A Hoops Great Gives Back
University of Arizona basketball fans may best know Bob Elliott ’77 ’84 as a star player who went on to play in the NBA and become a sportscaster for Arizona.
In fact, Elliott is also an Eller School of Management graduate, an engaged university and Tucson community member, and a dedicated donor.
Elliott, who owns a Tucson accounting business, believes his time at Arizona prepared him well for his career.
“It was a combination of my education and the relationships that are still there to this day,” says Elliott, who also learned a great deal about time management as a student-athlete.
Now, helping students access education is a high priority for Elliott and his wife Beverely Elliott ’88.
“We both feel that education is the key to somebody prospering later on.”
Elliott believes launching the 360 Initiative was a necessary move in order for Arizona to keep pace with the higher education landscape.
“It's going to be like breathing air,” he says. “If a university is not going to make that kind of commitment, it’s not going to be in business long.”
The Elliotts are concerned for students who face financial emergencies and struggle to meet their basic needs as they’re doing their best to learn, he says. As for the students the couple supports, he hopes they’ll succeed in moving into their chosen careers and go on to help the students that follow them.
“If you get the help and it helps you achieve your goals, don't forget where you came from. Make sure you reach back and help somebody else one day.”
The Elliotts' Impact
Danny Murego plans to graduate this year from the Eller School of Management. He serves as director of engagement for Eller African American Honorary, a student leadership group that focuses on professional development, service and community. Murego is double majoring in finance and management information systems because he sees the field as offering numerous career paths and growth opportunities.
“You can never truly be a master at it; you’re constantly learning,” he says.
Murego benefits from the Elliotts’ support of Eller, and he says their generosity inspires him to want to give to help students succeed in the future as well.
“I want to thank Bob and Beverely Elliott for supporting students like me. It’s nice to know there are people out there who care about helping me meet my goals through financial support,” Danny says.
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