Farid Rafiee to Gift $2 Million to Crimson Tide Foundation
10/10/2017 2:50:00 PM | General
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Mr. Farid Rafiee, a long-time supporter of Alabama athletics, has committed $2 million to the Crimson Tide Foundation in support of future athletics facility enhancements. With this gift, Mr. Rafiee's total contribution to Alabama athletics has surpassed the $3 million mark.
"On behalf of The University of Alabama Department of Athletics, I would like to thank Farid Rafiee for his generous commitment to the Crimson Tide Foundation as well as his continued support of athletics at Alabama," said Director of Athletics Greg Byrne. "One of the areas we focused on in our recently developed strategic plan is facilities, knowing full well the importance our venues play in enabling us to train and compete at the highest levels. Mr. Rafiee's generous donation will help ensure that we are able to keep our facilities atop the nation's elite, and we are grateful for all of his contributions over the years."
Rafiee, a 2016 Bryant Society inductee, is involved in the ownership and management of numerous U.S. and international companies engaging in diverse activities including defense manufacture, aviation, real estate, sports and information technology.
"One of the first to welcome Ms. Terry and me to Tuscaloosa was Farid Rafiee," said head football coach Nick Saban. "Our friendship has grown into one of trust and loyalty over the years and we can't think of a kinder, more honorable gentleman. We are so thankful to him for his generous gift in support of future athletics facilities enhancements. These types of gifts are instrumental to the success and growth of our athletics department at The University of Alabama. Farid's gift is very much appreciated by our entire football program."
In 1984, Rafiee formed R&G International, Inc. and later created Svetlana Electron Devises, which he sold in 1999. In addition to his business endeavors, Rafiee has been a member of several board of directors including the U.S. Space & Rocket and Aviation Museum, the Randolph School in Huntsville and the Crimson Tradition Fund, the fundraising campaign that preceded the creation of the Crimson Tide Foundation.
The official receipt of this commitment must be approved by The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama. For more information on the Crimson Tide Foundation, including the various ways to give, visit CrimsonTideFoundation.org or call 205-348-9727.
