A Generous Family
Leon J. Hendrix Jr. was the student body president for Clemson University in 1963. He later attended its graduate school and each of his four children attended the university as well. Hendrix went on the spend 10 years heading up the gun manufacturer Remington Arms.
And Hendrix loved Clemson’s football team.
So much so he put his money where his mouth was. Hendrix had recently donated several hundred thousand dollars to aid in the construction of the team’s new locker room facility. He and his wife Pam felt this was more than enough of an investment for them to make and they were done.
A Visionary Leader
On October 29, 2012 Terry Don Phillips was named Clemson’s athletic director. He soon asked head football coach Dabo Swinney what would be needed to consistently challenge for national championships. Swinney already had the answer ready. He then sketched out a state-or-the-art football facility.
Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, people perish.” John Maxwell adds, “Where there are no resources, the vision perishes.” Phillips immediately knew significant dollars would be needed for Swinney’s vision to not perish but become reality.
The Power Of Influence
Coach Swinney and previous A.D. Dan Radakovich had put together the funding plan for the new facility. It included the school’s high-capacity supporters needing to give individual donations of $2.5 million. This was a significant issue. No one in the school’s history had ever given an athletic donation of that size.
The key to the plan was getting Hendrix on board. If he would be willing to participate at that level, Radakovich and Swinney knew other financial leaders would join in and follow suit.
Dabo Takes A Trip
In June of 2012, Coach Swinney traveled to the Hendrix home on Kiawah Island, located just south of Charleston, South Carolina. The two sat down on the porch overlooking the Atlantic Ocean where Swinney began casting vision for a 140,000-square-foot complex featuring amenities such as a bowling alley, movie theater, volleyball courts, laser tag, barber shop, and much, much more. The total cost would be $55 million and require $35.5 million in contributions.
Coach Swinney went on explain the importance of elite facilities in the arms race of college football recruiting of elite talent. And this would give Clemson a significant advantage. Everything would be designed with the athlete in mind.
Great Leaders Ask Great Questions
During the conversation Swinney asked Hendrix if he saw Clemson win their only national title in 1981. Hendrix emphatically said he did. Then Swinney asked the right question, “Do you ever want to win another one?” This was the perfect question. He tapped into Hendrix’s passion.
Financial Leaders Invest In People And Vision More Than Projects
Lars Anderson then records the following exchange:
‘”Well,” Dabo said, jabbing himself in the chest his forefinger, “I’m your best hope.” Dabo then paused, locked his eyes on Hendrix, and said, “Any you’re my best hope.'”
A Generational Response
Not only did Hendrix give the program $2.5 million, his wife Pam wondered if they gave enough.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the team’s new complex took place in November 2015. Coach Swinney addressed those in attendance, “When I got this job, everybody talked about the good old days. Everybody walks around like the best is behind us. I’m telling you, the best is yet to come. This is the good old days. This is the best of times. And what this facility does, what this facility means when we stick a shovel in the ground, what we’re saying is the best is yet to come.”
Coach Swinney was right. Since the groundbreaking the team has won two national championships.
7 Things Leaders Must Do To Connect With And Get Big Financial Gifts From Wealthy People
The following are 7 Things Leaders Must Do To Connect With And Get Big Financial Gifts From Wealthy People we learn from this story:
- To connect with and get big financial gifts from wealthy people you must first identify them. Know who they are.
- You must have a visionary leader who can connect with them.
- The first wealthy people you speak with should have the ability to then influence others. If you get one, you’re more likely to get the rest.
- Go to your financial leaders, never ask them to come to you.
- Ask them great questions.
- Wealthy people give to people and vision, not projects. Make sure you have a well thought-out plan because they will also ask you great questions in return.
- Make sure what you are asking for has generational impact, because that is what wealthy people want to make.
The story which makes up the content for the post came from pages 148-151 of Lars Anderson’s excellent new book Dabo’s World: The Life and Career of Coach Swinney and the Rise of Clemson Football. To get your copy click HERE or on the image provided. #CommissionsEarned
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