One of the strongest chapters of the TCU Alumni Association isn’t in Los Angeles or New York, but in Kansas City, Missouri.

The TCU Alumni Association and Frog Club put on an event at Guy Fieri’s Dive & Taco Joint in downtown Kansas City, Missouri on Friday for alumni and fans to connect and rally for the Saturday TCU football matchup against Kansas.

Alumni and fans who attended the rally were able to pick up free TCU and Frog Club merchandise, talk to TCU’s Athletic Director Jeremiah Donati and other members of TCU Athletics while enjoying some food and drinks. More than 150 people registered for the event, according to the TCU Alumni Association. 

We’re having a great time with @TCUFrogClub @TCUCHEER and @JDonati_TCU before taking down KU tomorrow and being featured on @CollegeGameDay #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/5OiwNbumvs

— TCU Alumni (@TCUAlumni) October 7, 2022

“It’s a great turnout,” said Susie Stapp Gurley, class of 1992. “We’re all very excited for the game tomorrow.”

Frogs at the event said they were excited that the alumni association and Frog Club put on a rally in their hometown, especially since the shine is mostly on schools in the area.

“It’s great that there’s something about TCU here,” said Jim Schorgle, class of 1984. “Around here it’s always about Mizzou, Kansas and K-State.” 

The TCU Alumni Association has 11 total chapters. Six are outside of Texas in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C. and Missouri.

In terms of total number of active members, Kansas City’s alumni chapter ranks fourth. But, it ranks second in members per capita in their city only behind Denver, according to TCU Institutional Research.  

Connecting TCU to a passionate resource

Both Frog Club and the TCU Alumni Association are part of University Advancement, which help raise money for the school through donations.

“University Advancement raises money for all different programs across the school,” said Michael Levy, associate athletic director, and associate vice chancellor for development. “We engage with alumni and fans to support TCU in a variety of ways through scholarships and endowments.” 

As a private university, TCU tries to engage with alumni and donors as much as possible to help garner donations to help fund projects. 

“As a private school, donations are vital for competing at a Power Five level,” Levy said. “Most of our facilities have been fully funded by private donations.” 

TCU opened the Legends Club at Amon G. Carter stadium in 2020. The projects cost about $113 million, according to the 2021 audit. The project was largely paid for by non-binding agreements, and additional donor pledges were committed to the expansion of the stadium. 

As TCU grows as a university and as the athletics program advances, the university will continue to rely on its alumni and donors to aid in the success both on and off the field, Levy said.

TCU will continue to tap into its passionate resources, like the alumni at the rally in Kansas City.