University Football Facility Named for Alabama Agent’s Family

Samford University’s new football field house is being named for a prominent Birmingham family.

The Cooney Family Field House was made possible with a lead gift from Birmingham insurance agent and Samford graduate Gary Cooney, vice chairman of McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc., a leading insurance brokerage firm. Cooney said he wanted to honor his parents, the late John and Patricia Cooney, and other family members.

“Our family has a long history with Samford, and my hope is that these gifts will encourage others to support this great university,” Cooney said.

The $7.5 million project is being funded with private financial support.

The naming announcement came during the annual homecoming celebration, which included recognition of Samford’s 1971 national championship football team. Cooney was a member of that team.

Cooney graduated in 1974 with a business degree. He currently serves on the university’s board of overseers and the Brock School of Business advisory board. He was named the business school’s alumnus of the year in 2002. His brother, John, graduated in 1971. Their father, John Burke Cooney, also contributed to the building of the field house. The elder Mr. Cooney died in May. A nephew, Riley Barnacastle, currently plays football at Samford.

The 39,000-square-foot building is scheduled for completion in time for the 2009 football season. The building includes two levels of offices, locker rooms, meeting space, equipment storage and training facilities plus a hospitality suite and observation deck. An unfinished third level will be used for future expansion.

“Samford is one of Birmingham’s crown jewels, and it is important to me that the community recognizes the quality of what this school can offer young athletes and all students,” Cooney said.

“What Samford is doing with the business school and other academic and athletics programs is outstanding.”

Topics Agencies Education Alabama Universities