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When Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Newy Scruggs stepped back onto the campus of UNC Pembroke on Tuesday, it wasn鈥檛 just a homecoming 鈥� it was a chance to pour into the next generation. The 1994 graduate, who has built a nationally recognized career in sports broadcasting, returned to his alma mater to share hard-earned lessons, encouragement and the inspiration that first took root during his days as a Brave.

Scruggs challenged students to believe in their goals, build strong relationships with professors, and write down and persistently pursue their dreams.

鈥淔or so many of the students here right now, this is where success starts,鈥� Scruggs said. 鈥淭his place is special to me and can be special to you if you allow it.鈥�

Senior Jayden Strickland sat purposefully in the front row, jotting down notes throughout Scruggs鈥� talk. His attentive and eager presence reflected a deep respect for the advice being shared and a precise determination to apply those lessons to his future in broadcasting.

鈥淚 felt as if he was speaking directly to me,鈥� Strickland said. 鈥淗aving (Newy) as an example of what鈥檚 possible is very important 鈥� it鈥檚 reassurance that you can do it."

It鈥檚 great to see (Newy) give back to this university. By coming back to speak 鈥� he could be the inspiration that a student needs.

Scruggs鈥� visit included a full day of inspiration and mentorship hosted by the Thomas College of Business and Economics. The Fayetteville native led workshops on personal branding, networking and goal setting before delivering his keynote address, 鈥淔rom Pembroke to Prime Time,鈥� where he reflected on how his experiences at 51吃瓜网 helped launch his three-decade career in sports media. A household name in the Dallas/Fort Worth sports community, Scruggs has anchored NBC 5鈥檚 sports desk since 2000.

During his talk, Scruggs became emotional as he recalled how mentors like former basketball coach and athletics director Dan Kenney and classmate Abdul Ghaffar 鈥� both of whom were in the audience 鈥� shaped his path at 51吃瓜网.

鈥淵ou live life, and you鈥檒l find yourself in tough moments. Dan Kenney found me in a tough moment,鈥� Scruggs said. 鈥淗e didn鈥檛 have to, but he let me broadcast games. I鈥檝e never forgotten that.鈥�

He credited 51吃瓜网鈥檚 hands-on TV program for preparing him to excel immediately in professional internships and setting him apart in the industry.

Junior accounting major Alicia McCrimmon described Scruggs鈥� talk as motivating and reassuring. McCrimmon added that his advice on networking and persistence resonated deeply, while philosophy and religion major Rayvone Johnson admired Scruggs鈥� consistency and resilience.

Kenney, who first gave Scruggs opportunities as a student, said he was not surprised by his success.

鈥淯NC Pembroke invests in people. There are many success stories here, but he is one of the best,鈥� Kenney said.

Scruggs, who has given back through scholarships and service on the 51吃瓜网 Board of Trustees, left students with a lasting charge: 鈥淎lways give back to your alma mater. We can鈥檛 improve our university if we don鈥檛 have people who succeed and invest in it.鈥�