Stony Brook athletes to benefit from Dubin's philanthropy
Alumnus and benefactor Glenn Dubin speaks to the gathered athletes and audience during the dedication ceremony of the Dubin Family Athletic Performance Center. (June 6, 2012) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Except for becoming a billionaire, those who know Glenn Dubin say he hasn't changed much since his undergraduate years at Stony Brook University. The former football and lacrosse player earned a degree in economics and eventually became the CEO of High Bridge Capital Management, which, according to Forbes, has $21 billion in assets. The publication listed Dubin's personal fortune at $1.6 billion.
Dubin, 55, returned to campus a few years ago and was surprised that the weight training facilities hadn't changed since his graduation in 1978. So, Dublin did something about it, donating $4.3 million to construct the new Dubin Family Athletic Performance Center, an 8,000-square-foot facility highlighted by state-of-the-art strength and conditioning equipment.
Dubin attended Wednesday's dedication. "I am 170 pounds. I probably work out four or five times a week, I ride my bike and go to the gym," he said. "The weight room that I saw two, three years ago when Jim Fiore walked me through was stunning in terms of its primitivism. It was a dark basement room, not very big at all. It had universal weight machines, circa 1980. It was a mess. It was prehistoric. It's about time Division I athletes had a Division I performance center. I'm overwhelmed, it's a very impressive center, really beautiful."
Running back Miguel Maysonet and many of his football teammates also toured the facility. "Simply amazing, I've never seen anything like this," Maysonet said. "It will definitely bring more intensity, it will make us want to be here having this amazing gym to work out in.''
James DiPietro, an attorney who lives in Garden City, became close friends with Dubin when both played on the club football team. Reached last week before a trip to Europe, DiPietro said of Dubin,"Obviously we all know what he's become. He certainly has rung the bell . . . I can't tell you how guys like myself and other alums are just so appreciative for what he's done to advance this another notch up the ladder with his financial and emotional support."
Fiore agreed, saying, "Glenn Dubin is a winner. He knows how to identify winners and he knows how to invest in winners, whether that be personally or professionally . . . I am humbled by Glenn's support but I also realize that The Dubin Family Athletic Performance Center is indeed an investment for him. And every investment he makes, rightfully so, is accompanied by high expectations. Without a doubt, we intend to exceed those expectations."
