“My college experience in Austin and my subsequent return to Austin following graduate school was and is the best thing in my life,” he says. “I am not a Texan by birth, but I sure am glad I got here ASAP. I am a Longhorn for life.”

-Mark Belisle

The Mark J. Belisle Family Endowed Scholarshipwas established by the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System on December 1, 1994, for the benefit of Intercollegiate Athletics. Gift funds were provided by Mr. Mark J. Belisle of Austin, Texas, a 1971 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts.

Mark Belisle was born in Washington, D.C. and lived in Europe during his high school years. “My college experience in Austin and my subsequent return to Austin following graduate school was and is the best thing in my life,” he says. “I am not a Texan by birth, but I sure am glad I got here ASAP. I am a Longhorn for life. ”Some of his fondest college memories include the football team’s run to national championships in 1969 and 1970. Following the Texas win against Arkansas in the Big Shootout, Mark recalls that the celebrating Longhorn fans made his drive from 9th and Congress to 39th Street take two hours.

“I funded this due to my love for the University and the athletic programs,” he said. “I felt it was a concrete way to show my support. I hope it shows that I care about the University and the athletic programs and that I support student-athletes.”