Tulane completes 'Yulman Challenge' fundraising goal for new stadium
“New Orleanians know it"s the kindness of friends like the Yulmans, the Glazers, the Benson and every fan whose name adorns one of the plaza bricks or who answered the Yulman Challenge that make projects like Yulman Stadium happen,” said Tulane President Mike Fitts. (Photo by Jackson Hill)
As the Green Wave football team prepares for its Sept. 3 season opener against Duke, Tulane University officials have announced the successful completion of the Yulman Challenge issued last year by Richard Yulman during the dedication of the stadium that bears his family"s name.
Noting at the ribbon-cutting ceremony that the newly christened Yulman Stadium, to which he had already given $15 million, was $20 million short of being completely funded, Yulman pledged another $5 million on the spot, bringing his total contribution to the stadium to $20 million. He then challenged Green Wave fans to raise the remaining $15 million.
“Some people thought that was audacious, but I knew when I laid down the challenge that Tulane fans, alumni, parents and friends would rise up,” Yulman said. “They sent the message that our student-athletes deserve a home like this to defend.”
Longtime Tulane supporters Jill and Avie Glazer, who were among the stadium"s founding donors with a $5 million gift, helped launch the Yulman Challenge, as well, with a new pledge. The Glazers made a challenge of their own, announcing that they would match everyone who purchased a personally engraved brick for the Yulman Stadium plaza through the Glazer Family Brick Drive. More than 1,000 fans responded, memorializing their passion for the Green Wave.
“The best thing about Yulman Stadium is how it enhances student life at Tulane and strengthens the connection alumni have to the university,” said Jill Glazer, an alumna and parent. “An on-campus stadium is a dream come true for Tulanians of every generation.”
In addition to the Yulmans, the Glazers, and Tom and Gayle Benson, who donated $7.5 million as founding donors when the stadium project was first announced, the challenge was also met by dedicated fans who gave whatever they could. There were 1,072 donors to the Yulman Challenge in addition to the numerous individuals who donated to the overall stadium project.
“A fictional New Orleanian famously depended on the kindness of strangers. Real New Orleanians know it"s the kindness of friends like the Yulmans, the Glazers, the Bensons and every fan whose name adorns one of the plaza bricks or who answered the Yulman Challenge that make projects like Yulman Stadium happen,” Tulane President Mike Fitts said.
