The Rutherford County
Sports Hall of Fame
Robert McNair
2017
a 1954 Cool Springs High School graduate, has always been a leader, from school athletics and student body president to businessman and philanthropist. In 1983 McNair established Cogen Technologies, Inc. in Houston, Texas, one of the largest non-utility co-generators of electrical and thermal energy in the United States.
Committed to bringing a National Football League team to the city of Houston, McNair formed Houston NFL Holdings in 1998. On October 6, 1999, the NFL announced that the 32nd NFL franchise had been awarded to McNair. His Houston Texans debuted in 2002.
Fueled by the desire to give back to deserving students, the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation was formed in 1989. The graduating Class of 1990 was the first to benefit from the ongoing efforts of McNair and his Foundation which to date has awarded approximately
$2.6 million in financial aid.
Robert McNair is a member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame and a number of institutions including Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Grand Opera, and other Houston area organizations. He is a recipient of the Anti-Defamation League's Torch of Liberty Award.
McNair donated over $1 million towards the completion of McNair Field, which hosts his hometown Forest City Owls, a collegiate summer wooden bat team in the Coastal Plain League.
The achievements and accolades, both in regard to sports, education and philanthropy which have been accomplished by Robert McNair are far too numerous to list. He has embodied the true meaning of good sportsmanship.