Texas Blazers

Texas Blazers' Logo

The Texas Blazers is an honorary male service organization at The University of Texas at Austin founded September 7, 1994. Members are selected from the UT Student Body for their leadership, commitment to service, and academic achievements. They are known for their involvement in the community, serving as official hosts for the university, and as mentors at Eastside Memorial High School. The organization is led by an elected Chairman and ten other executive board members. The Texas Blazers work closely with the Orange Jackets, an honorary women's service organization filled with accomplished women who are also dedicated to serving campus and the greater community.

Purpose

The purpose of the Texas Blazers is threefold:

1. Support the greater Austin community through service.
2. Uphold and promote University of Texas spirit and traditions.
3. Serve The University of Texas by exhibiting campus leadership while maintaining high standards of academic excellence.

History

The Texas Blazers was founded September 7, 1994, on the patio of the Texas Union by a group of men who wanted to create an organization committed to a more “hands-on” approach to service that included high standards of academics, leadership, and spirited support of the University. The founders also desired the Texas Blazers to be an organization that was a strong representation of the student body to better serve the University. These student leaders came from various student organizations across campus to perform service for the UT and Austin communities. Finally, the founding members desired an organization free of hazing and other activities unbecoming of a quality student organization.

Upon the suggestion of Richard Reddick, in 1994 the Texas Blazers began their relationship with Johnston High School (now known as Eastside Memorial High School) in east Austin. While they originally began by mentoring at Johnston, current Texas Blazers mentor, tutor, empower, and assist Eastside Memorial HS students with the college application process.

In their first year, the Texas Blazers was recognized for their outstanding service, winning “Most Outstanding Service Organization” at the annual UT Swing-Out Awards. In the spring of 2003, the Texas Blazers continued upon their past achievements and were named the “Most Outstanding Organization” by the UT Leadership Board at the Swing-Out Awards.

In 2007, the Texas Blazers created the “Texas Blazers Endowed Scholarship” at The University of Texas. The endowment allows for an annual scholarship for a graduating student from Eastside Memorial High School, helping to create a closer relationship between Texas Blazers, Eastside Memorial High School, and The University of Texas at Austin.

Honors and Awards

• 1994 Swing Out award as UT's “Best Service Organization"
• 2003 Swing Out award as UT's “Best Service Organization"
• 2014 Swing Out award as UT's “Best Service Organization"
• 2014 Tower Award for "Outstanding Student Organization"
• 2014 Eastside Memorial High School’s Official Business Partner of the year
• 2015 Tower Award for "Outstanding Student Organization"
• 2015 Tower Award for "Outstanding Service Project"
• 2015 Swing Out Award as UT's "Best Spirit Organization"
• 2015 Swing Out Award as UT's "Best Organizational Ethics"
• 2015 Swing Out Award as UT's "Most Outstanding Organization"

Past Texas Blazers Chairs

External links

• Blazers Website
• Blazers Documentary Website