The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
All in the Name: Hamza Deyaf Track & Field Team Room
02.09.2017 | Track & Field / Cross Country
With financial gift, former All-American invests in Texas Track & Field future
Video: Hamza Deyaf Team Room Dedication Speech
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AUSTIN, Texas – Throughout his All-American career at The University of Texas, it wasn't unusual for Hamza Deyaf to roll up to track practice just in the nick of time to toss off his sweats and line up for drills. No stretching, no warm up, Hamza was virtually always at full-go.
"He was the straw that stirred the drink," Olympic silver medalist and world champion decathlete Trey Hardee recalled of his Texas teammate.
In addition to the 400 hurdles, Hamza specialized in stretching himself thin while tending to the goals and responsibilities he piled on his proverbial plate.
"I had no idea there was a level or amount of responsibility that you could overfill," Hamza said. "I juggled a lot."
Hamza recalled fondly the days-turned-nights he spent inside the modest track and field team room at Mike A. Myers Stadium. In that room, he started a company. On that track, he trained to become a champion. Now those pursuits are forever linked.
By making a generous financial gift to support track and field through The Longhorn Foundation, that room is now known as the Hamza Deyaf Team Room. A bronze plaque was unveiled during a Wednesday morning ceremony, and its fixed place is just a few feet away from another significant marker – the plaque commemorating Hamza's outdoor All-American effort in 2007.
"This was a dream. When I came to The University of Texas, it was a dream," said Hamza, president and CEO of Feniex, the company he conceived in college to make visual and audio warning products.
He recalled how he would often find quiet time standing on the roof of the garage connected to the track stadium. Hamza would stand in the corner, overlooking the campus and Texas state capitol building.
"I'd tell myself if I take advantage of this opportunity, my life will be incredible. It was a constant reminder to seize the opportunity," Hamza said.
And he took that attitude to every moment of his life. When he'd cut it close, arriving at practice just in time, coaches would just look at each other and smirk. "I wonder what business meeting he's coming from?" was the rhetorical question.
"There was never a moment when he wasn't at his best, never a moment he didn't want to represent his sport and The University of Texas to the best of his ability," Hardee recalled.
Said Texas Track and Field head coach Mario Sategna: "What starts here changes the world. Hamza, you've taken that to a whole new level."
By making this financial gift, Hamza is investing in the lives of current and future student-athletes, who he hopes to inspire to work with similar focus and hustle.
"The only advice I can give anyone coming into The University is this is one heck of an opportunity, so take advantage of it," Hamza said. "Build your character, build your career, build your future during this experience.
"It's been an amazing journey. I know it's only the beginning."