TU Athletics Fund receives large gift from anonymous donor

The University of Tulsa Athletic Director Rick Dickson announced a transformative anonymous gift of $30 million to its Athletics Endowment Fund on Tuesday. This generous donation serves as the cornerstone for the fund, which has an ambitious goal of endowing all athletic scholarships.

This landmark contribution is a testament to the unwavering support of and belief in the potential of student-athletes and the integral role athletics play in The University of Tulsa (UTulsa) experience. The donors, as former student-athletes and letterwinners themselves, are deeply committed to supporting the holistic development of UTulsa student-athletes and hope their donation inspires other donors to collectively enable all scholarships to be fully funded.

"I am deeply grateful that I can wrap up my career as a collegiate athletics director by announcing this important gift, which will leave UTulsa Athletics on sound financial footing for generations to come," said Dickson, who announced his retirement earlier this year. "There is no way to thank these donors enough for their leadership, generosity, and commitment to our shared alma mater."

The proceeds from the endowment will fund the cost of attendance for scholarship student-athletes in perpetuity. This means that all student-athletes will have the opportunity to excel both on the field and in the classroom without the burden of financial constraints. It is the intent of these donors, that in these shifting times for college sports, The University of Tulsa will boldly secure its athletic future.

"This extraordinary gift will change the lives of many young people," said Brad R. Carson, president of The University of Tulsa. "It's a game-changer for our athletics program and a testament to the belief in our vision for University of Tulsa Athletics. We are confident that this endowment will enable us to attract and retain the best talent, enhance our facilities, and compete at the highest levels."

For more information about the Athletics Endowment Fund or to make a donation, please visit utulsa.edu/give or contact The University of Tulsa Office of University Advancement and Alumni Engagement.