Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

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UNLV football receives record donation

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Steve Marcus

UNLV Football coach Tony Sanchez speaks during an “It’s On Us” event at UNLV’s Cox Pavilion Thursday, April 7, 2016. The event was part of a national “It’s On Us” week of action where students around the country host events aimed at preventing sexual assault and supporting survivors of sexual assault on college campuses.

An anonymous donor made the biggest contribution to UNLV football in program history, the university announced today. The donor gave UNLV $2 million specifically earmarked for football, just the third seven-figure donation the program has ever received.

The university held a private ceremony this week to say thanks to the donor, who’s described only as a longtime supporter of the school and athletics department.

“What an exciting day to spend time with this generous donor,” UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said in a statement. “He has been a respected member of this community for decades and is a great example of how the city is recognizing the resurgence in our football program and helping it grow.”

Sanchez has often talked about the buy-in required from the community to make the program successful, and this was a tangible example. UNLV Athletics Director Tina Kunzer-Murphy said this has been discussed for several months.

“The donor sat down with Coach Sanchez and me during the season and we heard about his love for this university, its athletic teams and specifically how optimistic he feels about what is going on with the football program,” Kunzer-Murphy said in a statement. “He and his family have given so much to this university over the years and made a real difference in people’s lives. This gift will continue that legacy.”

The other two previous seven-figure donations to UNLV football were from the Becker and Boyd families.

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.

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