USF Athletics Receives $1 Million Gift From Naimoli Family

At halftime of yesterday’s football spring game, USF Athletics announced a $1 million donation from the family of original Tampa Bay Rays owner Vince Naimoli. This gift, in the works for quite awhile, will fund projects for the tennis and football programs, as well as support services for every USF student-athlete.

Here is a portion of the statement released by USF Athletics:

“Lenda and Vince Naimoli are passionately invested in the success of USF Athletics and the University of South Florida,” USF Director of Athletics Mark Harlan said. “Their incredibly generous commitment is very exciting for our program and we are grateful and humbled by their vital support of our shared vision for excellence in the classroom, the community and in competition.”

The Naimoli Family gift will directly support facility projects for the tennis and football programs as well as the renovation of the Fishman Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center (SAEC), which serves all USF student-athletes by providing academic support, computer labs, tutorial rooms and houses Behavioral Health Support, the Selmon Mentoring Institute, Compliance and Community Affairs departments. In honor of their gifts, the Naimoli Family name will be adorned on the new Computer Learning Center, Women’s Tennis Locker Room, and Football Team Meeting Room.

“We are very happy to support the hopes and dreams of USF student-athletes and it is our sincere hope that this gift motivates others in the Tampa Bay region to join us and support the University of South Florida athletics program,” said Tampa Bay Rays founder, Vince Naimoli.