DALLAS – Mustang Partners today announced a $1 million gift from Joe '83 and Sherry Beard in support of the Student-Athlete Benefit Fund, further strengthening SMU Athletics' commitment to providing a world-class experience for Mustang student-athletes.

The gift will directly support the Student-Athlete Benefit Fund, which provides critical resources to help SMU student-athletes thrive academically, athletically, and personally while competing at the highest levels of collegiate athletics.

Joe Beard, a former Mustang football standout, earned All-Southwest Conference honors and honorable mention All-America recognition while helping SMU capture Southwest Conference and National Championships in 1981 and 1982. Following a successful business career, he has remained deeply engaged with the university and a steadfast supporter of SMU Athletics. In 2023, Beard was recognized as the Silver Anniversary Mustang Award recipient. 

"Joe and Sherry's commitment to SMU's success and to providing a world-class experience for our student-athletes is extraordinary," said Director of Athletics Damon Evans. "As the Mustangs continue building momentum, gifts like this provide critical resources that help our student-athletes compete and succeed at the highest level. We are incredibly grateful to Joe and Sherry for their generosity and support of SMU Athletics."

"We are fortunate to have been blessed with the resources to help the worthy cause of supporting our student athletes," said Joe and Sherry Beard. 
 
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. Learn more about the Student-Athlete Benefit Fund, including opportunities to give. SMU Athletics' major and principal gifts are stewarded through the Boulevard Society. Earlier this year, the Boulevard Society launched with a transformative $50 million commitment from Liz and Bill Armstrong, Carolyn and David Miller, Katy and Kyle Miller, and Mary and Rich Templeton. Their leadership investment sparked an ambitious effort to secure an additional $50 million in philanthropic commitments through the Boulevard Society by December 31, 2026. With this latest commitment, we have now reached $23.550 million toward that goal.