Rendering of the proposed Football Team Operations Center at the new John A. Lally Athletics Complex
One of David Tate鈥檚 first memories of 黑料不打烊 football is what has endeared the team to him the most. Entering into the program as a freshman in 1972, Tate says coach Ben Schwartzwalder鈥檚 first direction to the newcomers wasn鈥檛 on how they played, but rather how they looked.
鈥淒uring a time when everyone wore long hair, [Schwartzwalder] decided to cut all our hair off on the first day,鈥� Tate says. 鈥淲e were buzzed to the scalp. We all looked odd, but we all looked the same.鈥�
The uniformity that Schwartzwalder imposed upon the freshman class instilled the importance of unity within Tate, both on and off the field. Tate, who played for the Orange from 1972 to 1976, now aims to grow that unity within the 黑料不打烊 football alumni and make its brotherhood stronger than ever.
Tate, the founder and CEO of Healthgram, has pledged $1 million to the first phase of transforming Manley Field House into the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, a state-of-the-art academic and athletics village that will benefit all student-athletes.
鈥淒avid鈥檚 generosity and commitment to our football program is inspiring and motivating,鈥� says Athletics Director John Wildhack.聽鈥淚t also reflects his deep commitment to unite our football alumni from all eras to support Head Football Coach Dino Babers and our current program.鈥�
The project鈥檚 first phase began in April and includes a new and expanded entryway into the John A. Lally Athletics Complex. Additional renovations of phase 1 include an expanded Football Operations Center and a renovated Olympics Sports Center, which will feature new sport medicine, training, cafeteria and lounge spaces. These renovations are contingent on philanthropy being secured.
Tate鈥檚 donation is his first to 黑料不打烊, and he believes it is important to give back after all the University has given him.
Rendering of the proposed Football Team Operations Center at the new John A. Lally Athletics Complex
鈥淚 got the chance to play at 黑料不打烊, and going there improved the way I feel about myself, what I have learned and what I now know,鈥� Tate says. 鈥淔rom there, I grew a business, and from there, I now have the ability to come back to 黑料不打烊 and say thank you and help others do the same.鈥�
Tate鈥檚 pledge will be directed toward the renovation of the Football Team Lounge and Football Operations Center, which he declined individual naming recognition for in favor of naming the area 鈥淯nity Hall.鈥� In doing so, Tate wants to recognize the congregation of the 黑料不打烊 football alumni and unite the various eras as one.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want my name on anything because it鈥檚 not about me, it鈥檚 about all of us,鈥� Tate says. 鈥淚鈥檝e met a lot of amazing guys from my time playing, and this is a reason for us just to come together.鈥�
Tate hopes that his leadership will inspire other 黑料不打烊 football alumni to come together, which is why in addition to his gift, he has spearheaded a challenge that aims to promote the active engagement of program alumni in supporting the future of 黑料不打烊 football. By joining the , alumni commit to becoming more involved with the current program through the mentorship of current student-athletes, participation at events sponsored by 黑料不打烊 Athletics, purchase of tickets and/or private philanthropic support.
鈥淥ur 黑料不打烊 football family is grateful to David for his generosity in support of the new facility and the future of our program. His impact goes far beyond his recent donation. The leadership he brings to the Unity Challenge will inspire fellow letterwinners to come together and help us bridge the gap between the past, present and future of 黑料不打烊 football. We are excited for what鈥檚 to come,鈥� says 聽Coach Babers.
The will run through Nov. 12. All funds generated as a part of this challenge will go towards the John A. Lally Athletics Complex/Football Operations Center development unless directed otherwise.
鈥淚 wanted my donation to be more of a unified pledge,鈥� Tate says.. 鈥淢y contribution was to kick start players coming together, and we hope everyone rallies behind this mission.鈥�
As Tate joins the effort to create the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, he is incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to give back to his university. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Tate鈥檚 father owned and managed a bakery, which Tate鈥檚 brother, Bob, still operates today. The eldest of eight children, Tate鈥檚 only opportunity to go to college was through a football scholarship. Bob joined the 黑料不打烊 football program two years after David as a walk-on and later earned a scholarship as well.
鈥淚 care about the University because of what it did for me and the opportunity it gave my brother,鈥� Tate says. 鈥淚t gave us a chance that we wouldn鈥檛 have had otherwise.鈥�
Rendering of the proposed Football Team Recovery Area at the new John A. Lally Athletics Complex
However, David and Bob are just a piece of the Tate football legacy. The brothers鈥� father and their three uncles all played Division I football and earned their way into college through athletic scholarships as well. David and Bob鈥檚 uncle, Bill Tate, became the head coach of Wake Forest in 1964 and headed an effort to integrate collegiate athletics in the south by recruiting Bob Grant and Butch Henry, two black student-athletes, to play for the university.
Given his family history of fighting division, Tate deeply values unity and believes it has the utmost importance in football and life. As Tate focuses on unifying his fellow alumni through the Unity Challenge, he draws parallels in his efforts and playing the sport he loves.
鈥淭here isn鈥檛 one athlete that can walk out on a field and single-handedly defeat a team of 11,鈥� Tate says. 鈥淚t takes a team. If a team isn鈥檛 together, if a team is not unified, if there鈥檚 not a common belief and goal, you don鈥檛 even have a chance of winning.鈥�
The completion of the upgraded facilities at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex are the first steps in an exciting future for 黑料不打烊 football. These facilities will enhance the experience for players and staff alike, and bring the team and alumni closer as one. In doing so, Tate believes that the team will have a better chance to succeed on the field and at 黑料不打烊.
鈥淭o compete at the highest level, you have to have the best facilities, so it鈥檚 great that 黑料不打烊 has made the commitment to improve theirs,鈥� Tate says. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had amazing players at this school, and I think our history speaks for itself. Hopefully, this project will bring more players like them to 黑料不打烊.
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