Rutgers athletics moved to the precipice of its $100 million R Big Ten Build fundraising goal while taking a huge step toward its next major facilities overhaul.

Greg and Anna Brown announced a $4 million gift to benefit the renovation of the football locker room Thursday during the 50-Yard Line Dinner at HighPoint.com Stadium, bringing the Big Ten Build campaign's total to $99 million raised.

The Browns announced their gift prior to receiving the 1869 Legacy Award, which "recognizes supporters who have made a lifetime impact on the lives of Rutgers student-athletes through generosity, involvement and commitment," according to the school.

"What makes it special is that we remain true to who we are," Greg Brown said according to a release. "When we decide to do something, we're all in. We have the right people in charge here to make it happen. We're passionate about the cause and we believe in the people. It's in that spirit that we rally around you. We subscribe to the philosophy that when it's all said and done, it's about what you've given away and the impact you make."

Rutgers plans to begin construction inside the Hale Center on a new locker room after this coming season.

The gift keeps Rutgers' momentum going as the RWJBarbabas Health Athletic Performance Center progresses toward its scheduled June 2019 opening with the groundbreaking for the Gary and Barbara Rodkin Center for Academic Success, which will be powered by a $15 million gift from the RU graduates pledged earlier this year.

BTN showed these new locker room renderings during its interview with Chris Ash from #Rutgers camp today. My understanding is final mock-ups should come out soon prior to fundraising push in the fall. Construction schedule to start after the season. pic.twitter.com/0WfdYc0LfN — James Kratch (@JamesKratch) August 9, 2018

"Greg and Anna Brown flipped the script for this evening with a surprise commitment, and we vow to keep the momentum rolling for our Scarlet Knights," athletics director Pat Hobbs said according to a release. "We are incredibly grateful for their family's leadership. This is a game-changer for our program.

"You hear our student-athletes' stories, you know what Rutgers University is all about. We are writing the greatest chapter in Rutgers Athletics history because of our donors. We seek to instill pride in every citizen of New Jersey. The foundation is being built day-by-day."

Greg Brown is a member of Rutgers' Board of Governors and a 1982 graduate of Rutgers' Livingston College with a degree in economics. Anna Brown is the granddaughter of Henry and Anna Starr, who founded the Rutgers University Psychological Clinic in 1929.

Greg Brown is "a dedicated supporter of Rutgers football and the University's groundbreaking academic research departments," according to a release. "In 2009, he pledged $2.5 million to name the Brown Football Recruiting Pavilion & Welcome Center at HighPoint.com Stadium. In 2012, Greg was honored by Motorola with a $1.5 million gift to endow the Gregory Q. Brown Chair in Cell Biology & Neuroscience at Rutgers."

James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.