BYU Announces New CougarLand Program

PROVO, Utah (Thursday, Feb. 13) -- BYU athletic administrators announced today a new fund-raising program called CougarLand that is designed to involve land developers in providing funding for BYU's athletic priorities.

The first gift, given by John D. Jacob -- a $55,000 parcel of land from the Lake View Estates Development in Saratoga Springs -- was presented to BYU athletic director Val Hale at halftime of the BYU vs. Utah basketball game on January 25.

"The incredible support BYU has received from several local developers has convinced us to create a new program to acknowledge real estate gifts and to encourage other developers to follow John Jacob's generous example," said Hale. "With the help of the John D. Jacob Company, we have created something innovative that will benefit BYU Athletics for decades to come."

The CougarLand program maximizes opportunities for developers and other landowners to give real estate gifts to BYU, benefiting specific priorities within the athletic department while maximizing tax and other benefits for the donor.

"BYU is very important to our community and to my family," said John D. Jacob. "We wanted to give something back, and our developments give us that opportunity." Jacob plans to contribute two lots this year and additional lots in the future.