Colorado University Athletics
CU Athletics To Receive $6 Million Gift To Elevate Student Experience And Campus Excellence
April 17, 2026 | Buff Club
A major philanthropic investment is set to strengthen CU Boulder's athletic department and amplify its impact across the university, supporting student-athletes while enhancing the campus's visibility and momentum on a national stage.
Through the Crawford Family Foundation, alum Jeff Crawford and his wife, Orsi, have committed $6 million to support CU Athletics over the next three years.
"Time and time again, the Crawford Family Foundation has supported CU student-athletes, and this generous investment is just the latest example," said Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo. "I am so grateful to Jeff and Orsi for their unwavering commitment to CU Athletics and to the success of our student-athletes, in competition, in the classroom and in their lives long after they've left Boulder."
As the national environment around college athletics continues to shift, the Crawfords' generous gift — in combination with additional philanthropic support — will ensure CU Boulder can preserve and build upon the vibrant campus community that a comprehensive, high-level athletics program creates for students.
"This investment in CU Athletics reflects a broader commitment to excellence across CU Boulder," said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. "A strong, visible athletics program enhances our ability to attract talented students, elevate our national profile and strengthen the overall vitality of our campus.
"Gifts like this not only support our student-athletes but help position the entire university to thrive in a highly competitive landscape."
Supporting key athletic priorities
Half of the Crawfords' gift will go toward the Athletic Director's Discretionary Fund, which is being renamed the George Family Athletic Director's Fund.
This fund supports the greatest needs of CU Athletics, from top-caliber coaching support to star athlete identification and retention. It provides the athletic director and CU Athletics with the flexibility to support student-athletes in the evolving college athletics landscape, fully fund revenue sharing and respond nimbly to challenges and opportunities.
This fund is being renamed to honor and build upon the legacy of Athletic Director Emeritus Rick George, who stepped down from the athletic director role last fall after 13 years as head of the department.
"Jeff and Orsi have been dear personal friends for a long time, and I'm so thankful and humbled to have the Athletic Director's Fund named for my family," said George, who now serves as special advisor to the chancellor. "This investment is crucial to CU Athletics continuing to be an industry leader in student-athlete support resources, including the incredible work currently being done with the Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete Program."
The remainder of the Crawfords' gift will support the Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete Program, which was launched in 2021 with support from the Crawford Family Foundation.
The WHOLE Program — which stands for Wellness Health Optimal Life Experience — brings a first-in-class, comprehensive, evidence-based model of support for all of CU Boulder's student-athletes. It spans physical, psychological, academic, leadership and career well-being, supporting student-athletes from the playing field to the classroom and far beyond.
"My experience at the University of Colorado as a student-athlete has been nothing short of incredible, and I attribute most — if not all — of that to the WHOLE Student-Athlete experience," said Luke Dry, a senior CU track and field student-athlete. "I have learned, grown and thrived in all aspects of my life as a student-athlete due to resources I have available to me through WHOLE, and I know numerous other student-athletes at CU would say the same.
"WHOLE not only helped me become successful at CU, but has given me the skills, confidence and mindset necessary to succeed in life after graduation."
The Crawfords' investment will help sustain this trend-setting program and ensure CU Boulder continues to serve as the national model for student-athletes' holistic well-being.
"The WHOLE student-athlete support that we get is incredible here at CU," said Sydney Jordan, a junior women's volleyball student-athlete. "They truly give us the support we need to be successful, not just while we are student-athletes, but also to prepare us for life after athletics. I am so grateful for all the resources we have at CU, but the WHOLE Student-Athlete Program really provides the whole package."
A family tradition of giving back
The Crawford family's connection to CU Boulder stretches back decades.
Jeff Crawford was a 1990 graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences and has been a loyal Buffs fan and advocate ever since. His late brother, Brett, also attended CU from 1990 to 1993. Now, both of Jeff's and Orsi's sons are also Buffs, continuing the family legacy: Jack graduated in 2024 with a degree in media studies, and CJ is currently studying finance and management in the Leeds School of Business.
"Because of my family's legacy and love for CU, we have decided to give this gift to help CU compete in the extremely competitive landscape that is D1 college athletics," said Jeff.
"This university is the flagship university in the state of Colorado, and we must have a robust athletic program to attract students who want a broad array of experiences while they attend college. Having successful sports teams can lead to increased applications and higher-level admissions, and it can provide additional marketing and promotion of the school — both nationally and locally — as well as raise school pride, increase diversity and help support fundraising efforts."
With a history of support stretching back over 35 years, the Crawford family has contributed significantly across the university, from the athletic department to the Leeds School of Business, College of Communication, Media, Design and Information and the Parent Fund. Their 2018 gift to CU Athletics was instrumental in making CU's performance nutrition program one of the best in the nation.
Both Jeff and Orsi hope their family's generosity will motivate other donors to step up and support CU Athletics.
"My hope is that this gift inspires others to give — not only to support CU Athletics, but to say thank you to Rick George for all his years of service to the university, both in his role as athletic director and as part of the staff of the national championship football team in 1990," said Jeff. "In this new era, we need a village to compete, and that will take donations from many CU supporters at all levels.
"We need to build a culture of giving to get to where we all want CU to be."
Through the Crawford Family Foundation, alum Jeff Crawford and his wife, Orsi, have committed $6 million to support CU Athletics over the next three years.
"Time and time again, the Crawford Family Foundation has supported CU student-athletes, and this generous investment is just the latest example," said Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo. "I am so grateful to Jeff and Orsi for their unwavering commitment to CU Athletics and to the success of our student-athletes, in competition, in the classroom and in their lives long after they've left Boulder."
As the national environment around college athletics continues to shift, the Crawfords' generous gift — in combination with additional philanthropic support — will ensure CU Boulder can preserve and build upon the vibrant campus community that a comprehensive, high-level athletics program creates for students.
"This investment in CU Athletics reflects a broader commitment to excellence across CU Boulder," said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. "A strong, visible athletics program enhances our ability to attract talented students, elevate our national profile and strengthen the overall vitality of our campus.
"Gifts like this not only support our student-athletes but help position the entire university to thrive in a highly competitive landscape."
Supporting key athletic priorities
Half of the Crawfords' gift will go toward the Athletic Director's Discretionary Fund, which is being renamed the George Family Athletic Director's Fund.
This fund supports the greatest needs of CU Athletics, from top-caliber coaching support to star athlete identification and retention. It provides the athletic director and CU Athletics with the flexibility to support student-athletes in the evolving college athletics landscape, fully fund revenue sharing and respond nimbly to challenges and opportunities.
This fund is being renamed to honor and build upon the legacy of Athletic Director Emeritus Rick George, who stepped down from the athletic director role last fall after 13 years as head of the department.
"Jeff and Orsi have been dear personal friends for a long time, and I'm so thankful and humbled to have the Athletic Director's Fund named for my family," said George, who now serves as special advisor to the chancellor. "This investment is crucial to CU Athletics continuing to be an industry leader in student-athlete support resources, including the incredible work currently being done with the Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete Program."
The remainder of the Crawfords' gift will support the Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete Program, which was launched in 2021 with support from the Crawford Family Foundation.
The WHOLE Program — which stands for Wellness Health Optimal Life Experience — brings a first-in-class, comprehensive, evidence-based model of support for all of CU Boulder's student-athletes. It spans physical, psychological, academic, leadership and career well-being, supporting student-athletes from the playing field to the classroom and far beyond.
"My experience at the University of Colorado as a student-athlete has been nothing short of incredible, and I attribute most — if not all — of that to the WHOLE Student-Athlete experience," said Luke Dry, a senior CU track and field student-athlete. "I have learned, grown and thrived in all aspects of my life as a student-athlete due to resources I have available to me through WHOLE, and I know numerous other student-athletes at CU would say the same.
"WHOLE not only helped me become successful at CU, but has given me the skills, confidence and mindset necessary to succeed in life after graduation."
The Crawfords' investment will help sustain this trend-setting program and ensure CU Boulder continues to serve as the national model for student-athletes' holistic well-being.
"The WHOLE student-athlete support that we get is incredible here at CU," said Sydney Jordan, a junior women's volleyball student-athlete. "They truly give us the support we need to be successful, not just while we are student-athletes, but also to prepare us for life after athletics. I am so grateful for all the resources we have at CU, but the WHOLE Student-Athlete Program really provides the whole package."
A family tradition of giving back
The Crawford family's connection to CU Boulder stretches back decades.
Jeff Crawford was a 1990 graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences and has been a loyal Buffs fan and advocate ever since. His late brother, Brett, also attended CU from 1990 to 1993. Now, both of Jeff's and Orsi's sons are also Buffs, continuing the family legacy: Jack graduated in 2024 with a degree in media studies, and CJ is currently studying finance and management in the Leeds School of Business.
"Because of my family's legacy and love for CU, we have decided to give this gift to help CU compete in the extremely competitive landscape that is D1 college athletics," said Jeff.
"This university is the flagship university in the state of Colorado, and we must have a robust athletic program to attract students who want a broad array of experiences while they attend college. Having successful sports teams can lead to increased applications and higher-level admissions, and it can provide additional marketing and promotion of the school — both nationally and locally — as well as raise school pride, increase diversity and help support fundraising efforts."
With a history of support stretching back over 35 years, the Crawford family has contributed significantly across the university, from the athletic department to the Leeds School of Business, College of Communication, Media, Design and Information and the Parent Fund. Their 2018 gift to CU Athletics was instrumental in making CU's performance nutrition program one of the best in the nation.
Both Jeff and Orsi hope their family's generosity will motivate other donors to step up and support CU Athletics.
"My hope is that this gift inspires others to give — not only to support CU Athletics, but to say thank you to Rick George for all his years of service to the university, both in his role as athletic director and as part of the staff of the national championship football team in 1990," said Jeff. "In this new era, we need a village to compete, and that will take donations from many CU supporters at all levels.
"We need to build a culture of giving to get to where we all want CU to be."
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