AGGIE LEGEND BILLY PICKARD DIES
A legendary name in Aggie football history has died.
Billy Pickard died early Monday morning at the age of 81 after suffering a stroke.
Pickard’s affiliation with Texas A&M began in the fall of 1952 as a freshman in the Corps of Cadets, then later became a student football trainer under coach “Bear” Bryant.
Pickard served as the athletic trainer at Port Arthur, Nederland and Brazosport High Schools.
Pickard was hired as head athletic trainer at A&M in 1965 by then athletic director and head football coach Gene Stallings. He went on to work for 10 A&M football coaches in all. And although he retired in 2009, Pickard remained a regular at the football complex and attended last Thursday’s practice.
Last fall marked Pickard’s 50th Aggie football two-a-days, and every Friday before home games Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin had Pickard address the squad.
In 2004, the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association named Pickard to the organization’s Hall of Honor. He was honored in 2009 with Billy Pickard Day at Kyle Field.
Funeral services for Billy Pickard are pending.