The UNC Football program is the recipient of a new gift, the largest ever in Carolina Athletics and Rams Club history, according to the university.

UNC shared a release Monday announcing a transformational financial commitment from The Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation. The gift, an unlisted amount, will reportedly support staffing needs for the football program, fund facility improvements and build an endowment to cover future operating costs.

The foundation is headed by Eddie Smith Jr., a UNC alumnus and the owner of Greenville-based Grady-White Boats. Smith has served on the university’s Board of Trustees in the past, as well as chair of the Rams Club and many volunteer positions. The gift will will also honor his son Chris Smith by naming the field at Kenan Memorial Stadium the Chris Smith Field.

“Our family believes in the positive impact the University of North Carolina and its athletic program can have on our communities,” Smith said in the university release. “Watching the Tar Heels play in Kenan Stadium has been a family affair for over 60 years, and it was important to us to support Coach Mack Brown and his vision for Carolina Football. To be able to honor my son Chris – someone who has shared my passion for Carolina and for promoting positive leadership qualities – is very special.”

This gift is the latest of many the Smith family has made to support UNC’s academic, research and athletic efforts. In the past, they have funded professorships, fellowships and clinical research at the UNC School of Medicine as well as many other areas of academia. They have also made gifts to help build the Eddie Smith Field House, the Jo Allison Smith Football Strength & Conditioning Center, the Chris Smith Training Room for Carolina Basketball and the Smith Family Suite Level at Boshamer Stadium.

“We truly appreciate all that Eddie and his family have contributed to Carolina Athletics and our University, and we can’t thank them enough,” said Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham. “Their generosity will help position our football program to sustain a high level of excellence for years to come, and it will make an impact on all of our students and coaches because it will allow us to apply other resources across our entire program.”

To read the university’s full release about the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Foundation’s gift to the UNC Football program, visit the Carolina Athletics website.

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