University of Tennessee Athletics
STEP UP Campaign Receives Million Dollar Gift From Larry F. Pratt
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| Larry F. Pratt and family are recognized prior to Tennessee's game against Georgia Oct. 11 at Neyland Stadium. UT athletic director Mike Hamilton is pictured along with Pratt's children, Ashley and Brackton. |
Larry F. Pratt, a native of Athens, Tenn., and president/CEO of First Savings Mortgage Corporation in Washington, D.C., is the University of Tennessee's latest seven-figure donor to the STEP UP Campaign - a comprehensive capital campaign for new, renovated and expanded facilities benefiting 17 of Tennessee's 20 men's and women's intercollegiate teams.
"Larry's commitment represents the sixth seven-figure private outright commitment of the STEP UP Campaign," Athletics Director Mike Hamilton said. "More significantly, his support ensures that the projects of the STEP UP Campaign can be successfully completed as we prepare to meet our next set of needs."
A member of the Nathan Dougherty Society since 1999, Pratt, who saw his first Tennessee football game at age 5 in 1953, said he, "started giving a little not long ago, maybe seven or eight years ago."
It was a way to tangibly show his commitment to the University.
Larry credits his dad, the late Floyd A. Pratt, with instilling in him a love for the Vols and the desire to make a difference as a donor.
"I was able to give, and I also understood what it means to back up my commitment to UT," Pratt said. "It made my father proud, and it also provides a good example for my children.
"I was a fan first. My dad wasn't able to come to Tennessee for college. He was from Knoxville. But he always rooted for the Vols and that's when I started liking them."
He mentioned that he was impressed with the vision he saw from representatives of the Athletics Department, from Hamilton on down.
"I like the vision Mike has with his specific goals and objectives for Tennessee athletics," he said. "I want to continue with my involvement with the Athletics Department."
"Larry Pratt has stepped forward in a big way to help our program grow and prosper," Hamilton said. "He's the kind of guy who has identified a need and found a way to help meet it.
| "Larry's commitment represents the sixth seven-figure private outright commitment of the STEP UP Campaign. More significantly, his support ensures that the projects of the STEP UP Campaign can be successfully completed as we prepare to meet our next set of needs." |
| Mike Hamilton UT Athletics Director |
"Even though Larry lives a several hundred miles northeast of Knoxville and his Athens hometown, he hasn't forgotten his Big Orange roots. His commitment helps establish him as one of the true leaders of 21st century Tennessee athletics."
It's simply a matter of going beyond talk to action, Pratt said.
"People say they want Tennessee to have the best student-athletes who can perform and win championships. One thing we can do as donors is to provide our student-athletes with the best facilities and classroom support systems available."
Pratt, 55, recalled many good times following the Vols.
"We would drive in from Athens for a game from time to time, but we always listened to them religiously on the radio," he said. "I ended up attending UT and graduated with a business degree in 1973. From there, I moved to Nashville and began my career. I've lived in Atlanta and Florida and now I'm in the D.C. area."
"We are grateful for Larry's confidence in Mike Hamilton's leadership and his willingness to help the department move forward in providing a great overall experience for future student-athletes in all of our 20 sports," said John Currie, Associate AD for Development.
Pratt noted that his son Brackton, 30, and daughter Ashley, 28, are also avid Vols fans.
"They grew up in Atlanta and both of them attended the University of Georgia, but they know where the bread is buttered. My son grew up a Tennessee fan and has always liked the Vols, as has Ashley. They remember what it was like when I took them to Tennessee games. We always tried to attend a game or two every year."
Pratt, Brackton and Ashley will be recognized during the Tennessee-Georgia game Saturday.
