Former UCF fullback Ron Thow has made a legacy gift commitment to UCF Athletics, representing the largest financial commitment by a former Knights football player.
Thow’s gift will align with Mission XII and will result in naming the Thow Family Locker Room inside the Wayne Densch Sports Center--and will pay for extensive upgrades for that football area in the next few years.
“By coming to UCF, I was provided the opportunity to earn a college degree from an amazing institution and play a sport I love. It’s time for me to return the favor and invest in the future of UCF football,” said Thow.
“I feel an overwhelming sense of pride when I think of what UCF has meant to me over the years. As a new member of the Big 12 Conference, we’re still just scratching the surface and I’m thrilled to be a part of that future success.”
Originally from Staten Island, New York, Thow played fullback for the Knights from 1989 through 1992. As a sophomore in ’90, he helped UCF finish 10-4 and played on the first Knight team to participate in the NCAA FCS Playoffs. UCF was the first team to qualify for the FCS bracket in its first year of eligibility--and the Knights won playoff matchups versus Youngstown State (20-17) and William & Mary (52-38) before falling in the semifinal round to eventual champion Georgia Southern.
“It’s with great excitement we announce a legacy gift from Ron Thow and his family to our football program,” said UCF vice president and director of athletics Terry Mohajir.
“Ron’s commitment to UCF football is another great testament to one of our Varsity Knights giving back to a program that he believes has given him so much.”
“Over the past three decades, Ron and his family have been some of our most passionate and loyal champions of excellence and opportunity,” said UCF president Alexander N. Cartwright.
“Ron knows the transformative impact of collegiate athletics firsthand from his time wearing No. 7 as a fullback on our football team. We are grateful for his generosity and commitment to bringing out the best in our student-athletes, teams, and programs.”
“We’re so appreciative of Ron and his support for our program,” said UCF football head coach Gus Malzahn. “This is a big-time gift and it will be huge for the future of our program moving forward.”
Thow, a 1993 UCF liberal arts graduate, is in the finance/asset management business in New York City. Thow is a former board member of the UCF Foundation and is currently on the board of UCF’s official NIL collective, The Kingdom.
He and his wife Carolyn are parents of daughter, Alexandra.
For more information about the Shareholders Society, the major gift program to charitably support UCF Athletics, click here.