Penn Athletics launches endowment initiative to support the student-athlete experience
Penn has a long tradition of athletic excellence that has unified Quakers and inspired Penn pride for centuries. For the athletes themselves, participation in sports has always been an essential part of the collegiate experience, fostering confidence, perseverance, leadership and teamwork.
As the costs to provide student-athletes with the best possible athletic experience while remaining competitive in the Ivy League and nationally continue to rise, growing the Penn Athletic endowment to a more competitive level within our peer group is among Penn Athletics’ top priorities in the Campaign.
Penn Athletics is launching a first-of its-kind initiative that will support student-athletes for generations to come—the Penn Student-Athlete Experience Endowment. To offset the costs associated with varsity athletic programs as well as position Penn Athletics for consistent future success, Penn Athletics is offering donors the opportunity to endow the entirety or a portion of the costs of a single student-athlete to participate in one of Penn’s 33 varsity programs for an entire year.
Funds from the endowment do not support financial aid or the students themselves, but rather operational costs such as travel, equipment, game day operations, nutrition, sports performance, academic support, etc. for the sport of the donor’s choosing.
By making commitments at levels ranging from $50,000 to $1 million, donors will have the opportunity to name their endowment, receive a performance report and be paired with a student-athlete from their chosen sport, with a chance to meet their sponsored student at special events. Supporters pledging over $500,000 will also receive exclusive team-related experiences and increased formal opportunities to connect with their student.
Marritje and James “Jamie” H. Greene, Jr, W’72, PAR’05, PAR’08, PAR’10, immediately understood the importance of providing ongoing financial support to Penn’s athletic programs. A former Penn football and lacrosse player and current Trustee, Athletics Overseer and Athletics Campaign Co-Chair, Greene and his wife donated $1 million to establish the Greene Family Men’s Lacrosse Endowment Fund. The Greene’s generosity will in perpetuity fully cover the direct and indirect costs associated with a student-athlete experiencing one year of Penn Lacrosse and all its offerings.
“Marritje and I are thrilled to be able to support the experience of current and future student-athletes, while supporting the vision of the Director of Athletics and Recreation, Grace Calhoun, of holistically developing Penn student-athletes.” says Greene, “Even more gratifying is the opportunity to build a meaningful and lasting relationship with a fellow lacrosse player whose athletic experience—that exceeds my own—is made possible by this endowment.”
The Student-Athlete Experience Endowment will help the University continue supporting athletes both on and off the field while connecting them with life-skills and life-changing experiences that endure for a lifetime.
