Ushering in an exciting new addition to the Hilltop and Mustang Athletics, SMU celebrated the dedication of the new Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium on April 8, 2022. Led by a principal gift from Ray W. Washburne ’84 and Heather H. Washburne, the stadium was made possible by the University’s Mustang fans, generous donors and spirited alumni.
“Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium represents the kind of dedication and leadership that we strive to achieve on the Hilltop,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “We are incredibly grateful to the Washburnes and all of the donors who contributed to this important undertaking that fuels athletic excellence in SMU student-athletes and growing excitement in our Mustang fans.”
Washburne Stadium will act as the new home and spirit hub for SMU’s men’s and women’s soccer, as well as its cross-country and track and field teams. Featuring an updated track, conference room and private team locker rooms, the 2,577-capacity stadium offers Mustang fans a dynamic new environment to celebrate athletic events and cheer on the school’s teams, while supporting SMU’s student-athletes as they train for and pursue athletic distinction both on and off campus.
"My family feels honored to have Washburne Stadium bear our name, and we are excited to join our fellow Mustang fans in support of our school and its teams." — Ray Washburne ’84
The Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium remains true to the footprint of the legendary Westcott Field and Morrison-Bell outdoor track.
This gift builds on Ray Washburne’s longtime support for and volunteer leadership at SMU. Washburne received a bachelor’s degree in history from SMU and serves as CEO and president of Charter Holdings, a Dallas-based investment company involved in real estate, restaurants and diversified financial investments. At SMU, he has served as an adjunct professor in the Cox School of Business and on The Second Century Campaign Athletics Steering Committee, Mustang Club board, SMU Athletic Forum board, Cox School’s Folsom Institute for Real Estate advisory board and O’Neil Center for Global Markets and Freedom advisory board, John Goodwin Tower Center for Public Policy and International Affairs board of directors and Hegi Family Career Development Center committee.
Standout teams
Over the past 45 seasons, SMU men’s soccer has advanced to the NCAA Tournament 33 times, finishing 30 times in the Top 25. Men’s soccer has further captured 20 regular-season conference championships and 10 conference tournament titles, reaching the Elite Eight 13 times. The men’s soccer players’ solid academic performance record includes 15 all-time Academic All-American selections and 31 Academic All-District honors.
SMU women’s soccer teams have advanced to the NCAA Tournament 14 times, finishing in the Top 25 on 10 occasions. Women’s squads have captured 11 regular-season conference championships and seven conference tournament championships. Other accolades include six each All-American selections and AAC players of the year. The women’s soccer players’ strong classroom performance includes three student-athletes named to Academic All-American selections; nine honored by the College Sports Information Directors of America; and three named to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-Region.
Combined accolades for SMU’s cross-country and track and field teams include 12 conference team titles and 18 NCAA Top-25 finishes. During program history, the teams have brought 154 conference champions, 92 All-American selections and 17 NCAA individual national champions. Last year, women’s cross-country had the highest team GPA (3.645) for all Mustang women’s sports.
Ray W. Washburne ’84 and Heather Hill Washburne
A Dallas native, Ray W. Washburne earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from SMU in 1984. He is CEO and president of Charter Holdings, a Dallas-based investment company involved in real estate, restaurants and diversified financial investments. He is also the co-founder and co-owner of M Crowd Restaurant Group, which owns numerous restaurants, including the Mi Cocina and Katy Trail Ice House chains. He is also president and managing director of Highland Park Village. Washburne was named to the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board in 2019. From August 2017 to February 2019, he served as the president and chief executive officer of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the United States government’s development finance institution. From 2000 to 2017, he served on the board of directors of Veritex Holdings, Inc. He also has served as an adjunct professor at SMU’s Cox School of Business. He is a member of the American Enterprise Institute, the Council on Foreign Relations and the advisory board for the United States Southern Command.
Heather Hill Washburne was also born and raised in Dallas. After graduating from Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the Republican Governors Association. After returning to Dallas, she served as executive director of the Dallas County Republican Party and later started her own political fundraising company, Victory Associates. She has served on the boards of such organizations as Council for Life, Focus on the Family and St. Mark’s School of Texas, and was appointed in 2019 to serve on the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
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