Former QB Kevin Sweeney and others make $50,000 gifts and more to help build Meyer's Family Sports Medicine Center, install turf and move the program further
June 4, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. -
You saw them break records on the gridiron and now you're seeing those same student-athletes break philanthropic contribution records for the betterment of Fresno State Athletics.
A record number of former football players have decided to give back to the athletics program that they played for years ago. Recently a handful of individuals who played football for Fresno State have given gifts of $50,000 or more including Logan Mankins, Kevin Sweeney and Chris Pacheco.
Interestingly enough, gifts that have come in from former football players are directed towards the Meyer's Family Sports Medicine Center, which is not necessarily a football only project.
"Every collegiate athlete deserves the right to use and be treated in the best medical facilities the school has to offer," said former Bulldog and NFL quarterback Kevin Sweeney, whose son, Troy, is a freshman on the Fresno State men's golf team. "We want to give every student-athlete the opportunity to be the best they can be."
Sweeney finished his four-year career in 1986 as the all-time leading passer in NCAA history (10,808) yards, breaking the previous mark of 10,579 set from 1981-84 by former Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie. A four-year starter for the Bulldogs, Sweeney set or tied a total of 30 school, conference or NCAA records in his time at Fresno State before going on to the NFL where he played two seasons (1987-88) with the Dallas Cowboys.
List of former football players who have recently given a gift of at least $50,000 to Fresno State are:
Logan Mankins
Rod and Curtis Stubblefield
Jeff Theisen
Lance Dueker
Chris Pacheco
Brian Panish
Kevin Sweeney
"Fresno State Athletics gives the city of Fresno positive national exposure," said Lance Dueker (1989-91). "As a local business owner it is important to me to get behind the department and support what the athletics program does for this community. Fresno State Athletics improves the quality of life for Valley residents when it's rolling and when people are supporting it."
The Meyer's Family Sports Medicine Center will be the cornerstone of Fresno State's student-athlete village. It is a 10,000 square-foot facility that will feature:
• Hydrotherapy Pools
• First-Class Rehabilitation Equipment
• Ample Treatment Space
• Physician Examination & Diagnosis
• Nutrition Education Area
• Student-Athlete Lounge
The initiation of the $6 million capital project symbolizes the Bulldogs' strong commitment to create and continually enhance the best possible "student-athlete experience" at Fresno State.
"Thanks to the generosity of not only the former Fresno State football players, but all Bulldog Foundation members, current and future Fresno State student-athletes will have new resources at their hand to improve their overall student-athlete experience at Fresno State," Fresno State Senior Associate AD for External Relations Paul Ladwig said.
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