javelina Highlights, which earned a bronze award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in 2018.
In 2017, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents approved Emeritus status for four retired members of the Texas A&M-Kingsville faculty and staff. Nuesch held the longest tenure amongst the honorees and was named Sports Information Director Emeritus, the first to be afforded this honor within the Texas A&M System.
Often seen at Javelina events on campus with a camera around his neck, Nuesch is both an official documenter of all things Javelina Sports and an unofficial historian of Javelina athletes and coaches.