How does a University of Texas graduate serve as the president of the Arkansas Alumni Association’s Austin Chapter? This is a question Brad Clutter, online banking product manager for Texas Dow Employees Credit Union, has gotten from perplexed, prospective employers since he took on the role four years ago.
Clutter explains, as a native Arkansan, born and raised in Searcy, he has been a lifelong Razorback fan. His love for the Razorbacks, the wonderful giving people of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas began when his mother’s employer, a Razorback Foundation member and season ticket holder, would buy him a ticket each year and drive him to Fayetteville and Little Rock for games with his family because he knew Clutter’s family did not have the means to do it. As a result of such generosity, “I wanted to find a way that I could give back to a University and athletic program that has given me so many wonderful friends.”
It is without fail that his personal commitment to the Arkansas Alumni Association is a topic of conversation. However, this fascination runs deeper than respect for the amount of leadership and organizational skills it takes to serve in this role.
Clutter is one of many Arkansas Alumni Association members who isn’t a University of Arkansas graduate, but his pride for the University of Arkansas runs deep. One contribution Clutter, an annual member of the Arkansas Alumni Association, has made to the Austin Chapter is that under his leadership there has been strong attendance at their watch parties. As a result of such great organization and devotion, the crowd has been known to reach 60 to 70 Razorback fans, and the watch party venue has to reserve an entire area of their establishment for the University of Arkansas Austin Chapter each week. “They give us a giant screen TV, sound and even play the Arkansas Fight Song over their loud speakers. That says a lot for a place in Austin,” Clutter said.
Clutter’s favorite part of leading the Austin Chapter is being a part of those watch parties full of wild and crazy Razorback fans and seeing people who lost touch after campus reconnect with one another and realizing they both now live in Austin. He hopes all University of Arkansas alumni will get involved with their local chapters and make it a priority to share their ideas and suggestions so each chapter has the potential to be successful.
Now, many are wondering which team Clutter cheers for when Arkansas plays Texas. His response is that even though he is a University of Texas graduate, he always cheers for the Razorbacks – even when they play Texas. He says the Razorbacks-Longhorns rivalry is the one he is still most passionate about, and he loves to see his Razorbacks beat the Longhorns!
Thanks, Brad. for all you do. Just goes to prove that Arkansas is full of absolutely loyal, fantastic hog fans. One just never knows what each one is doing for the good of the cause.
Thanks, Brad. for all you do. Just goes to prove that Arkansas is full of absolutely loyal, fantastic hog fans. One just never knows what each one is doing for the good of the cause.