Charleston, S.C. - Citadel Brigadier Foundation Executive Director Stan Hurteau has announced that Director of Athletics Les Robinson will donate $100,000 to the Johnson Hagood Stadium Revitalization Project and has simultaneously issued a challenge to 99 others to match his gift.
The unprecedented gift represents the largest amount ever donated to The Citadel by a currently-employed faculty/staff member.
“We are indeed grateful to have Les Robinson first and foremost as a friend of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation and then to have him as our director of athletics is simply icing on the cake,” said Hurteau. “This unprecedented donation is greatly appreciated and we thank him immensely.”
“The future of Citadel Athletics rests with the completion of the Stadium Project,” said Robinson. “This isn’t necessarily for bricks and mortar, but for the future of The Citadel Brigadier Foundation, whose primary function is to raise money for athletic scholarships.”
Robinson reiterated that after the stadium is paid for, all revenue from it, which includes money from the suites, club seating, personal seat licenses (PSL) and such will all go to the Brigadier Foundation.
“Athletic scholarships are what brought the likes of General (John) Rosa, Fred Jordan and Ed Conroy to The Citadel,” he added. “We want to continue to bring the best here.”
Rosa, a former quarterback, is the college’s president while Jordan is in his 16th year as the baseball coach and Conroy is wrapping up his first season as the basketball coach.
To accomplish this goal, Robinson has issued a challenge to 99 others, which will bring an additional $10 million to help pay for the stadium.
“My experiences have taught me that most sizeable gifts to people’s alma maters are given because of what the institution did for the individual,” Robinson said. “Although I did not graduate from here, The Citadel played a great role in my achieving my lifetime goals.
“I’m compelled to do the same, but I’m issuing a challenge with my donation.”
Robinson indicated that the individuals or entities that belong to the “Bulldog 100” will have their names prominently placed at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
Lt. Gen. John Rosa praised Robinson for his leadership by example. “Les understands that a new stadium will have far-reaching benefits not only for football but for all Citadel athletics. His generous gift tells the rest of us that now is the time to act and turn our vision of a completed stadium into reality.”
Robinson, who has been the college’s director of athletics since Sept. 1, 2000, spent 11 years as the Bulldogs’ basketball coach (1974-85). The Citadel was his first college head coaching position.
Robinson and Citadel officials have pointed to June 30, 2008, as the timeframe with which to conclude the challenge.
“I firmly believe that this is a very attainable goal as The Citadel, in its unique way, has influenced so many graduates through the decades,” he added.
“Over the years The Citadel has graduated thousands of commissioned officers, law enforcement professionals and others who protect and preserve our way of life,” Robinson continued. “As we look to the future, we must have The Citadel as there is a current and future need for this institution that must persevere and try to stop the epidemic of world-wide terrorism.”
Robinson also equated the stadium project to a store where the facility first has to be built before any sales could be made.
“Like any business, we’ve got to first build the store before we sell any ‘products,’” he said. “And the ‘products’ we have to offer, in addition to quality play on the field, will be the stadium’s suites, club seating, PSLs and others.
“I’ve said all along that the football stadium is the front porch of any college as it is the campus’s focal point,” he added. “It holds the college’s largest gatherings of the year, and once we have Johnson Hagood Stadium completed and paid for, it will be a showcase for the entire Citadel Family.”
