UConn Donor Wants His Money Back

Robert G. Burton, a major donor to the University of Connecticut, is demanding his money back and that the school remove his name from its football complex.

Burton, chief executive officer of Burton Capital Management, donated $2.5 million in 2004 to help build the university's $50 million football facility. Throughout the years, Burton and his family have donated over $7 million to the school. In a heated letter to Athletic Director Jeff Hathaway, Burton asked for $3 million to be returned.

The Hartford Courant reported Tuesday that the debate was sparked by the departure of football coach Randy Edsall and the decision to hire Paul Pasqualoni to replace him. Burton wrote that he was also displeased that Hathaway did not support the school’s changed standards for recruiting.

In the letter obtained by The Courant, Burton wrote, "I am fed up with you as a manager because you did not let the hiring process take place in an open manner. You and your committee of three talked to some coaches and made a critical decision about who you were going to hire without input from knowledgeable people who care about the program."

Burton described himself as a valuable source to the school. "After this slap in the face and embarrassment to my family, we are so upset that we are out of UConn," Burton wrote. "What this means is that we do not want to deal with people like you and your committee, whom we do not trust and cannot count on to make the correct decisions or do anything right with our money."

Calls to Burton were not returned.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Leave a comment below or send an email to acorbett@mainstreetconnect.us.

 

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