For Immediate Release: Monday, August 26, 2002
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations, (956) 381-2240
EDINBURG, TX- The University of Texas-Pan American’s Bronc
Athletic Foundation honored the first two charter members of its Century Club at
a formal presentation during a news conference at UTPA.
New York Knicks Assistant Coach Lon Kruger, who coached UTPA for four seasons
and led the Broncs to a 20-8 record during the 1985-86 season, is the first
charter member of the BAF’s Century Club. Coca-Cola is the second charter member
of the Century Club, which will include individuals and corporations who contribute
$100,000 or more to the foundation. Each donation is believed to be the largest
ever made to the UTPA athletic department.
“We are most appreciative of the generous support that our athletic program at
The University of Texas-Pan American is receiving from Lon and Barbara Kruger,
as well as from the Coca-Cola Corporation,” said UTPA Director of Athletics
William J. Weidner. “The Coca-Cola Corporation has established an excellent
relationship with our university, and we welcome their partnership with UTPA
athletics. Lon Kruger is a very important figure in the proud history of Bronc
athletics. His record of accomplishment in the coaching profession at UTPA and
beyond speaks for itself. His and Barbara’s pledge speaks volumes for their love
of this university and the special time that they spent here.”
“As charter members of the Bronc Athletic Foundation’s Century Club, their very
significant contributions will assist our efforts in establishing a nationally
respected NCAA Division I athletic program,” Weidner continued. “Their
commitment also serves a solid endorsement of our athletic department, and
enhances our credibility as an emerging athletic program that is clearly on the
rise. On behalf of our student-athletes and our entire athletic staff, I want to
express our sincere appreciation and thanks to Coach Kruger, his wife Barbara
and Carlos Ramos of Coca-Cola for their very thoughtful consideration and
support. Their generous commitment will indeed insure that UTPA athletics will
not only have a proud past, but also a bright future.”
Kruger has been successful everywhere he has coached. In 1982, he took over
a UTPA team that had won just five games in the previous season. The Broncs
won seven games his first year, then were in double digits in victories in each
of the next three seasons, highlighted by the 20 wins in his fourth and final
season at UTPA. He then coached at his alma mater, Kansas State, Florida, and
Illinois before joining the Atlanta Hawks and then the New York Knicks of the
National Basketball Association.
During his career, Kruger has continued to follow UTPA athletics and thought the
Century Club was a good idea. “We’re excited about the foundation, and the
direction in which it is headed,” said Kruger. “I hope this will start something
that other people will become involved with. I think it will be very positive
for the program.”
Kruger said that athletics at UTPA is moving in the right direction, and he was
pleased with the opportunity to participate. “I had been talking to (Director of
Athletics) Bill Weidner and (men’s basketball Head Coach) Bob Hoffman, and when
Bill talked about the Century Club that he’s developing, I thought it was
something that would provide an additional boost to the program,” said Kruger.
“We appreciate the opportunity that UT-Pan American and (UTPA President) Dr.
(Miguel) Nevarez gave us. We enjoyed the valley and the university a great deal,
we made a lot of friends, and we enjoy the opportunity to be involved again.
I’ve stayed in touch, and I’m impressed with what Bill Weidner and the coaches
are doing with the program. It’s obvious that it’s not only about wins and
losses, but also about academic and social development, and I think that what
the student-athletes are doing is impressive.”
Carlos Ramos, the Area Vice-President for Coca-Cola, said the donation was an
indication of his company’s commitment both to The University of Texas-Pan
American and the community in the Rio Grande Valley.
“It’s very important to us to be involved with the university and the
community,” said Ramos, “It shows that we have a very good working relationship,
and it also demonstrates that we can be responsive to the changing needs of our
partners, which include UT Pan American. This is something that came up
recently, and we were glad to be able to work together and be supportive.”
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