It was a great holiday for the University of Memphis, and our school has a lot to be thankful for. An alumni has donated ten million dollars to the University of Memphis athletics program. The donation has come from a former University of Memphis basketball player and his daughter. You can learn more at Wreg.A former University of Memphis basketball player and his wife, daughter of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, have made a large donation to the University.
Their $10 million contribution will go to the capital campaign for athletic facilities.
It is the single largest philanthropic gift in the history of the athletic department, and the second-largest gift ever in the 100-year history of the university.
“The University of Memphis and its proud athletics tradition played an extremely important role in shaping our lives,” said Bill and Nancy Laurie in a statement announcing the donation. “We are honored and gratified to play a role in support of the institution’s commitment to help guide current and future student-athletes toward their ultimate goals in life.”
Bill and Nancy Laurie are both graduates of the University of Memphis (then known as Memphis State University).
Bill was a starting guard on the Memphis State men’s basketball team that played in the 1973 NCAA National Championship game.
Nancy Walton Laurie is the youngest daughter of Sam Walton.
The couple lives in Columbia, Missouri where they donated $25 million towards a new arena at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
The arena was named Paige Sports Arena after their daughter.
The name was later removed when Paige’s roommate at the University of Southern California said she was paid $20,000 to do her homework over four years.
According to the University of Memphis, “By securing the $10 million lead gift, the athletic department leadership has reached a significant benchmark in the capital campaign. Memphis has already secured 25 percent of the funds necessary to reach its goal of $40 million, less than 120 days after the plan was unveiled by President Martin.”
The plan calls for construction of a new men’s basketball practice and training facility, an indoor football practice complex, and a softball clubhouse, which includes indoor batting areas.
It will additionally fund comprehensive upgrades and renovations to existing facilities, such as FedExPark and the Hardin Family Sports Complex.
The upgrades will include improvements in common-use facilities that benefit each of the Tigers’ 18 athletics programs.
0comments:
Post a Comment