As much as Al and Judy Dunlap have done for Florida State University, you’ll have to excuse the Ocala, Fla., couple for having fun with a prank every once in a while.
The Dunlaps, who gave FSU a $10 million gift in 2007 to build a student success center and $5 million in 2012 as the lead donors for the football team’s Indoor Practice Facility, were recently considering a proposal to make another $5 million donation to Seminole Boosters, Inc.
The funds again would go to benefit FSU’s athletics department, and in exchange, their names would adorn Doak Campbell Stadium’s new Champions Club.
Privately, the Dunlaps liked the idea and were eager to make another contribution. But when they invited Seminoles Boosters representative Eric Carr to their home to discuss, Al couldn’t resist pretending that he wasn’t interested.
“I acted like I didn’t like the idea,” Al Dunlap told Warchant in an interview Friday afternoon. “I was setting him up.”
It wasn’t until the group went to lunch and a waiter brought over a bottle of champagne that Judy Dunlap finally let Carr in on the joke with a celebratory toast.
“And this is to $5 million to Florida State University,” Judy Dunlap said with a smile.
On Saturday evening, during halftime of FSU’s game against rival Florida, the donation became official as the Dunlaps were to be honored at midfield. The Seminoles' recently renovated south end zone is now named the Albert J. and Judith A. Dunlap Champions Club.
It will be called the Dunlap Champions Club.
“We’re excited,” Dunlap told Warchant. “It’s a thrill. We do this because we so respect this university. We could do this for any university. But this is Florida State.”
HERE IS THE OFFICIAL RELEASE FROM FSU
Tallahassee, FL– Seminole Boosters, Inc., the fundraising arm for Florida State University Athletics, announce a new commitment of $5 million from Al and Judy Dunlap of Ocala, FL to name the premium seating initiative in Doak Campbell Stadium’s south endzone the Albert J. and Judith A. Dunlap Champions Club (abbreviated Dunlap Champions Club).
Al and Judy Dunlap have provided Florida State University in excess of $20 million in philanthropic gifts including the Albert J. and Judith A. Dunlap Student Success Center, the Al Dunlap Football Practice Fields, and the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Facility. The most-recent gift from Al and Judy Dunlap will provide critical funding to further Seminole Boosters, Inc.’s mission of enriching the educational and athletic experience for over 500 student-athletes participating in 20 sports programs.
"My wife Judy and I heard about the efforts made to enhance so many loyal, passionate Seminoles' game day experiences in the form of the Champions Club. Some of our close friends got to enjoy it first hand and they came back to us with rave reviews,” said Al Dunlap. “Then, Judy and I had a chance to visit the new facilities in person and we were totally blown away.
“When the opportunity to make the Champions Club a part of our legacy was presented to us, we took it. It is an honor and a privilege to support Florida State University Athletics and we are very proud of our investment in such a first class initiative and first class institution. The Dunlap Champions Club will continue to be a wonderful experience for Seminoles for many years to come."
"Florida State Athletics deeply appreciates the most recent gift from Al and Judy Dunlap,” said FSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Stan Wilcox. “This very generous donation will make an impact on every sport we have at FSU. The Dunlaps continue to provide large leadership gifts that are essential for intercollegiate athletic programs to remain competitive at the highest level. We appreciate their generosity as well as those of all Seminole Boosters, along with the hard work and dedication of the Seminole Boosters staff.”
The Dunlap Champions Club generates revenue for Florida State athletics from both club seat sales and as a year round meeting and conference space that is expected to host more than 3,000 events in the coming year. Revenues generated by Champions Club seat sales and year round event rentals fund enhancements to Doak Campbell Stadium’s seating bowl which is enjoyed by tens of thousands of FSU football ticket holders and students and will also provide additional funding for the athletics budget.
“Al and Judy Dunlap have been great friends of Florida State University dating back more than two decades when Al was invited to campus as a guest speaker,” said Andy Miller, President and CEO of Seminole Boosters, Inc. “The relationship continues to flourish and provide transformative funding the entire University. The Dunlaps’ leadership and support are vital to our success and instill pride among Seminole Faithful worldwide.”
“Our Board could not be more thrilled to celebrate this incredible gift,” said Nylah Thompson, Chairman of the Seminole Boosters Board of Directors. “Al and Judy are amazing people and we have been blessed beyond words to know them and call them our friends. Their support of our mission and the service and leadership they provide our University remind me of why I love Florida State University so much.”
A West Point graduate, Al Dunlap is an internationally known retired business executive and served as chairman and/or CEO of nine major corporations including Scott Paper Company and Crown Zellerbach Corp. Each hold honorary degrees of Doctor of Humane Letters from Florida State University.
Al Dunlap serves on the Seminole Boosters, Inc. Board of Directors and Judy serves on the FSU Athletics Board. The couple received the 2015 George Langford Award from Seminole Boosters, Inc. recognizing their extraordinary leadership in the area of philanthropy benefitting Seminole Athletics and Florida State University.
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