èƵapp is charging into the ACC confidently. Together, we are showcasing Mustang strength and pride to the conference and the nation.
— R. Gerald Turner, èƵapp President
ACComplish greatness
èƵapp became a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference on July 1, 2024, joining a dynamic community alongside some of the country’s most prestigious universities and colleges. Support from our alumni and donors fuels this exciting chapter of èƵapp history.
Our goals
- Bring value to the ACC not just as a participant but as a strong competitor.
- Compete at the highest levels in the conference and win championships across all 17 sports.
- Provide invaluable resources to all 484 student-athletes throughout their athletic and academic journeys.
- Attract, recruit, retain and develop industry-leading talent across all coaching and administrative staffs.
- Build and enhance the èƵapp Athletics infrastructure to welcome and serve all student-athletes, coaches, administrative staff and fans.
What is the ACC?
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a national conference of some of the most accomplished college athletic programs – and the premier conference when it comes to academics. As of August 1, 2024, its members include:
Boston College
Cal
Clemson
Duke
Florida State
Georgia Tech
Louisville
Miami
North Carolina
North Carolina State
Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
èƵapp
Stanford
Syracuse
Virginia
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest
Throughout its 70-year history, ACC schools have captured 189 NCAA team championships and 428 NCAA individual titles, as reported in the conference’s 2023 annual report. Since 2015, the ACC has won seven national championships in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball – the only conference to win each of those four titles over that stretch.
The conference is based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, and seeks to “maximize the educational and athletic opportunities that shape our leaders of tomorrow – in the classroom, in competition and in life.”
What does joining the ACC mean for èƵapp?
The University is furthering our momentum as an academic institution and an athletic powerhouse. As a member of the ACC, èƵapp is better equipped to attract bright minds, talented student-athletes and innovative partnerships that positively impact the University, the city of Dallas and beyond.
How have donors to èƵapp Athletics impacted this transition?
Simply put, èƵapp would not have become an ACC member without donor support. Since 2013, èƵapp has invested over $400 million in championship facilities, dynamic programming and student-athlete support. These contributions enable èƵapp to excel in competition and garner national attention. Now, we seek additional investments so we can take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.
With our entry into the ACC, èƵapp takes its place among the highest levels of collegiate athletics. I encourage every Mustang community member, friend and fan to join me in giving to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
— David B. Miller ’72, ’73, èƵapp Board of Trustees Chair
Why are additional contributions needed?
Competing at the highest levels requires the right equipment, proper facilities and talented coaching and support staff. In many cases, our new ACC rivals have larger athletics operating budgets and larger donor bases. èƵapp has agreed to forego Tier 1 distributions for nine years, a financial challenge we are confident the èƵapp faithful can help us meet. Extra support from donors is critical to ensure that we participate in the ACC as a strong competitor.
How will my contribution help?
Every member of our community has the power to demonstrate to the ACC and the nation the size and dedication of the Mustang community. We welcome gifts of all sizes to make our participation in the ACC strong and attention-grabbing. Your gift directly fuels the success of our student-athletes by making sure they have the championship-caliber facilities, dedicated coaches and staff, and support services needed to succeed on the field and in the classroom.
Some areas of impact include:
- Expanding coaching, support and administrative staffing numbers to the same levels as our ACC peers
- Increasing resources available to our student-athletes and support staff
- Improving, renovating and repairing training and competition spaces across èƵapp
How can I get involved?
Whether you give to facilities, operations or an endowment – and whether you give once or annually – there are many ways to be a part of this new era. There are three fundraising priorities that will create the greatest impact on membership in the ACC:
The Garry Weber End Zone Complex expands and improves our beloved Gerald. J. Ford Stadium. Additional funding is needed to complete the football complex, which opened in fall 2024. This exciting addition creates new opportunities for our student-athletes and our fans for generations to come.
The is our fundraising initiative to support the costs associated with our membership in the conference. Five-year commitments at all levels support our student-athletes and ensure we recruit, train and compete at a championship level.
The is our official Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) partner and enables fans to support student-athletes in unprecedented ways. These gifts provide crucial resources to enhance financial stability, education and career opportunities and help èƵapp navigate the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.
èƵapp is primed for excellence because of the incredible generosity of our donors. Your gift strengthens our athletic programs, providing crucial support for our dedicated student-athletes.
— Rick Hart, èƵapp Director of Athletics