Baylor University Announces $10 Million Gift to Baylor Athletics, NIL

WACO, Texas – Baylor University today announced a $10 million gift from Bob Simpson, of Fort Worth, Texas, to support Baylor Athletics and the Give Light Capital Fund. Baylor will recognize Simpson’s philanthropic support through the naming of the Bob R. Simpson Performance Center within the Jay and Jenny Allison Development Center at the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. 

“We are truly grateful for Bob Simpson’s continued support of Baylor University,” said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. “His recent gift underscores the breadth and depth of his philanthropy, providing leadership support to ensure we can provide the highest quality experiences for our student-athletes in Baylor Athletics and for our Baylor Family. From the Simpson Athletics and Academic Center to McLane Stadium to the many scholarships and other funds across our campus, Bob has continuously demonstrated his support for Baylor University and our students. His giving spurs us forward, and we are grateful for the heights we reach thanks to his support.”

Simpson’s gift supports the capital priorities of the Give Light campaign, Baylor’s comprehensive fundraising campaign which has seen the Baylor Family give more than $1.5 billion in support of Illuminate, Baylor’s academic strategic plan. Beyond support for the Give Light Capital Fund, a portion of Simpson’s gift will also support future capital enhancements to Baylor Ballpark, with naming recognition to celebrate this gift, as well. An additional portion of his gift establishes the Bob R. Simpson Endowed Excellence Fund for Men's Basketball, providing significant resourcing for Baylor’s Men’s Basketball program such as travel expenditures, equipment purchases and other costs associated with the running of a national championship-caliber program.

“As a Bear with a few decades of experience, I know that success comes from leadership and vision. Scott Drew has delivered both for his young men and the national presence of Baylor. With our baseball team, Mitch Thompson provides that same promise for years to come” stated Bob R. Simpson. “We are fortunate to have these inspiring and ambitious coaches to lead us. I am proud to be able to offer this support for my BAYLOR BEARS”

“Baylor Athletics is grateful for Bob Simpson and his continued generosity,” said Mack B. Rhoades IV, Baylor Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Bob has long been a champion for Baylor and a committed supporter of our programs, coaches and student-athletes. As we remain committed to Preparing Champions for Life, we know our efforts are inspired and funded by the selfless giving of individuals like Bob. We celebrate his incredibly generous support and the impact it will have on future generations of Baylor Bears, Baylor fans and the Baylor Family.”

The Bob Simpson Performance Center will be a 6,000 square-foot training space supporting both programs within the Allison Development Center. The Simpson Performance Center will feature an 18mm PLAE training surface with six inlaid platforms; six Power Lift racks, 6 Keiser Performance Trainers utilizing compressed air; a turf training area and lanes between racks, a Boost treadmill, a medicine ball wall and isolating fans. The Allison Development Center is the final component of the Foster Pavilion, and it is slated to open later this summer and will serve as home for the Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs, with two practice courts, coaches’ offices, training rooms, locker rooms and more amenities.

Foster Pavilion hosted its first game on January 2, 2024, when the Men’s team defeated Cornell University 98-79. Completed in time for Big 12 Conference play, Foster Pavilion is the new home for Baylor’s National Championship Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams. The 223,2547-square-foot facility boasts the Mark and Paula Hurd Floor with capacity for more than 7,000 fans Foster Pavilion is located along the Brazos River on the west side of Interstate-35, adjacent to Baylor’s Robinson Tower. The Pavilion further connects Baylor’s campus to Robinson Tower and downtown Waco.

A Legacy of Support

Bob Simpson (BBA ’70, MA’71) serves as the CEO, chairman, and director of TXO Partners, formerly known as MorningStar Partners, which he founded in 2010. TXO is an oil and gas company focused on acquiring, developing, and producing oil and gas reserves, primarily in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico and the San Juan Basin in New Mexico and Colorado. In 1985, Simpson founded Cross Timbers Oil and Gas Company, which changed its name to XTO Energy in 2001. Under his stewardship, XTO became the largest producer of natural gas in America and was sold to ExxonMobil in 2009.

Simpson also serves as the chair of the executive committee for the World Champion Texas Rangers Baseball Club. He, along with Ray Davis, led an investment group to purchase the team in 2010.

Simpson earned a B.B.A. in accounting in 1970 and an M.B.A. in 1971, both from Baylor. While at Baylor, he was a member of the Beta Alpha Psi honor society. In 2010, Bob was honored as the Baylor Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and in 2013, he received the Baylor Legacy Award.

Baylor publicly launched the Give Light campaign on Nov. 1, 2018, with the campaign’s conclusion on May 31, having raised $1.5 billion. The Campaign saw 101,030 alumni, parents and friends give to the University’s priorities, as well as establishing 873 endowed scholarships and 48 endowed faculty positions. For more information on Give Light: The Campaign for Baylor, visit www.baylor.edu/givelight.