The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi athletic department in a pregame ceremony Thursday night before the men's game with Texas-Pan American honored Dr. Robert Nelsen, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, for his support of the department.

Nelsen was recently named the eighth President of Texas-Pan American and will start his new position following the New Year.

"On behalf of our student-athletes and staff, we are most grateful to Dr. Robert Nelsen for his numerous, significant contributions to the success of our intercollegiate athletic program.  We run our program each and every day on the premise that academics always come first, and Dr. Nelsen's efforts on our behalf have been tireless, innovative and extremely productive.  We will miss him greatly, but at the same time wish him the very best as he pursues his new opportunity at UT-Pan American." said director of athletics Tim Fitzpatrick.