I can across this thread about Rocco Abessinio, a great Sallies benefactor and the man behind the stadium upgrade. Apparently, he is also a benefactor to Florida Atlantic University, a Final Four semi-finalist.
"We are extremely grateful for this generous gift from the Abessinio Foundation," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White. "This gift is transformational for our athletic department and university. This gift will help us provide an environment and atmosphere for our student-athletes that will foster their growth and development on the court, which is a vital aspect of the student-athlete experience."
In addition to this gift, the Abessinios, through their company Applied Card Systems, are one of the original FAU Football Founders No. 51; in 2001, they supported the inception of the FAU Football program.
Rocco Abessinio, who calls Boca Raton home, is a businessman who is currently the chief executive officer of Roch Capital Inc., a $2 billion investment organization. In his current position, he sets the strategic and tactical direction of the firm. He is involved daily in overseeing existing operations as well as evaluating all potential investment opportunities. He is also the founder of Applied Bank and Applied Card Systems, which grew to be the 10th largest issuer of Visa and MasterCard credit cards in the country. He has successfully diversified Applied Bank's operations into commercial, retail banking and asset protection. Over the past several years, Abessinio has directed the deployment of firm capital into real estate and private equity investments, which include the Carbon Golden Malted Waffle Company. Golden Malted Waffles are found in major hotel and restaurants in over 60 countries. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Neumann University.
The Abessinios became involved with FAU as a Football Founder believing that their investment in FAU Football would impact the growth of the university, the community as well as local businesses; their principal gift is a further commitment to the vision for the future of FAU and FAU Athletics under the leadership of President John Kelly and Athletics Director White.
"Through our company, Applied Card Systems, we were proud to be FAU Football Founders and the major sponsor of FAU's first football game against Slippery Rock University," said Abessinio. "We are excited at the progress being made under President Kelly and hope that this gift will be another stepping stone in bringing FAU into national prominence."
FAU Athletics Receives $3 million from Rocco and Mary Abessinio Foundation to Name Basketball Court
Court at FAU Arena will be named Abessinio Court
BOCA RATON, Fla. - (June 4, 2019) – The Florida Atlantic University Athletic Department received a $3 million gift from the Rocco and Mary Abessinio Foundation to name the Abessinio Court at the FAU Arena, home of the FAU men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams. The gift of $3 million ranks as the fifth-largest cash commitment to FAU Athletics."We are extremely grateful for this generous gift from the Abessinio Foundation," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White. "This gift is transformational for our athletic department and university. This gift will help us provide an environment and atmosphere for our student-athletes that will foster their growth and development on the court, which is a vital aspect of the student-athlete experience."
In addition to this gift, the Abessinios, through their company Applied Card Systems, are one of the original FAU Football Founders No. 51; in 2001, they supported the inception of the FAU Football program.
Rocco Abessinio, who calls Boca Raton home, is a businessman who is currently the chief executive officer of Roch Capital Inc., a $2 billion investment organization. In his current position, he sets the strategic and tactical direction of the firm. He is involved daily in overseeing existing operations as well as evaluating all potential investment opportunities. He is also the founder of Applied Bank and Applied Card Systems, which grew to be the 10th largest issuer of Visa and MasterCard credit cards in the country. He has successfully diversified Applied Bank's operations into commercial, retail banking and asset protection. Over the past several years, Abessinio has directed the deployment of firm capital into real estate and private equity investments, which include the Carbon Golden Malted Waffle Company. Golden Malted Waffles are found in major hotel and restaurants in over 60 countries. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Neumann University.
The Abessinios became involved with FAU as a Football Founder believing that their investment in FAU Football would impact the growth of the university, the community as well as local businesses; their principal gift is a further commitment to the vision for the future of FAU and FAU Athletics under the leadership of President John Kelly and Athletics Director White.
"Through our company, Applied Card Systems, we were proud to be FAU Football Founders and the major sponsor of FAU's first football game against Slippery Rock University," said Abessinio. "We are excited at the progress being made under President Kelly and hope that this gift will be another stepping stone in bringing FAU into national prominence."
