Gridiron glory is not all that motivates former Longhorn football standout Cory Redding, B.S. ’17. The former Indianapolis Colt and his wife, education alumna Priscilla, B.S. ’03, have established the Cory and Priscilla Redding Family Scholarship in the College of Education. This was the university’s first gift from a former UT athlete made while playing in the National Football League.
The Cory Redding Foundation supports long-term efforts to help the endowment grow. Redding, meanwhile, interacts as often as possible with the recipients. He’s interested in giving back because he values teachers who keep students on the right track. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for key people in my life mentoring me and keeping me grounded,” he says.
Redding completed a degree in youth and community studies in the College of Education in 2017. Priscilla earned her degree in applied learning and development. The Reddings specified that their endowment help undergraduates with demonstrated financial need. Growing up with humble beginnings, Redding says he has lived his life according to three basic values: desire, discipline, and dedication. He expects the scholarship recipients to exhibit the same spirit. “I chose the College of Education to create this endowment because I wanted to make this world a better place, one person, one kid at a time,” says Redding.
Redding, a two-time All-American and first-team All-Big 12 defensive end at Texas, was part of Coach Mack Brown’s first recruiting class for the Horns. After playing in 52 games at UT, he started his pro career with Detroit, later playing for Seattle, Baltimore, and Indianapolis. After retiring from football, he and Priscilla relocated to Austin with their three children.
“In the days when my wife and I are no longer here, our grandchildren’s grandchildren will hopefully be part of this process, continuing this endowment,” he says. “One hundred years from now, they’re going to look and see the Cory and Priscilla Redding Family Scholarship, and to me, that is better than any accolade I could ever achieve on the football field.”
“It is always an honor to have our students come back and be supportive alumni,” says Sherry Field, associate dean. “When they link their name to a scholarship in perpetuity, it is incredibly humbling. Their scholarship makes it possible for students to attend college who possibly could not without their very generous support. The students are being transformed by what the Reddings have created. It is important to think about the number of lives that this scholarship will touch; the lives that the teachers will touch. It is incalculable in number.”
