TCU Chancellor Emeritus Victor J. Boschini, Jr. and TCU Athletics Director Mike Buddie join leadership board
TCU Chancellor Emeritus Victor J. Boschini, Jr. and TCU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Buddie have accepted invitations to become members of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl’s Executive Council, which is comprised of key members of the Fort Worth community.
“We are thrilled to have these two energetic and principled leaders join our Executive Council,” said Brant Ringler, Executive Director of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. “Not only has TCU been an incredible partner since day one, but both men have personal histories with our bowl game. Victor has been an ardent supporter of the bowl for more than two decades and truly understands its importance to the city of Fort Worth. Meanwhile, Mike gained first-hand experience of the significance of our mission and the city’s greatness previously as the Army Athletics Director.”
Boschini, who became the TCU Chancellor in 2003, is a staunch supporter of college athletics. Additionally, Boschini has been actively engaged in the greater Fort Worth community and sits on the board of the Van Cliburn Foundation and is an Emeritus board member of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
“I am honored and really looking forward to taking more of an active role in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl,” Boschini said. “I have enjoyed attending it and watching it grow over these past many years.”
Buddie, a former professional Major League Baseball player, became the TCU Athletics Director in January of 2025 after five-plus years at the United States Military Academy at West Point. In 2021, the Army West Point Black Knights defeated Missouri, 24-22, on a last-second field goal in the 19th edition of the bowl.
“I am humbled and privileged to be serving in this capacity,” Buddie said. “As a former participant in the ‘Bowl for the Brave,’ I know firsthand the positive impact the game and surrounding festivities have on the young men playing in the game, and the tremendous opportunity the bowl offers to showcase the incredible community of Fort Worth.”
TCU has served as the host site for the Armed Forces Bowl since the game’s inception in 2003, with only the 2010 and 2011 games being played at an alternate site due to the extensive renovation of Amon G. Carter Stadium.
The “Bowl for the Brave” has featured the Armed Forces theme since 2006 and was the first collegiate football bowl game to host all three U.S. Military Academy football teams. Played in honor of the Armed Forces of the United States, the 2024 game marked the 14th time in the past 18 years that the game featured an academy team. Air Force (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2022, 2023), Army (2010, 2017, 2018, 2021) and Navy (2013, 2016, 2024) have been frequent participants over the past nearly two decades.
The 23rd edition of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will be played Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. Kickoff is set for noon (CT) on ESPN.
The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl is one of 17 bowl games owned and operated by ESPN Events. For additional information about the bowl, please visit ArmedForcesBowl.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter.
