Ford Motor Company Chairman, Wife, Make Major Gift to Princeton University Athletics

Two Princeton University alumni have donated money to help fund university athletics, part of the university's $1.75 billion fundraising campaign. 

William Clay Ford Jr. '79, and Lisa Vanderzee Ford '82, will create the Bill and Lisa Ford Family Directorship of Athletics. Their gift also funds investments in programs to enhance the student-athlete experience.

Bill Ford is executive chairman of Ford Motor Company and vice chairman of the Detroit Lions professional football team.

"Lisa and I believe deeply that the lessons our student-athletes learn in perseverance, teamwork and leadership will serve them well throughout their lives," Bill Ford said. "We are delighted to have a hand in ensuring that our Department of Athletics has the resources necessary to provide the valuable education that takes place whenever our athletes gather to practice and compete."  

The university's current athletics director, Gary Walters, '67, will be the first Ford Family Director of Athletics. Walters has led athletics at the University since 1994.

"The Princeton athletics department and I are profoundly honored," Walters said. "Through this transformative gift, Lisa and Bill have endorsed our goals and values, most especially Princeton's unique programmatic commitment to education through athletics."  

The university has 38 men's and women's varsity sports teams, almost 35 club teams, about 300 intramural teams, coaching staff, and campus athletics and fitness facilities.