With a little help from former UT quarterback Colt McCoy, three UT students in the McCombs School of Business are spreading the word about their new organization. 

Finance sophomores Alan Dukor and Andy Smith, along with accounting junior Jacob Guss started Caring for Camo, a student organization dedicated to sending letters and care packages to deployed U.S. troops. The organization invited Colt McCoy to share support for the cause and rally students into action Tuesday.

President and founder, Dukor said prior to the event that he knew McCoy was a big supporter of the cause.

“He’s Colt McCoy, and he’s just a great guy,” Dukor said. “When Colt was first asked to speak, he said if the event were at 3 a.m., he’d be there to do it.”

While McCoy showed the audience his own care package of gummy worms, beef jerky and a Sports Illustrated magazine, he also shared his personal connection with the cause.

“The people in the military are near and dear to my heart,” McCoy said. “I know the importance of it because of my cousin. He passed away when he served in the Marines. He was a great man and a great servant.”

Dukor said the purpose of sending letters and care packages to the troops is to remind them of home, brighten their day, show them they have support and wish them a safe trip home. The event, held in the Texas Union Ballroom, also featured Bennie Wylie, the UT football strength and conditioning head coach.

“Men and women your age are serving for us so we can do this,” Wylie said. “I coach for a living. Men and women fighting and dying so I can do my job, men and women fighting and dying so you can sit here. You chose to sit here. They chose to go.“

Before signing autographs to send to troops, McCoy reminded the audience of the ultimate meaning of the event. 

“Let’s not just enjoy this time together and move on from here,” McCoy said. “Let’s actually get involved. We’re talking about encouraging guys that are fighting for our freedom. We live in a free country and that comes with a cost and let’s never forget that.”