TU Establishes Glenn Dobbs Fund for Football
HURRICANE FAMILY: On April 6, 2013, The University of Tulsa unveiled an eight-foot tall bronze statue depicting legendary TU football player Glenn Dobbs during the 1940 to 1942 seasons. Johnny Dobbs, left, and Glenn Dobbs III, sons of Glenn Dobbs, were present at the unveiling of the statue, which was created by Jay O’Meilia. Tom and Betty Johnston generously provided this gift to the university.
The University of Tulsa announced recently the establishment of the Glenn Dobbs Fund for Football Excellence to address the most important needs of the football program.
Gifts to the Glenn Dobbs Fund will help supplement the annual operating budget of the Golden Hurricane football program by providing additional funding for necessary enhancements. In addition to funding for special projects that are presented throughout the year, the Glenn Dobbs Fund will provide financial assistance in recruiting, equipment, team travel, training table, strength and conditioning, technology, and facility infrastructure.
“We are very appreciative of the many alumni and friends of TU athletics who have supported our program over the years,” says Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Derrick Gragg. “As we move into the American Athletic Conference, we recognize the need to make strategic investments that will supplement our budget, and the Glenn Dobbs Fund specifically for football, will help keep us on pace competitively.”
“We’re appreciative of the Dobbs family for allowing us to attach the legacy and name of Glenn Dobbs to this project. If there’s anything Coach Dobbs was known for it was as an innovator,” says Tulsa Head Coach Bill Blankenship. “The Glenn Dobbs Fund for Football Excellence will allow us to be innovative while positively affecting our program with the money raised. We’ll be able to do some special projects that are a little above and beyond, and I equate that with the Dobbs name because to me Glenn Dobbs was an innovator.”
The goal is to raise $500,000 over a two-year period. To contribute to the Glenn Dobbs Fund, contact Associate Athletic Director for Development Brian Scislo at 918-631-3725.
Glenn Dobbs was one of college football’s all-time greatest triple-threat talents. During his three seasons at TU (1940-42), he led the Golden Hurricane to a 25-6 record and two bowl games. In 1942, Dobbs attained a 63 percent passing average, a 48.3 yard punting average and was named an All-American.
After finishing his pro football career in Canada, Dobbs returned to TU in 1955 to serve as athletic director, a position he held until 1970. From 1961 to 1968, he doubled as head coach of the Golden Hurricane and became a key figure in developing football’s passing offense, as Tulsa led the nation in passing from 1962 to 1966.
Dobbs was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame (in 1980), the TU Athletic Hall of Fame (in 1982), the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (in 1988) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders Hall of Fame (in 1988). His number, 45, was retired by The University of Tulsa, and Eighth Street, which runs north of H.A. Chapman Stadium, was renamed Glenn Dobbs Drive.
For the latest information on Tulsa athletics, follow www.TulsaHurricane.com, on twitter @TulsaHurricane or on Facebook at facebook/TulsaHurricane.
Updated 03-25-2014
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