Arlington, Texas – March 12, 2019 – The UTA Mavericks Spirit Debit Reward card has hit a major milestone in earnings. The card, issued by Texas Trust Credit Union, has earned $100,000 for the University of Texas at Arlington.

The UTA Mavericks Spirit Debit Reward card was created in 2014 to help UT Arlington raise money for scholarships. There are currently more than 1,770 Maverick Spirit Debit cardholders. Each time the card is used for eligible purchases, such as for dining out, gas, groceries, entertainment, or travel, UT Arlington earns five cents.

The $100,000 reward milestone was celebrated during the UTA Mavericks men’s basketball game against Texas State at College Park Center on March 9. The celebration included a hoops shoot-out contest where Christopher Villegas sunk 16 layups within 30 seconds, beating the second contestant by one basket. Villegas, a UTA sophomore kinesiology major, won two all-session passes to the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four® in Minneapolis, flight vouchers, and hotel accommodations.

Texas Trust also held a virtual “pop a shot” contest on the UTA athletics Facebook page. Varun Porwal, a computer science graduate student, had the most successful shots before the time expired. He too will be attending the Men’s Final Four next month, compliments of Texas Trust.

“We appreciate every purchase Maverick Spirit Debit Reward cardholders make, which helps support the cost of a scholarship,” said Jim Baker, director of UT Arlington Intercollegiate Athletics. “Texas Trust has been an invaluable Maverick supporter and we appreciate all that they do to help strengthen our athletic program.”

“Besides creating a competitive athletic program, UT Arlington is helping to strengthen the local economy by preparing students to be our future business leaders,” said Jim Minge, president and CEO of Texas Trust Credit Union. “With the Spirit Debit Reward card, Mavs fans can help UT Arlington build a scholarship program that can help more students attain a degree, which can help them build a brighter financial future.”

A high resolution picture of the shoot-out contest winner and an image of the UTA Mavericks Spirit Debit Reward card can be downloaded here.

About Texas Trust Credit Union

Texas Trust Credit Union was created in 1936 when a group of Chance Vought Aircraft Corporation employees pooled their savings so they could help each other achieve financial goals. Today, more than 117,000 members are served through checking and savings accounts; loans (personal, mortgage, auto, and small business); credit cards; insurance products; and investment services. Texas Trust Credit Union supports local students through its “Spirit Debit Rewards” program. With every eligible swipe of an SDR card, funds are donated to the school or district of the member’s choosing. To date, Texas Trust has donated more than $1.8 million since August 2011. Texas Trust serves members through 21 locations in Dallas, Denton, Tarrant, Henderson, Ellis, Johnson and Tom Green counties. With assets of more than $1.2 billion, Texas Trust is the 6th largest credit union in North Texas, the 17th largest in Texas, and was ranked the 10th best performing credit union in the country by Standard and Poor’s Global Market Intelligence. For more information, visit TexasTrustCU.org or follow us on facebook.com/texastrustcu or Twitter at @texastrustcu.

Photo caption: UTA sophomore Christopher Villegas won two all-session passes to the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four® in Minneapolis, flight vouchers, and hotel accommodations, in the Texas Trust shoot out contest.