Fletcher steps up with gift to Camp Randall renovation

When Terrell Fletcher was coming out of high school, UW–Madison changed his life. Now he’d like to return the favor.

Fletcher, born in a suburb of St. Louis, was a running back who received a full scholarship and parlayed his Badger success into an NFL career with the San Diego Chargers. He also paid attention to academics, earning his bachelor’s degree in English.

He has committed $100,000 to the Camp Randall Stadium renovation, which will name the Varsity Club-Sixth Level after him.

“This is a great opportunity to give back to the school, a way for my family to leave a legacy at the University of Wisconsin and acknowledge all the UW has done for us,” he says. “I really appreciate what the university did for me and my family. The scholarship I received helped us out when we really needed it, and I was able to take advantage of an excellent education in a great city.”

Fletcher, who played for the Chargers from 1995-2002, says, “As a professional athlete, you’re never retired as long as there’s someone who might want you, but that’s not my main focus now.”

He’s the young adult pastor at Faith Chapel in San Diego, and he calls the experience “the most rewarding and fulfilling thing I’ve ever done.”

The gift to Camp Randall might not be the only one Fletcher makes to the UW and its athletic program.

“When I was in school, I never realized the way that athletic scholarships really work, that it’s not only the school providing the money, but also individuals making gifts to the kids,” he said. “This gives us a good chance to tap into the student-athletes personally. When you make that gift, you know it’s going to have a hands-on, positive effect on a young person’s life.”

Fletcher credits Troy Vincent, a former star defensive back for the Badgers now with the Buffalo Bills and a new member of the UW Foundation Board of Directors, for calling on those athletes who benefited from UW–Madison to step forward with gifts of their own.

“Troy set a great example, one that I was glad to follow,” Fletcher says. “We all can make a real difference every day with what we do. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to step forward in this way.”

This series of profiles highlights people whose lives have been transformed by UW–Madison. To learn more about Create the Future: The Wisconsin Campaign, contact the UW Foundation at 263-4545 or visit the UW Foundation Web site.