Red McCombs, longtime supporter of UT athletics and academics, passes away at 95
Red McCombs, a titanic figure in the University of Texas landscape, in the state of Texas, and the sports world, has passed away at the age of 95.
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Born in Spur, Texas in 1927, McCombs became an important benefactor of the University of Texas system. The UT-Austin business school was named the McCombs School of Business in his honor following a $50 million gift to the school in May of 2000. In addition, McCombs was a longtime supporter of UT athletics with the late 2000s north end zone expansion, the Red McCombs Red Zone, named in his honor.
McCombs was honored as a distinguished alumnus by the Texas Exes in 1998.
McCombs was not just a major character in the University of Texas world. Thanks to his exploits as one of the most successful auto dealership operators in Texas, McCombs was integral in bringing the NBA’s Spurs to San Antonio via a business agreement with the Dallas Chaparrals in 1975.
After selling his stake in the Spurs, McCombs was an owner of the Denver Nuggets until 1985. Thirteen years later, he bought the Minnesota Vikings. He held onto the NFL franchise for several years before selling the team prior to the 2005 season.
More recently in Central Texas, McCombs was an investor into the Circuit of the Americas, a grand prix automobile racing track just outside the Austin city limits. Turn one of the track was named “Big Red” in honor of McCombs.
His support of education was not limited to UT-Austin. He was chairman of the trustees of Southwestern University and the chairman of UT’s M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
A 1950 graduate of the University of Texas, McCombs was preceded in death by Charline, his wife of almost 70 years.
