April 13, 2008

GREENVILLE, S.C. -
By Mike Foley, Greenville News

Furman University's Blue Shoes Track Scholarship program received a $1 million gift from 1978 graduate Chris Borch Friday night.

Borch, chairman and CEO of Micro-Mechanics, and his wife, Andrea, made the announcement at Timmons Arena during a fund-raising dinner for the scholarship program he launched in 2006. The Blue Shoes endowment, which supports all men's and women's cross-country and track and field athletes, now stands at $2.8 million.

"At this level, Coach (Gene) Mullin will have 10 full scholarships for the next academic year," Borch said. "When athletes have choices to make, this should show them we've got momentum in the right direction. I think they'll want to be a part of a program like this."

Borch set an initial goal of creating an endowment that can provide 15 scholarships for the men's and women's track and cross country teams within five years. Before Borch got involved, the men's and women's track/cross country teams had a combined six scholarships.

Besides creating an endowment for scholarships, Blue Shoes is also instrumental in the drive to build a $2.5 million track house and a new track complex. Plans for the Furman track include a surface renovation, lighting, bleacher seating for 1,500, along with a press box and additional parking.

Tommie Smith, the 1968 Olympic gold medallist in the 200 meters, was the featured speaker at Saturday night's fundraiser.