Virginia coach Mike London has made a $225,000 pledge to support construction of the program's new indoor practice facility. London’s pledge brings the total amount committed to the project to almost $9.5 million. The total cost of the project is $13 million.

“The construction of the indoor practice facility is an important part of the effort to make our football program consistently successful,” London said in a prepared statement. “That's why I want to show my personal support for the fundraising effort by making this pledge.

“The indoor facility will be a tremendous benefit for our team’s in-season preparation and out-of-season conditioning. It will allow us the opportunity to attract the types of student-athletes to Virginia who will play an important role in the building of the program. I can’t think of a better way to express my commitment to the University and to the football program than to personally make a gift to this important project.”

In September, the University of Virginia Board of Visitors approved a plan to build a new 78,000 square foot facility on the site of one of the existing football practice fields adjacent to the McCue Center. Approval from the Board of Visitors allowed the athletics department to move forward with its $13 million fund raising effort. This effort must be completed by the end of February 2012 in order for construction to begin in time for the facility to be ready for spring practice in 2013. All pledges must be in place before construction can begin.

London's generosity this season doesn't stop there. The athletic department is donating $50,000 from its share of the Chick-fil-A Bowl football game proceeds to the University’s AccessUVa financial aid program. London will also personally match the gift, bringing the total donation to AccessUVa to $100,000.

“I appreciate the University of Virginia’s commitment to provide an outstanding undergraduate education regardless of a student’s financial situation,” London said in the statement. “The football program is here to foster the University’s educational mission. I often talk about the importance of ‘student’ first in ‘student-athlete’ and AccessUVa does a lot to assist a large number of our undergraduate students. I am proud to be able to assist such an important program.”