The H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports would not exist were it not for the financial support of The Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation of Orange, Texas. Our first task, in order to create the Center was to raise the funds to construct it. The Foundation provided two construction gifts, totaling $5.5 million. Those contributions allowed us to transform the empty concrete slab given to us by the University of Texas into the beautiful and functional library and museum that the Center is today. In return, the University agreed to honor H.J. Lutcher Stark–founder of the Stark Foundation, the longest-serving UT regent, benefactor of Longhorn athletics, and proponent of physical culture — by naming the entire facility in his honor. When the Stark Foundation made its second construction gift, The University further honored Miriam and William, Lutcher’s grandparents, by naming the Stark Center’s Conference room in their honor.

In 2017, the Stark Foundation again helped us, by committing an additional $1.5M to the Stark Center to allow it to launch its permanent endowment campaign. Paid out over five years, the grant helps cover salary costs and thus allows us to work on building long-term endowment funds that will help the Center continue on into the future. We are deeply grateful to Stark Foundation CEO Clyde (Tad) McKee, Chairman of the Board Walter Riedel, and the other members of the Board of Directors of the Stark Foundation for their belief in our mission and their commitment to the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center. They have been amazing partners.