Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University Athletics Receives Gift to Endow Head Basketball Coaching Position
01.19.15 | Men's Basketball
CINCINNATI --- Xavier University is pleased to announce a gift from Tom and Genny Sedler to endow its Head Men's Basketball coaching position. Thanks to the largest donation ever made to the men's basketball program, the position of Men's Head Basketball Coach will be re-named the Sedler Family Men's Head Basketball Coach. This is the first endowed coaching position at Xavier.
Endowed coaching positions are becoming a trend across the country. Many schools, including the University of Michigan and Stanford University, have endowed their head football coaching positions. Universities endow professor positions, said Athletics Director Greg Christopher. Great coaches are great teachers. This provides us the opportunity to retain and attract the best teacher and leader for our basketball program.
Tom Sedler, a Xavier graduate, is the president and CEO of Cincinnati-based Home City Ice, an ice manufacturing and delivery service. Home City Ice was founded by Tom's father, Frank, in 1924. Mr. Sedler entered the family business immediately after graduating Cincinnati's St. Xavier High School in 1951. He worked days while attending evening classes at Xavier, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1958. Except for service in the Ohio Air National Guard from 1962-1963, he has spent his entire career at Home City&Ice. Since 1985, he has served as president and CEO.
Our family is deeply connected to Xavier, Sedler said. The university has made an impact on so many lives and has such a strong track record of excellence in both academics and athletics. We've been blessed to know each head coach and to watch the impact these men have on the players who represent Xavier. We're thrilled to make a gift that will have an impact on Xavier for generations to come.
Xavier President Father Michael J. Graham, S.J., said, “Coaches are the leaders of our teams here at Xavier. They teach and motivate our student-athletes to be better athletically, academically and demonstrate how to become men and women for others. We appreciate the commitment from the Sedlers, who are long-time supporters of Xavier's mission. Endowed positions and scholarships strengthen the entire university and this endowed position strengthens our basketball program for the future.
The Xavier experience is a tradition for the Sedler family. Tom and Genny's four sons - Tommy, Ted, Tim, and Terry - are all Xavier graduates. At the University, Mr. Sedler has served on the Alumni Board and remains active on the President's Advisory Council. He has generously given both time and expertise to the boards of the Friars Club and the Catholic Inner-City Schools Education Fund. Tom was honored with Xavier University's Founders Day Award in 2008 in recognition of his dedicated service to his community, his longtime, wide-ranging support of the university and its initiatives, and his fidelity to the Catholic, Jesuit values upon which it was founded. A member of the Williams College of Business Hall of Fame, Mr. Sedler was presented the distinguished Alumnus Award for his civic commitments and humanitarian efforts.
This is not the Sedlers first donation to X; their previous gifts helped launch the Sedler Family Center for Experiential Learning in Business in 2010. The Sedlers have also been long-time supporters of Xavier's Athletic Program. In addition, the university has named The Thomas E. Sedler Award after him, which goes to a male and female senior student-athlete who has demonstrated hard work and enthusiasm during their career at Xavier.
Sedler said the decision to give this gift to Xavier was about more than sports. This is not just about basketball, Sedler said. It's about supporting the Xavier way. We are proud of the young men that have represented the program in the past and today. The head coach plays a major role in recruiting the right type of young men and developing them into champions and productive Xavier graduates. Xavier and its head coaches have built a winning tradition and have done it the right way. This is a way for us to ensure that we continue to have the best leadership in this critical position.
Tom and Genny have been great supporters of our program for many years, said Chris Mack, Sedler Family Men's Head Basketball Coach. This endowment further exemplifies their commitment to the long-term success of our basketball program and what it represents on and off the floor. Personally I am appreciative. But this commitment is about the lofty goals and mission of the program. The Sedlers are great examples of what makes Xavier special and are a big part of our success.
