The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas Lottery Veteran Recognition: Allan Mazurak
09.11.2026 | Longhorn Sports Properties / Learfield
The retired U.S. Army Reserve nurse and combat medic will be honored when Texas Football hosts Ohio State on Sept. 12.
Allan Mazurak faithfully served with the U.S. Army Reserve from 2010-18 and was mobilized for a combat deployment in 2012. Trained as a combat medic, licensed practical nurse and respiratory specialist, Mazurak deployed to Afghanistan and delivered lifesaving care to patients with battlefield injuries.
Whether deployed overseas or in stateside military hospital settings, Mazurak's service was characterized by calm under pressure, compassionate clinical competence and commitment to mission success. His example of values becoming behaviors and purpose-oriented leadership is also a testament to how an individual flourishes in proverbial 'iron sharpens iron' environments.
"Joining the Army changed my life, for sure," Mazurak said. "To be honest, I grew up very average. I never really wanted to challenge myself. The Army allowed me to get out of my comfort zone, challenge myself and be around people who were doing the same thing. Everybody wanted to serve a bigger purpose, and that was so motivating, being around people who were pushing me and giving back."
Mazurak grew up in New Jersey and went to Rutgers University with the plan to become a dietitian. Facing his final-semester internship, Mazurak was uninspired by the corporate career path and considered the possibility of serving as an Army dietitian, but the Army recruiter suggested the medical path would provide a stronger foundation. Mazurak said this turned out to be the best advice, if for the simple fact that he met his future wife in the nursing program. And he also fell in love with nursing.
"I love being a nurse because of the multidisciplinary aspect. You get to do so many different things," Mazurak said. "I wouldn't say that I sought out nursing, but I am grateful to have a recruiter who was looking out for me in the beginning. I think it's important to find your purpose and your passion."
In August 2012, after completing combat medic training and the LPN program, Mazurak was notified by his Army Reserve unit that he was on the list to deploy. His first nursing assignment was with a Forward Surgical Team in Afghanistan. It was combat deployment; rockets overhead and indirect fire were part of the day-to-day at Mazurak's field hospital – a "Role 2" facility that provided rapid, resuscitative treatment in close proximity to the battlefield. Forward Surgical Teams would stabilize the wounded patients before they could be airlifted to higher-level treatment centers.
Mazurak's unit consisted of 15 members and a core group of medics, nurses and surgical techs. They cross-trained to provide initial trauma stabilization in a surgical, intensive care facility. "I was the least experienced person, but my unit really welcomed me, and that had a big impact on me because I was able to learn so much in that experience," said Mazurak, who served as an LPN.
After-action reviews were key to Mazurak's development. The team regularly reflected on previous cases identifying what worked, what could be improved and what lessons they should learn.
"I try to carry that forward," Mazurak said. "If you prepare, that lessens anxiety. The more preparation you can do, it takes the stress down."
Mazurak medically retired in 2018 and completed his education to become a registered nurse. He organized study sessions with classmates and saw the joy of learning when school and the classroom are not about competition but supporting each other to succeed. Mazurak sought teaching opportunities to create those uplifting situations for more students.
In 2022, Mazurak joined St. Philip's College in San Antonio as an adjunct faculty member and now serves as a full-time faculty member at Northeast Lakeview College, where Mazurak helped build the curriculum and launch the school's nursing program in 2025. The compassion and curiosity that guided Mazurak's nursing practice directly translates to his classroom leadership and mentorship.
"The great part of being in education is connecting to the students and developing their passion for why they want to be a nurse," Mazurak said. "I love the stories." Often, Mazurak said, students will have family members who experienced excellent medical care at the hands of a comforting nurse, which inspires them to offer the same to others.
Mazurak is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at The University of Texas at Austin, and he also continues to serve and volunteer as the regional nurse lead for the American Red Cross. Exposure to disaster relief efforts motivated Mazurak's quality improvement project, a significant component of his doctoral program. This semester, Mazurak will begin integrating disaster preparedness into UT's undergraduate nursing curriculum with the aim of improving confidence and readiness among nurses in the field.
In 2026, Mazurak was named a Pat Tillman Scholar, one of the nation's most prestigious honors for military veterans and service members who demonstrate exceptional leadership and scholarship.
"My why is impact. Hopefully I can have a positive impact and be a positive influence," Mazurak said. "Education allows me to be that force multiplier and help people in positive ways, either through teaching, nursing or the Red Cross. It all ties together."
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 $308 million to the Fund for Veterans' Assistance.
Since 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated more than $43 billion in revenue for the state of Texas. Through strict adherence to its 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.
