Temple University recently received the largest gift its athletic department has ever seen in its 140-year history, writes Terry Lefton for Sports Business Journal. 

The gift will afford the department to endow its athletic director position.

Husband-and-wife duo Stanley and Debbie Lefkowitz were the donors of the gift.

While the specific amount of the contribution has not been revealed, a recent Temple development appeal sent to donors and alumni listed a permanent endowment of the athletic director’s position at $2 million.

According to Stanley Lefkowitz, the funds are “to enhance the college experience for athletes with things which are not covered by of the normal operating budget.”

This includes sports, nutrition, mental health, among other things.

“We want to help provide stability. Temple athletes have a high graduation rate, which is important for us, and this seemed like a broad and lasting way for us to make an impact on future generations of students at Temple,” he added. 

The athletic director spot will be entitled as the Lefkowitz Director of Athletics, as Temple becomes the 15th to endow its AD position.

Temple’s current athletic director is Arthur Johnson, who was appointed to the role in October 2021.

Read more about the large gift that will allow Temple to endow its athletic director position at Sports Business Journal. 

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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on PHILADELPHIA Today in June 2024.