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EMU athletics receives largest gift in program history

Eastern Michigan University athletics has received the largest gift in its history, a $1 million pledge from Dan McClory, an alumnus and former track and cross country standout.

GIVING BACK: (above, far left) Dan McClory, an EMU
alumnus and former track and cross country standout,
presents a symbolic $1 million check to benefit the EMU
men's and women's track and field and cross country
teams for the next five years. The announcement was
made Feb. 29 in the EMU Student Center, and the symbolic
check was presented at "A Championship Celebration"
event in Bowen Field House March 1. Also pictured are Don
Loppnow, EMU's provost and executive vice president;
Board of Regents Chair Tom Sidlik; EMU Athletics Director
Derrick Gragg, Regent Jim Stapleton and Bob Parks, former
EMU men's head cross country and track coach.

The pledge will provide $200,000 a year for the next five years and will benefit the men's and women's track and field and cross country teams at EMU. The announcement was made during a press conference in the Student Center Feb. 29.

"This is the second historic gift we have received in two months," said Don Loppnow, provost and executive vice president of EMU. "In January, we received the largest estate gift in school history to support academics. This gift will help our student-athletes continue their success in the classroom and on the field."

"Above all else, our mission is to guide, support and inspire our student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence, academically, athletically and socially," said Derrick Gragg, EMU athletic director. "This gift will ensure that we will be able to do just that."

"The Eastern experience and participation on the track and cross country teams has been a difference-maker in my life," said McClory ('81, '82). "It's time to formally recognize that and give back to EMU and the athletic programs to maintain the prominence of these nationally-ranked teams."