TICKETS THE CLASSIC FAN ZONE AT&T STADIUM MEDIA PORTAL
NEWS RELEASES
FORMER COTTON BOWL CHAIRMAN PASSES AWAY
Earls Presents Alabama Coach Mike Shula with the 2006 Field Scovell Trophy
A True Gentlemen and Leader… Gone But Not Forgotten!
The Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic lost a dear friend on Thursday, April 12, when Gayle M. Earls, the 34th Chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, passed away after a lengthy illness.
Earls was Chairman from 2004-06. In his position as Chairman, he coordinated all facets of the CBAA’s business affairs, including key negotiations with conference and television partners. He served on the Board of Directors for eight years and as an Executive Committee member for six years before becoming Chairman.
“Gayle was such special person,” CBAA president Rick Baker said. “He was a great ambassador for the Classic, a true friend to so many and a tremendous leader in our community.”
A graduate of Texas Tech University, Earls served as President and Chief Executive Officer of TIB-The Independent BankersBank in Dallas until his retirement. Gayle was a member of numerous national and state banking organizations, including the Federal Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank in Washington, DC, representing the 11th Federal Reserve District.
Mr. Earls was the first elected Chairman of the Texas Tech Banking School Advisory Council and was a member of the Advisory Council of the Bank Operations Institute at Texas A&M-Commerce. In 1994, his alma mater honored him with the prestigious Texas Tech University College of Business Administration Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Gayle is survived by his wife, Dolores, and his two children, Brenda and Kelly, and five grandchildren.
He will be missed by all.
