Supporting Carolina: A Family Affair

The Rams Club and UNC Athletics recently announced their largest gift in history: a transformational commitment to support the Carolina football program.

The generous gift in support of Carolina football was made by the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation, headed by Eddie Smith Jr. ’65 and co-founded with his late wife Jo Allison Smith. Not only will this gift support staffing needs, fund facility improvements and help to build an endowment to cover future operating costs, but it will also honor Eddie and Jo Allison’s son, Chris Smith ’87, by naming the field at Kenan Memorial Stadium after him.

“Eddie and his family have made a difference on every corner of our campus, and by extension our state, nation and world,” said Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz. “This gift builds on an already remarkable legacy of generosity and leadership.”

The Smith family has given to Carolina many times in a variety of different areas, but Carolina athletics is particularly special to them.

“Our family believes in the positive impact the University of North Carolina and its athletic program can have on our communities,” said Eddie. “Watching the Tar Heels play in Kenan Stadium has been a family affair for over 60 years, and it was important to us to support Coach Mack Brown and his vision for Carolina Football.”

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