Grand Times
Rambelles soccer team gets a new home.
Dr. Robert (Bob) and Jean Ann LeGrand have long been tremendous supporters of Angelo State athletics, but it wasn’t until more recently that they became avid fans of Rambelles soccer.
Their love for what is known around the world as “the beautiful game” really flourished when their granddaughter, Katelin Heise, started her award-winning career at Angelo State. It then took tangible form in April with the dedication of the new Rambelles Soccer Clubhouse at ASU’s LeGrand Soccer Complex, which was named in recognition of the LeGrands funding the $2.4 million clubhouse, scoreboard, bleachers and other complex renovations.
“It was a realization, ‘We have a granddaughter here, and we’re going to support her and the team,’” said Jean Ann (Class of 1972). “As we learned about the program, we saw where they needed help and decided to do something. But Katelin didn’t know about the clubhouse. We wanted her to have her own experience and make her own way, and she did. It wasn’t until late in the building process she became aware of our involvement.”
What Heise and her teammates did know was that her grandparents would be in the stands cheering them on and even starting new traditions. From squawking rubber chickens, or “golden fowls,” whenever the ref calls a foul on their opponents, to loudly shaking Tide detergent bottles full of pebbles to “keep the tide rolling,” to wearing crazy outfits on various spirit days, the LeGrands are all in for the Rambelles and their coach, Travis McCorkle.
“It’s all about the athletes and having fun,” Jean Ann said. “They come from all over, and it’s rewarding to know them. With soccer specifically, we’re engaging the community to create an atmosphere that helps keep the Rambelles a winning soccer program.”
“We want to create an atmosphere where you can bring your kids and they can look up to the athletes,” she added. “Plus, when other teams come to play against ASU, they also have to play against the fans. It’s about having good, clean fun for families and the community, and to help the team win championships.”
“We want to create an atmosphere where you can bring your kids and they can look up to the athletes.”
- Jean Ann LeGrand
In truth, though, the LeGrands have been helping ASU student-athletes win championships since 2008 when they funded ASU’s first scholarship endowment solely for athletics.
“I’m a big sports fan, and there was a need for funding,” Bob said. “We set up that endowment with the athletic director, Kathleen Brasfield. We both love athletics, and we appreciate how hard the student-athletes work to compete and get an education.”
From scholarships, they quickly moved on to athletics facilities, contributing toward renovations at what became the LeGrand Multipurpose Sports Complex so ASU could host the 2009 national track and field championships. In 2014, they pitched in $2.4 million to further upgrade the complex and purchase the score/video board so the Rams could play home football games on campus at what is now LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field. Then came the aforementioned support for Rambelles soccer.
“When you know the young athletes, it’s amazing,” Jean Ann said. “They keep up with their studies and grades, work out, practice, do team community service, and travel. It’s a massive endeavor for them, and when you see how hard they work to be student-athletes, we want to help them any way we can.”
The LeGrands’ help also extends well beyond athletics. Every year, dozens of ASU students benefit from their academic scholarship endowment. They helped fund construction of the LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center. They are members of the President’s Circle, Ram Club and Alumni Association, with Jean Ann being a President Emeritus of the association. They support a wide variety of programs, ranging from Fostering Ram Success for former foster care youth to the Phil George Blue & Gold Dinner and Auction for athletics, and none of it is for personal recognition.
“We like being involved because of the quality of people at ASU,” Bob said. “We believe in all the different organizations related to Angelo State. We get a lot of pleasure from being with wonderful people in supporting the university.”
“Our contributions are from the entire family,” Jean Ann added, “and our children are proud and support us. When we see the signs with our names on them, it really fills our hearts with gratitude that we are able to contribute.”
“It’s all about the athletes and having fun. They come from all over, and it’s rewarding to know them.”
- Jean Ann LeGrand
Angelo State has also expressed its gratitude, both by the naming of various campus facilities and through individual awards, including Bob being named the 2021 RAM Veteran of the Year. But, the LeGrands’ favorite honor came in 2009 when they were conferred ASU Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees.
“It still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it,” Jean Ann said. “It pretty much tops everything, and I have our degrees and medallions displayed proudly in our home.”
“We were very honored,” Bob added. “We really have enjoyed our relationship with ASU, and will continue to do so.”
In short, the LeGrands are fashioning a legacy at Angelo State that will continue to thrive long into the future.
“We get a lot of pleasure from being with wonderful people in supporting the university.”
- Dr. Robert (Bob) LeGrand
“We want people to know that we cared and we tried to help others help themselves,” Jean Ann said, “and that we worked hard, paid it forward and hopefully made things better. We tried to do the best we could. We wanted to contribute as we are able in gratitude to this community that has done so much for us.”
“We hope people remember that we loved Angelo State,” Bob added. “And we hope that others, by seeing our example, will feel a calling to support ASU because it’s so vital to our community.”