OT: Robert & Stefanie Skinner ’93 Make Transformational $15 Million Commitment to the University of Connecticut

[BRS24]

Robert & Stefanie Skinner ’93 Make Transformational $15 Million Commitment to the University of Connecticut - University of Connecticut Athletics

STORRS, Conn. — The University of Connecticut and the UConn Foundation today announced a landmark philanthropic commitment of $15 million from Robert and Ste...

uconnhuskies.com

At the heart of this commitment is a $10 million planned gift that will establish a permanent endowed fund in support of the head coaches of both the men's and women's basketball programs. The fund is proposed to be named in honor of the coaches who have defined UConn Basketball's legacy and present — the Geno Auriemma Endowed Fund for the women's program, and the Jim Calhoun and Dan Hurley Endowed Fund for the men's program. The Skinner family's gift serves as the founding contribution to each endowment at $5 million per fund, with the shared hope of doubling that total to $10 million per fund through the generosity of fellow members of UConn Nation. UConn Athletics welcomes and encourages others to join in building this legacy alongside them.​

​

This endowment will provide long-term, sustained resources to attract and retain elite coaching leadership — ensuring that UConn Basketball remains among the premier programs in the nation for generations to come.​

 

[Phil]

Nice. I had propsed something similiar a few years back, but my personal commitment had fewer zeros.

 

[rubymae4]

Nice. I had propsed something similiar a few years back, but my personal commitment had fewer zeros.

My personal commitment had only zeros.

Always interesting what one does with excess money. I’ll never have to make those decisions…

Definitely helps the future of UConn athletics around basketball excellence. On a personal note, I had a sigh when I saw the rest of the receiving sports are men’s.

I wonder how much yearly $$$ the endowment actually provides: $5 mil each for each bb team.

Sorry—I’m in random mode today. Hurley’s compensation last year was over $10 million. Geno’s around 4.7 million. Interesting.

 

[broooce]

Wonderful donation! I hope that this will cement UConn as one of if not the most desired basketball coaching jobs in the country today and that we can pay top coaches what they are worth. Recently I've seen stories about Dan Hurley and the open UNC job, and of course we know about NBA teams wanting to hire him in the past. He and his wife are NJ natives and enjoy being on the East Coast so hopefully the Skinner's commitment will keep him here for years to come, and many more championships. Geno too!!

 

[husky98]

Wonderful donation! I hope that this will cement UConn as one of if not the most desired basketball coaching jobs in the country today and that we can pay top coaches what they are worth. Recently I've seen stories about Dan Hurley and the open UNC job, and of course we know about NBA teams wanting to hire him in the past. He and his wife are NJ natives and enjoy being on the East Coast so hopefully the Skinner's commitment will keep him here for years to come, and many more championships. Geno too!!

Hopefully Mrs Hurley reminds Dan that there's more to life than being ground into dust by an 82 game + playoff schedule.

 

[WBBZen]

I wonder how much yearly $$$ the endowment actually provides: $5 mil each for each bb team.

Assuming a 4 or 5% rate, the programs would probably receive 200–250k annually and grow over time. But the biggest benefit is the establishment of the fund and how it can grow with additional donations. Not impossible that this fund could grow quickly