The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorn luminary: Red McCombs
07.08.2009 | Longhorn Foundation
July 8, 2009
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AUSTIN, Texas -- It's easy to feel Red McCombs' presence on The University of Texas campus. Mostly, because it's easy to see.
His name adorns several buildings, from the Red McCombs School of Business to the Red and Charline McCombs Softball Field, and now, most recently, the expansive Red McCombs Red Zone at Darrell K Royal -Texas Memorial Stadium.
McCombs' history of generosity with UT is inspired by his long-standing love affair with the place - a relationship that was sparked not by the eyes, but heart.
"I fell in love with this place long before I ever saw it," McCombs says. "What is there not to like about something that makes you feel like that?"
So, as a mere teenager growing up in the middle of World War II, McCombs persuaded his mother to let him hitchhike from Corpus Christi to Austin.
And he was hooked. Instantly.
"I knew I wanted to see this jewel, and when I got here, it was bigger than life to me," McCombs said.
McCombs went on to study business and law at UT during the 1940s, but left early because he had a skill set that worked on Main Street as well as Wall Street. By the 1950s, McCombs was all of 25 when he owned his first auto dealership and his first sports franchise, the Corpus Christi Clippers, a minor league baseball team in the old Big State League.
He went on to own NFL and NBA teams, with his headquarters in nearby San Antonio. Today, McCombs' business endeavors range from golf course design to the high-tech field.
Never once, though, did McCombs' heart stray from the Forty Acres.
"From border to border in Texas, from the smallest town to the biggest city, from the smallest family-run business to the biggest corporate operation, you'll find the influence of The University of Texas," McCombs says. "I have always been aware of the contribution it makes to the state of Texas, and, indeed, far beyond that."
And, because of that, McCombs has always been inspired to give back to The University. It started 12 years ago, when he gave the women's athletics program its largest-ever single donation -- $3 million to build a state-of-the-art stadium for what was then a fairly new varsity sport.
"Red and Charline continue to help UT change people, who then go out and change the world," Women's Athletics Director Chris Plonsky says. "They believe in providing opportunity and education. They appreciate standards of excellence. They made a statement by supporting our Softball program in its nascent stage.
"UT rises higher every day because of their generosity."
In 2000, McCombs donated $50 million to the UT School of Business to help it maintain its elite standard among other nationally-ranked institutions. Most recently, McCombs signed another multi-million dollar check to help the Longhorns renovate Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium with a new north end addition - now referred to as the Red McCombs Red Zone.
"Red has always been one of our biggest fans and contributors, and he has made a difference in how this department is viewed all across the country," UT Men's Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds says. "His generosity has made us better in every aspect of what we do."
McCombs' reach extend beyond athletics and the Austin campus, as well. He's been involved for many years in keeping the MD Anderson Cancer Center one of the world's best facilities.
"When I'm on campus, it's always a feeling of exhilaration, because I allow my mind to wander and think about what all is happening behind these walls, all across The University," McCombs says. "When they say, "What starts here, changes the world," it's just so very real.
"The University of Texas is something I love being part of, because it's very much a part of me."
The Red McCombs File
- Born Billy Joe "Red" McCombs in Spur, Texas, in 1927
- Briefly attended Southwestern University and played lineman and receiver on the football team before serving in the Army in 1946 and 1947
- Enrolled at The University of Texas after completing his Army service
- Owned his first auto dealership at 25, and four years later was the country's youngest Edsel dealer
- Moved to San Antonio in 1958 and began constructing the Red McCombs Automotive Group
- Formed Clear Channel Communications in 1972
- Purchased the San Antonio Spurs in 1972 and the Denver Nuggets in 1985
- Purchased the Minnesota Vikings in 1998
- Married to Charline with three daughters, Lynda, Marsha and Connie
