University of Tennessee Athletics
Smith Makes Gift to Create UT Football Players Lounge
October 14, 2002 | Football
Oct. 7, 2002
| Smith Family Makes $150,000 Gift to UT Athletics Facilities Program | ||||
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| Former Vol Chuck Smith and his wife, Mynique, presented UT a check for $150,000 prior to last Saturday's Arkansas game. Smith's gift will be used to create the Chuck Smith Players Lounge in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center. Also pictured: Carmen Tegano (far left) and UT athletic director Doug Dickey, | ||||
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| Former Tennessee defensive end Chuck Smith returned to Shields-Watkins
Field last Saturday, this time to present an oversize check to athletics
director Doug Dickey representing his personal commitment of $150,000 for
the Athletic Department's Facilities Program.
Smith's gift will be used to create the Chuck Smith Players Lounge in the current Neyland-Thompson Complex when a renovation and expansion project begins on that facility this winter. "Chuck Smith has stepped forward to make a gift to help make our football program even better," Dickey said. "He certainly made his impact felt while he was here and, 10 years later, he's continuing to have a major impact on our program."
Smith, a native of Athens, Ga., played for the Vols in 1990 and 1991 after a stint at Northeastern Oklahoma Junior College in Miami, Okla. He had nine sacks in his senior season of 1991, ninth best single-season mark in Vols history. He was a member of the Vols' 1990 SEC championship team. "This is something I am proud to do for the University of Tennessee and the football program," Smith said. "I remember well my time at the University and wanted to help the program continue to prosper. The players lounge will give our student-athletes a dedicated place to get together and build team relationships during breaks between class and practice and other responsibilities." After his UT days, Smith was a second round choice of the Falcons in the 1992 NFL Draft. He helped lead the way for the Falcons to the NFC crown and berth in Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999. While with the Falcons, he was a team captain, was selected the Greatest Falcon Lineman Ever and was named an "Unsung Hero" by the National Football League. He was named a "Howie Long Tough Guy" in 1998. "Chuck is a perfect example of a young man who came to the University of Tennessee and made the most of his opportunities while he was here," Associate AD Carmen Tegano said. "Because of that effort then, he's now in a position to contribute to our efforts to continue to be top-flight in every sense of the word. Chuck's commitment to the University parallels his commitment to his family and his community involvement in Atlanta since his retirement from professional football."
His community involvement includes his duties as a spokesperson for the state of Georgia Juvenile Arthritis Foundation, Toys for Tots and the Girls and Boys Clubs. Smith now lives in Duluth, Ga., with his wife, Mynique, and children Giavani and Chuck IV. He currently works with WSB-TV in Atlanta as a sportscaster on the morning show. He has appeared on Sports Final on WBS and is a guest host on CNN Talkback Live. He's also on the "SEC Report" on Fox SportSouth each Thursday evening. The Chuck Smith Players Lounge is part of a comprehensive plan for new, renovated and expanded facilities benefiting 17 of UT's 20 men's and women's intercollegiate sports. These improvements are designed to enable UT to continue to compete for SEC and NCAA championships in each of its sports. For more information about Tennessee athletic facility renovations
plans, or to find out about donating to the university's athletic
departments call 865-974-1218. |
