North Carolina receives $15 million athletics donation

The University of North Carolina athletics department has received a $15 million donation.

The gift is from Jim and Jennifer Koman of St. Louis. It will be used to support a new football initiative for student-athletes’ life-long success, according to the school. UNC’s new practice complex will be named after Jim’s father, Bill Koman, as will the new initiative, the Bill Koman Game Plan for success.

William J. “Bill” Koman Sr., was a 1956 Carolina graduate who played football for the Tar Heels and later in the NFL.

“Jim and Jennifer believe in the ability of athletic competition to prepare young people for productive and meaningful lives and careers,” said director of athletics Bubba Cunningham. “Their commitment to teaching life lessons through athletics will have an enormous impact on our football program and all our student-athletes. We are so appreciative of Jennifer and Jim for their dedication to Carolina.”