Gary W. and Barbara A. Bryant Family Trust Announces Second Gift in Six Years

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The family trusts of Gary W. and Barbara A. Bryant has announced its second gift in six years to the University of Memphis athletic department. The Bryant's are generously donating a leadership gift in the amount of $500,000 while announcing a $7 million increase to the record-setting $13 million estate gift in 2019 that established the Gary W. and Barbara Bryant Athletic Excellence Fund. The now $20 million commitment re-establishes the Bryant's donation as the largest estate gift in Memphis athletics history.

In recognition of the Bryant's leadership gift the athletic department will affix the Gary and Barbara Bryant name to the south end zone field lounge at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The exclusive seating area next to the Tigers' locker room for Tiger Leadership Circle members will now be named the 'Gary & Barbara Bryant Field Club.'

"We are extremely grateful and humbled by the extraordinary generosity of the Bryant family and their unwavering commitment to the future of Memphis athletics," Senior Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ed Scott, Ph.D, said. "Memphis athletics deeply values its relationship with the Bryant family and is honored by their benevolence. I would like to thank Cooper Jones, Taylor Sanderson and the development team for their efforts in collaborating with the Bryant family on this transformative gift."

The nearly 54 percent increase to the 2019 gift that established the Gary and Barbara Bryant Athletic Excellence Fund will be used at the department's discretion to support the overall vision for Memphis Athletics and student-athletes. The excellence fund was created through an endowment supported by the estate of Gary W. and Barbara A. Bryant.

"The tremendous vision of the Bryant family to provide opportunities for generations of student-athletes at Memphis is a testament to their philanthropic spirit," Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Revenue Office Cooper Jones, said. "We are truly fortunate for the Bryant family and their commitment to the University of Memphis."

Mr. Bryant graduated from The University of Memphis in 1972 with honors, and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and specialized in insurance industry accounting. After several years in public accounting with a big eight accounting firm, Bryant later became the President and CEO of several life and health insurance companies.

"Barbara and I believe strongly in obtaining a quality education that opens more doors and opportunities," stated Mr. Bryant. "We are excited to expand our initial commitment to the University of Memphis athletic department to continue to enable future student-athletes to earn a great education and excel in their sport at my alma mater. We feel very fortunate to be able to provide a leadership gift for the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium project and only hope more alumni do the same. Go Tigers Go!"

For information on contributing to Memphis Athletics, please contact the Memphis Athletics Fund at 901.678.2334.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Athletics, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Gary W. and Barbara A. Bryant Family Trust Announces Second Gift in Six Years

Related Videos