By Jaci Schneider, Copy Editor

NFL sportscaster Pat Summerall will visit the university Tuesday and speak at a luncheon at 11:45 a.m. in the Teague Special Events Center.

Summerall is well-known for his NFL telecasts with John Madden, former coach of the Oakland Raiders on the TV networks Fox and CBS. He used to be the kicker for the New York Giants, has struggled with alcoholism and has been through a liver transplant, according to the Alumni Association Web site.

A member of the Board of Trustees knows Summerall and had the idea of bringing him to campus, said Amber Peck, director of Alumni Relations, in an e-mail.

“He told us Pat had a great story and helped us arrange to bring him here,” Peck said.

Summerall will not charge the university a speaking fee, Peck said. Instead, he asked the university to donate the money to a charity of his choice.

Peck said the luncheon is open to everyone who purchases a ticket, and students, faculty and area-alumni were invited to the event.

“One of the reasons you attend college is for exposure to a variety of ideas and opinions, so you can learn critical thinking skills,” Peck said. “Students should take advantage of these opportunities to broaden their horizon.”

The last day for purchasing tickets for the event was Tuesday.

A.J. Smith, senior political science major from Pampa, said he grew up listening to Summerall commentate on football games.

“He was like the voice of football for me,” Smith said. “He has the most recognizable voice of Sunday afternoons.”