The University of Dayton Division of Athletics is pleased to announce the establishment of the James G. and Purcell S. Palmer Men's Basketball Endowment fund.  Named in honor of the late James "Jim" Palmer and his wife Purcell, this fund will enhance support of the men's basketball program in perpetuity. 

Jim Palmer graduated from the University of Dayton in 1957, and played basketball for the Flyers from 1954-1957.  A native of Keokee, Virginia (pop. 400), he was a member of UD's 1956 powerhouse team that achieved a #2 national ranking and two N.I.T final appearances.

Palmer was a second-round draft choice of the NBA in 1958, and from 1958-1961, he played for the New York Knickerbockers and the Cincinnati Royals, averaging 8.1 points and 5.7 rebounds.  At 6-foot-8 and with little or no exposure to basketball prior to college, he carved out a successful NBA career, battling the likes of Bill Russell, Wilton Norman Chamberlain and other greats during an era that was fast-paced and high-scoring.

After his basketball career, Palmer was even more successful in business, where he was known as a gentle giant who stood tall as a role model of great humor and kindness to all.   He was inducted into the University of Dayton Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

The endowed fund will provide resources for scholarship and summer school support, with preference for a men's basketball player who best embodies Palmer's characteristics, on and off the court.  The fund will also generate resources for mentorship and life skills programming support, assuring basketball student-athletes academic achievement and a successful adjustment during their college career and professional post-basketball pursuits

In recognition of this endowment, the division of athletics will name a recipient of the Palmer Basketball Scholarship on an annual basis.

This is UD Athletics' second endowed scholarship.  Bill Uhl, Sr., a teammate of Palmer's, endowed the first scholarship with his son Bill, Jr. (also a former Flyer basketball player) in 2003.

Tax deductible gifts to Dayton Athletics support more than 400 student-athletes and 17 sport programs.  All gifts are recognized by the Champions & Scholars Fund, and can be unrestricted or designated to sport specific donations, capital campaigns, or endowment or scholarship funds.  To learn more about establishing a named endowed fund, please contact Brian Tracy, Director of Development for Athletics at 937-229-3999.