University of Virginia head football coach Bronco Mendenhall and his wife Holly have made a $500,000 pledge to support construction of the University’s new football operations center as part of the athletics department’s master plan project.

“Holly and I are excited to be a part of the process that transforms Virginia football,” Bronco Mendenhall said. “We love developing young people through football, and the new football operations center will provide our young men a home where they can develop into exceptional football players, students and leaders.”

The Mendenhalls’ gift is the first to be publicly announced as part of the $180 million master plan fundraising campaign. The football operations center is a component of the UVA athletics department’s master plan that also includes construction of an Olympic sports center and grass practice fields.

“I am very thankful that Bronco and Holly have further demonstrated their commitment to the University of Virginia with this gift,” UVA Director of Athletics Carla Williams said. “Bronco’s vision for the impact this facility will have on the football program is inspiring and I hope his and Holly’s gift will motivate others to invest in the future of Virginia student-athletes.”

The Mendenhalls’ gift is the largest made by a head coach to the University.

The master plan is currently in the design phase. For information, visit Wahoowa.net/MasterPlan.