October 17, 2004

First-Ever D1 ‘Dean Of Athletics’ Position Established

FROM PENNSYLVANIA’S POCONOS MOUNTAINS comes word of a remarkably generous athletics donation that will establish a unique “Dean of Athletics” endowed position at Lehigh University.

Murray Goodman, a 1948 Lehigh grad—and former captain of the basketball team--has made a $6 million donation to his alma mater to create new funding for Lehigh’s nationally regarded athletics program.

Goodman’s donation establishes the Goodman Dean of Athletics position, reflecting the complementary role of athletics and academics at the university level.

Joe Sterrett, a 1976 Lehigh grad, was formally installed as the first Dean of Athletics. Sterrett is a former All-American quarterback who has served as athletics director since 1989.

Although a number of elite colleges have endowed positions in athletics, the title “Dean of Athletics” is believed to be the first such distinction at a Division I institution.

With his latest gift, Goodman has become Lehigh’s most generous living donor with lifetime commitments of more than $20 million.

“The title of ‘Dean of Athletics’ is both unusual and highly significant,” says Gregory Farrington, Lehigh president. “Colleges are institutions of higher education, not institutions of higher athletics, though too many appear to have forgotten the difference.”

The gift will also provide funding for full-time assistant coaches in a number of men’s and women’s sports as well as new positions that aid student-athlete development, such as strength and movement training.

A native of Bethlehem, Goodman graduated from Lehigh with a BS in business administration in 1948. He spent three years in the U.S. Army Air Force, then went out into the world to become a stellar success in commercial real estate.

And now he’s giving back.

Goodman appears to be a really good man.

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(this 280 word excerpt—with attendant commentary—was distilled from a 1205 word Lehigh University press release and a 294 word article from the Allentown Morning Call, 10-16-04)