Chuck and Jackie Sullivan made the first $1.1 million gift of UT’s current capital campaign. They also gave the first $1 million in the last major campaign—of which 
Mr. Sullivan served as chair—and later contributed an additional $3 million, including the $1 million gift bringing that campaign over its $40 million goal.
The Sullivans’ most recent $6 million contribution is also noteworthy, not just for its generous value but also because $5 million of it is earmarked for athletics—making it the first major gift of the “Building Champions” athletic campaign, a component of UT’s overall campaign.
The largest single gift ever made to the UT athletic department, it is designated for new construction and additions to Savage Hall. Tentative plans include: new locker rooms, weight room, pro shop, Hall of Fame and offices, complete renovation of the basketball arena, luxury suites, a renovated Grogan Room and video scoreboard with sound system. An indoor practice facility for football and other sports is also tentatively planned.
UT Athletic Director Mike O’Brien said that Savage Hall will retain its current name, but naming opportunities are being explored for the entire athletic complex in and around Savage Hall.
The improvements to Savage Hall will allow UT to provide a premier campus facility for training and competing, he said. “This gift moves the Savage Hall project from theory to imminent reality. The new Savage Hall will be second to none in the Mid-American Conference and in the region, and will be a source of pride for our University for years to come.
“The University of Toledo could not have greater friends than Chuck and Jackie Sullivan,” Mr. O’Brien said. “Their gift sets a whole new level of support for UT athletics and will greatly assist us in helping to provide the best possible competitive environment for our student athletes.”
In addition to the Savage Hall support, $1 million of their gift is designated for two scholarship programs that the couple previously established at UT. They have also pledged an additional $15,000-$20,000 to fund a $600 scholarship through a drawing at all home women’s and men’s basketball games this year.
Long-time supporters of UT, the Sullivans also contributed $1.2 million to the athletic department in 2003 for renovations of the track, tennis courts and soccer fields. Their cumulative giving to UT totals more than $12 million.
Mr. Sullivan (Bus ‘59), the retired chair and CEO of Interstate Bakeries, also serves as vice chair of the UT Foundation Board of Trustees. Though his wife did not attend UT, she said she has “adopted” the University’s teams as her own.
They said this gift is aimed at aiding UT athletes and providing students and the community a convenient, outstanding facility in which they can enjoy rooting for the Rockets. Improved facilities, they believe, will help UT recruit better athletes, boost overall enrollment and attract more financial support.
“Our contribution is a start,” said Mr. Sullivan, “but more support is needed for sports as well as for academics, especially with the decrease in state aid.”