Central Michigan University Athletics
Bob (back row, third from right) and Ann Beth (front row, third from right) Stebbins pose with their family during the Alumni Awards Ceremony in 2019.
Former CMU Football Player's Gift Supports Football Field Naming
6/4/2024 11:20:00 AM | Football, General, Chippewa Fund
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Stebbins leads effort for the naming of Kramer/Deromedi Field.
MOUNT PLEASANT—When the football field at Central Michigan University's Kelly/Shorts Stadium was named Kramer/Deromedi Field in the fall of 2022, it was in recognition of legendary coaches Roy Kramer and Herb Deromedi.
The naming of the field was made possible through a $1 million fundraising effort supported by numerous football alumni and friends of the two coaches. Bob Stebbins, a CMU football standout from 1984 to 1987, and his wife Ann Beth, were among the leading supporters of the project with their $350,000 donation.
"Bob and Ann Beth's generous donation is a testament to the transformational impact of the student-athlete experience at CMU," said Amy Folan, CMU's Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics. "Their philanthropic leadership honors our legacy and coaches but is especially meaningful when it comes from a former student-athlete. There is no higher compliment to a university. "
Bob said he and Ann Beth pay it forward to CMU because the university — and those who supported him — left an incredible mark on his life.
"We're all products of people who help us; nobody gets there on their own," Bob said. "I came from humble beginnings to a fortunate place in life and now give back to help others. You want to leave a mark on the world, not with how much money you make but how many people you help."
Bob earned a bachelor's degree from CMU in 1988 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a partner in the corporate and financial services department and co-chair of Willkie Farr & Gallagher's corporate governance practice. He served as general counsel of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2021. Bob received the Distinguished Alumni award from CMU in 2019.
A four-year starting tight end for College Football Hall of Fame coach Herb Deromedi at Central Michigan, Bob helped the CMU Chippewas to a 25-15-2 record while earning Academic All-MAC honors every year.
Ann Beth also is a lawyer and is a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and corporate and private equity law. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and the Georgetown University Law Center, where she serves as an adjunct professor.
Not only did their generous gift help make the field naming possible, Bob also led the committee responsible for the fundraising effort.
"I was asked if I'd chair a committee of former players to raise money to get the field named for Herb and Roy," he said. "We pulled together 30 former players who played while Herb was there — with a goal to raise $1 million — and together with help from some members of the local community, we did it," he said.
A lifelong college experience
Ann Beth describes Bob's recollection of his time at CMU as "his glory days" and says his lifelong affiliation with the university is unique.
"Bob's CMU experience has been lifelong," she said. "The relationships, the ties back to the university, and the desire to be involved and to give back have been there since he graduated. You don't see that with every university; to have that continuity is powerful and impactful."
The Stebbins gift is part of CMU Athletics' Maroon & Gold BOLD fundraising campaign, launched publicly last month. They have, however, been long-time supporters of CMU. When Bob's mother, who was a social worker, passed away, they started a scholarship in her name for students aspiring to pursue a career in social work.
"We get letters every year from the student recipients of that scholarship. They're so personal and show the impact you can make by helping students out with a little financial support. It would have made Bob's mother so happy," Ann Beth said.
The naming of the field was made possible through a $1 million fundraising effort supported by numerous football alumni and friends of the two coaches. Bob Stebbins, a CMU football standout from 1984 to 1987, and his wife Ann Beth, were among the leading supporters of the project with their $350,000 donation.
"Bob and Ann Beth's generous donation is a testament to the transformational impact of the student-athlete experience at CMU," said Amy Folan, CMU's Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics. "Their philanthropic leadership honors our legacy and coaches but is especially meaningful when it comes from a former student-athlete. There is no higher compliment to a university. "
Bob said he and Ann Beth pay it forward to CMU because the university — and those who supported him — left an incredible mark on his life.
"We're all products of people who help us; nobody gets there on their own," Bob said. "I came from humble beginnings to a fortunate place in life and now give back to help others. You want to leave a mark on the world, not with how much money you make but how many people you help."
Bob earned a bachelor's degree from CMU in 1988 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a partner in the corporate and financial services department and co-chair of Willkie Farr & Gallagher's corporate governance practice. He served as general counsel of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 2017 to 2021. Bob received the Distinguished Alumni award from CMU in 2019.
A four-year starting tight end for College Football Hall of Fame coach Herb Deromedi at Central Michigan, Bob helped the CMU Chippewas to a 25-15-2 record while earning Academic All-MAC honors every year.
Ann Beth also is a lawyer and is a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and corporate and private equity law. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and the Georgetown University Law Center, where she serves as an adjunct professor.
Not only did their generous gift help make the field naming possible, Bob also led the committee responsible for the fundraising effort.
"I was asked if I'd chair a committee of former players to raise money to get the field named for Herb and Roy," he said. "We pulled together 30 former players who played while Herb was there — with a goal to raise $1 million — and together with help from some members of the local community, we did it," he said.
A lifelong college experience
Ann Beth describes Bob's recollection of his time at CMU as "his glory days" and says his lifelong affiliation with the university is unique.
"Bob's CMU experience has been lifelong," she said. "The relationships, the ties back to the university, and the desire to be involved and to give back have been there since he graduated. You don't see that with every university; to have that continuity is powerful and impactful."
The Stebbins gift is part of CMU Athletics' Maroon & Gold BOLD fundraising campaign, launched publicly last month. They have, however, been long-time supporters of CMU. When Bob's mother, who was a social worker, passed away, they started a scholarship in her name for students aspiring to pursue a career in social work.
"We get letters every year from the student recipients of that scholarship. They're so personal and show the impact you can make by helping students out with a little financial support. It would have made Bob's mother so happy," Ann Beth said.
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