Friday, Oct 31, 2025 • Cristal Gonzalez : Contact

The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $2 million commitment from alumnus and former football student-athlete J. Ron Young ('67 BA, History)—the largest single philanthropic pledge ever made to UTA Athletics.

“I really enjoyed my time on campus, and I loved playing football at UTA. This is my way of giving back,” Young said. “I really want to help the athletic program get to the next level.”

Young’s gift will support the Athletics Excellence Fund, ensuring that student-athletes have the resources they need to succeed on the field and in the classroom for years to come.

“Athletics is a powerful draw for many in our Maverick alumni community, who always have been champions for UTA excellence,” said UTA President Jennifer Cowley. “We are so thankful for alumni like Ron, who believe—as we do—that investing in our shared dreams helps build a brighter future for all Mavericks.”

Young, a Fort Worth native, arrived on campus in 1964 and quickly made his mark as a standout wide receiver, setting records before concluding his collegiate career in 1966. After earning a law degree from the University of Houston, he went on to establish a successful legal career, founding the law firm Young & Brooks in 1978. In recognition of his outstanding achievements as a former football student-athlete, Young was inducted into the UTA Athletics Hall of Honor in March 2025.

“We are incredibly grateful for Ron’s generosity and unwavering support of UTA Athletics,” UTA Athletics Director Jon Fagg said. “This extraordinary gift will have a lasting impact on our student-athletes, coaches and the entire department.”

Young’s pledge follows a record-setting 2024–25 fundraising year for UTA Athletics—the second consecutive year of historic giving. The Maverick Club, which drives philanthropic support for UTA Athletics, saw a 102% increase in annual fund contributions, a 152% increase in major gifts fundraising and a 280% increase in total dollars raised.

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 univer-sity, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has re-ceived the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, consid-ered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.