Three generations of support for the love of the game
If there were a dictionary entry for “baseball nut,” it might include a photo of David and Darlene Weekly.
Like the red cotton stitching on a baseball, America’s favorite pastime has been woven through David’s life since childhood: his grandfather took him to the 1960 World Series, and baseball has remained his passion ever since. He’s collected more than 65,000 baseball cards, still catches double‑headers at 75, and proudly sports license plates reading “Baseball 1,” “Baseball 2” and “Baseball 4.” Darlene’s enthusiasm is just as fierce.
That love naturally shaped their family. David played through high school and coached youth teams with his sons, Brian and Chris. When Chris, and later Chris’s son Dylan, were recruited to New Mexico State, the connection between the Weeklys and Aggie baseball locked in. Since 1998, the Weeklys have been generous supporters of NM State Baseball, giving not out of obligation, but out of pure devotion.
A Thoughtful Approach to Giving
Originally from West Virginia, David married his high school sweetheart, Darlene, in 1971 while serving in the U.S. Navy. His 50‑year career as a CPA trained him to think long‑term, weigh risks and align decisions with purpose. That mindset shapes the family’s philanthropy.
Today, baseball remains the entire family’s great love. “We’d go to a game every day if we could,” David said. “We try to go to all of Dylan’s home games, and in Arizona, there are fall leagues, high school and college ball, spring training and MLB Diamondbacks games.”
Their giving is guided by a simple belief: support what you love and do it wisely. Strategic gifts of appreciated stock have allowed them to strengthen the baseball program in ways that reflect both passion and practicality. “All we’re saying is, ‘We believe in this program,’” David said. “We hope others will support it too.”
From the Dugout to the Pros
Chris played college baseball at Central Arizona before transferring to NMSU, recruited by former coach Rocky Ward. Drafted out of high school by the Chicago White Sox, he chose to finish his education first. At NMSU, he was an all-conference selection for both years, playing third base and shortstop while the program was gaining momentum.
“In those days, players had to raise money just to travel,” David remembered. “We went door to door around Las Cruces asking local merchants for donations. It was a young program, but it kept getting better.”
While at NMSU, Chris met his future wife, Carol Roybal of Pecos, N.M. Today their son Dylan carries on the Aggie tradition as a pitcher for the Aggies. “To see him wear uniform number 31 is a real treat for us,” David said. Dylan’s younger sister, Keira, will continue the family’s legacy as a softball player at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, next year.
Investing in the Future
“We love watching the Aggies play, and the people we’ve met at NMSU have been terrific,” David said. “It’s something we care deeply about and that’s why we continue to invest in it.”
The Weeklys began donating appreciated stock to NMSU, which typically allows donors to avoid capital gains tax on the stock while receiving a charitable deduction for the fair market value. This creates a much higher donation to the university and no tax on the gains. The NMSU Foundation can then direct the proceeds to priorities like field improvements, equipment and student-athlete support, turning investment growth into lasting impact.
“The Weekly family represents the very best of what college athletics can be about: legacy, loyalty and belief in something bigger than themselves,” said Jack Angier, Head Baseball Coach at NMSU. “Seeing Dylan continue that tradition speaks to the kind of values David and Darlene have instilled in their family. Their generous support of NM State baseball has strengthened our program in lasting ways, but just as important is the heart behind it.”
As Aggie baseball celebrates several field improvements, the Weeklys remain steady in their support. Guided by David’s financial acumen, the family gives strategically, using tools like gifts of appreciated assets and required minimum distributions from 401Ks or IRAs to stretch each dollar further. Chris and Carol have embraced the same approach, making a stock gift to the Baseball Diamond Club to help move the program forward.
David downplays his role. “It’s not about me and my wife,” he said. “It’s about how much we care about the program and the people building it. We just wanted to find thoughtful ways to support something we love.”
To make a gift to the NMSU Foundation using appreciated stock, call 575-201-9023 or email plannedgiving@nmsufoundation.org. Learn more at https://plannedgiving.nmsu.edu/appreciated-securities.
This story first appeared in the Spring 2026 edition of Aggie Up! To view the full issue visit: alwaysanaggie.org/stories/aggieup-spring-2026.