“What does Tennessee athletics need to look like five and 10 years from now? How do we regain our stature as a dominant college athletics brand in the Southeastern Conference and across the country?”
Those questions were a part of Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White’s early remarks during his introductory press conference on Jan. 22.
White—described that afternoon by Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman as “a leader, an innovator and a builder”—on Wednesday announced the launch of the “My All” Campaign, a comprehensive fundraising initiative to ensure Tennessee’s ability to provide a transformational student-athlete experience for current and future Vols and Lady Vols.
The campaign aims to impact each of Tennessee’s 20 varsity athletic programs by providing championship resources to support student-athletes’ academic and competitive pursuits.
Specific facility enhancements are currently targeted for Neyland Stadium and Anderson Training Center, though campaign funds will ultimately allow for strategic investments impacting every athletic program on campus in accordance with the department’s comprehensive facilities master plan, which was concluded in the Fall of 2020. For example, White and his team are currently studying options on the best path forward for Tennessee’s baseball facilities as well as the development of an indoor track & field facility.
“Everyone who loves the University of Tennessee and this athletics program wants Tennessee to be the best,” White said. “That aligns perfectly with my vision—it’s why I’m here. Together, we’re going to set a new bar for relentlessly pursuing that goal. But we need everyone to be all in. We have to be aggressive, and we have to be bold.
“Tennessee Athletics has a unique history of innovation and progressive ‘firsts.’ We need to get back to that—back to setting the standard and leading the way.”
With an ultimate goal of $500 million, the My All Campaign’s public launch is bolstered by close to $200 million already committed. Notably, roughly $70 million in capital commitments targeted for strategic investments in Neyland Stadium and Anderson Training Center were pledged over the previous three years by a contingent of leadership donors (see listing below).
In addition to those major gift commitments, since the completion of Tennessee Athletics’ most recent capital campaign in June of 2017, thousands of additional Tennessee Fund donors have contributed generously, bringing us to where we are today.
“So many of our donors—at every level—have been ‘giving their all’ for years,” Senior Associate AD for Development Brady Hart said. “It was important to us to ensure that their longstanding support and loyalty was folded into this campaign. We can’t thank them enough for their continuous commitment, as they’ve provided a springboard for our fundraising efforts moving forward.”
Looking ahead, another key element of the campaign is the recently launched Shareholders Society—reserved for philanthropic giving that rises above and beyond donations tied to seating and parking. Members of the Shareholders Society provide championship resources for student-athletes across all 20 sports while enjoying unique stewardship opportunities and benefits that expand accordingly as commitment levels increase.
Regardless of one’s capacity for giving, however, anyone with a passion for Tennessee Athletics is invited to participate in the campaign’s push to propel Tennessee Athletics forward.
“The My All Campaign is for everyone, and it will take everyone to reach our greatest success,” Deputy AD for Championship Resources Dr. Mónica Lebrón said. “The campaign welcomes giving at all levels to support both the academic as well as the championship aspirations of the student-athletes representing our 20 sports programs. We want to be the best in everything we do, and the resources generated from the My All Campaign will help us all achieve that goal.”
The launch of the My All Campaign dovetails well with this fall’s Neyland Stadium centennial celebration. Several elements of both initiatives will blend into “First 100” promotions throughout the coming months.
White’s reputation as a builder of successful athletic programs enables him to approach his leadership position at Tennessee with a fresh perspective and an arsenal of valuable experiences to draw from, and he is poised on a forward focus.
“I recognize the frustrations our fanbase has experienced over the past several years,” White said. “But we’re not going to let the past dictate our future. I am committed to restoring confidence, outlining a vision and bringing everyone together to focus on the amazingly bright future that lies ahead. It starts today. Do your part – join My All.”
White also has plans to engage the Tennessee fanbase in unique and creative ways to seek input on multiple gameday fan experience enhancement and amenity options in the months to come.
Fans interested in learning more about how they can participate in the My All Campaign are encouraged to click HERE or call the Tennessee Fund at (865) 974-1218.
PRE-CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP DONORS
The following donors provided the foundation for the My All Campaign by combining to pledge more than $70 million in leadership gifts.
Andy & Jennie Johnson
Ann & John Tickle
Barry Large
Bill & Babs Freeman
Bill & Crissy Haslam
Charles C. & Moll Anderson Jr.
Chris Chandler
Dan & Joy Crockett
Dane Scism
David Hunt
Delta Dental of Tennessee
Dr. Don & Judy Akers
Dr. James Craven
Dr. Ken Hicks
Drew Haskins III, MD
G & G Interiors
Gary Medley
J. Brent Large
Jim & Natalie Haslam
Jimmy & Carinne Ward
Jimmy & Dee Haslam
John & Leslie Stout
John & Melanie Willcutts
Larry Pratt
Leigh A. Burch
Linda Ogle
Luke Wyatt
Mack Dove
Obregon Painting
Peyton & Ashley Manning
Phillip Kinney
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Randy & Jenny Boyd
Sampson Family
SRM Concrete
Stephen & Ann Bailey
Steve Kennedy
Watty & Chris Hall
LEADING THE WAY VIDEO | DANNY WHITE “MY ALL” MESSAGE
-UT Athletics
