'Cuse Athletics Fund Legends Society Adds 100th Member

Jim Stevenson spent his youth going to Syracuse University sporting events at Archbold Stadium and Manley Field House. After the Carrier Dome opened in 1980, Stevenson made some of the fondest memories of his adolescence watching the Orange men's basketball team take on Georgetown and John Thompson. Now, the Syracuse native is providing his support in another way. He is the 100th member of the Syracuse University 'Cuse Athletics Fund's Legends Society, an exclusive group of fans, family, and alumni, who join in a shared a vision to provide current and future student-athletes with a championship experience through philanthropy.

In December, Stevenson, the president and chief executive officer at Anoplate, pledged his commitment to the John A. Lally Athletics Complex project that will improve the student-athlete experience as part of the Department of Athletics $150 million fundraising initiative. With this commitment, Stevenson became the 100th member of the Legends Society.

While Stevenson prefers to donate quietly without much fanfare, he said he believes that Legends Society reaching 100 members is a significant milestone.

"I think it says a lot about what Syracuse is doing to reinvigorate and innovate and change with the times," Stevenson said. "Having 100 people and families get on board is terrific. Understanding our business, our family and our leadership, as human beings, we need to evolve. We also realize that the University needs to evolve its buildings, programs, structure, and everything it does. To have a center like that is incredibly special."

Stevenson's pledge will be directed toward the first phase of transforming Manley Field House into the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, a state-of-the-art academic and athletics village that will benefit all student-athletes. The first phase of the project, beginning in Spring 2022, will include a new entryway and lobby into the Lally Athletics Complex.

"The entire initiative of the Legends Society centers on supporting the student-athlete experience through philanthropy," said Michael Paulus, senior associate athletics director and executive director of the 'Cuse Athletics Fund. "We are grateful to have Jim and the Stevenson family as part of this group of leaders who are impacting Syracuse University Athletics and all of our student-athletes through the new John A. Lally Athletics Complex."

Additional renovations will be contingent upon new philanthropy being secured. As part of the vision for the Lally Complex, the Department of Athletics is considering enhancements that include the creation of a new Football Operations Center; a 'One Team' Olympic Sports Center, which will be utilized by all of Syracuse University's Olympic sports teams; a student-athlete academic center to expand resources for academic support and professional and career development; updated dining and nutrition facilities; renovated locker rooms: medical training and strength and conditioning facilities; and modernized facades on the exterior of the complex. Stevenson said he believes that with the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics, the initiative is paramount to the success of Syracuse Athletics and its student-athletes.

While Stevenson became the 100th member to join the Legends Society, generosity toward Syracuse Athletics runs in the family. Jim's parents, Ann Stevenson '52 and Milton Stevenson '53, are the namesake of the current Ann and Milton Stevenson Educational Center, the central location for student-athlete educational support on campus. After hearing about the Forever Orange campaign, Jim felt strongly about continuing his family's legacy of kindness to the program.

"Having fun together as a family, having fun together as a community through giving back has always been what's been modeled by my parents," Stevenson said. "Now, later in life, I've appreciated what the University has done bringing my family together, bringing my parents together, and I was honored to give back."

Stevenson's sentiment for Syracuse Athletics is not limited to his family. Anoplate, the Syracuse industrial metal finishing company founded by Milton Stevenson in 1960, is home to 210 "teammates," many of whom Stevenson considers Syracuse fans.

"Syracuse Athletics is a part of our company as well," Stevenson said. "Our company's color is orange. We have fans inside our company and as our customers. It's just a big part of our lives."

Through the creation of the Stevenson Educational Center and the contribution to the new Lally Athletics Complex construction, the Stevenson family has emphasized improving the college experience for student-athletes in all aspects of their lives.

"Student-athletes are at a vulnerable age," Stevenson said. "For them to be able to come from all parts of the country, all parts of the world and come together and learn and grow is a tremendous thing. They can go out into the community and be better parents, better leaders, better neighbors through that effort. I hope that it not only makes the Syracuse community but the larger world a better place."

The benefit of having a facility for all student-athletes to be together is important for Stevenson.

"Having diversity from different folks, from different sports, I believe that's what makes the world go around and makes the world a better place," Stevenson said. "Hearing and learning from those different perspectives and giving those student-athletes that opportunity is going to be good for them and good for our community."

"Syracuse Athletics brings the Syracuse communities together," Stevenson continued. "You see young families there. You see grandparents there with their grandkids. I see people in the stands, like my father and mother, well into their 80s. That camaraderie and seeing the joy it brings, win or lose, bringing people together is terrific. That's the true heart of the community."

To learn more about joining the Legends Society and supporting the new John A. Lally Athletics Complex, please click here.

Syracuse University Athletics

'Cuse Athletics Fund Legends Society Adds 100th Member

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