Shawn Smith's pledge rooted in coaching staff's values

"I actually received an email about Coach (Billy) Kennedy's illness from him personally. I got it while I was at work and I immediately read it."

What it convinced her, Shaundra Page explained, was that there was nothing to fear about the coach's situation at Texas A&M.

"It talked about how he wasn't going to let it affect his job and how he wouldn't give up on the kids and the program. And that he wants to fight through what ever comes his way," she added.