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.
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.
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GIVING BACK: Dan McClory,
an EMU alumnus and former
track and cross country
standout, announces
a $1 million pledge 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. |
"This is the second historic gift we have received in two months," said Don Loppnow, provost and executive vice president of EMU, who was not present at the announcement. "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."
McClory was a three-time captain and four-year letter winner for EMU's cross country team, as well as a letter winner in men's indoor and outdoor track.
McClory is the managing director for Hunter Wise Financial Group, LLC, in California. Hunter Wise provides mid-market investment banking services throughout the United Kingdom, China and Canada.
"I couldn't think of a better time or more qualified cause to fund than EMU track and cross country and its inclusive, 'elite but not elitist' legacy that's still thriving more than 25 years after I left campus," McClory said.
