The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas Lottery Veteran Recognition: Richard Costa
09.05.2025 | Longhorn Sports Properties / Learfield
The former U.S. Army Sergeant will be honored when Texas Football hosts San Jose State on Sept. 6.
Richard Costa served in the United States Army for 10 years; for eight of those years, he marched with the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, better known as "The Old Guard," the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the Army.
The Old Guard is the Army's official ceremonial unit; however, the responsibility is hardly ceremonial.
"Our job," Costa said, "was to honor the fallen."
In that capacity with the regiment, Costa participated in more than 3,000 military honors as pallbearer and firing party commander. Costa escorted caskets and executed flag folds with the precision that distinguishes Old Guard soldiers, yet the discipline, rigidity and impeccable uniform disguised the deeply felt emotion of each memorial and honor. Costa and his Old Guard brethren coped with the sincerity and enormity of their task with togetherness, camaraderie and the shared experience of working together for a common good.
"In the Army, I was like everybody's big brother," Costa said. "I always liked to help, and it started feeling great to help people."
Costa grew up in Northern California, and his early years consisted of trying to fit in while wanting to find a way out. Still in high school, Costa visited several military recruiting offices and the Army was willing to open a door to a new start. Costa passed through the screening tests and when asked what field he wanted to work in, Costa said whichever field would get him on the next plane.
"That's how I ended up in infantry training," Costa said.
Costa took quickly to the military's structure and order, expectations and accountability; even the intense drill sergeants barked harsh commands in a way that conveyed love and awakened Costa to an inner identity meant for more than the violence and pain that shaded his childhood.
"Those drill sergeants were really just big teddy bears. They helped me grow," Costa said. "The Army gave me a chance at life."
Costa, then, took to heart the opportunity to serve with the Old Guard and honor those who had lost their lives. Costa said he did not want to leave the Army, but his body told him otherwise. After serving from 1988 to 1998, including two years in the Berlin Brigade infantry, and achieving the rank of sergeant E-5, Costa decided to transition out of the military.
Costa worked with a sheriff's department in Virginia, still finding purpose in the uniform and sense of duty, and later stretched his skills running a locksmith shop in Oregon. For the past 17 years, Costa has served as a construction planning project manager at The University of Texas at Austin.
"There is a big difference between military and civilian life," Costa said. The absence of community or a bonded unit often leaves many veterans feeling lost and unsure of where to turn for support. After years of suppressing emotion and compartmentalizing hurt, Costa relies on therapy and group sessions to manage depression and PTSD.
Costa has created a team of family around him at UT, and he's working diligently on campus to form a hub of connection and resources for veterans and their families. He currently serves as chair for UT's Military Veteran Faculty and Staff Association, which helps the approximately 680 veterans on campus navigate military benefits and services. Costa also mentors soldiers looking for change or needing guidance through their transitions.
Empathy is Costa's uniform now; helping others is forever the call of duty.
"I've lost too many brothers to suicide," Costa said. "Reaching out, sharing information … we don't want anyone to give up because they feel like they have no support."
Thanks to the Texas Lottery, great things are happening all across Texas. The Texas Lottery consistently contributes nearly $2 billion of lottery revenue each year to good causes like public education and veterans' assistance programs. Beginning with the first veterans' dedicated scratch ticket game in 2009, the Texas Lottery has now contributed over $277 million to the Fund for Veterans' Assistance.
Since 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated more than $41 billion in revenue for the state of Texas. Through strict adherence to their vision, mission and core values, the Texas Lottery is dedicated to ensuring that this support continues. The Texas Lottery's functions and activities are administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating a broad range of professions, occupations and industries in Texas.
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