Tulane Athletics Receives Gift from Besselman Family
Apr 28, 2017 | Football, General
NEW ORLEANS – Giving is one of life's greatest gifts and no one knew that more than Jim Besselman.
The former football standout at Tulane from 1962-64 spent the better part of his life giving. Upon his passing earlier this year at the age of 74, Besselman wanted to make sure to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Presented by his wife, Pat, and former high school and college teammate and long-time friend Michael Calamari, Besselman's estate recently extended a gift to the Tulane football program. This gift continues a legacy of giving for Besselman that began after his days starring for the Green Wave as a three-year letterwinner playing linebacker and center who served as team captain as a senior.
Following graduation from Tulane, the New Orleans native embarked on a successful professional career and became a well-known pillar in the community. Most notably as founder of his own financial consulting company, Besselman & Associates, he built strong bonds with his clients throughout the metro area and River Parishes. In his philanthropic endeavors, Besselman was active with several organizations throughout the years, including the Green Wave Club, Lafreniere Park Foundation, Children of the World Foundation, Rotary Club of Metairie, Knights of Columbus-St. Matthew the Apostle Council and Operation Smile/Louisiana Chapter.
It was with Operation Smile where Besselman made his biggest impact, raising more than $1 million through a golf tournament he organized. In 1992, he and his wife agreed to care for Jose, a 17-month old boy from Colombia, who was scheduled for massive facial surgery. What was supposed to be a several-day stay turned into the Besselmans adopting Jose, making him their seventh child.
Be it with his family, his community or his alma mater, Besselman enjoyed giving and helping others. And now his legacy of giving lives on at the school and the program that meant so much to him.
The former football standout at Tulane from 1962-64 spent the better part of his life giving. Upon his passing earlier this year at the age of 74, Besselman wanted to make sure to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Presented by his wife, Pat, and former high school and college teammate and long-time friend Michael Calamari, Besselman's estate recently extended a gift to the Tulane football program. This gift continues a legacy of giving for Besselman that began after his days starring for the Green Wave as a three-year letterwinner playing linebacker and center who served as team captain as a senior.
Following graduation from Tulane, the New Orleans native embarked on a successful professional career and became a well-known pillar in the community. Most notably as founder of his own financial consulting company, Besselman & Associates, he built strong bonds with his clients throughout the metro area and River Parishes. In his philanthropic endeavors, Besselman was active with several organizations throughout the years, including the Green Wave Club, Lafreniere Park Foundation, Children of the World Foundation, Rotary Club of Metairie, Knights of Columbus-St. Matthew the Apostle Council and Operation Smile/Louisiana Chapter.
It was with Operation Smile where Besselman made his biggest impact, raising more than $1 million through a golf tournament he organized. In 1992, he and his wife agreed to care for Jose, a 17-month old boy from Colombia, who was scheduled for massive facial surgery. What was supposed to be a several-day stay turned into the Besselmans adopting Jose, making him their seventh child.
Be it with his family, his community or his alma mater, Besselman enjoyed giving and helping others. And now his legacy of giving lives on at the school and the program that meant so much to him.
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