Dec. 12, 2011

OXFORD, Miss. - The UMAA Foundation is pleased to announce that Ole Miss Tennis has become the beneficiary of a $1 million gift made by alumnus and long time athletics supporter Will Galtney of Houston, Texas.

“We are so grateful to Will for his exemplary support,” said Danny White, UMAA Foundation Executive Director. “His leadership and commitment to our program, our coaches and student-athletes will be felt for decades to come.”

The gift will serve to fund a significant expansion to the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center.  Already one of the nation’s finest collegiate tennis facilities, the tennis center is undergoing a number of improvements including the addition of more spectator seating and enhancements to the locker rooms, study areas and coaches’ offices.

“It’s my pleasure to be able to contribute to the tennis center expansion,” Galtney said. “I’m very proud of what our coaches and players have accomplished over the years and look forward to watching them continue to compete for championships year after year. I’m happy to have the opportunity to continue to give back to Ole Miss.”

In grateful recognition of his gift, the courts at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center will be named the William F. Galtney, Jr., Courts. A native of Jackson, Miss., Galtney earned his bachelor’s degree from Ole Miss in 1974 and his master’s degree in 1976.

“Will was an outstanding tennis player for Ole Miss. In fact, his 1974 team held the record for the most wins for nearly 20 years,” said Rebel men’s tennis head coach Billy Chadwick. “This gift to our tennis center will enable our program to remain one of the nation’s finest.”

“We are thrilled with Will's generosity and continued support of Ole Miss Tennis,” said women’s tennis head coach Mark Beyers. “It will ensure that our facilities can compete with the very best in the nation.”

With Galtney’s gift, the Vaught Society has surpassed $15 million in philanthropic support since it re-launched in December 2010. As the leadership fundraising entity for Ole Miss Athletics, the Vaught Society’s mission is to provide resources for world-class facilities, coach’s salaries and student-athlete scholarship support. 

For more information on the Vaught Society please contact the UMAA Foundation at (662) 915-7159 and ask to speak with a member of the major gifts staff.