The University of Tennessee President Dr. John Peterson announced that Head Coach Phillip Fulmer and family have donated $1 million dollars to the University's "Campaign for Tennessee." It is one of the largest donations given by a coach and his family to their University. The gift, to be split equally between academics and athletics, will be used to support scholarships, athletics facilities and programming. Coach Fulmer has been affiliated with the university for more than 30 years – as a student-athlete, a coach and a parent of four UT students. “Phillip and Vicky always have been great supporters of the University,” Petersen said. “They approached us about making this donation several years ago, and we have been working over the summer to finalize their commitment. With the upcoming season and the anticipated announcement of our campaign in the spring, this is a great time for us to share the news of this commitment with alumni and friends.”“Our family originally chose to make this donation anonymously,” Vicky Fulmer said. “After several discussions with the university, we were convinced that by making this announcement publicly and taking this leadership role, the university would benefit positively and others would be encouraged to make their own contributions.” Coach Fulmer said his wife was a big part of the reason for the gift. “Everyone knows about the sacrifice and commitment of all who have worn the orange and white as players or coaches that have represented our wonderful university on the playing field. This donation will in part be to honor the sacrifices of the wives and families who have stood by these coaches.“My wife, who has stood by me as I have worked incredible hours, been away from home for long periods of time, often put other peoples’ children first, and sacrificed her own wants and needs, all the while never missing an opportunity to hug a player’s neck or provide an encouraging word to a player or coach when one was needed, has been my confidant for years. She has been strong for me when I needed her most, a loyal wife, and a wonderful mother to our children.” Coach's wife Vicky added “The University of Tennessee has been Phillip’s heart and soul for most of his life. We’re blessed to be in a position that allows us to do this.”
Some of Coach Fulmer's accomplishments while at UT
• UT has been in the national polls at game time for 157 of Fulmer's 177 games as head coach.
• Selection as National and SEC coach of the year in 1998.
• The first Tennessee team to post 13 victories in a single season, a record in 1998 that included an SEC championship and Tostitos Fiesta Bowl win for the national title.
• Fifteen Tennessee players have earned first-team All-America honors, including offensive tackle Arron Sears and wide receiver Robert Meachem in 2006.
• Fifteen first-round NFL selections since 1993 and a total of 90 players selected overall. The Vols have had the most players on opening-day NFL rosters each of the last two seasons and the team’s five first-day 2007 NFL Draft picks were the most of any school.
• Back-to-back SEC titles in 1997-98 and five Eastern Division crowns in the last 10 years. The Vols have won or tied for the division title six times under Fulmer.
• A record of 45-5 from 1995-98, the most victories over a four-year span in school history.
• The Vols have ended the season ranked in the top 10 six times under Fulmer.
• Each of the last two seasons, Tennessee has led the SEC in Fall Academic Honor Roll recipients.
Thanks to Stan Crawley for some of the quotes in this piece.
