Press Release:
MEDIA
CONTACT:
Amy
Haycock
561-297-4040, ahaycock@fau.edu
FAU Stadium Receives $2 Million Gift from Schmidt Family Foundation
BOCA RATON, FL (May 4, 2011)
–
The Florida Atlantic University athletics department recently
received a gift of $2 million for the new on-campus stadium. The
gift came from longtime FAU supporters Richard and Barbara Schmidt,
through the Schmidt Family Foundation, whose contribution will be
recognized with permanent signage on the stadium scoreboard.
“We are extremely grateful to the Schmidt Family Foundation
for this gift,” said FAU President Mary Jane Saunders.
“The support FAU has received from the Schmidts over the
years has helped it become the internationally recognized
university it is today. With these funds for the stadium, the
Schmidt family continues to leave its mark on FAU, and we will be
reminded of the extraordinary generosity every time we look at the
scoreboard that bears their family name.”
The Schmidt family’s support has touched many parts of FAU,
including the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, which
received a $10 million gift in 1991, and the Charles E. Schmidt
College of Science, which received a $15 million gift in 1998. Both
set records for cash gifts to academic programs at Florida’s
public universities. The newly accredited Charles E. Schmidt
College of Medicine also will benefit from the 1998 gift.
“Through the Schmidt’s generosity, this gift becomes
the largest donation to the stadium thus far and really gives the
project vital credibility in the community,” said FAU
Director of Athletics Craig Angelos. “We cannot thank them
enough.”
The Schmidt Family Foundation was established in 1982 by successful
businessman Charles Schmidt as the conduit for the continuation of
his philanthropy. Other major gifts from the Schmidt Family
Foundation have benefited the College of Engineering and Computer
Science and the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, and
established the Peaceful World/Peaceful Mind Program, which has
brought world-famous speakers to FAU, such as Jane Goodall and His
Holiness the Dalai Lama. Additionally, thousands of students with
financial need have been able to pursue degrees with the assistance
of Schmidt scholarships.
“As members of this great community, we are excited to
participate in the growth of FAU, especially the building of its
on-campus stadium,” said Richard Schmidt. “We look
forward to football Saturdays in our new home stadium, and to the
enhanced university experience it will create for future
generations of students, alumni and Owl fans.”
The FAU stadium is the centerpiece of FAU’s Innovation
Village, located in the north central area of the Boca Raton
campus. Home of the Owl football team, the 30,000-seat open-air
stadium, a $70 million project, is slated to feature 6,000 premium
seats, including 24 suites, 26 loge boxes, 1,000 premier club seats
and 4,000 priority club seats, and the latest, state-of-the-art
amenities.
“We truly appreciate this gift from the Schmidt
family,” said Michael Kaufman, former FAU Foundation Board
chair. “I am happy to announce that 100 percent of Foundation
board members have pledged their support toward the stadium
fund.”
According to the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, the new FAU
stadium could generate an estimated $4.5 million to the local
economy on each game day. The stadium project has already
contributed to the creation of more than 1,550 jobs onsite and
offsite since the official planning stages began in 2008.
“We are extremely excited about the new stadium and the
wonderful impact it will have on our local community,” said
FAU Board of Trustees Chair Robert Stilley. “One hundred
percent of our BOT members are participating in supporting the
stadium project as well.”
FAU will kick off the 2011 season at the University of Florida on
September 3. The team’s first home game in the new stadium is
scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2011.
“October 15 will forever be a day of great significance in
FAU history, as we play for the first time in our on-campus
stadium,” said Head Football Coach Howard
Schnellenberger. “On behalf of the players, coaches and
fans, I thank the Schmidt Family Foundation for their commitment to
the future of Owl football and for their generous gift to our new
home.”
For more information about the FAU stadium, visit
www.fausports.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Terry
Mohajir at 561-297-0131 or
stadium@fau.edu.
- FAU -
About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. In commemoration of its origin, FAU is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2011. Today, the University serves more than 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students on seven campuses and sites. FAU’s world-class teaching and research faculty serves students through 10 colleges: the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters, the College of Business, the College for Design and Social Inquiry, the College of Education, the College of Engineering & Computer Science, the Graduate College, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. FAU is ranked as a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.
