University of Miami Announces Lead Gift for Indoor Practice Facility
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami announced today the largest donation in the history of the Department of Athletics as the lead gift for a state-of-the-art football indoor practice facility. In honor of their mother, Carol, Jeffrey Soffer and Carol’s other children, have made a $14 million commitment towards the Carol Soffer Football Indoor Practice Facility.
“I’ve been a passionate supporter of the University of Miami Athletics Department for over 20 years, and I’m honored that my family and I can be part of this tremendous project,” Carol Soffer said. “The football indoor practice facility will bring a new dimension to the University. It will have a lasting effect on all student-athletes now and in the future.”
The 81,800-square-foot facility will feature two field-turf fields – one 80 yards long and an additional 40-yard field directly connecting to the Squillante Strength and Conditioning Center. The facility will be located on the current football practice grounds, and will feature interconnectivity to the Hecht Athletic Center and the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence.
“Athletic excellence is an integral part of the University of Miami, building character and community,” said UM President Julio Frenk. “It is in this spirit that I thank the Soffer Family on behalf of our student-athletes and the entire U family.”
The project includes a 20,000-square-foot football operations center with a mezzanine level that will house all of the football coaches’ office space with views overlooking the indoor fields. The football center will also feature six position meeting rooms, a head coach’s suite, three coaches’ conference rooms, a first-class football recruiting suite complete with lounges and meeting rooms, as well as a state-of-the-art video center.
“Today we take yet another step forward in continuing our mission of Building Champions at the University of Miami,” Director of Athletics Blake James said. “The generosity of Carol Soffer’s children and others enables us to build one of the finest football facilities in the nation, which will serve the needs of our football program and all our student-athletes for years to come. We are forever grateful to Jeffrey, and Carol’s other children for their support of and passion for UM Athletics.”
To date, $24 million of the $34 million project has already been pledged by donors, with fundraising continuing through the fall. Groundbreaking will occur as soon as all funds have been committed.
“An indoor practice facility means a great deal to this football program,” said head football coach Mark Richt. “I am grateful that the University and the Department of Athletics recognized the need for an indoor facility and worked tirelessly to make it happen. I can’t thank the Soffer Family enough for their contribution and helping us bring this project to fruition. We appreciate Carol’s generous and deeply committed support of Miami Hurricane Athletics.”
Carol Soffer, namesake of the facility, is a lifelong champion of the University of Miami football program and athletics department, and an active member of the University community. Originally from Chicago, Carol has been a Golden Cane Society donor for over 20 years and supported many Miami Athletics initiatives, most recently the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence project.
For more information on how to make a gift in support of this project, visit HurricanesFootballFacility.com or call the Hurricane Club at (305) 284-6699. Naming opportunities located within the facility are still available.
ABOUT TURNBERRY ASSOCIATES
Turnberry Associates is one of America’s premier real estate development and property management companies. Established more than 50 years ago by Donald Soffer, Turnberry’s diverse projects have revolutionized the living, working, leisure and shopping habits of millions of people across the country. The firm has to its credit the development of more than $8 billion in commercial and residential property, including approximately 20 million square feet of retail space, more than 7,000 apartments and condominium units, 1.5 million square feet of class “A” office space and in excess of 3,000 hotel and resort rooms and exciting upcoming projects.
