Glenn and MiDori Allen’s passion for Chattanooga athletics motivates them to give back.
To say that Glenn and MiDori Allen have a love affair with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball and football teams is a bit of an understatement.
To say the Allens have a love affair that started during their time as UTC undergraduates —and includes Mocs athletics—gets to the heart of the matter.
Shortly after graduating from UTC in 1979, Glenn made a financial contribution to the University’s Department of Athletics.
Every year since then, he has donated to the Mocs—a span that has reached 43 years.
A recent investment in the program that he and his wife, MiDori, have opted to pursue will ensure that the annual streak will continue indefinitely.
The Allens have included the UTC athletics department in their estate plan, creating a substantial planned gift called the Glenn and MiDori Allen Endowed Athletics Scholarship.
As an endowed gift, contributions will continue to be made on the couple’s behalf, serving as a permanent tribute to the Allens and extending the scholarship’s value for future generations.
“It is hard to put into words the selflessness and generosity of Glenn and MiDori, who have had a lifelong connection and impact to UTC,” said Mark Wharton, UTC vice chancellor and director of athletics. “Their act of ensuring UTC Athletics continues to move forward for generations to come is a humbling gesture and one that will help shape the future of our student-athletes through their successes at UTC.”
The Allens’ philanthropic efforts were recently recognized by Mocs athletics, with the couple joining Wharton on the basketball court during a break in the Mocs’ Feb. 5 contest vs. Furman.
“The Allens are about changing the lives of young people and their purpose aligns perfectly with ours at UTC. We cannot thank them enough for their intent on providing scholarship support for student-athletes forever,” Wharton said.
While their time on campus overlapped as UTC business students—Glenn graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1979 and MiDori earned that same degree in 1980—Greek life brought them together.
That, and their shared interest in Mocs athletics.
They met in 1978; Glenn was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, while the former MiDori Benton was in Pi Beta Phi sorority and a Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.
During his fraternity days, Glenn’s little brother was David Hall; David’s father, Arthur, donated a lot of time and energy to athletics department fundraising and season ticket sales.
“Shortly after I graduated,” Glenn recalled, “Art called me and said, ‘You need to buy season football tickets this year and you need to join the Mocs Club. Tickets will be half-price your first five years to get alumni involved.’
“A group of us who had just graduated got tickets together and kept them for a number of years at Chamberlain Field.”
