ODU alum donating $1 million for Foreman Field renovations

NORFOLK

Old Dominion University alumnus and local businessman Jeff Ainslie has pledged $1 million to the school’s renovation project at Foreman Field, and the new south end zone section will carry his name.

The four-story structure, which will also house the game-day operations for football, is expected to be called the Ainslie Football Complex. ODU will begin playing Division I-AA football at Foreman Field next fall.

“Jeff’s excited about Old Dominion University, and not just the football program,” ODU football coach Bobby Wilder said. “He recognizes the growth of the school as a whole and wants to be a part of it.”

Ainslie, a 1983 graduate, is the middle of three generations of Ainslies tied to ODU. His father, Jack, was a professor there in the late 1960s and early 1970s; and his son, Joey, graduated last year.

“When I was at ODU, we’d road trip to different places for football games on the weekends and see what football did for a school through the support, comaraderie and recognition,” Ainslie said. “Now, we’ll have that.”

Ainslie, a member of the school’s alumni board and its real estate foundation, said he hopes his donation “will stir a few more supporters.”