The two parcels of land, 13.1 acres on Fort Campbell Boulevard and 7.7 acres on Lovers Lane, coupled with the other cash assets included in the donation, total approximately $1.2 million. The Racer Foundation has directed the MSU Foundation to aggressively pursue the sale of the property so that the proceeds can be invested and the earnings assist the athletic program with important facility enhancements and academic achievement.
“I am extremely grateful to the executive board of the Racer Foundation for continuing to impact the lives of our student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics Allen Ward. “One parcel of land is already pending sale and the other is in an attractive location that I’m sure will bring plenty of interest from potential buyers. In the end, the proceeds from this generous donation will generate significant earnings that will benefit untold future generations of Racer student-athletes.”
Mr. James Butts, President, Mr. Robbie Rudolph, Vice President, Mr. Dan Parker, Treasurer and Mr. E.W. Dennison were the founders of the Racer Foundation in 1997. From 1997 to 2005, the Racer Foundation was the primary fundraising arm of the department raising funds annually to assist with both operational and enhancement needs. Through the years, the group raised funds for the main scoreboard at the CFSB Center, paving of the parking lots at CFSB, replacing the chairback seats at Stewart Stadium, assisted with post-eligibility scholarship aid, and procured the land that currently serves as home to the Murray State University Hopkinsville campus.
Since 2005, when the fundraising responsibilities were primarily moved in-house, the Racer Foundation has been charged with managing its held assets, including the land holdings, in hopes of one day making a generous donation to Racer Athletics. According to Chuck Jones, Chairman of the Executive Board, and Dan Parker, Treasurer of the Board, that day is here. “We’re pleased that we’re to a point with the land management that we will see a significant impact on the program and lasting benefit to Racer Athletics from the pending sale”, said Jones. “The economy downturn likely kept this donation from happening earlier, but in the end, we’re gratified that the gift will be substantial.”
Dan Parker, who served as the catalyst for the pending land sale, states that the impact on the university was not just in the athletic realm. “We were asked by Dr. Kern Alexander to procure the Hopkinsville property for the new extension campus, and we were able to make that happen,” says Parker. “In addition to selling 28 acres of land to the University, the Racer Foundation gifted 51 additional acres so that the Hopkinsville campus could become a reality.”
In May, 1999, the Racer Foundation purchased the 474-acre Graham Duncan farm for $3.4 million. The farm, located on Highway 41A, approximately one mile from the Pennyrile Parkway, has seen noteworthy development not only by Murray State, but by Hopkinsville as well. In addition to the MSU extension campus, the Hopkinsville Convention Center, the VFW cemetery, and several housing developments now occupy the old farm site. “It’s really an amazing transformation and the Racer Foundation deserves credit for making it happen,” says AD Ward. “The land acquisition in 1999, and subsequent property sales, has impacted many constituents, including Racer Athletics. And now, the proceeds from the final two pieces of land will have a residual benefit for years to come.”
The current Racer Foundation Board consists of Mr. Chuck Jones, Mr. Stuart Poston, Mr. Dan Parker, Mr. Bud Byars, Mr. Jerry Duncan, Dr. Bill Whitaker, and Dr. John Yates.
Information provided by David Winder, MSU.
