University of Tennessee Athletics
Shuler Family Makes Gift For UT Athletic Scholarship Endowment
May 20, 2002
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| Pictured above (left to right): UT associate AD Mike Hamilton, Nikol Shuler, Heath Shuler, Benjie Shuler and UT athletic director Doug Dickey. | |
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Oct. 6, 2001 Heath, Nikol and Benjie Shuler presented a check representing their commitment of $125,000 to the University of Tennessee Athletic Department during Saturday's UT vs. Georgia game. The donation will be used to create the Shuler Family Athletic Scholarship Endowment. With this gift, the Shulers also become members of the Athletic Department's Nathan Dougherty Society. The Nathan Dougherty Society is an athletic endowment level of the Volunteer Athletic Scholarship Fund named in honor of the former engineering school dean considered by many to be one of the founding fathers of modern Tennessee athletics, the SEC and the NCAA grant-in-aid process. "My parents gave me the opportunity to play sports and be involved in a variety of activities," said Heath Shuler, UT quarterback from 1991-93. "This scholarship is a way for us to give that same opportunity to someone who works hard and displays a good work ethic. If it wasn't for my scholarship, I wouldn't have been able to attend UT. I hope this scholarship allows someone in that position to attend UT and gain as much as I did from the coaches and university." The scholarship will be awarded yearly to a Volunteer student-athlete from North Carolina, the Shulers' home state. Scholarship recipients will be determined by the coaches. "I have looked forward to this day with great anticipation, and I'm proud to be giving something back to the best athletic program in the country," said Benjie Shuler, UT wide receiver from 1993-97. "My years spent in day-to-day training with the University of Tennessee athletic program enabled me to be a leader in the Knoxville business community. I have such an awareness of how important each lesson I learned was. The chance to give back to the athletic program is an honor and this is just a small way to say thank you for being such an integral part of my life." Heath set numerous passing records for Tennessee and was the 1993 SEC Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy runner-up. Heath also played professionally for the Washington Redskins and the New Orleans Saints before returning to Knoxville to open Heath Shuler Realty and complete his degree. Nikol, Heath's wife, is a 1997 UT graduate. Benjie graduated in 1998 and is a partner with his brother in the real estate agency. Heath graduates in December with a bachelor's degree in psychology. "Heath and Benjie
both played significant roles in the success of our football program in
the 1990s," said Mike Hamilton, UT Associate Athletic Director. "It is
truly encouraging to see former student-athletes give back so that future
generations can have the same opportunity they had. Heath, Nikol and Benjie
have been and will continue to be great assets to the Knoxville and East
Tennessee area." |
