Former players donate to new endzone complex

Former Texas State football student-athletes David Mayo and Mike Orakpo made gifts to the End Zone Complex renovation project, Texas State Athletics announced on Tuesday.

Mike and Mary Orakpo and David and Jordan Mayo each contributed $25,000 towards the transformational redevelopment of the football program’s End Zone Complex.

The privately-funded $37 million renovation will include a new 8,000 square foot weight room, a new players lounge, new training room with hydrotherapy, individual position meeting rooms, upgraded conference rooms with additional offices, recruiting room and additional premium hospitality spaces for fans to enhance the gameday experience.

“To see the support of former student-athletes such as Mike and David is a reflection of their dedication to and support of the vision for Bobcat football,” Texas State Director of Athletics Don Coryell said. “The Orakpo and Mayo families are investing in the future of our student-athletes, and with their generous gift as athletics alumni, we will be able to restore our football program on a path to championships and continue to develop graduates of this great university.”

The fundraising campaign for the project is ongoing. A scheduled start date for construction will be announced soon.

“It is a blessing to be in a position to give back to my alma mater and the football program,” Orakpo said. “I have always believed in the program, and I really hope this encourages alumni of all ages to be able to give back to football, no matter the dollar amount.”

“Supporting Texas State football is an easy decision for our family,” Mayo said “After being fortunate enough to have an NFL career as long as I’ve had so far, we wanted to take this opportunity to give back to the program that helped launch me on this path in professional football. I believe this project will help create more opportunities for current and future players, and we are excited to see what is in store for the future of Bobcat football.”

Mayo and Orakpo were all-conference players as Bobcats and helped the program post back-toback .500 or better records in 2013 and 2014. Mayo was also named an All-American by Phil Steele in 2014.

Mayo is currently a member of the Washington Commanders and will enter his ninth year in the NFL in 2023. Orakpo is an entrepreneur in Texas.