University of Tennessee Athletics
David and Mary Howard PushSTEP UP Toward Goal
Aug. 1, 2003
Thanks to a significant commitment from David and Mary Howard of Shelbyville, the STEP UP Campaign continues to gain momentum and is now just $1.5 million away from its overall goal of $44.25 million.
For example, there are B. Ray Thompson of the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex and Thompson-Boling Arena; John Thornton, who has been honored with the naming of the Thornton Academic Student Life Center; Tom Black of Tom Black Track; William B. Stokely of Stokely Athletics Center; and, now under construction, the Toby and Brenda McKenzie Athletic Center and the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center.
These individuals have made significant commitments to ensure the success of athletics at UT.
The UT athletics development office is pleased to recognize the Howards by naming the rotunda entrance to the new McKenzie Athletic Center in their honor.
"The Howard family continues to step up and be great leaders for the University of Tennessee," Athletics Director Mike Hamilton said. "They have not only made a significant academic gift to the Thornton Center, but have been strong supporters of our entire program."
When the McKenzie Athletic Center is completed, it will become the new primary entrance to UT athletics for prospective student-athletes, fans, alumni and friends of the University of Tennessee. It will be the David and Mary Howard Rotunda that welcomes each of these important constituencies into the Doug Dickey Hall of Champions, a hall that will honor all of the champions, All-Americas, Olympians and legends of UT's illustrious athletic history.
This is not the first-time that David and Mary Howard have made a significant commitment to UT Athletics. In May 1999, the Howards were leaders in making the Thornton Athletic Student Life Center possible, where the computer lab is named in their honor.
We wanted a combination of athletics, both men's and women's, and academics," David said of his gifts. "The idea of the Thornton Center was a good one. When it came to the Rotunda in the McKenzie Building, John Currie came up with the idea and we liked it."
David and Mary are true Volunteers," Currie said. "They share their time and resources to help the athletic program achieve the same high standards they set for their business and family endeavors."
Even though David and Mary left UT as graduates in 1966, they have continued to travel the 150 miles or so from Bedford County to Knoxville on a regular basis. For David and Mary, the University of Tennessee is a family affair. All three children Christine (1989), Jennifer (1992) and Jeff (1997) are UT grads.
"There's a strong attachment to the University of Tennessee that goes back to our college days," Mary said. "Our support of the University in academics and athletics is a perfect fit for us. It really helps keep the family together. It's a family event for us."
David, a journalism grad, and Mary, a food systems administration grad, spend a great deal of time following the Vols. At Neyland Stadium, the Howards have a skybox on the east side that is always full of Volunteer fans that are mostly family and friends. In the winter, you will find them courtside in Thompson-Boling Arena in their new premium floor seats.
David was also a member of the Agriculture Development Board in 1991 as well.
"I have always loved UT," David said. "The University has done a lot for me. We graduated there and so have our three children. We've been fortunate and we're not through yet. We intend to do more.
"You get solicited for a lot of things, but UT is a special place and we want to help make it better."
The Howards own Dabora, Inc., in Shelbyville, which provides walking horse supplies, and does publishing and promotion for the industry. They also have an imprint company, which handles "anything you want your name on," David says, naming off Orkin, Union Planters and Raytheon as several of their clients.
While the Howards have been very generous to UT, they are also supportive of other area causes. Dabora has donated more than $305,000 during a 12-year sponsorship of the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration, an international event that takes place in Shelbyville each year.
The Howard's commitment is part of STEP UP - The Campaign for UT Athletic Facilities. STEP UP is a $44.25 million comprehensive capital campaign that will impact 17 out of the 20 men's and women's sports at UT. This campaign is going to ensure that each of UT's athletic teams have the necessary facilities to compete for SEC and NCAA championships.
For more information on the STEP UP Campaign, please contact Scott Rabenold or John Currie at 865-974-1218.
