Stanford football received a massive donation from a former player to the tune of $50 million, according to a release. It is to go directly to the football program and not a building or facility project. “This is a game-changing gift for Stanford,” President Jonathan Levin said. “It will help us to recruit top talent […]
Stanford football received a massive donation from a former player to the tune of $50 million, according to a release. It is to go directly to the football program and not a building or facility project.
“This is a game-changing gift for Stanford,” President Jonathan Levin said. “It will help us to recruit top talent and compete at the highest level. Brad’s generosity and commitment to football will benefit our entire athletics department, as excellence in football will support success across all 36 varsity sports.”
The gift comes from former player Bradford M. Freeman, who also used to serve on the Board of Trustees at the University. He graduated in 1964.
“We are deeply grateful to Brad for this extraordinary commitment to Stanford football. His generosity comes at a pivotal time and puts us in position to build a championship-caliber program,” John Donahoe, who became the new Jaquish & Kenninger Director and Chair of Athletics on Sept. 8, said. “Brad’s belief in the future of our program strengthens not only football but the foundation of excellence that defines Stanford Athletics.”
Former QB Andrew Luck, who’s the current general manager of the football program, also released a statement. Luck came back to his alma mater to help change the program and steer them in the right direction.
“With Brad’s incredible gift, we are positioned to win on the field and build a bridge to a sustainable future for Stanford football,” Luck said. “The ability to support our players through new scholarships and institutional NIL will reinforce Stanford as the preeminent place in the country to be a football scholar-athlete. I believe that Stanford has the opportunity to be a leading program in college football, and we are entirely motivated to field championship-caliber teams.”
Freeman was a standout football player in high school in Fargo, North Dakota. He later came to Stanford on a scholarship and had a funny way to sum up his collegiate career.
“I went from outstanding player of the year to setting a record at Stanford for the most minutes not played in four years,” Freeman said. He ended up graduating with a degree in economics and also ended up earning an MBA at Harvard before a career in investment banking.
“I remain grateful for the opportunities that my Stanford football scholarship gave me, and for all the ways that the university impacted the trajectory of my life,” Freeman said. “I hope my gift will herald a new era of excellence for Stanford football and help the university address the new financial demands of competitive college athletics.”
Category: General Sports