The Lake Ray Hubbard Texas Exes invite University of Texas fans, friends, family and alumni to join them for their fourth annual Texas Independence Day Dinner and Auction at 7:00 p.m. on March 7, 2009, at Buffalo Creek Golf Club in Heath. This year is a Texas tailgate theme and burgers, brats and grilled chicken will be enjoyed by all. Thanks to the wonderful generosity of local merchants, UT items, weekend getaways, autographed sports memorabilia and restaurant packages are just a few of the fantastic items that will be auctioned off that night in both silent and live auctions. Proceeds raised will be used to fund scholarships for RockwallCounty students attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2009.

            The story of the Lake Ray Hubbard Texas Exes chapter began on a cold evening in January of 2006 right after the Horns won the national championship in Pasadena. Past president, Dawn Nelson, held a meeting at RockwallHigh School for alumni in the Lake Ray Hubbard area. With the ringing of a cow bell and a stirring rendition of The Eyes of Texas, the Lake Ray Hubbard Texas Exes were reborn. Andy Qualls, current vice president, adds, “We reestablished interest in the local chapter in order to generate community involvement and camaraderie among the local UT alumni base and fans. It’s been a great way to establish new friendships and contacts in the Rockwall area. As UT alumni, we have a responsibility to give back to our local community. Providing scholarships to well-deserving Rockwall area high school graduates is one way we can do that. Our annual dinner/auction and golf tournament are the two main fundraisers for the scholarship effort. Despite the tough economic climate that exists today, we are confident that our alumni and fan base in the Rockwall area will continue to support that effort as they have in recent years.”

A mere three years later, the chapter has raised and awarded over $42,000 in scholarships and awards to 27 very deserving RockwallCounty students. Last year’s event chairman, Mark Duckworth, adds, “It is exciting to be part of a growing organization that is making a difference in the lives of these young men and women.” Jimmy Miley, membership chair, echoes his sentiments, “Being a member provides an opportunity to contribute something positive to the University I have loved since birth. For those of us that feel this way about our university, it feels very good to help where we can with an organization that is all about supporting future Texas Longhorns.”

Event co-chair, Paige Parks, encourages all Texas exes, fans, friends and alumni to come out to the Texas Independence Day Tailgate Dinner and Auction on March 7. The event promises to be a fun evening that will raise scholarship funds for area students while at the same time celebrating a passion for the University of Texas at Austin. For more information on the Texas Independence Day Tailgate Dinner and Auction or to become involved with the Lake Ray Hubbard Texas Exes, please contact Paige Parks at (214) 686-3137 or paigeeparks@hotmail.com.