Florida Philanthropist Hugh Culverhouse, Jr., Hopes to Break the Glass Ceiling on Women's Sports Scholarships
TAMPA BAY, Fla. and TUSCALOOSA Ala., July 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- To honor his deceased mother, Joy McCann Culverhouse, a UA graduate and golf champion, Florida philanthropist Hugh Culverhouse, Jr., is contributing $2.5 million in support of women's golf scholarships. He has issued a challenge for matching funds so a total of $5 million will endow scholarships for all female student-athletes.
Mr. Culverhouse, a Coral Gables-based attorney, CPA and developer, has previously donated to honor his mother -- the widow of the former owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team. In 2015, his gift of $250,000 raised more than $510,000 for women's golf scholarships.
Mr. Culverhouse hopes his current gift inspires others to contribute to all women's sports.
"We are thrilled with Hugh's generosity and his vision in helping us fund scholarships for female students at UA," said Bill Battle, UA's Director of Athletics. "Hugh has motivated and invigorated our other donors to showcase their commitment to the enduring success of our athletics program through endowed scholarships. With his help and challenge, we will be on our way to breaking the glass ceiling on women's sports scholarships."
"I am happy to honor my mother in this way," said Mr. Culverhouse. "An avid golfer, she attributed her success in life to the University of Alabama's athletics program."
Joy McCann Culverhouse set the stage for the Crimson Tide women's golf program to achieve full recognition as a varsity team. She began her collegiate career at LSU by becoming one of the first women granted a partial scholarship for athletics while playing on LSU's men's golf team. Ms. Culverhouse transferred to UA, where she earned an arts and sciences degree in 1942. She was a member of Tri-Delta, senior class secretary and a member of Pan Hellenic. During her golfing career, Ms. Culverhouse won 27 championships including two Alabama women's state championships (1941 and 1947) and the 1961 Florida women's amateur title. In 1997, the Florida House of Representatives passed a resolution recognizing her many contributions to the advancement of women. Ms. Culverhouse died in Tampa Florida on April 26, 2016.
To interview with Mr. Culverhouse, call (305) 774-7216.
Douglas Walker | Sr. Associate Athletics Director
University of Alabama | (205) 310-8682 | [email protected]
SOURCE University of Alabama
Share this article