University of Tennessee Athletics
Mark Griffin Makes Initial Contribution
March 28, 2001 | General
- President's Column
- Basketball Reunion Set Jan. 12-13
- Wall of Fame Construction
- Lettermen's Wall Dedication
President's Column
Mark Griffin Makes Initial Contribution to Former Player Scholarship Endowment Fund
Mark Griffin, who made a name for himself as a never-say-die player for Don DeVoe back in the late 1980s (1986-89), has once again risen to the challenge. He has made an initial pledge of $25,000 to help endow a need-based scholarship to allow former scholarship basketball players to return to school and obtain their degrees.
| Mark Griffin (left) and Associate AD MIke Hamilton at a recent Vol basketball game. |
Griffin, who holds a bachelors degree in marketing (1989) and a masters in education (1992), said his reason for making this pledge was a simple one.
"It's important me to give back something to the University of Tennessee," he said. "There may be young men out there wanting to complete their degrees who may not be able to get financial assistance and this is a way to help them."
Griffin praised Student Life Director Carmen Tegano for helping him in his academic career and said he hoped to raise awareness of this program. "I'm saying to my fellow athletes and Tennessee fans that here's one of our own giving something back. When you give to this program, you know where it's going and who is benefiting."
"It's a testament to Mark's character that he has made this gift," Associate Athletic Director Mike Hamilton said. "He was not solicited for this gift, but he came to us with the idea. That's the kind of person he is. It's always great to see a former athlete, who was also an assistant coach, step up and say, 'I believe in this product and its future.'
" Griffin, who came to the Vols from Union City back 15 years ago, is now a District Manager with Purdue Pharmaceuticals, a company specializing in pain management. The fund will be called the Mark Griffin Former Player Athletic Scholarship Endowment Fund.
The University of Tennessee is proud to recognize individuals who join with others in forming the winning edge for all athletes. For more information on how you can help Tennessee athletics through a Nathan Dougherty Society endowment program, capital building program, or planned giving, please call our Associate Athletic Director, Mike Hamilton, or our Assistant Athletic Director, John Currie, at (865) 974-1218.
