Tennessee surpasses fundraising goal
Tennessee began its first-ever capital campaign in 2000 and announced on Saturday it has raised $48.61 million from more than 870 donors.
The campaign is receiving $20 million from increased ticket prices for football and men’s and women’s basketball that were initiated in April 2001.
The athletic department is financially independent from the rest of the university, meaning it does not receive funding from the university or the state.
More than 130 former Tennessee athletes donated $5.5 million, officials said.
The money has been used for renovations and improvements in Neyland Stadium, Thompson-Boling Arena and Lindsey Nelson stadium, the home of the baseball team.
Construction on the McKenzie Athletic Center and an expansion of the Neyland Thompson building, which houses football offices and an indoor field, has been underway for a year and was slated to be complete in January 2005.
The new building will house the Doug Dickey hall of champions to honor national and Southeastern Conference champions and senior administrators in the men’s and women’s athletic departments. The indoor practice field will be expanded by 50 yards to normal field dimensions.
Construction on a new indoor pool was expected to begin in May and take about two years to complete. It will replace an indoor pool built in 1967.
The athletic department also plans to build a golf practice range and clubhouse and stadiums for women’s soccer and softball.