Tony Pimentel P'99,'01, GP'27,'29

Champions of Giving: Tony Pimentel

Meet the Donor

For Tony Pimentel, Austin Prep is woven into the story of his family. A past parent whose two children graduated from the School, he is now the proud grandfather of two current students. He laughs that both grandchildren “are going to be lifers,” just as his son was.

Tony owns a commercial and industrial construction company in Wilmington, and over the years his work has become part of Austin Prep’s landscape. As he once told the Head of School, “I don't think there's anything in this building that our family hasn't touched one way or another from the driveway coming in to the rooftops at the top of the building.”

His family’s Austin Prep journey began unexpectedly. After moving to a town they believed had a strong school system, Tony and his wife soon discovered the middle school was “horrid.” They needed a better option. What they looked for was a learning environment with structure, respect, and high expectations. As Tony put it, “We wanted a school that had discipline. We wanted a school that had respect… and we felt that Austin Prep was a great choice for a local school.”

Both children flourished. His daughter Jill '99 spent every year cheerleading and ended up “on the cover of a cheerleading magazine” and later featured in a national magazine Tony spotted in a Chicago airport newsstand. His son Matt '01 became “a state champion in cross country,” later joining the Board of Trustees and continuing the family’s legacy of service. Tony smiles at the continuity: “It's nice to see that to continue going on.”

The Inspiration to Give

Tony’s philanthropy began when the School sought early donors for what would become the multipurpose facility, later renamed Richard J. Meelia ’67 Hall. He and other families stepped forward to help launch the project. Soon after, he was encouraged to join the building committee—an idea he resisted at first. “There's no way, I'm not doing it,” he told a teacher. “If I built this building for nothing, people would still say that I made a fortune on this building.” But the teacher persisted, and Tony agreed.

When he reviewed the early conceptual drawings, several things immediately stood out. One was a desire from families for stronger support of the arts. Another was the design of the lobby. As Tony explained, “the lobby itself was all brick. You couldn't see in the parking lot,” which meant a student waiting inside couldn’t see their ride approaching. He brought the drawings to his cousin Robert, an architectural designer, and said, “Do me a favor and look at this. We need to do something here.”

What followed fundamentally reshaped the project. Tony and his team incorporated a black box theater, additional locker rooms, a football locker room, a weight room, a second floor, improved visibility in the lobby, and even an elevator. As he put it, “We added 30 percent more square footage,” and still came in “over a quarter of a million dollars cheaper than the best price they had.”

The Pimentel family ultimately built the facility that today serves athletics, the arts, and countless school gatherings.

 

One memory from the building’s first graduation stays with Tony. During the ceremony, his son received the McLaughlin Medal. At that exact moment, a drop of water fell from a not-yet-sealed sprinkler head onto his mother’s head. “I said, must be holy water,” Tony joked. The moment reminded him of his grandmother’s saying: “Sometimes you think you're a big shot until they knock you down.”

Shaping Austin Prep’s Future

Right after his son’s graduation in the newly completed building, Tony was asked to join the Board of Trustees. Shortly after, he was selected as Chair. Concerned about lifelong terms, he led the effort to implement term limits—a major governance shift. Days later, the Head of School resigned, and Tony suddenly found himself leading a national search.

Among the finalists was someone Tony never expected: a Yankees fan. “I never thought that I would end up with somebody that was a Yankee fan,” he laughed. When the Board ultimately selected Dr. James Hickey, Tony welcomed the Hickey family by mailing them Red Sox hats.

As Board Chair, Tony helped lead essential upgrades across campus: replacing outdated electrical systems, rebuilding the heating system, upgrading facilities, installing stained glass, and advancing major athletic enhancements. Reflecting on the campus today, he said, “You just walk up here and I guess you feel like a big shot. No, but you have a sense of pride.” In other words, he never approaches the campus feeling self-important—he feels proud of the community he helped support.

 

One of Tony’s most meaningful contributions came through broadening opportunities for students. With the support of a neighbor in Florida, he established and matched a gift for the Inner City Scholarship, and another trustee matched it as well. The effort helped open doors for more students to access an Austin Prep education. Tony also supported the growth of international programming that further expanded the School’s reach.

Austin Prep, in return, remained central to his family’s life. His grandchildren now thrive on campus. His grandson, once unsure, is now so connected that “you couldn't pull ’em out of here with a crowbar.” His granddaughter is equally happy, and Tony hopes his youngest granddaughter will one day join them. “It's like a big family,” he says.

A gesture from Austin Prep still moves him deeply. For his mother’s 100th birthday, clergy delivered a message blessed by the Vatican. “When I gave my mother that… that was it,” Tony recalled.

Why Giving Matters

Tony never expected to become so involved. “I figured we were going to pay our tuition. They were going to graduate and we're all going to go on our merry way.” But life, he says, had “different tasks” for him. Austin Prep became one of them.

His belief in giving is simple: “I think it's important to give back to an institution that has given so much to you.” Whether it’s time, perspective, leadership, or philanthropy, Tony sees giving as a responsibility born from gratitude.

He has passed that spirit to his children. “My son's now putting his time into the school and picking up where I left off.”

 

Even today, Tony stays humble about his role. He laughs that Dr. Hickey still says Tony “took a chance on him.” Tony’s response remains the same: “I never took a chance. He was always the guy… we wanted him and his family.”

Tony’s story is one of generosity, leadership, and enduring love for a school that changed his family’s life. His work helped build the spaces where students imagine, create, practice, compete, and grow. His vision expanded opportunities for students from all backgrounds. And his legacy continues through his children, grandchildren, and the community he has shaped with care.

 

       

Become a Champion of Giving

The article above is part of our Champions of Giving series, which highlights the individuals and families whose generosity transforms student lives and strengthens the Austin Prep experience. You too can be a Champion of Giving by supporting our students through annual giving, memorial scholarships, or campaign contributions. Your gift helps students learn boldly, lead with purpose, and serve with compassion — creating a lasting impact for generations to come.