PHILADELPHIA - Penn Football teammates from 2010-2013 have rallied together to fund the Owen Thomas W'11 Student-Athlete Experience Endowment in memory of their beloved former teammate. Owen was a two-year starter for the Quakers in 2008 and 2009 and was elected captain of the 2010 Ivy League championship team. Shortly after he was elected captain in the spring of 2010, Owen tragically passed away. The Quakers honored Owen throughout that 2010 season in various ways, including winning the Ivy title, but his teammates always wanted to do more to help cement his legacy with Penn Football.
 
"This group of young men has truly defined what the Penn Football Brotherhood is about," said Penn's George A. Munger Head Coach of Football, Ray Priore. "In 2010, they faced adversity with Owen's tragic passing. They came together and responded with an undefeated Ivy League season and the Ivy championship. Today, they have come together yet again to continue Owen's legacy with Penn Football for eternity. I am inspired, touched and grateful by everything they have done on and off the field."
 
When the Penn Champions Club launched the Game Onward campaign a few years ago, one of the major focal points was to increase endowments specific to athletics. As part of the effort, the Penn Champions Club created an endowment vehicle titled the Student-Athlete Experience Endowment. This endowment type provides a unique opportunity to pair a student-athlete with donor(s) to offset the entirety or a portion of the annual costs for the student-athlete to participate in one of Penn's varsity sport programs. Funds from the endowment do not support financial aid or the student themselves but rather the operational costs on things such as travel, equipment, game-day operations, nutrition, sports performance, and academic support.
 
As the 2010 team approached the 10th anniversary of its championship season, the effort began to gain momentum. For Owen's teammates, this was a great opportunity to memorialize his contributions as a friend, student and athlete while ensuring his name is forever linked with Penn Football. Over the past month, teammates from the 2009-2012 classes have come together to raise $50,000 to start the Owen Thomas W'11 Student-Athlete Experience Endowment.
 
While there will be no football games played this year at Franklin Field, the Penn Athletics community looks forward to that time when we can gather in-person and not only celebrate a Penn Football victory, but also honor the 2010 Ivy League championship team while appropriately memorializing Owen.
 
If you would like more information on this endowment, please contact Charlie Carroll from the Penn Champions Club. Click here if you are interested in making a gift to this endowment.
 
Teammates who have supported the Owen Thomas Student-Athlete Experience Endowment:
Josh Powers W'11: "I supported this fundraising effort because I'm grateful for the opportunity Penn Football afforded me, especially the chance to be Owen's teammate. I hope this endowment honors Owen's commitment to his teammates and the spirit of Penn Football. Further, I hope that it allows many student-athletes with Owen's joy for life and the game to help us win more championships."
 
Kyle Derham W'10, a co-captain of the 2009 Penn Football team: "I remember Owen fondly and was motivated to support this effort because of Owen the individual. He was an incredible person. I'll never forget his energy and passion for life. It was inspiring and it is my pleasure to participate in this effort."
 
Adam Triglia W'11: "Owen was one of my closest friends and teammates whose commitment to excellence and enthusiasm for life were infectious. Some of my greatest Penn football memories involve Owen and it means a lot to me that even though his life was shortened, its impact will live on. I am honored to support this initiative to cement Owen's Penn Football legacy forever."