Fred Graham

Fred O. Graham (’57), Denton, served as North Texas’ first sports information director from 1959 to 1981, died Feb. 24. He was instrumental in promoting UNT athletics and some of the most successful teams in school history. He credited his wife, Sidney Sue Smith Graham (’57), with originating the nickname “Mean Green,” which he first used in a press release in reference to the football team’s defensive unit in 1967. He went on to serve as general manager of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and worked for the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys. He was inducted into the UNT Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.

Fred O. Graham (’57), Denton, served as North Texas’ first sports information director from 1959 to 1981, died Feb. 24. He was instrumental in promoting UNT athletics and some of the most successful teams in school history. He credited his wife, Sidney Sue Smith Graham (’57), with originating the nickname “Mean Green,” which he first used in a press release in reference to the football team’s defensive unit in 1967. He went on to serve as general manager of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and worked for the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys. He was inducted into the UNT Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.