Southern University Athletics received $300,000 in gifts in support of the Tony Clayton Championship Plaza project during the Southern University System Board of Supervisors meeting held on June 22 in New Orleans.

Attorney Caleb Didriksen of the Didriksen, Saucier, Woods and Pichon law firm in New Orleans, presented a check for $250,000 to assist the TCCP fundraising efforts benefiting the University's athletics department and Human Jukebox marching band.

“I donated to Southern for the work that Southern is doing to support the students who need a little help to improve their lives through the opportunities afforded through higher education," said Didriksen, a friend and colleague of Clayton.

Didriksen expressed his delight with presenting his contribution during the board meeting, which was part of a request made by Clayton at the conclusion of a trial which produced the largest single plaintiff jury verdict in the history of Louisiana.

Jené Clayton, daughter of Tony Clayton, also contributed $50,000 to the project bearing her fathers name.

“I'm thankful to God for allowing me to be able to donate the funds," Jené

Clayton said. “I had no other choice but to give to the University that has given so much to me, such as knowledge and many opportunities.”

The $1 million project will feature bronze plaques commemorating Southern championships and former athletes. The plaques will be mounted on eight stone and brick columns that hold up a stucco ring 50 feet in diameter. The ring and columns will be illuminated by color-changing LED lights, which can be programmed to display school colors and programmed with sound.

As Southern University Athletics continues to garner widespread support for the construction of Tony Clayton Championship Plaza through donations and the purchasing of the brick pavers, the structure itself has taken shape in front of the Mumford Fieldhouse and will add a signature landmark to the iconic home of Southern University football.

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