Joshua & Stephanie Davis
Growing up in northern Virginia, Josh Davis immersed himself into a collegiate culture that dominates the sporting landscape from November to March. He fell under the spell that is 
ACC basketball.
But then it was time for a culture shock—moving to Texas and eventually landing at Texas A&M, where football was the king and basketball the jester.
As a member of the Class of ’94, Davis suffered through some forgettable Aggie men’s basketball as the tumultuous Kermit Davis season transitioned into the spotty Tony Barone era.
Today, Josh Davis beams with pride about his basketball program’s remarkable transformation from NIT wannabe to NCAA Tournament regular.
“I grew up a huge University of Maryland fan,” said Davis, who has become a significant contributor to Phase II of the Championship Vision capital campaign. “Maryland didn’t have much of a football program when I was there, but I was a huge Maryland basketball fan and frankly I still am.
“But I love my Aggie basketball, and I would have a tough time if they played each other. It’s been awesome the last six years to have a basketball team of my own to cheer for. I get so jacked for football, but I’m ecstatic about basketball and so happy I can go to tournament games and be excited about it now.”
After his family moved to San Marcos, Davis fell in love with all that is Aggieland and would follow his sister to A&M. As a student, he rarely missed football games at Kyle Field or basketball games at G. Rollie White Coliseum and was fortunate to witness no losses at Kyle Field from 1991-94.
At G. Rollie White, it was a different story. But the bad run of basketball didn’t damper his passion for the maroon and white. After graduating with degrees in accounting and finance, Davis lived in Washington D.C. and Charlotte before finally relocating back to Houston seven years ago.
Now the 38-year-old is a highly successful financier at D.E. Shaw & Co., an alternative asset-managing firm. And despite raising three kids with his Aggie wife, Stephanie, Davis is now engaged as ever with Texas A&M athletics and the 12th Man Foundation.
When he’s not at one of his child’s soccer games, he’s on the road to an Aggie sporting event, rarely missing a men’s basketball game at Reed Arena.
“I love this school,” Davis said. “I’m a huge Aggie and have grown up and been a lifelong sports fan. I’m involved, and it’s fun to be involved. Now, I have great access to the program and insight.
“I try to tell guys my age that have resources that you don’t have to give that much. Believe me, it’s meaningful. If we can find a hundred guys like that, suddenly it’s super meaningful.”
Davis represents the new generation of Texas A&M supporters, who will be vital to pushing the school and its athletic department to unprecedented heights going forward. And there’s been recent and tangible evidence of what can happen when the fundraising base broadens.
The stunning Cox-McFerrin Center for Aggie Basketball could be the crown jewel of athletic facilities on campus, and the basketball programs under Mark Turgeon and Gary Blair have taken off accordingly.
Last year’s game against Kansas at Reed Arena—even in defeat— could rank as one of the top events in any sport in Texas A&M history.
“That atmosphere was as good as any atmosphere at old Cole Fieldhouse at Maryland or Cameron Indoor at Duke or any other places you want to name. It was just an awesome atmosphere.
“The one thing I want out of this basketball program and the fans is I want to see that (atmosphere) for all the conference games and I wanted to start seeing those types of crowds for even the non-conference games. Turgeon would love that, and when you get a team of the quality he has it’s deserved.”
Davis also has been involved in hosting Champions Council events in Houston and recently donated to the Olsen Field project that will include massive renovations and enhancements to the aging baseball facility. Construction of a new training facility and coaches offices—as well as improvements to the concourses, restrooms and concession areas—could begin in February.
“I had two friends who played baseball at Texas,” Davis added. “They would tell you that when they were in school, Olsen was the best place…it was, by far, the best field, the best stadium. They don’t get it that it’s all dilapidated now because it was the premier place in the early 1990s.
“My hope is this will help Rob Childress and put him on the same level as the people he’s recruiting against like Rice and Texas, and even TCU and Baylor.”
Davis certainly is one of thousands of Aggie supporters who have stepped up to the fundraising plate. But building facilities—and champions at Texas A&M—remains an unending project.
“I would say what are you waiting for?” Davis says. “There’s no reason to wait. Why not have the success now? If you like going to the office every day and having the Longhorns talk the trash…if you’re tired of it, give some money and do your own part to help the program have some real success.”