Tuscaloosa Businessman Makes Contribution to Crimson Tradition Fund
5/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - A Tuscaloosa businessman made a donation to the Crimson Tradition Fund, a fundraising campaign for University of Alabama athletic facility improvements.
Charles Sealy Jr. of Sealy Real Estate made a $100,000 gift to the Crimson Tradition Fund.
"I wanted to show my loyalty to the sports at Alabama," Sealy said. "I'm too old to go out there and play, but I can at least give them some money."
The Crimson Tradition Fund is a $100 million campaign. The improvements will allow for the highest level of athletics and academics on campus with some of the most modern facilities in the Southeastern Conference. Paul Bryant Jr. is the organization's chairman. The fund is designed to raise $50 million from private donations and another $50 million from bonds.
Sealy was born in Tuscaloosa and graduated from UA in 1970. He owns Sealy Real Estate and is a Security Bank board member.
Sealy Realty Co. is one of the largest multi-family property owners in the city. It owns more than 5,000 apartment units and manages more than 6,000 units in Tuscaloosa, Northport, Mobile, Trussville, Huntsville, Mississippi and South Carolina. Currently Sealy is building more apartments in Tuscaloosa and Huntsville. Sealy Real Estate also sells farms, land and acreage, residential and commercial properties and leases office space. Sealy is also a partner in the Furniture Connection and Rumsey Environmental.
Sealy said he watched the Crimson Tide win several national championships under Paul "Bear" Bryant. He said he hoped by contributing to UA's athletics he would help the program rise to that level again.
"Coach Bryant made us stand tall, and we need to be like that again," Sealy said. "I think we have the potential if everyone pitches in to do their part."
Money generated from the campaign will be used to renovate several buildings and build new soccer and tennis complexes on campus. Buildings to be renovated include Bryant Hall, the Football Complex, Bryant Denny Stadium and Coleman Coliseum. Renovations in Bryant Hall will create a new academic center and residence center for freshman and sophomore football players and students in the College of Engineering.
