My family feels honored to have Washburne Stadium bear our name, and we are excited to join our fellow Mustang fans in support of our school and its teams.
— Ray Washburne ’84
“Through Ray and Heather’s leadership giving, Washburne Stadium stands as a striking and beautiful addition to the heart of the Hilltop, benefiting not only our student-athletes, but our entire campus community,” said Brad Cheves, SMU vice president for Development and External Affairs. “Washburne Stadium is a remarkable achievement for SMU Ignited, and the Washburnes’ generosity sets the pace for future momentum and development across the University.”
Supported by a $5 million commitment from the Washburne family in February 2020, Washburne Stadium is part of SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow, the University’s $1.5 billion campaign for impact. The Washburnes’ gift builds on Ray Washburne’s enduring legacy of giving and volunteer leadership at SMU by answering the call of student-athletes across campus and supporting the campaign’s goals to enhance SMU’s campus and foster a welcoming community.
“My years at SMU were some of the most influential of my life,” said Ray Washburne. “I am proud to be a part of this exciting new chapter in SMU Athletics and the impact the new stadium will have on future student-athletes. My family feels honored to have Washburne Stadium bear our name, and we are excited to join our fellow Mustang fans in support of our school and its teams.”
“The Washburne family has been an incredible force for impact in Mustang Athletics and at SMU,” said SMU Athletics Director Rick Hart. “Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium will support our athletes, excite our fans and help us recruit incredible talent to the Hilltop.”
Since 2010, SMU Athletics has invested nearly a quarter billion dollars to develop and enhance championship-caliber athletic facilities across campus. The dedication of Washburne Stadium showcases the University’s ever-growing partnerships with donors and alumni that benefit SMU students, faculty, staff and other community members.
Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium will support our athletes, excite our fans and help us recruit incredible talent to the Hilltop.
— SMU Athletics Director Rick Hart
Ray W. Washburne ’84 and Heather H. Washburne
Ray Washburne ’84 currently serves as chairman of the board at Sunoco LP and president and CEO of Charter Holdings, a Dallas-based investment company involved in real estate, restaurants and diversified financial investments. He is also the co-founder and co-owner of Mi Cocina Restaurants and serves as the president and managing director of Highland Park Village. He served as president and CEO of Overseas Private Investment Corporation from 2017 to 2019, and on the United States President’s Intelligence Advisory Board from 2018 to 2021.
Heather Hill Washburne graduated from Mary Baldwin University and has served as executive director of the Dallas County Republican Party and later started her own political fundraising company, Victory Associates. She has served on the boards of such organizations as Council for Life, Focus on the Family and St. Mark’s School of Texas, and was appointed in 2019 to serve on the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Ray and Heather Washburne’s legacy on the Hilltop is continued in their children, Hill Washburne ’22, Andrew Washburne ’24 and Margo Washburne ’26.
SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow
SMU is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. SMU’s alumni, faculty and more than 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities and the world. Building on its history of excellence, the University has launched SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow – a multiyear $1.5 billion campaign to empower outstanding students, to enrich teaching and research, and to enhance our campus and community.