Nov 5 | General
DALLAS (SMU) – Mustang Partners today announced a $5 million gift from Matthew "Matt" Fleeger '87 and Valerie "Candee" Fleeger '86, '90 and the Fleeger Family Foundation in support of SMU Athletics.
The gift to the Student-Athlete Benefit Fund will provide resources to help SMU student-athletes thrive academically, athletically, and personally while competing at the highest levels of collegiate athletics. The gift also contains a significant NIL component.
In recognition of this gift, SMU announced the naming of the SMU football locker room as the "Fleeger Family Locker Room" at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Longtime supporters of SMU, Matt and Candee Fleeger share a deep family connection to SMU. Both are alumni, and their two oldest children, Dalton and Lyla, are currently SMU students. In 2024, the Fleegers and the Fleeger Family Foundation made a $2 million commitment to the Garry Weber End Zone Complex and ACC Competitiveness Campaign, supporting facility enhancements and student-athlete experiences across SMU's athletics programs. Their latest gift builds on their longstanding support of the Mustangs.
"The Fleegers' continued commitment to SMU Athletics and our student-athletes is truly remarkable," said Director of Athletics Damon Evans. "Their generosity has played an important role in our growth, and this latest investment will help us build on that momentum as we continue competing at the highest level of collegiate athletics. We are incredibly grateful for their leadership, generosity, and unwavering support of the Mustangs."
"On behalf of our entire family, we are so proud to support the student-athletes, coaches, and programs of SMU Athletics," said Matt Fleeger. "We were honored to support the move to the ACC, and we are thrilled today to support the next era of Mustang athletics."
Matthew H. Fleeger is President and CEO of Gulf Coast Western, a Dallas-based oil and gas exploration firm. A graduate of SMU's Cox School of Business, he has a diverse business portfolio across multiple industries and is a co-owner of the popular Mesero Restaurant Group. Mesero Restaurants are a proud sponsor of SMU's Cox School of Business and the Pony Express Award. Mesero is also a proud NIL sponsor of Mustang Quarterback Kevin Jennings.
The Fleegers will be recognized on the field at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Friday, November 6, in celebration of their generosity and continued commitment to SMU Athletics.
The Student-Athlete Benefit Fund is a key component of Mustang Partners' efforts to provide meaningful resources and opportunities for SMU student-athletes in an increasingly competitive collegiate athletics landscape. SMU Athletics' major and principal gifts are stewarded through the Boulevard Society.
The gift to the Student-Athlete Benefit Fund will provide resources to help SMU student-athletes thrive academically, athletically, and personally while competing at the highest levels of collegiate athletics. The gift also contains a significant NIL component.
In recognition of this gift, SMU announced the naming of the SMU football locker room as the "Fleeger Family Locker Room" at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Longtime supporters of SMU, Matt and Candee Fleeger share a deep family connection to SMU. Both are alumni, and their two oldest children, Dalton and Lyla, are currently SMU students. In 2024, the Fleegers and the Fleeger Family Foundation made a $2 million commitment to the Garry Weber End Zone Complex and ACC Competitiveness Campaign, supporting facility enhancements and student-athlete experiences across SMU's athletics programs. Their latest gift builds on their longstanding support of the Mustangs.
"The Fleegers' continued commitment to SMU Athletics and our student-athletes is truly remarkable," said Director of Athletics Damon Evans. "Their generosity has played an important role in our growth, and this latest investment will help us build on that momentum as we continue competing at the highest level of collegiate athletics. We are incredibly grateful for their leadership, generosity, and unwavering support of the Mustangs."
"On behalf of our entire family, we are so proud to support the student-athletes, coaches, and programs of SMU Athletics," said Matt Fleeger. "We were honored to support the move to the ACC, and we are thrilled today to support the next era of Mustang athletics."
Matthew H. Fleeger is President and CEO of Gulf Coast Western, a Dallas-based oil and gas exploration firm. A graduate of SMU's Cox School of Business, he has a diverse business portfolio across multiple industries and is a co-owner of the popular Mesero Restaurant Group. Mesero Restaurants are a proud sponsor of SMU's Cox School of Business and the Pony Express Award. Mesero is also a proud NIL sponsor of Mustang Quarterback Kevin Jennings.
The Fleegers will be recognized on the field at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Friday, November 6, in celebration of their generosity and continued commitment to SMU Athletics.
The Student-Athlete Benefit Fund is a key component of Mustang Partners' efforts to provide meaningful resources and opportunities for SMU student-athletes in an increasingly competitive collegiate athletics landscape. SMU Athletics' major and principal gifts are stewarded through the Boulevard Society.
Friday, November 06
Friday, November 06
Thursday, November 05
Thursday, November 05
