BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Tim and Sarah Ford have been named WKU's Philanthropists of the Year for 2020 for their generous support to many areas of the university, including to the athletic department.
The Fords were recognized for this year's honor Saturday during WKU Football's home victory over Southern Miss.
"Tim and Sarah Ford are the kind of active and engaged philanthropists that personify the WKU Spirit," WKU President Timothy C. Caboni said. "Their dedicated philanthropy and countless hours of volunteerism have opened doors and provided our Hilltoppers with opportunities they otherwise would not have had. We are incredibly grateful for all that they do for our students and for WKU."
The Fords support WKU Athletics and the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation in honor of Tim Ford's time on the football team (1979-81) and the many distinctions he earned on and off the field. In recognition of their support, the Tim and Sarah Ford Strength and Conditioning Center at Houchens-Smith Stadium was renamed in their honor.
Most recently, the Fords made a significant gift to the Tops Together Recovery Fund, an initiative to provide emergency philanthropic support to WKU Athletics to help offset expenses related to COVID-19. The Tops Together Recovery Fund supports student-athletes and the mission to continue winning championships and competing at the highest level.
"The recognition of Sarah and Tim Ford as WKU's Philanthropist of the Year is most deserved," WKU Director of Athletics Todd Stewart said. "They truly care about the well-being of our student-athletes and staff, and their kindness, generosity and compassion are making a significant impact on the lives of our football players in multiple ways on a daily basis. We value the special relationship we have with them, and their commitment to WKU Athletics is truly appreciated."
"I want to congratulate Tim and Sarah on this award," WKU Football head coach Tyson Helton said. "They mean so much to our athletics program and to our university, and what they have provided has been such a blessing to all of us."
After transferring from the University of Tennessee, Tim Ford came to the Hill in 1979 and excelled immediately, picking up All-Ohio Valley Conference First Team honors in 1979 and Kodak/American Football Coaches All-American First Team honors in 1980 when he led the Hilltoppers in total tackles (111). For all the success of his first two seasons, Ford's greatest was yet to come as he earned CoSIDA Academic All-American First Team accolades in 1981, still one of just six Hilltoppers – only the second at the time – to earn the distinction. His 171 career assisted tackles are currently eighth all-time at WKU. He was inducted into the W-Club Hall of Fame in 1999 and was named to the WKU Football All-Century Team in 2018.
The Fords also support other areas at WKU. In 2018, they established the Brett Ford Scholarship to benefit students pursuing a degree in Special Education in honor of their son, Brett, who has special needs.
The Fords, who are Lifetime Members of the WKU Alumni Association, are recognized for their annual and cumulative giving to the university. Tim Ford, who worked in the oil industry as a petroleum geoscientist for more than 30 years, is semi-retired. The Fords, who have two sons, live in Franklin, Tenn.
Previous recipients of the WKU Philanthropist of the Year Award are George and CJ Nichols, Laura Dugas, C.M. "Bill" Gatton, Linda and John M. Kelly, Houchens Industries Inc., Dale Augenstein, Dorris "D.B." and Lula Burchett, Dixie and Pete Mahurin, Rick and Ann Guillaume, Donald J. and Jennifer Waddle Greulich, Suzanne Vitale, Jerry E. Baker, Lowell Guthrie, Bud Layne, Don S. Vitale, Leon Page, Gordon Ford, and Raymond B. and Hattie Preston and the Preston Family Foundation.
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