In conjunction with the Nov. 9 announcement of the $4 million gift from Allan Jones of Cleveland, Tenn., the Men's and Women's Athletics Departments have unveiled "STEP UP- The Campaign for UT Athletic Facilities."
STEP UP is a comprehensive capital campaign to raise $44.25 million for new, renovated and expanded facilities benefiting 17 of UT's 20 men's and women's intercollegiate teams. These improvements are designed to enable UT to continue competing for SEC and NCAA championships in each of its sports. "This campaign is a major move toward continued excellence in men's and women's sports at the University of Tennessee," UT president Dr. John W. Shumaker said. "I am enthusiastic about the future of our athletics programs and certain that Vols fans from across the state and nation will come through, as they always have." A major commitment in the spring of 2000 from Brenda and Toby McKenzie, also of Cleveland, prompted the Athletics Department to begin the STEP UP campaign in the fall of 2000. Prior to today's announcement of the Jones gift, a total of $36.25 million has been secured from Athletics Department revenues and private gifts, including $16.25 million pledged by 120 private donors. In addition, the Athletics Department announced a facilities improvement component in the ticket price increase of April 2001 that, coupled with careful fiscal management, is generating $20 million over a five-year period. "This campaign is important because facilities for student-athletes are an important part of the winning edge," ADs Doug Dickey and Joan Cronan said. "We need to keep ahead of the curve in providing the best possible facilities for our student-athletes. This is a positive move that will help us stay in the forefront of collegiate athletics in the years to come." | "This campaign is a major move toward continued excellence in men's and women's sports at the University of Tennessee. I am enthusiastic about the future of our athletics programs and certain that Vols fans from across the state and nation will come through, as they always have." | | Dr. John W. Shumaker
UT President | The Chairman of the STEP UP Campaign is John Thornton of Chattanooga. Joining him on the Executive Committee are Charlie Anderson, Knoxville; Vicky Fulmer, Maryville; Jim Haslam, Knoxville; Bill Johnson, Sparta; Brenda McKenzie, Cleveland; Jim Ogle, Gatlinburg; and Dick and Susan Williams of Knoxville. Thornton, whose $1 million gift in 1998 led to construction of the academic center bearing his name, is excited about the campaign's impact on UT's overall athletics future. "I am honored to chair this campaign," Thornton said. "It is important to the state of Tennessee and the University that all our teams and student-athletes have a chance to be successful. STEP UP will provide the across-the-board facility improvements that will positively impact recruiting, training and competition preparation for all of our student-athletes. "Since the University's athletics department is financially self-sufficient, STEP UP will ensure that the needed upgrades happen while helping ensure that the Athletics Department can continue to provide needed support for University programs." The UT Athletics Department provides an average of $19.5 million in annual direct and indirect revenue to the University community, including $1.5 million for academic scholarships and $1.125 million to pay for debt on University parking garages. "When the Athletic Department facilities are enhanced, the University benefits," Dr. Shumaker said. Several aspects of STEP UP make the effort unique in the University's history. In addition to being the athletics department's first multi-facility comprehensive capital campaign, STEP UP is a combined effort of the men's and women's departments and more than 80 percent of the campaign's funded projects are for sports other than football. Coupled with the existing indoor and outdoor pools, the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center will give UT, the city of Knoxville and Tennessee one of the finest swimming facilities in the world. STEP UP also will fund an expansion of the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center, construction of the McKenzie Athletics Center, the recently dedicated Haslam Field and Wolf-Kaplan Hospitality Center, a new golf range clubhouse, soccer and softball stadiums, and possible renovations for multi-use Stokely Athletics Center to better accommodate volleyball and indoor track and basketball practice. The Jones challenge gift brings UT's total to $40.25 million. It now will be up to all Volunteer fans and donors to provide the $4 million to match Jones' gift and reach the Campaign goal of $44.25 million. For more information about STEP UP - The Campaign for UT Athletic Facilities, contact Mike Hamilton or John Currie at 865-974-1218.
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