Baylor University dedicates the Fudge Football Development Center

WACO, Texas (September 27, 2024) – Baylor University today dedicated the Fudge Football Development Center during a morning ribbon-cutting ceremony with tours and open house speeches, followed by an evening celebration in the Paul & Alejandra Foster Pavilion that also celebrated the official completion of both buildings.

The dedication event honored the Fudge Football Development Center's namesakes and major donors, Jeremy, BA '97, and Kristy Fudge of Parker, Texas. Construction of Baylor Football's official home stadium was announced in November 2021 with the Fudges' lead gift of $15 million to the Give Light Capital Fund, which supported the capital priorities of Baylor's successful Give Light campaign.

“The generosity of Jeremy and Kristy Fudge in bringing us to this moment fills the Baylor family with gratitude,” said Mack B. Rhoades IV, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics. “We are blessed to celebrate the transformative support of the Fudge family and so many others this weekend. The Fudge Center and Allison Indoor are state-of-the-art facilities made possible by the visionary support of the Fudge and Allison families. and our great university. The impact the Fudge Center will have on the football program as well as our daily mission of Preparing Champions for Life is immeasurable.”

Located adjacent to the Simpson Athletics and Academic Center and the Beauchamp Athletic Nutrition Center, the Fudge Football Development Center includes a 14,460-square-foot expansion of the Jay and Jenny Allison Indoor Practice Facility, which created a full field and a new front entrance, lobby, bridge access on the second level, connecting the Fudge Center and the Allison Indoor Practice Facility, as well as new offices for the football program's coaching staff. Other features include:



Strength and conditioning

“As Christians, we are ambassadors of Christ to the world, and one of the ways we do that is by striving for excellence in everything we do,” Jeremy Fudge said at the dedication ceremony. “Baylor and Baylor Athletics believe and live this in everything they do, and we are blessed and honored to partner with them in this goal. We look forward to seeing what this new facility means for the development of each student-athlete and our athletics program as a whole.”

The Fudge Football Development Center is a capital project funded by the Give Light Campaign. The campaign raised more than $285 million to support major projects including the Fudge Center, the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion and the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center, as well as the renovation of the Tidwell Bible Building. To learn more about the campaign’s impact, visit baylor.edu/givelight.

A legacy of support

“In business and life, our family always lives by the motto 'Strive for the Extraordinary,' and we are proud to support Baylor University in its pursuit of excellence,” Jeremy Fudge said at the time of their gift announcement. “As Christians, we are called to pursue excellence in everything we do as an act of worship and obedience. At Baylor, our excellence can be a witness to our Christian faith on a national level, and we are pleased to join in the good work.” They do so through our gift to support these programs, people and priorities as they continue Preparing champions for life.”

The name of the Fudge Football Development Center honors the generosity of Jeremy and Kristy Fudge, long-time supporters of Baylor Athletics. Jeremy currently serves on the Baylor Athletics NIL Advisory Council, a six-member group of Baylor supporters and business leaders who strategically guide NIL efforts for Baylor student-athletes. All six Advisory Board members are Baylor alumni and generous supporters of the university. The group was founded in summer 2022.

Jeremy Fudge has a BA magna cum laude He graduated from Baylor University in 1997. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP, the leading U.S. corporate immigration law firm. He leads the company's operations, formulates vision and strategy, and drives the company's mission and culture. Kristy is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado.

Kristy and Jeremy are parents to four daughters: Brynna, Addy, Calley and Delaynie. Kristy is an active volunteer in the community and serves on the board of the National Charity League as well as various other committees and boards at her daughters' schools. Kristy became connected to Baylor through her husband and was recognized as a 2021 Alumna By Choice.

Jeremy and Kristy, who are members of the Baylor Bear Foundation, previously provided the first endowment donation to Baylor Athletics' Baylor Built program Preparing champions for life by providing workshops and seminars to student-athletes to promote their development and character building alongside their academic and athletic success.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally recognized research institution. The university offers a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by combining interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and the faculty's commitment to teaching and scholarship. Founded by the Republic of Texas in 1845 through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas. Based in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees in its 12 nationally recognized academic departments.