Former Star Linebacker Vilma Gives Back to the University of Miami
July 26, 2011
CORAL GABLES, Fla.– University of Miami Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst today announced a donation to the athletic department from former student-athlete and current New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma. In honor of this generous gift, the new football lounge at the Theodore G. Schwartz and Todd G. Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence will be named the Jonathan Vilma Football Players’ Lounge.
“On behalf of the University of Miami, I’d like to thank Jonathan for his support and generosity,” Eichorst said. “He left his mark on the field as one of the very best to wear a Hurricane uniform and his commitment to this project will only elevate his legend and legacy.”
The $450,000 gift was announced by Eichorst in the Edgerrin James Team Meeting Room alongside Vilma.
“This donation will better position our program to continue to recruit the best and the brightest student-athletes to represent the University of Miami,” Eichorst said. “Jonathan’s leadership and generosity truly inspires The U family and sets an example to all Hurricanes past, present and future.”
Vilma led the Canes in tackles three straight seasons from 2001-03, including a career-best 133 tackles in 2002 en route to All-BIG EAST First Team honors . He earned freshman All-America honors by Rivals.com in 2000 and was named a Butkus Award finalist in 2003 and a Verizon Academic All-American in 2002.
During Miami’s 2001 national championship season, Vilma started 11 of 12 games at middle linebacker and finished with 87 tackles. He recorded nine tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble in Miami’s 37-14 Rose Bowl win over Nebraska that season.
In seven NFL seasons, Vilma has recorded 779 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 11 interceptions. He has recorded over 100 tackles in six of his seven professional seasons and was a starter on the Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV championship team in 2009.
The Jonathan Vilma Football Players’ Lounge will offer a comfortable space for football student-athletes to relax and gather before and after practice while strengthening “The U” family bond. The lounge will be an important piece to the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence, which will be a multi-purpose facility that will also include a new football locker room, academic center and gallery of champions.
For more information on the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence or to make a gift to the project, visit www.UHurricaneClub.com.
