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NEWORLEANS- Tulane's new on campus stadium will be named Yulman stadium. Tulane President Scott Cowen made the announcement at Tulane University Thursday afternoon.
The campus stadium will be named for the family of Richard and Janet Yulman. Richard Yulman is the retired chairman and owner of mattress manufacturing giant Serta International as well as a member of the Board of Tulane, the university's main governing body. Yulman donated $15 million toward construction of the $55 million facility, which will open in time for the 2014 football season.
Tulane is hoping that an on-campus stadium can help rejuvenate interest in a football prgram that has had issues with attendance and competitiveness in recent years.
At the announcement, Cowen introduced major donors to the project, including Tom and Gayle Benson and Avie and Jill Glazer, before announcing that the stadium would be named for the Yulman family.
The new football field will be named Benson Field after New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson and his wife Gayle, who donated $7.5 million to the project.
Tulane also announced that the club space for premium ticket holders would be named the Jill H. and Avram A. Glazer Family Club. Tulane alumna Jill is a member of the university's board and Avram (Avie) is a member of the university's President's Council. The school said the Glazers supported the project with a multi-million dollar gift.
In his remarks, Richard Yulman, a member of the school's board since 2005, said he was moved by the hardship he saw after Hurricane Katrina.
