The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorn Foundation Donor Spotlight: Marcus Myers
06.07.2012 | Longhorn Foundation
June 7, 2012
The tunnel is one of the most iconic images of the Texas vs. Oklahoma football rivalry. One half of the Cotton Bowl is roaring with cheers, while the other half is as equally loud with jeers.
For Longhorn Foundation donor, Marcus Myers, the run out of the tunnel is more than just an image, it is a feeling he describes as "like no other."
"When you enter the Cotton Bowl, there's fans all over the fairgrounds and OU fans, young and old, are cursing at you and beating on the bus as you drive through," Myers said. "Coming out of the tunnel, all the hair on your body stands up and chills go through you. When you finally empty out onto the field, you're right in OU's end zone and the place just goes nuts. Split straight down the middle. Half burnt-orange and half whatever that ugly color is they wear. There's nothing like it."
Myers participated in several Red River Rivalry games as a player for the Longhorn Football team. A member of the 2002 recruiting class that included the likes of Vince Young, Aaron Ross, David Thomas and Justin Blalock, just to name a few, Myers would go on to achieve Academic All-Big 12 honors as well as participate in a Big 12 Championship, Rose Bowl Championship and BCS National Championship before graduating from UT in 2006.
"It was great being a part of that class," he said. "We knew we had something really special early in our group, and so for us to finally go on to win a national championship, it meant a lot. That's what we came to Texas for and we were able to achieve that goal."
Myers made the transition from player to spectator, and now joins the more than 100,000 burnt-orange clad fans supporting the 'Horns from the stands on game days at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
"(Former teammate) Drew Kelson and I joke all the time about how often we have to bite our tongues because we feel we have a bit more invested than the average fan," Myers said. "Don't get me wrong, we know how faithful Longhorn Nation is, but there's something a tad different when you've played and then have to just sit back and watch and even listen when you're in the stands."
The dedication UT fans showed Myers and his teammates is why he felt it was important to make his own contributions to his alma mater.
"On the field, we knew we would always have the best facilities, equipment and coaching staff and I think that is a direct result of The Longhorn Foundation's efforts," Myers said. "Off the field, we were afforded numerous opportunities to meet influential people in all different aspects of life."
"I think just knowing that there were people that gave their time and money for me to be afforded the opportunities I was afforded made me want to essentially pay it forward for the student-athletes that followed me," he said. "The most rewarding part, for me, is being able to attempt to show my appreciation for all the wonderful people that helped me succeed in my time at Texas."
Until recently, Myers worked as an academic advisor for the College of Business at UT-Arlington while earning his Master's Degree in Business Administration. He was tasked with assisting the university's student-athletes as well.
"I joked with (UT Football academic staff) Brian Davis and Mrs. (Jean) Bryant about how I now know what they went through with us as student-athletes," he said.
Throughout the year, Myers can be spotted at various Texas Exes and Longhorn Club events around the Dallas/Fort Worth area and catching up with former teammates and coaches in Austin whenever he can.
Aside from his involvement with UT, he also volunteers for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Arlington and is an active member of St. John Baptist Church in neighboring Grand Prairie.
"I've been fortunate to meet a lot of great people in my time at Texas as well as my time since, and we certainly share a strong bond and sense of pride," Myers said. "I'm a Longhorn through and through, down to the Burnt Orange Texas Exes license plates on my truck. I do my best to represent the University of Texas wherever I go. Hook 'Em!"