Alumnus fulfills promise of giving back
Sidelined with yet another arm injury, Eric Kunz feared losing his scholarship during his final season on The University of Texas at Arlington baseball team. He and his wife were expecting their first child, and without financial assistance, he would be forced to drop out of school to support his family.
But then-coach Butch McBroom made a decision that changed Kunz’s life: allowing the senior pitcher to remain on scholarship even though he’d never take the mound for the Mavericks again.
Kunz graduated from UTA in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport studies and is now CEO and owner of RPM Expedite Inc., a third-party logistics provider specializing in freight management services. Through RPM, he recently made a $40,000 gift to support the UTA baseball program.
“UTA has a special place in my heart. From that day during my senior year, I promised when the time was right, I would return the honor and give back,” said Kunz, who played for the Mavericks from 1992-95. “After meeting the new head baseball coach, Clay Van Hook, and assistant coaches Mike Taylor and Mike Trapasso, I knew this was the time and this was the team to support.”
RPM was the presenting sponsor for the 31st annual Baseball Alumni Golf Outing, which attracted a record 122 participants. Held in October 2022 at Texas Rangers Golf Club, the tournament raised more than $25,000, with all proceeds directly benefiting the baseball program.
“Philanthropic support from alumni plays a vital role in accelerating the academic and athletic achievements of our student-athletes,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. “Eric’s generosity exemplifies his love for UTA and his dedication to making Maverick baseball the best it can be.”
In July, Athletics Director Jon Fagg named Van Hook as UT Arlington’s seventh head baseball coach. Van Hook spent the past six seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma, where he helped lead the team to the 2022 College World Series final.
“The energy surrounding our baseball program has never been greater, and gifts like Eric’s only add to the excitement,” Fagg said. “We are extremely grateful for his support and look forward to launching a new era of UTA baseball this spring.”
- Written by Mark Permenter, Development and Alumni Relations