WILLIAMSBURG — Rick Platt ’72 has made a game-changing gift of $6.5 million to the Men’s and Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country (TF/XC) programs just six months after he gave $2.3 million during the All In campaign toward the total renovation of the TF/XC locker rooms in Zable Stadium.
A passionate supporter of the Tribe since his days as a member of W&M’s track & field, cross country and swimming teams, Rick is hoping his gift sparks a return to national prominence. “I’ve had multiple meetings with W&M supporters, administrators and coaches to see where the needs are to reach the goal of having the men’s and women’s cross country teams qualify again for the NCAA Cross Country Championships, and to also excel in the distance events in track,” he said.
The Rick Platt Cross Country and Track Excellence Fund will fund sweeping changes over 10 years to raise the profile of the programs, including additional scholarship support, preseason cross country training camps, travel funds to provide opportunities at the most competitive track and cross country meets, and other social events to enhance team bonding and camaraderie.
“I’ve had many conversations with Rick, and his magnificent gifts to William & Mary Athletics are an indication of his deep affection for his alma mater and for our Cross Country and Track & Field programs,” said Brian D. Mann, Director of Athletics. “Rick’s goal is for those programs to rise to an elite level and to consistently compete for team and individual championships. Thanks to his generosity, we are much closer to making those aspirations a reality and we cannot fully express how grateful we are!”
With the Tribe’s TF/XC programs as the beneficiaries of Rick’s philanthropy, the backstory about his ability to donate $9 million in a single year to the programs he loves is extraordinary.
“This is all possible because of a lucky choice of Apple stock that I made in the mid-1980s. The stock was just $26, the value of which has increased about 900-fold since then as multiple stock splits have made every share 112 shares,” he said.
“The cost to me of the Apple stock in my first donation to William & Mary was only $2,839, which became approximately $2.3 million for the locker room renovation fund,” Rick said. “The original cost to me of the second donation of Apple stock that I made in late July was $7,098, a combined total of just under $10,000. That has enabled me to establish the Rick Platt Cross Country and Track Excellence Fund with a total of $6.5 million.”
“It will bring me great satisfaction to see William & Mary’s teams excel by qualifying for the NCAA Cross Country Championships, by winning multiple CAA Cross Country and Track Championships, and by qualifying distance runners for the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Track Championships. Money well spent!” said Rick.
In the 52 years since he graduated, Rick has maintained close relationships with TF/XC, including with his friend Randy Hawthorne ’67, J.D. ’70, M.L.T.’71, who also ran track and cross country for W&M. He met Randy and his wife Shelby after his first day of cross country practice when the Hawthornes hosted a social event at their home. This year, Rick’s gift will serve a similar purpose by bringing together every member of the cross country team at a kickoff picnic. He said, “I want to meet and get to know each man and woman on the team as they are now part of my family!”
The new and state-of-the art TF/XC locker rooms will be dedicated in 2025. Realizing that there are numerous variables in play, Rick is excited about the team’s potential in the next couple of years. “If the U.S. men’s and women’s track teams could excel well beyond expectations this year in the Olympics, William & Mary can do it in the NCAAs.”
While his passion for the Tribe’s running programs is an integral part of his life, Rick’s interest in the sport branches out in several directions. He continues to write for the Virginia Gazette and he was a founding senior editor for Running Times Magazine. He was the founder of Run Fast Promotions and an elite athlete coordinator for major running events.
He continues his longtime recreational running by logging 35-40 miles a week on the Lake Matoaka and Greensprings trails in Williamsburg. His lifetime best in the marathon is 2:23:55, along with 51:50 for 10 miles. He still holds the Virginia state record in the 10K for men ages 55-59 (35:31) and previously held three others. He was president of the Peninsula Track Club for three years, and since 1994 has been president and race coordinator for the Williamsburg-based Colonial Road Runners, a club that directs two dozen annual races.
As Rick reflected on how he arrived at this stage of his life and on what he has accomplished, he said, “In a way, I’ve hit the lottery. When others do the same, they buy a new house, fancy cars, works of art and travel the world. I’m happy with my house, still drive a 2009 Toyota Prius and love it here in Williamsburg.”
“I can’t think of a better use of my good fortune than to change the direction of W&M’s Cross Country and Track programs for the better for the next decade and beyond,” he concluded.
W&M Athletics is continuing to raise funds to support all 23 sports. Gifts can be made at give.wm.edu or by contacting Jason Simms, associate athletics director, at jlsimms@wm.edu or 757-221-3241.
