Texas A&M's R.C. Slocum To Receive 2014 Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award

HOUSTON, Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Heart Association, beneficiary of the 28^th annual Marathon Oil Corporation Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards, announced today that R.C. Slocum, one of the longest-serving and winningest football coaches in Texas A&M history, will be named recipient of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award.  The award will be presented at the annual event on Jan. 15, 2014 in Houston.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130916/DC80430)

After his last season at Texas A&M in 2002, Slocum had compiled a career record of 123-47-2 (.721).  The 123 victories in his first 14 years ranks eighth all-time and puts him in the company of coaching legends such as Barry Switzer (137), Tom Osborne (137), Steve Spurrier (132), Joe Paterno (131), LaVell Edwards (129), Amos Alonzo Stagg (128), and Bud Wilkerson (124) – many of whom have received recognition from the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards.

Slocum won six championships as head coach of the Aggies;  three SWC titles, two Big 12 South Division titles, and the 1998 Big 12 Conference Championship. He was league Coach of the Year four times and was runner up for National Coach of the Year honors in 1994. His teams went to 11 bowl games with five of those being New Year's Day bowls. On 10 occasions, the Aggies, under Slocum, finished ranked in the AP Top 25 and three times finished in the Top Ten.

First awarded in 2000, the Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the career accomplishments of some of college's finest football coaches.  The only award of its kind in the college football arena, the award highlights the outstanding achievements and extraordinary contributions that have reflected honor and sportsmanship to the game of football throughout the coach's career.

The Marathon Oil Corporation Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards, benefiting the American Heart Association, honor excellence in coaching while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke.  Bryant suffered a heart attack prior to his death in 1983. Funds raised benefit heart disease and stroke research, community education and outreach programs of the American Heart Association.

For more information on the Bryant Awards, or to purchase tickets or a table for the event, visit www.bryantawards.com or call 713-610-5000.

About American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. Our mission is to build healthier lives by preventing, treating and defeating these diseases – America's No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.heart.org.

About Marathon Oil Corporation
Marathon Oil Corporation is an international exploration and production company. Based in Houston, Texas, the Company had net proved reserves at the end of 2012 of 2 billion barrels of oil equivalent in North America, Europe and Africa. For more information, please visit the Company's website at http://www.marathonoil.com.

Media Contact:
Shelly White Millwee, American Heart Association
713-610-5041 or [email protected]

SOURCE American Heart Association