A 1990 University of Virginia (UVA) alumnus and his wife have made a \$5.5 million donation to the university, continuing their long history of philanthropy. Tim Smith, a graduate of UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce, and his wife Jennifer directed the funds to support three main areas: athletics scholarships, commerce students, and financial aid for students in need.
The donation includes \$4 million for athletics, aimed at supporting scholarships for baseball and five women’s sports, as well as operational support for the baseball team. This aligns with the Virginia Athletics Foundation’s initiative to boost funding for women’s sports. Additionally, \$1 million will go toward scholarships at the McIntire School of Commerce, which is recognized as one of the top undergraduate business programs in the country. The remaining \$500,000 will benefit the Cavalier Fund, which helps students from lower-income families access extracurricular activities, academic conferences, and leadership opportunities.
Several of the new athletics scholarships will be named after the Smiths’ children, Tyler, Thomas, and Madison, as well as Tim’s aunt, Mary Lou Crocker, a former professional golfer. This gesture highlights the family’s strong connection to UVA and their dedication to supporting sports.
The Smiths expressed their intention behind the donation, stating, “With the changing environment in college athletics, our goal is to provide long-term support to help UVA’s students succeed in every arena—on the field, in the classroom, and in life. While we are proud to support students across UVA, it is especially meaningful for us to support women’s sports and help create pathways for talented students in their academic pursuits.”
The gift will also assist the Virginia Athletics Foundation in supporting student-athletes, like Sara Ziodato, a women’s tennis player who graduated last month. Ziodato, originally from Italy, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I will be forever thankful to the VAF donors who have made it possible for me to come to UVA. The atmosphere you experience walking around Grounds is motivation to strive for more.”
This donation adds to the Smiths’ previous contributions to women’s basketball and the McIntire School, reinforcing their commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics. It also supports the Virginia Athletics Foundation’s growing emphasis on building permanent endowments for scholarships and operations.
Carla Williams, Director of Athletics at UVA, praised the Smiths’ generosity, saying, “We are grateful for the Smiths’ incredible investment in these six sports. Their gift not only supports our core mission to educate and develop student-athletes, but their generosity will impact the entire athletics program for years to come. The resources generated through this gift will help us sustain strong recruiting classes and competitive results, while supporting and inspiring our family of championship coaches and student-athletes.”
