“Throughout Penn’s history, athletics and recreation have helped to shape the lives of our undergraduates, providing wonderful out-of-classroom learning experiences. At Penn, where our mission is to train not just the mind but the whole person, coaches are respected teachers. Today, we launch a campaign that, first, will create the very best environment and opportunities for our students to flourish during their years at Penn; and second, to become great future leaders.”

University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann

Click here to read the entirety of President Gutmann's remarks from Oct. 20

The University of Pennsylvania has announced the launch of an unprecedented $3.5 billion capital campaign, and for the first time in the University’s history the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics (DRIA) will play a prominent role in the funding.

As of November 2009, Penn Athletics has cleared $85 million on our way to our $112 million goal.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FISCAL YEAR 2009 ANNUAL REPORT

Campaign Facts & Figures

View renderings of the Phase I facility update

View photos from the October 20, 2007 launch brunch

Director of Athletics Steve Bilsky Discusses the Campaign Launch During Homecoming Weekend

As a significant component of the University’s overarching “Making History” campaign, The Campaign For Penn Athletics seeks to raise $112 million by June 30, 2012, with specific eyes toward the development of new athletic facilities on the recently acquired postal properties; the improvement and renovation of existing athletic facilities including Franklin Field, The Palestra, and Hutchinson Gymnasium; the endowment of head coaching positions; and the growth of annual giving in support of our 33 varsity intercollegiate teams and numerous recreation programs.

The public kickoff of this inaugural athletics campaign came October 20, 2007 at a brunch hosted by Penn Athletics at The Palestra. More than 200 people attended the event that featured remarks from Penn President Amy Gutmann; Director of Athletics Steve Bilsky, W’71; W. John Clark, W’63 WG’68, chairman of the athletic board of overseers; Campaign Co-Chair James D. Dunning, W’70; and former Penn swimmer Brandon Thompson, C’07.

Several major announcements were shared at the kickoff event, including the fact that the Division has already raised $62 million toward its $112 million target in the campaign’s initial silent phase. Among the $62 million total were numerous transformative gifts, including a $10 million gift from George A. Weiss W’65 to establish the George A. Weiss Pavilion at Franklin Field; a $7.5 million gift from Clay W. Hamlin III W’67, WG’72 to launch the new Lynne B. and Clay W. Hamlin III Outdoor Tennis Center; and a $6 million joint gift from James D. Dunning W’70 and James S. Cohen C’80 to create Dunning-Cohen Champions Field and seasonal air structure. In all, more than 20 individuals were honored at the brunch for having made gifts in excess of seven figures to the Campaign For Penn Athletics.

“The leadership shown by these people has gotten our campaign off to a fantastic start,” said Bilsky. “This is an exciting time for Penn Athletics, with the chance for unprecedented growth and expansion. The generosity shown by these individuals is indicative of their love of Penn Athletics. We hope their example will prompt others to think about the positive impact their athletic experience at Penn had on them, and what they can do to insure that future athletes will have the same type of experience.”

In addition to the formal remarks and gift announcements, the Division also unveiled for the first time its campaign video that outlines the campaign’s objectives and features former Penn athletes Chuck Bednarik ED’49; Al Shoemaker W’60, Hon’95; Steve Bilsky, W’71; Christelle Williams Berger, W’89; and Doug Glanville, ENG’93.

“This campaign will provide our current and future student-athletes and coaches with critical resources to help them compete against the nation’s best,” said Dunning, who along with Mark Werner C’80 will co-chair the Campaign For Penn Athletics. “We undertake this ambitious campaign fully aware that, to succeed, we require the participation and support of the more than 25,000 former student-athletes, parents, and friends of Penn Athletics who passionately understand and appreciate athletics’ role in building character, fostering leadership, and developing the whole of an educated Penn graduate."