PISCATAWAY (Sept. 4, 2014) — Prominent Rutgers athletic donors were in the spotlight for their longstanding contributions during the school's first-ever 50-Yard Line Dinner on Aug. 21, with the department citing Dr. William H. Bauer (ENG'42, GSNB'47, '50) and Barbara M. Bauer(NJC'46) by honoring them with the inaugural 1869 Legacy Award.
The invitation-only event, held at midfield at High Point Solutions Stadium, featured Rutgers' top 250 athletic donors over the past five years and included Scarlet Knights head coaches, athletics senior staff and student-athletes.
Shawn Tucker, Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development, served as the host.
The dinner coincided with the unveiling of a new athletics annual giving program, R Fund, which will commence during the 2015-16 season. Going forward, donors will receive an invitation to future 50-Yard Line Dinners if they qualify at the Legacy Club level or higher (annual athletic gifts of $20,000-plus).
Scarlet Society members (lifetime giving of $50,000-plus) will also receive invitations to upcoming 50-Yard Line Dinners.
The Bauers, honored for their lifetime impact on Rutgers athletics, received a standing ovation as the first recipients of the 1869 Legacy Award.
The award, which recognizes long-time contributions to Rutgers Athletics, will be presented annually at the 50-Yard Line Dinner.
The Bauers, dedicated Rutgers fans who have traveled extensively to support various Scarlet Knights teams, were instrumental in the creation of the state-of-the-art Bauer Training and Rehabilitation Center located at the Hale Center, as well as the Bauer Track and Field Complex.
William Bauer is a former president of the Rutgers Alumni Association, where his commitment earned him a Loyal Son of Rutgers award. Barbara Bauer's leadership and dedication to the University led to her role on the Rutgers University Foundation Board of Overseers.
The 50-Yard Line Dinner included a student-athlete question and answer session hosted by Tucker, with Amanda DeVolk (women's soccer), Michael Fritz (men's track and field), Emma Hoffman (gymnastics), Brianne Reed (women's soccer) and Sophie Wright (field hockey) sharing their experiences at Rutgers.
Each head coach in attendance took their turn to thank the audience, with head football coach Kyle Flood and athletic director Julie Hermann formally addressing guests over the course of the dinner.
