The athletic department received a $1 million bequest for scholarships from longtime supporter and alum George H. Schofield III '51, who passed away on Sept. 20 at the age of 78.

At the time of his retirement from Goodyear, Schofield created the Schofield Athletic Scholarship Fund through the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Directors' Charitable Award Program. The gift was designated to support athletic scholarships for recipients from states other than Vermont with first preference going to residents from New Jersey. Recipients must be in the top one-third of their high school graduating class and are required to remain in the top 50 percent of their respective UVM class.

"While our current student-athletes did not have the privilege of knowing George, he will forever influence their lives through this fund," said Robert Corran, director of athletics.

Schofield, who was active in the United Way of Boston with his wife Barbara, was a fan of the men's basketball team and coach Tom Brennan, now an analyst with ESPN. They met during the Catamounts' three-year NCAA-tournament run from 2003-2005 when Schofield's grandchildren attended UVM.