Two gifts totaling $35 million from University of Notre Dame alumnus Richard Corbett will underwrite the construction of a 280,000-square-foot building on the east side of Notre Dame Stadium and endow the head football coaching position at the University.
A $25 million gift is in support of Corbett Family Hall, which will house the Departments of Anthropology and Psychology and a digital media center, and the remaining $10 million will establish the coaching endowment.
Construction of Corbett Family Hall began in November and will be completed in August 2017. The University recently announced a gift from the Duncan family of Denver for construction of a building on the west side of the stadium for student life initiatives.
The head football coaching position is the third at Notre Dame to be endowed, following an announcement in February for the endowment of the head women’s basketball coaching position and in May for the men’s lacrosse coach.
“Dick has always been a loyal supporter to the University of Notre Dame and its global family,” said Jack Swarbrick, vice president and director of athletics. “He serves on Notre Dame’s Gift Planning Advancement Committee, which plays a vital role toward the advancement of the University’s mission. Dick possesses a near-immeasurable desire for excellence in all areas – education, athletics, faith and community. This remarkably generous gift will help the University continue its commitment to provide its students with the finest college experience.”
Brian Kelly will be the first Corbett Family Head Football Coach.
"I’m honored and quite humbled to be a part of this incredible gift from Dick,” Kelly said. “He has offered the University of Notre Dame and its football program an incredible gesture that will help so many people on this campus. His generosity, vision and unyielding support reinforce our University’s commitment to provide all of its students with a truly unique and exceptional college experience. This further fosters Notre Dame’s commitment to excellence in all areas.
“I really enjoyed spending time with Dick and his wife, Cornie, last month. Their passion for sport, community and family is contagious. They’ve both accomplished so much in their respective lives. As a former campaign aide myself, I’m fascinated by Dick’s career in politics, where he served both John F. and Robert F. Kennedy, and Cornie remains one of Tampa’s most significant community and civic leaders.”
Notre Dame has been a part of the Corbett family history for more than 90 years.
“My father, brother and I have proudly and boldly worn our blue and gold in all that we have done,” Corbett said. “We have sought to support the tradition of excellence in academic, athletic, personal and professional performance. We are very pleased to help further build Notre Dame’s commitment to the dynamic blend of academic and athletic enrichment that continues to be a beacon of this nation’s values and sustainability.”
Corbett earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Notre Dame and was class president his senior year. After graduation, he worked on the John F. Kennedy presidential campaign and then in the White House. He earned a master of business administration degree from Harvard University and went on to serve as a financial manager for the Kennedy family in New York and business manager of Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 presidential campaign.
Corbett now is chief executive officer and president of Concorde Companies, a real estate investment firm located in Tampa, Florida.
In celebration of the 50th reunion of the Notre Dame Class of 1960, Dick provided a generous matching gift in 2010 for the class’ scholarship fund. He also has been a supporter of Notre Dame’s Sorin Society and MBA Program. The Corbetts are the parents of four adult children and have two grandchildren.
A $25 million gift is in support of Corbett Family Hall, which will house the Departments of Anthropology and Psychology and a digital media center, and the remaining $10 million will establish the coaching endowment.
Construction of Corbett Family Hall began in November and will be completed in August 2017. The University recently announced a gift from the Duncan family of Denver for construction of a building on the west side of the stadium for student life initiatives.
The head football coaching position is the third at Notre Dame to be endowed, following an announcement in February for the endowment of the head women’s basketball coaching position and in May for the men’s lacrosse coach.
“Dick has always been a loyal supporter to the University of Notre Dame and its global family,” said Jack Swarbrick, vice president and director of athletics. “He serves on Notre Dame’s Gift Planning Advancement Committee, which plays a vital role toward the advancement of the University’s mission. Dick possesses a near-immeasurable desire for excellence in all areas – education, athletics, faith and community. This remarkably generous gift will help the University continue its commitment to provide its students with the finest college experience.”
Brian Kelly will be the first Corbett Family Head Football Coach.
"I’m honored and quite humbled to be a part of this incredible gift from Dick,” Kelly said. “He has offered the University of Notre Dame and its football program an incredible gesture that will help so many people on this campus. His generosity, vision and unyielding support reinforce our University’s commitment to provide all of its students with a truly unique and exceptional college experience. This further fosters Notre Dame’s commitment to excellence in all areas.
“I really enjoyed spending time with Dick and his wife, Cornie, last month. Their passion for sport, community and family is contagious. They’ve both accomplished so much in their respective lives. As a former campaign aide myself, I’m fascinated by Dick’s career in politics, where he served both John F. and Robert F. Kennedy, and Cornie remains one of Tampa’s most significant community and civic leaders.”
Notre Dame has been a part of the Corbett family history for more than 90 years.
“My father, brother and I have proudly and boldly worn our blue and gold in all that we have done,” Corbett said. “We have sought to support the tradition of excellence in academic, athletic, personal and professional performance. We are very pleased to help further build Notre Dame’s commitment to the dynamic blend of academic and athletic enrichment that continues to be a beacon of this nation’s values and sustainability.”
Corbett earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Notre Dame and was class president his senior year. After graduation, he worked on the John F. Kennedy presidential campaign and then in the White House. He earned a master of business administration degree from Harvard University and went on to serve as a financial manager for the Kennedy family in New York and business manager of Robert F. Kennedy’s 1968 presidential campaign.
Corbett now is chief executive officer and president of Concorde Companies, a real estate investment firm located in Tampa, Florida.
In celebration of the 50th reunion of the Notre Dame Class of 1960, Dick provided a generous matching gift in 2010 for the class’ scholarship fund. He also has been a supporter of Notre Dame’s Sorin Society and MBA Program. The Corbetts are the parents of four adult children and have two grandchildren.
