The former Naval aviator will be honored when Texas Football hosts Kansas
Tammie Jo Shults grew up in New Mexico with two parents she describes as "practical and hard-working." They were hands-on ranchers, and that often kept them in the field instead of cheering in the bleachers during Shults' track meets.
Shults was actually empowered by their absence and commitment to their trade. She wasn't competing for the applause of others.
"You do what you set your mind to, and I did track because I wanted to," Shults said.
That deep understanding of motive and merit provided the stable foundation to Shults' uncharted career as a Naval aviator.