TULANE TALK

December 9, 2011

Good Morning:

Well, it’s been an exciting week. On Monday, we hired Saints wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson as our new head football coach. Yesterday, we announced the public phase of “Home Field Advantage,” a $70 million capital campaign to build a $60 million Tulane Community Stadium on campus while providing $10 million in additional support for the Green Wave football program.

While there is much excitement over the return of Tulane’s rich tradition of on-campus football, it is important to remember that we are proposing much more than a football stadium.

The http Community Stadium will be another way for Tulane to empower others, providing local kids with a safe and wholesome environment for youth football games, graduations, track meets and even part-time jobs. For many young New Orleanians, the stadium will be their first time stepping foot on Tulane’s campus. Such a welcoming setting will make them eager to experience the excitement of college life themselves.

It is also important to note that the stadium will be financed by private donations given for the specific purpose of its construction. Tuition dollars will not go toward the stadium. Nor will Tulane’s academic programs be affected in any way, except perhaps being enhanced by the heightened local and national exposure an on-campus stadium brings.

Many Tulane alumni first caught the Green Wave spirit either sitting in the stands watching the games or hawking programs outside the old Tulane stadium. The new stadium will enhance school spirit and the attractiveness of Tulane athletics while being a valuable and unique resource for the community.

As I said at yesterday’s press conference, this is an “all hands on deck” moment for Tulane alumni, fans, supporters and everyone who recognizes the value of athletics and community. This is a once-in-a-century, game-changing, historic moment for Tulane University, and we need your support to make this dream a reality. Are you with us?

Have a great weekend,