AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Longhorn fans filled Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for today’s College Football Playoff Quarterfinal game.
Some of the fans in attendance might have been cheering for Texas for the first time ever today thanks to the generosity of some Texas fans who couldn’t make it to the game.
“I can’t imagine a better way to start the New Year,” said UT fan and alum Rachel DiSanto.
DiSanto cheered her Longhorns on from Austin today.
“I will always think that Texas is going to win,” she said.
DiSanto is one of several fans who couldn’t make it out to Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between Texas and Arizona State. So, she posted onto Facebook looking to sell her ticket. That’s when she says Texas Exes Atlanta Chapter Vice President Ryan Esparza reached out.
“He presented this opportunity to donate them to the boys and girls club of Metro Atlanta,” said DiSanto.
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DiSanto says she jumped at the opportunity.
“We’re in Georgia, so we’re Bulldog fans, but today we are riding with Texas,” said Dr. Nae Phillips, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta.
Other fans followed DiSanto, donating a total of 68 tickets to both the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta and the Agape Youth & Family Center.
“They say things are bigger in Texas,” said Phillips. “And so, we think the hearts are bigger in Texas, too. We’re just so appreciative that they thought of us.”
Nell Benn, CEO of Agape Youth & Family Center, says this experience has made one of her students say they want to attend UT-Austin and be a cheerleader for the Longhorns in the future.
“You just never know how an experience like that may impact students, may impact children,” said Benn.
Benn says she first heard about the tickets last Friday when Esparza reached out to her about the opportunity.
“Thank you so much to the Texas Longhorn fans. We are so very grateful for this opportunity,” said Benn.
The generosity of a Texas fanbase that extends beyond the 40 Acres.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity to make new memories and get to spend a little bit more time with their family,” said DiSanto.
Texas defeated Arizona State to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals for a second consecutive season.
