The UT Arlington Athletics family lost an icon late last week when Marvin "Butch" McBroom, 78, passed away at his home in Granbury, Texas, on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 24.
 
McBroom's first season as UTA's head baseball coach came in 1974, and he remained in that post through the 1999 season when he retired as the program's all-time winningest coach with 756 victories. Following his time on the diamond, McBroom moved into an administrative role with the Mavericks, serving as the department's Director of Development until 2004.
 
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m. at Clay Gould Ballpark. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks for donations to be made to the UTA baseball program McBroom so dearly loved:
 
In Writing
Maverick Club – Baseball
601 Spaniolo Dr.
Arlington, TX 76010
 
Online
securelb.imodules.com
 
On behalf of UTA Director of Athletics Jon Fagg: "The impact Butch McBroom made on UT Arlington baseball is immeasurable – he nurtured and forged the program into what it is today. He embodied everything it means to be a Maverick, and his contributions to UTA go far beyond the diamond; his presence had a profound impact throughout the department and university. Mav Nation, we celebrate and honor the life of Butch McBroom. Thank you, coach!"
 
McBroom was the first person in UTA baseball history to have his number retired when his No. 30 and last name was unveiled on the right-centerfield wall as part of a ceremony in advance of the 2000 season opener.
 
Among his numerous accolades in a 33-year coaching career – 26 of which took place at UTA – were two Southland Conference (SLC) championships and taking the Mavs to the NCAA Regional in 1990 and 1992. McBroom was named the NCAA South Central Region Coach of the Year in 1990, along with four SLC Coach of the Year awards in 1981, 1984, 1990 and 1992.
 
A cancer survivor who had his leg amputated due to the disease in 1983, McBroom posted 14 consecutive 30+ win seasons from 1980-1993. He helped produce 65 players who moved on to the professional ranks, 48 who became coaches and 46 who earned All-SLC honors in a UTA uniform.
 
Over the course of his collegiate coaching career – which also included two years at Union (Tenn.) University – McBroom won 806 games, and at the time of his retirement ranked 44th on the all-time NCAA wins list. McBroom also spent five years coaching in the high school ranks. The former Baylor graduate standout catcher was a member of the 1966 Southwest Conference Championship team, and was inducted into the UTA Athletics Hall of Honor on Sept. 25, 2004.
 
Fellow coach – and more importantly, friend – for more than 50 years, John Mocek did not mince words when describing the impact McBroom had on UTA baseball.
 
"Butch McBroom is without a doubt the single most important figure in the history of UTA baseball," said Mocek, who played four years for McBroom before joining his staff as a third base coach for 14 seasons. "Butch built the program from its infancy with limited resources and carried it into the 21st century. The impact he had on the young men he coached is no more evident than the amount of them who until his last day remained in contact with Butch and became life-long friends.
 
"Personally, Butch is the person who gave me an opportunity to play and coach the sport I loved," continued Mocek, who himself has given nearly 50 years to the department and was a 2022 UTA Athletics Hall of Honor inductee. "Butch was paramount and influential throughout my time with UTA, and I'm so grateful for his friendship and mentorship on and off the playing field."
 
In addition to his tenure as UTA baseball coach, McBroom also spent one season as UTA softball coach in the fall of 1976 and spring of 1977, accumulating a record of 33-8 and leading the Mavs to a 1st-place regional finish.
 
A beloved husband, father, grandfather and mentor, McBroom was born on Dec. 9, 1943, in Fort Worth to M.W. "Buster" and Rosie McBroom. On Dec. 6, 1986, he married Lynn Carroll and the two had three children: Dana, Greg and Chad. He enjoyed many outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing and time at his ranch, in addition to being an avid reader. 
 
McBroom is survived by his wife, Lynn; his children, Dana and husband Ralph Martinez, Chad and wife Mindy McBroom; his grandchildren, Sydni, Abigail, Brett, Megan, Isabelle, and Caise; and by two great-grandchildren, Tristin and Jackson.
 
In addition to his parents, McBroom was preceded in death by his son, Greg Carroll.