William and Mary Skeeles fund University of Akron baseball scholarships with $1.3 million gift
William “Bill” ’77 and Mary (honorary alumna) ‘22 Skeeles, distinguished benefactors of The University of Akron (UA), have once again demonstrated their commitment to the University's baseball program with a gift of $1.3 million to be used for student scholarships. Bill Skeeles, a member of The University of Akron Foundation Board of Directors, and Mary Skeeles have been dedicated to increasing opportunities for students. Their gift marks a significant milestone for the growth of the University’s baseball program.
With this latest contribution, the Skeeles' total donations to the UA baseball program total $3 million. While their previous gifts were focused on building a new baseball stadium and providing first-class infrastructure for the team, this donation is dedicated to investing in the academic futures of the talented student-athletes who represent UA on the baseball field.
"Through the remarkable generosity of Bill and Mary, our baseball program has undergone a complete transformation. Their gifts have not only rebuilt our foundation but also provided for our program to thrive,” said Charles Guthrie UA Director of Athletics. The Skeeles’ gift will ensure that the team will be fully funded, meaning it will have the funding required to provide the maximum number of scholarships allowable to athletes under NCAA rules. By fully funding scholarships, they aim to empower student-athletes to pursue their academic and athletic goals without financial burden, thereby fostering a culture of excellence and opportunity within the baseball program.
Head Coach Bryan Faulds remarked, “Today, we stand as a testament to their vision, and we can now compete on level ground with our peers in the MAC and teams around the country. We are immensely grateful for their unwavering support."
"We are proud to continue our support of the University of Akron baseball program with this scholarship donation," said Bill Skeeles. "Our investment in the future of these talented student-athletes reflects our belief in the transformative power of education and athletics. We are confident that this gift will enable them to excel both on and off the field, and we look forward to witnessing their success."
“The University of Akron extends its deepest gratitude to Bill and Mary Skeeles for their extraordinary generosity and continued support of UA,” said President R.J. Nemer. “Their continued investment in the baseball program will make an incredible impact on future generations of our student-athletes.”