ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) - In November of 2017, long-time UCF supporters Jim and Julia Rosengren made a $1 million gift commitment to UCF Athletics. At the time, it was announced the gift would be used at the discretion of UCF Athletics and Vice President/Director of Athletics Danny White.
White announced Monday that the home team locker room at Spectrum Stadium will be upgraded and named the Jim and Julia Rosengren Locker Room as part of the Rosengrens' gift.
"We are thrilled that Jim and Julia have chosen to invest in UCF's IGNITE campaign in such a big and broad manner," White said. "On behalf of UCF Football, Coach Heupel, his staff and our student-athletes, we appreciate their specific commitment to enhance our game-day locker room and their impact upon our fundraising efforts for the Roth Athletics Center, the expanded football operations space and new headquarters for UCF Athletics, which is currently under construction."
"We are very proud to invest in what's going on with UCF, especially with Athletics," Jim Rosengren said. "We're very excited about helping with the enhancements to the locker room and hope it provides a better space for our team to prepare on game day. We're just so impressed with all the positive momentum at UCF and within the athletic department."
The Rosengrens are no strangers to philanthropy, especially at UCF. Last year, they committed $275,000 to allow for the completion of the Spectrum Stadium Field Cabanas and the new J & J Rosengren Lounge. Jim Rosengren, a 1981 UCF graduate, made a $1 million commitment to support UCF RESTORES -- UCF's PTSD clinic-- in 2016. An Army veteran himself, the cause was close to his heart, especially after his son Josh returned after two tours in Iraq with severe PTSD, along with some physical wounds.
The Rosengrens also have strong ties to the UCF College of Sciences, as Jim shares a vision of scientific research, cutting-edge treatment and education to train the next generation of health-care providers.
The $1 million commitment previously announced was part of an overall $6.6 million commitment to UCF that is one of the largest alumni commitments in UCF history. Combined with previous donations, the Rosengrens have committed $7.95 million to UCF, which is the largest total from an alumnus in university history.