Fran Harris, WNBA champion, Shark Tank alum will deliver keynote at 2026 Moody College Graduation
Fran Harris, Moody College of Communication alumna, author and sports executive, will return to The University of Texas at Austin next month to speak to a crowd of thousands of students and their loved ones at the 2026 Moody College Graduation Ceremony.
During her time at UT, Harris majored in journalism and feels her academic career taught her to become the leader she was then and still is today. Harris served as captain and leading scorer of the Longhorns’ undefeated 1986 women’s basketball team, guiding them to a national championship. Following her graduation, she helped USA Basketball win gold, then later joined the WNBA in 1997 where she helped the Houston Comets secure their first championship title.
Harris says that returning to The University of Texas and Moody College as this year’s commencement speaker feels like a full-circle moment.
“Those years in the journalism school were some of my best UT years,” Harris said. “They helped shape me into a well-rounded communicator, journalist and broadcaster.”
While a student, she says some of her favorite moments on, and off, campus were shaped by athletics.
“I did important work around stereotypes and sports,” Harris said. “I did my thesis, ‘Nobody knows her name’ on the depiction of black women athletes in live sports telecasts. One of my favorite assignments was doing a paper and presentation on our trip to Washington D.C. and our visit to the White House after we won the 1986 title!”
Since retiring from professional sports, Harris has gone on to build a multifaceted career. She's a highly sought after keynote speaker, and Fortune 100 consultant, who has authored more than 20 books. She has appeared on more than 100 television networks and programs including Good Morning America, TODAY, CNBC and CNN.
As the co-founder of The Athletic Club sports facilities, Harris' mission is to help communities change the lives of young athletes through sports participation, technology and community engagement. Harris has enjoyed a 30-year sports announcing career, and in 2025 led efforts to bring a WNBA expansion team to Austin. In 2026, she launched EXALT, a girls and women’s basketball development league and platform headquartered in Austin.
Her ambitious career earned her the Texas Exes distinguished alumnus award in 2025. The award honors UT alumni who have distinguished themselves in their profession, community and through service to The University.
While she doesn’t want to give too much away regarding the message she plans to give students during the 2026 commencement ceremony, she does have a sound piece of advice for graduating seniors.
“Be well-rounded, both in written word and spoken word,” Harris said.
She says it’s important that communicators be able to both write serious pieces but also to have a sense of humor that will command a room.
The 2026 Moody College of Communication Graduation Ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 9 at the Moody Center. On Saturday evening, graduates are invited to attend the UT-wide commencement ceremony which includes the conferring of degrees by President Jim Davis, the traditional lighting of the Tower in orange to honor graduates and a fireworks display.
