Tulane names new football venue: Yulman Stadium

Tulane University announced several major donors to its new on-campus football stadium and revealed the facilities that will bear their names.

The new on-campus stadium will be named Yulman Stadium to recognize the generosity of Richard and Janet Yulman. Richard Yulman is the retired chairman and owner of mattress manufacturing giant Serta International as well as a member of the Board of Tulane, the university"s main governing body. Yulman donated $15 million toward construction of the $55 million facility, which will open in time for the 2014 football season.

The Yulman family wanted to make a transformative gift. Their investment in the new stadium, by providing a home field advantage for the football program, along with recreational opportunities for the Tulane student body and members of the community, will signal a metamorphosis in Tulane Athletics.

Well-known for his philanthropic activities, Yulman serves as chairman of the Greater Miami Jewish Foundation and Philanthropic Fund and vice president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. In 1988, Yulman and his wife, Janet, sponsored 96 elementary school students in Albany, N.Y., pledging to pay for the students" college tuition once they earn their high school diplomas. Yulman is also a mentor for a Miami-Dade public elementary school as part of Partnership to Advance School Success, Florida"s plan to increase student achievement statewide.

At a press conference this afternoon, the university also announced two additional major gifts to the stadium project.

The new football field will be named Benson Field after New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson and his wife Gayle, who donated $7.5 million to the project.

In 2010, after 25 years of Tom Benson"s leadership, the New Orleans Saints" first-ever Super Bowl victory became a symbol of the city"s rebirth after Hurricane Katrina. Now, the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation is providing the naming gift for Benson Field, which will inspire and unite the university community in the same way the Saints" win did for New Orleans two years ago.

The Jill H. and Avram A. Glazer Family Club will be the club space for premium ticket holders. Tulane alumna Jill is a member of the university"s board and Avram (Avie) is a member of the university"s President"s Council. The Glazers supported the project with a multi-million dollar gift.

The Glazers have been actively involved in every recent major campaign undertaken by the university. In addition to membership on the Tulane Board, Jill has served as chair of the Helluva Hullabaloo Auction that benefits Tulane student-athletes. In addition to their efforts on behalf of Tulane, Jill and Avie also support numerous causes including the Cleveland Clinic, the Palm Beach Day Academy and the Glazer Children"s Museum in Tampa, Fla.

“The new stadium will revitalize our football program and be a tremendous asset for our entire community. It is a testament to Tulane"s place in New Orleans and nationally when the members of your board and one of the city"s greatest business and civic leaders join together to make this dream a reality,” said Tulane University President Scott S. Cowen. “The entire Tulane family thanks them, as well as the hundreds of other donors, for their commitment to our athletics department, university and community.”

To date, the university has raised $45 million of the $55 million needed to construct the stadium, which will have 25,000 seats, and a total capacity of 30,000. Tulane is raising the money through private donations via the Home Field Advantage campaign.

Gould Evans and Associates and Lee Ledbetter & Associates are the project architects. Woodward Design + Build LLC is the contractor.

In addition to being used for Tulane football practice almost year-round, as well as other university recreational and academic activities, the stadium will provide a beautiful on-campus venue for fans to experience Division I football in New Orleans at least six times a year. It will also provide an opportunity for local high school fans to view an occasional game at Yulman Stadium.

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More details on the lead donors to the stadium

More details on stadium amenities

For the most up to date information on Yulman Stadium visit http://www.tulanestadium.com