University of Delaware Athletics
Flacco Invests in UD Athletics
3/14/2018 10:55:00 AM | Football, Delaware Athletics
One of the most successful student-athletes in University of Delaware history Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, and his wife, Dana, have made a significant gift to the future of UD Athletics – the largest from a UD football alumnus in the NFL.
“Football and family,” Joe
“We are at a point in our lives where we are raising our kids and thinking about their education. It has allowed me to think about how important UD was for me in my development. I am thrilled to be a part of making the University even better for future generations,” said Flacco, Class of 2008.
As part of the Delaware First: The Campaign for the University of Delaware, the Flaccos' gift will directly support UD Athletics' Building Our Home initiative, including the construction of the Whitney Athletic Center and the renovation of Delaware Stadium.
“Joe Flacco embodies UD's team spirit and our constant drive for excellence, which are qualities we seek to instill in every one of our students,” said UD President Dennis Assanis. “A strong UD community depends on a strong Athletics program with great facilities for our student-athletes and fans. Through this wonderful gift to the Delaware First campaign, Joe and Dana are helping us enhance every facet of student success.”
Indeed, Super Bowl champion Flacco understands all too well the importance that facilities play in the recruitment and success of student-athletes.
“When you look around college football, the facilities are such a recruiting tool. I've experienced how the best facilities can help you to perform at the highest level. I want UD to have the best chance to compete and continue its tradition of success,” said Flacco.
Flacco enjoyed a record-breaking two-year tenure at quarterback for the Blue Hens in 2006 and 2007 and began an even more impressive career in the National Football League in 2008. He did not have to travel far from Newark to begin that career, as he was a first-round NFL draft pick (18th overall) by Baltimore in 2008 - the highest pick ever for a Delaware player. He led the Ravens to the AFC playoffs six times and to the Super Bowl XLVII title in
“Joe's career is an inspiration to all UD student-athletes – past, present
A New Jersey native, Flacco transferred at the end of his sophomore year to the University of
“I was immediately drawn to the feeling of community at UD. It was so easy to make the transition. The University is filled with great people that you never get a chance to hear about. The Delaware football family is a very special one with a storied past. There have been so many great figures for guys like me to look up to. It means a lot to forever be a part of that, both through my UD career and this gift,” he said.
The University and Flacco hope this significant gift will inspire others to see the University as a worthy investment.
“Joe is setting a terrific example for our student-athletes and alumni. Our team looks up to Joe and knowing that he is giving back to help them, to advance their college careers, means so much to these young men,” said Delaware Football Coach Danny Rocco. “We are so grateful for the generosity of the Flacco Family.”
It is that culture of giving that Flacco hopes to see among his peers as they commemorate their time at UD through philanthropy.
“I know all UD alumni have fond memories of their time spent here. I believe that alone will drive people to help in any way possible.
BUILDING OUR HOME
Building Our Home is a core priority of the Delaware First Campaign, focused on a bold $60 million project to renovate Delaware Stadium and build the new, state-of-the-art Whitney Athletic Center for UD student-athletes. To date, the University has over $52 million committed towards this initiative.
“We are so fortunate to have such a committed football alumni family here at Delaware. So many have been generous with their time, talent and treasure,” said Rawak.
With $7.8 million remaining to raise before construction begins, UD Athletics is relying on its dedicated alumni and friends to reach its goal of shovels in the ground after the 2018 football season.
Over 292 individuals have already donated to the Building Our Home initiative via the project's crowdfunding campaign, with close to 100 families making major commitments.
And the Delaware football alumni network has stepped up in a big way. In addition to Flacco, over 20 other UD football alumni and their families have made individual major contributions in support of UD's Athletic Facilities, including a recent gift from UD alumnus and former NFL star Rich Gannon. They include:
Robert E. Ashby '77 and Sandra Keene Ashby '77
Paul F. '83 and Lisa Brown
Lawrence R. '58 '66M and Barbara V. Catuzzi
Joe '08 and Dana Flacco and Family
Vance A. Funk III '65 and Elaine Trzcinski Funk '69
Richard J. '87 and Michelle D. Gannon
Geoffrey C. Gardner '96 and Karen Kolar Gardner '96
Thomas L. '60 and Kipp T. Gutshall
Thomas E. Hall '78 and Patricia Kilbane Hall '78M
Richard H. '71 and Gail D. Keller '71
Alfred L.
David W. Price '90 and Kristin Shannon Price '88
Michael S. '67 and Elizabeth R. Purzycki
Joseph J. Purzycki '71 '77M and Sharon Kirk Purzycki '71
Daniel R. '86 and Cheryl K. Reeder
Kenneth L. '53 and Theodora F. Rieth
Gregory T. '91 and Kristi Rogerson
Fred P. Jr. '63 and Madeleine T. Rullo
Michael S. '96 and Melissa Ryan
Rick S. Scheetz '87 and Michele Jacecko Scheetz '87
Ethan A. Jr. '57 and Patricia A. Stenger
Thomas W. Van Grofski '66 '68M and Jacqueline Harding Van Grofski '63
William E. Jr. '92 and Melissa G. Vergantino
John E. Jr. '64 and Barbara C. Wallace
ABOUT JOE FLACCO
A native of Audubon, N.J., Flacco earned All-American honors in 2007 when he led Delaware to an 11-4 record and a berth in the NCAA FCS title game after passing for 23 touchdowns and a school-record 4,263 yards for head coach K.C. Keeler.
He set 20 school records, including completions in a game (40) and season (331), consecutive passes without an interception (174), passing yards in a season (4,263), 300-yard passing games (11), and career completion percentage (.634). He also ranks No. 2 all-time at Delaware with 7,046 career passing yards.
He earned
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Flacco was inducted into the Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.
DELAWARE FIRST CAMPAIGN
Delaware First: The Campaign for the University of Delaware was publicly launched on Nov. 10, 2017. The comprehensive engagement and fundraising campaign will unite Blue Hens across the nation to accelerate UD's mission of cultivating tomorrow's leaders, creating solutions to grand challenges, inspiring innovations and transforming lives. The united effort will help create an extraordinary student experience at UD and extend its impact on the region and the world.
