Penn Athletics news channels have been exploding recently—and for a good reason.
Staying on Track
A $3M gift from Elliott and Gail Rogers supports track & field and cross country programs
Published: February 13, 2024
Just over a month into the 2024 indoor track & field season, both the men’s and women’s teams have been shattering records: in particular, for the women, Isabella Whittaker, C’24, has been claiming one Ivy League record after another and recently clocked a blistering 51.96 seconds in the 400-meter dash.
That’s the second fastest for the distance. In the world.
The success of Whittaker and her teammates, and the hard work of all Penn student athletes, is what brings life to the athletic fields and complexes at Penn—a fact that H. Elliott Rogers, Jr., C’72, WG’75, and Gail Underwood Rogers, CW’73, WG’75, are keenly aware of and have generously supported.
A marathon, not a sprint
Building exceptional programs requires long-term vision—a conviction that the Rogers share and actively work to sustain. For the last 45 years, Elliott and Gail Rogers have directed their philanthropy to Penn sprinters, hurdlers, runners, and throwers, in both seasons of triumph and those filled with tears. Together, the Rogerses supported the installation of a new surface for the track at Franklin Field, endowed the Rogers Family Assistant Coach position, and, in 2001, established the James P. Tuppeny Men’s Track & Field Endowment Fund, which provides ongoing operational support for Penn’s varsity running programs.
Their recent $3 million gift supports both the track & field program and cross country teams at Penn, bolstering head and assistant coaching positions and providing additional funds for programmatic necessities including travel to competitions, state-of-the-art equipment, enhanced recruiting abilities, and an increased emphasis on student wellness and nutrition.
Gail and I firmly believe that Penn’s track and field program can grow even stronger with a robust endowment. This gift is a continued vote of confidence in our student-athletes under the direction of Coach Steve Dolan and in Athletic Director Alanna Shanahan and her leadership team.”H. Elliott Rogers, Jr., C’72, WG’75
Benefits for the competitive community
As Penn track & field continues what looks to be a winning season, eyes from around the globe will be turning to the Franklin Field track come spring. The 128th Penn Relays will be held April 27–29 this year, with thousands of spectators expected to flood Penn’s campus to witness performances from top elementary school, middle school, high school, collegiate, masters, professional, and Special Olympics athletes from around the world.
It will be a proud moment for many Penn athletes, coaches, parents, and supporters, who believe deeply in the power of collegiate sports programs and who, like the Rogerses, have invested so much in seeing student athletes excel. “We are so grateful to Elliott and Gail Rogers for inspiring our talented student-athletes to reach their fullest potential,” says Alanna W. Shanahan, C’96, T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W’69 Director of Athletics and Recreation. Adds Steve Dolan, the James P. Tuppeny/Betty J. Costanza Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, “Their unwavering commitment to supporting Penn Athletics continues to impact and elevate the holistic student-athlete experience.”
Header image by Eric Sucar.
