Good evening, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) fans. Just a quick post tonight because I’m going to win the lottery LOL.
Seriously, the Duke University Sports Information Department just put out some really amazing news: The university just concluded a seven-year fundraising campaign and raised $3.85 BILLION (not a typo). Here is what some of the money is going towards:
The comprehensive campaign, which began on July 1, 2010, and ended on June 30, 2017, benefitted all 10 of Duke’s graduate and undergraduate schools, Duke Athletics, Duke Libraries, Duke Health and a range of university-wide initiatives and programs. It transformed the physical campus and funded priorities such as financial aid, faculty development, research and patient care, and hands-on learning opportunities for students.
$340 million of that funding is going towards athletics.
“Facilities at Duke have changed so drastically that it’s difficult to find the words to describe it,” said Duke head football coach David Cutcliffe. “It’s even more difficult to describe the impact the facilities have had on our student-athletes and prospects – in all sports. People outside of Duke, whether that is a prospective student-athlete, fan or otherwise, now see an entirely different commitment to football. I cannot thank Dr. White and his leadership in that regard enough. And certainly thanks to all the people who have so generously donated for us to have this opportunity. To Dr. White, the administration, Duke University and all the people who have worked so hard to make this dream come true – thank you.”
Here’s a few of the major uses:
The many projects and activities Building Champions helped to fund and support include:
• Renovation of Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium
– Built Blue Devil Tower with new President’s suite
– Added 21 suites and a private club for 700+ people
– New concessions and restrooms
– New gates and entrances
– New concourse
– Training table for student-athletes• Scott Family Athletics Performance Center
– New weight training area for Olympic sports
– New offices for Athletics administration
– New training room for Olympic sports
– New ticket office with easy access for all sporting events
– New Nike Store
– Gatorade station for student-athletes• Rubenstein Pavilion – Cameron Indoor Stadium
– New and expanded lobby
– New private club for basketball games and other events• Duke Softball Stadium
– Finalizing construction of brand new stadium on Duke’s East Campus
– Features include indoor batting cages, a spacious locker room and seating for 500 fans• Morris Williams Track and Field Stadium
– Built a comprehensive stadium for all events
– A first-class venue for the entire campus community to use• Tribull Plaza
– Large pedestrian plaza for alumni and friends• Cohan Fields
– Two turf and one grass practice fields for lacrosse, soccer and intramurals• Kennedy Tower
– Includes a state-of-the-art press tower for video, media and broadcasting
– Features a hospitality area for entertaining during events
That’s a major infusion of cash there. Duke will find its way as a team consistently in the top 25 for football after this bankroll. I also think you’ll find Duke as school that tries to make the top 10 of the Learfield Sports Director’s Cup every year now.
Congratulations to Duke University for this amazing fundraising success over a seven-year period – that’s almost four billion dollars – it’s amazing philanthropy.
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