“The Petsches knew early on that this Rangers’ team would make it far and have a shot at the trophy. Alan said he bought his tickets for the postseason after watching the opening game.”
Arlington enthusiast Alan Petsche and his family embrace Texas Rangers’ World Series Win
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by Mia Kovachev
After moving to Arlington when he was nine years old, Alan Petsche and his family knew it was the city they wanted to plant roots in. Nearly 60 years later, the Petsches have been involved in the growing community as new accomplishments put Arlington on the map.
Alan had lived in Arlington for about six years when Arlington mayor Tom Vandergriff negotiated to bring a Major League Baseball team to the city. The Texas Rangers were quick to become Alan’s favorite team, and have been a staple in his life as a Texan.
Before his wedding, Alan’s roommates took him to a Rangers’ game. He hosted his 60th birthday party in the Outfield Club at the old Globe Life Field, as well as his wife Bonnie’s 60th birthday party. Alan and Bonnie decided after they got married, they would purchase season tickets and have been holders ever since then.
Alan and his daughter Julia recall the devastating Rangers’ World Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. Julia said that they “don’t talk about that game” in her house. Alan recalls being at the losing game in St. Louis and sitting behind former Rangers’ president Jon Daniels and baseball legend Nolan Ryan. He said he has never seen a crowd more devastated.
In 2023, the Petsches knew early on that this Rangers’ team would make it far and have a shot at the trophy. Alan said he bought his tickets for the postseason after watching the opening game. The win has been an important part of Arlington’s growth, and Alan said not much has made him happier for the city than a World Series win for the local baseball team.
Alan tries to visit Arlington everyday to catch up with friends, dine at the Candlelite Inn, or play music with his band, the Pengwins. A UT Arlington graduate, he credits the university for bringing him some of his most personal connections, including his wife. The family still donates to UTA, and their family name can be seen on the basketball court in College Park Center.
Meet Mia Kovachev
Mia Kovachev is a 21-year-old student at the University of Texas at Arlington pursuing a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in French. She works for the UTA Sports Information Department as an intern. She is an Arlington, Texas native and has lived there since birth.
Mia hopes to expand her horizons after college and attend a master’s degree program outside of Texas. Some of her hobbies include traveling, watching movies and spending time with her dog, Sushi.
About AMA+UTA CreateCollab
Since the Fall 2022 semester, the Arlington Museum of Art has partnered with The University of Texas at Arlington and a senior-level digital storytelling class to explore a wide variety of contemporary themes inspired by the museum’s mission, values, and exhibitions.
Class projects include photo essays, one-minute documentaries, and brief audio stories.
Associate Professor of Communication Erika Pribanic-Smith teaches the class. She values opportunities to bring real-world experiences to her students.
“My goal is to give my students real-world experience in all of my classes, creating real stories using real sources,” said Dr. Pribanic-Smith. “Creating stories that will be published for the public to see, not just submitted for a grade, gives students extra incentive to put forth their best effort. Furthermore, working with professionals gives the students another layer of feedback to re-enforce what they’re learning in the classroom. I prefer to work with organizations like the Arlington Museum of Art who will benefit in some way from the students’ content so that we are providing a service to the community.”
