A Longhorn at heart: Beach Volleyball's Ava Patton
Representing her hometown and continuing her father’s legacy is a source of immense pride for both Ava and her family.
Alex Kunze
3/28/2025
Growing up, Ava Patton dreamed of representing the Burnt Orange and White—a symbol of UT pride and tradition. “My sister [Carys Patton] and I dressed up as UT cheerleaders for Halloween when we were little, my family always goes to football games and other sporting events, so I’ve always loved Texas,” Ava says.
More than just a school she adored, The University of Texas represented family and legacy. Her father, James Patton, was a standout defensive lineman for Texas Football from 1988-91, earning first-team All-Southwest Conference honors twice, second-team All-American honors, and was tabbed the Longhorns' Most Valuable Player as a senior. He was selected in the second-round (55th overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and was a member of back-to-back AFC Championship teams that advanced to the Super Bowl his first two years in the league (1992 and 1993).
Ava wanted nothing more than to be a Texas Longhorn, but one major obstacle stood in her way: UT didn’t have a beach volleyball team at the time of her commitment. Determined to continue her athletic career, the Austin native chose to stay in-state and compete for TCU’s beach volleyball team in 2023. Despite being three hours away in Fort Worth, her love for UT never wavered. “During my freshman year at TCU, I would come to Austin as much as I could to watch football games or just to be with my family,” she recalls.
After her freshman season with the Horned Frogs, Ava received news that would change everything–Texas was starting a beach volleyball program. Though she had already planned for her sophomore year at TCU, the opportunity to play at Texas was too significant to pass up. “I knew I had to enter the transfer portal for the chance to play at Texas,” she says. Her family was overjoyed that she was coming home to fulfill her childhood dream.
Ava is following in her father’s footsteps in more ways than one. Beyond athletics, she has also been inspired by his career path. “My dad started his own business, so the idea of creating something of my own is really exciting to me.” Patton is studying management on the entrepreneurship track at the McCombs School of Business, where she is taking courses that will help her achieve her next big goal. She is passionate about building something from the ground up, and believes UT provides the perfect foundation for success. “Texas gives you so many opportunities to learn, both academically and athletically,” Patton shares. “UT is committed to preparing its athletes not only for elite competition, but also for life after sports.” She highlights the workshops, classes, and events through the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute as key components of her enriching experience at Texas.
Patton also values the sense of community among student-athletes. She appreciates the family-like atmosphere that UT fosters, where places like the Texas Athletics Nutrition Center (TANC) and the Student-Athlete Academic Center provide hubs for connection. “With over 550 student-athletes, there is always a chance to meet someone new and build relationships that will last long after college,” she says.
Ava recognizes that Texas’ elite athletic culture is made possible by the generosity of Longhorn Foundation donors. “Everything we accomplish as athletes is a reflection of what our donors have done for us,” she emphasizes. These student-athletes are not just competing for themselves—they are driven by the desire to honor those who have supported their journeys.
Longhorn Foundation donors play a pivotal role in shaping the student-athlete experience, providing access to world-class facilities and resources. “I appreciate and am thankful for our donors in the Longhorn Foundation. Without them, student-athletes wouldn’t have the incredible experience that we do,” Patton says. She, like many other Texas student-athletes, is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of the Longhorn Foundation.
Everything we accomplish as athletes is a reflection of what our donors have done for us.Ava Patton
Ava Patton’s path to Texas was not what she initially envisioned. From beginning her collegiate career in Fort Worth to ultimately returning home, she made her dream a reality through perseverance and dedication. Representing her hometown and continuing her father’s legacy is a source of immense pride for both Ava and her family.
Patton is forever grateful that she was, is, and always will be a Texas Longhorn.
