Drew Brees donating $1M to Purdue football

West Lafayette, Ind. — New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has committed to donating $1 million to his alma mater Purdue to help build its football program.

The pledge by Brees, along with his wife, Brittany, was announced after athletic director Morgan Burke organized a three-day summit in San Diego that included university president Mitch Daniels. Burke and coach Darrell Hazell have designed a master plan to create a championship-caliber program, emphasizing five areas: roster development, recruiting, fan engagement, university support and facilities.

"We care so much about Purdue University," Drew Brees said. "Purdue has meant so much to me, and it has provided so many things. From the education I received and playing for coach Joe Tiller, to winning a Big Ten championship and going to the Rose Bowl, to the relationships I was able to form with many of my teammates and meeting my beautiful wife ... we are so blessed and so thankful.

"We just want to show how much we believe in our university, in our football program, in our leadership and in the direction we are heading."

Brees and his wife made a $2 million gift to boost the academic side of the intercollegiate athletics program in 2007.