CCU unveils TD Sports Complex
In September 2013, CCU received a significant gift from TD Bank Group (TD), a North American financial institution with operations in South Carolina. According to the gift agreement, TD is donating a total of $5 million to CCU's Chanticleer Athletic Foundation, the 501(c) (3) charitable nonprofit organization that raises funds for CCU athletics, over a five-year period.
In addition to supporting the TD Sports Complex, CCU's sustainability program is an important focus of the gift agreement, in line with TD's commitment to the environment as a core corporate responsibility. CCU's sustainability program is called the TD Campus and Community Sustainability Initiative and is branded "Sustain Coastal." CCU's sustainability programs on campus bear the TD logo, including water-refilling stations, recycling bins, Bicycle FixIt Stations, tailgate bags and produce bags. Campus sustainability events and student groups also incorporate the TD partnership, including the TD Farmers Market and Sustainability Fair, the TD Eco-Reps Leaders and the TD Student Green Team. Gift funds also provide support for athletic programs and fund scholarships.
"TD's pillars of focus include education and environment, making this partnership a great fit for our organization and our commitment to South Carolina," said Dixon Woodward, TD Bank Market President for Coastal Carolinas. "We're strong supporters of higher education in the Carolinas, and the TD Sports Complex and TD Campus and Community Sustainability Initiative are visible marks of this."
"This is an exciting day as we unveil this striking entrance to the TD Sports Complex," said DeCenzo. "TD's generous gift is already transforming our campus and the community as we grow our environmental sustainability efforts. Furthermore, the lives of countless students will be impacted for many years to come through TD's endowed scholarship."
A portion of TD's gift funds the installation of artificial playing surface at Brooks Stadium/Benton Field. The project will begin as soon as the 2014 football season ends. The new field turf is expected to conserve between 500,000 and 1 million gallons of water annually. This conversion will also allow for expanded use of the stadium field, including practice sessions for football and women's lacrosse.
"As a result of the partnership with TD, Coastal's sustainability program is making great strides," said Jennifer Sellers, sustainability coordinator for CCU. "Our Sustain Coastal initiative is creating a culture of environmental awareness throughout the campus. We are thrilled to see the vision coming to life."