The University of Louisville and the community lost a good friend with the passing of Sam Swope at the age of 88 on Tuesday.
The founder of the Sam Swope Auto Group was a generous benefactor to UofL, having donated a total $1.3 million to the University since 1987. The total included $246,000 to athletics, including major gifts for the construction, and later expansion, of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. It also included $100,000 for the UofL Marching Band.
Swope chaired the marketing committee during the community fundraising drive for the stadium, working closely with Malcolm Chancey in reaching out to benefactors and fans throughout the Louisville area to support the stadium.
A graduate of Ohio State University, Swope became an Adopted Alumnus of UofL in 1982. He went on to become a member of the UofL Board of Overseers and the board of the University of Louisville Hospital.
He received the Presidential Medal from James Ramsey in 2013 for outstanding service and, in 2014, received an honorary degree.
Swope also donated millions to local charities, including Kosair Charities, the Kentucky Humane Society and the Kentuckiana Boy Scouts of America.