A Robert Morris graduate is gifting his alma mater $450,000 to support the school’s men’s and women’s hockey Division I teams.

Welling Fruehauf, a 1963 RMU graduate and president and CEO of his company, Fruehauf Manufacturing Group LLC, also made a $250,000 contribution to help rejuvenate the programs, which returned to the ice this past season for the first time since 2021. The sponsorship package will be spread across the next three years.

“We need to support our student athletic teams,” Fruehauf said in a statement. “Contributions from alumni, trustees and fans that come to the games are important in providing the resources to fund the cost of equipment, uniforms and travel expenses. … As a longtime trustee and alum, I am proud to provide funds for this program.”

Fruehauf Manufacturing Group’s sponsorship will be displayed on a Zamboni at the RMU Island Sports Center inside Clearview Arena.

“The continued commitment and generosity of Welling Fruehauf is a major reason why the best days of RMU hockey are ahead of us,” director of athletics Chris King said. “Welling’s contribution positions RMU hockey to continue to elevate our programs to recruit the highest caliber students and student-athletes, and this gift/sponsorship will have a direct impact on every student-athlete in our hockey programs.”

Fruehauf is an Emeritus trustee at the university and created the Welling Fruehauf Endowed Scholarship, which is given to junior student-athletes at the university that retain a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Fruehauf Manufacturing also has been a presenting partner since the establishment of RMU hockey’s annual golf outing. He also has sponsored several other RMU athletics events and sports programs.

RMU men’s hockey coach Derek Schooley also announced the establishment of the Welling Fruehauf Most Valuable Player Award.

“We are very appreciative of Welling’s friendship and support,” Schooley said. “Our program has been very fortunate to have his dedication and it is only right that the most valuable player award has his name on it. Welling Fruehauf has been a Colonial Hockey MVP since the program started in 2003.”

The men’s team’s goalie, Chad Veltri, a Fox Chapel grad, received the award for the 2023-24 season.

Fruehauf’s gift was the first major donation of the initiative to raise $1 million to match the donation by RMU alumnus Russ Olsen and the Russ Olsen Basketball Excellence Fund. The challenge seeks to double the financial support of RMU athletics. More information can be found on the Robert Morris website.

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