Truist gives local school park a Longhorns makeover
AUSTIN, Texas (September 21, 2022) – A local school park received a makeover just in time for the start of the school year earlier this month. Truist, the Official Bank Sponsor of Texas Athletics, working in coordination with the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD), funded the refurbishment of the outdoor basketball court and play area at Andrews Elementary School Park in the Windsor Park neighborhood of northeast Austin. The court resurfacing is designed to resemble the new Longhorns Basketball court at Moody Center, of which Truist is the on-court sponsor.
“Our purpose at Truist is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and it is community initiatives like this that truly bring our purpose to life,” said Steve Smith, Austin Market President at Truist. “We’re excited to give the Andrews Elementary School Park a new lease on life for kids in the community to enjoy for many years to come.”
The school park is reserved for Andrews Elementary school students during school hours and otherwise open to the neighborhood and general public to enjoy. The installation was dedicated this morning in front of an enthusiastic school student body, faculty and staff, with representatives from Truist, PARD, AISD, and University of Texas Athletics, including Vice President & Athletics Director Chris Del Conte and famed Longhorns mascot, Hook ‘Em, taking part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“What a tremendous gift Truist has made to benefit this school park and neighborhood,” said Chris Del Conte. “Kids can play here and dream of perhaps running out on the real Longhorns Basketball court someday.”
In addition to funding the court refurbishment, Truist also replaced the two basketball goals, and donated twenty new basketballs to Andrews Elementary during the festivities today.
“As a long-time Neighborhood Longhorns Program school, Andrews Elementary is beyond excited to have a replica of the Moody Center court right here on campus,” said Audrey Guerrero, Andrews Elementary School Principal. “Because Andrews is part of the early college pattern of schools here in the LBJ feeder, this is especially meaningful. We are incredibly grateful to house this court and to be able to provide our future UT alumni the chance to find joy in play during their time at our school.”
“Through creative and collaborative teamwork with Austin Independent Schools District (AISD), Truist and Texas Athletics, the newly refurbished basketball court is a welcome addition to Andrews School Park,” said Austin Parks and Recreation Director Kimberly McNeeley. “Andrews School Park was identified by the Department as a priority site for investment and we’re thankful to Truist for providing the funding to make this court a reality for the children at Andrews Elementary and the surrounding community.”
Truist’s sponsorship with Texas Athletics and the school park refurbishment project is managed by Longhorn Sports Properties, a division of LEARFIELD.
About Truist
Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank with total assets of $545 billion as of June 30, 2022. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.
About Austin Parks & Recreation Department
Austin Parks and Recreation seeks to inspire our community to learn, play, protect and connect by creating diverse programs and experiences in sustainable natural spaces and public places. This City of Austin Department protects and maintains parkland, urban forest, and trails as well as offering sports, recreation, educational enrichment, arts programs, cultural opportunities, and nature and aquatic activities for Austinites. For more information visit AustinTexas.gov/Parks.
