Gift from Bob and Laura Beauchamp of Houston to Establish Beauchamp Athletics Nutrition Center at Baylor University

December 20, 2013

Artist's drawing of the Beauchamp Athletics Nutrition Center (BANC) at Baylor University.

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Contacts: Nick Joos, Baylor Athletics, 254-710-3043 or Lori Fogleman, Baylor University, 254-710-6275

WACO, Texas (Dec. 20, 2013) - Baylor University today announced a gift of $3 million from Bob and Laura Beauchamp of Houston that will establish the Beauchamp Athletics Nutrition Center (BANC), an on-campus facility formally approved by Baylor's Board of Regents on Dec. 19. The Beauchamps' gift will support the construction of a new 12,000-14,000-square-foot dining environment focused on the overall health and performance of student-athletes.

"Laura and I believe the attention created by a successful athletics program has an invaluable benefit to Baylor University by creating a platform that increases the awareness of Baylor as a leader in Christian higher education," said Bob Beauchamp (pronounced BEACH-um), chairman and CEO of BMC Software and vice chairman of the Baylor Board of Regents. "Our hope is that this new facility enables Baylor's outstanding student-athletes to thrive both on the field and off, propelling them to great performances in competition, and excellence in their academic pursuits. Our family is grateful for the opportunity to support Baylor at this exceptional time in its history."

Conveniently located adjacent to the Jay and Jenny Allison Indoor Football Practice Facility amid the Highers Athletics Complex along the Brazos River, the Beauchamp Athletics Nutrition Center will directly support the vital role that proper nutrition plays in the pursuit of athletic excellence. Complete with a "fuel station" for healthy grab-and-go options and located in close proximity to the Simpson Strength and Conditioning area, student-athletes will have the resources necessary to maintain top performance health. The facility reflects Baylor's commitment to meeting the nutritional needs of student-athletes through a rigorous assessment, education and implementation plan that is enhanced by a dedicated athletics nutrition center. The facility's construction will begin in 2014.

"Bob and Laura Beauchamp's leadership in stepping forward to support this project -- a project whose success will broadly benefit Baylor University -- is a wonderful extension of the generous support they have provided to Baylor for several years and in a variety of roles, from active parents of Baylor students to Bob's current service on the Board of Regents," said Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr. "The values, drive and innovative leadership that Bob has demonstrated at BMC Software are reflected in the impact this gift will have in strengthening Baylor's performance in a key institutional endeavor."

Teaching student-athletes to correctly fuel their bodies before or after workouts and throughout the day has been shown to strengthen their abilities to recover from training and to maximize physical development. The Beauchamp Athletics Nutrition Center will offer student-athletes the expertise of sports nutritionists to develop individualized dietary plans that enhance hydration, prevent injuries, address special needs, and aid in recovery when injuries occur.

"The Beauchamp Athletics Nutrition Center will be invaluable in helping our coaches recruit top prospects in all of our programs and in meeting the nutritional needs of Baylor student-athletes as they strive to reach their full potential," said Ian McCaw, director of athletics at Baylor. "Today's best student-athletes expect the kind of comprehensive institutional support represented by such facilities as a nutrition center, and we are deeply grateful to Bob and Laura Beauchamp for their very generous contribution to make the nutrition center a reality."

"We are both grateful and humbled by the generosity of the Beauchamp family in making this first-class nutrition center a reality for all Baylor student-athletes," said Baylor football coach Art Briles. "Our University leadership has shown great vision by allowing Baylor to become a national trend-setter when it comes to new facilities such as Baylor Stadium and the BANC, and that's exciting for our football program and its future."

A member of Baylor's Board of Regents since 2009, Bob Beauchamp earned a BBA degree in finance from the University of Texas and an MS degree in management from Houston Baptist University, and Laura Beauchamp earned a BBA from the University of Texas. The Beauchamps have four sons, three of whom have been or currently are Baylor students: Jack Beauchamp, BBA '10; Thomas Beauchamp, BBA '12, MAcc '12; George Beauchamp, Class of '15; and Jim Beauchamp.

After working several years in sales and sales management positions in other leading high technology companies, Bob Beauchamp joined BMC Software as a sales executive in 1988. He went on to serve the company in key leadership positions in research and development, strategic marketing and corporate development before being named BMC's president and CEO in 2001. Since then, he has led the company's transformation from a mainframe tools vendor to an international business service management company that stands as one of the 20 largest software companies in the world. In 2008, he accepted the additional duties of chairman of the board at BMC.

The Beauchamps' involvement with Baylor University grew out of their experience as Baylor parents, according to Laura Beauchamp. "Seeing Baylor through the eyes of our sons, as they have successively grown from being freshmen to graduates, has allowed us to appreciate more deeply the outstanding qualities and overall character of the University," she said. "There is a strong affinity between our family's values and Baylor's commitment to preparing young men and women to be leaders whose ambitions are grounded in ethical principles and selfless service."

Bob and Laura Beauchamp served on the Steering Committee for the recently completed $100-million President's Scholarship Initiative at Baylor, and in 2007 they established the Bob and Laura Beauchamp Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor. In addition to his service on the Board of Regents and the Hankamer School of Business Advisory Board at Baylor, Bob currently serves on the boards of National Oilwell Varco and the Houston Police Foundation.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.