Louisville's partnership with Thornton's has successfully raised $6 million to complete the funding needed to build the Thorntons Academic Center of Excellence at the south end of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.

Thorntons contributed a $3 million matching gift to help build the Academic Center on Aug. 19. The gift was combined with a challenge to Louisville fans to match the gift. In just over three months, more than 4,736 Louisville supporters contributed to the project and matched the gift.

"I've said for a long time that the Thorntons Academic Center of Excellence is the missing piece of our department," said Tom Jurich, Vice President and Director of Athletics. "Thanks to Matt Thornton and his team, and because of the best fans in the country, we are able to finish what will be the very best academic facility for student-athletes in the nation We are so fortunate to have the support of a great local business like Thorntons, and once again, our fans stepped up and delivered when we needed them the most. We are so incredibly thankful and grateful to every single person that made this possible."

According to the University of Louisville's plans for the project, the Thorntons Academic Center of Excellence will include 40,000 square feet of tutorial areas, computer laboratories and office and classroom space to serve Louisville's 750 student-athletes in 23 sports.

The $14.5 million facility will be located beneath the Norton Terrance on the south end of the stadium. Construction is set to begin in the spring and will be completed in the fall of 2016.

"Thanks to our strong partnership with the University of Louisville and our community for making this Academic Center of Excellence a reality." said Matt Thornton, CEO of Thorntons Inc. "Thorntons is thrilled we could support our hometown and create a brighter future for U of L and the community."

"The Thorntons team, guests, community and the incredible University of Louisville staff helped to make this matching grant program something more than we ever imagined," said Tony Harris, President, Thorntons Inc. "We were so pleased to be aligned with a University that will build the foundation for academics for today's youth and the future."

Maker's Mark and the law firm Stites & Harbison PLLC are also major donors to the project. Proceeds from the sales of four commemorative Maker's Mark bottles raised more than $3 million, while Stites and Harbison committed to give $2 million to the project.

"This truly was a comprehensive campaign," said Mark Jurich, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development. "From day one, we wanted to create a campaign that gave all of our fans the chance to be part of something really special. From giving 50 cents or $1 at a Thorntons store, to giving above annual Cardinal Athletic Fund donation levels, we can't say thank you enough to all of the fans that contributed. We already knew we had the most supportive fan base in the country and this campaign proves it."

• 4082 fans contributed a total of $8,400.05 at 42 Louisville-area Thorntons locations.

• Over 500 Cardinal Athletic Fund members exceeded their annual gift and contributed to this campaign

• 62 donors gave more than $10,000

• Over 100 people gave $100 or more to become new members of the Cardinal Athletic Fund