Sept. 3, 2003

Charleston, SC - The Citadel's long-running effort to renovate 54-year-old Johnson Hagood Stadium has received a major boost from an anonymous donor, a gift of $1.5 million to The Citadel Foundation.

The donor, a Citadel graduate, has ear-marked most of the money for the rusting stadium, pushing the school's fund-raising effort to almost $3 million toward a $10 million goal.

Last year, the stadium effort received a $1 million donation from Citadel alumnus Gene Moore III, a real-estate developer and attorney in Palm Beach, Fla.

The latest gift "gives this project a lot of momentum as we approach football season," Citadel athletic director Les Robinson said. "And the timing of the gift could not be better."

Robinson said the anonymous donor has given to the military school before.

"I think he wanted to remain anonymous just to avoid the publicity," he said. "And I've seen that before with people who have money to give. They sometimes wind up with everybody hitting them up for money."

Last year, The Citadel's Board of Visitors approved a plan to seek funding for the "revitalization" of Johnson Hagood, which seats 21,000 and hosted its first game in 1948. The school unveiled plans for a tower to be built on the west (home) side of the stadium, to house corporate suites, club seats and a new press box. Revenue from the club seats and suites would go toward athletic scholarships, athletic department operating expenses and other stadium improvements.

"Gifts like the one from this anonymous donor make major goals achievable," Citadel president Maj. Gen. John S. Grinalds said. "The Citadel will benefit greatly from the long-range influence of this gift, and we are extremely grateful for his generosity."