Doubts dog Fresno State grad's $10m pledge

Published online on Wednesday, Jul. 01, 2009

The former Fresno State football player who promised $10 million to the university said he knows many in the community doubt him. He asks only for a chance to make good on the pledge.

Alphonso Bigelow, 35, last month said his year-old commodities brokerage firm, Nykel Bam International, would give $10 million to athletics over the next five years. Immediately, questions surfaced about Bigelow -- who has no public record of philanthropy -- and his little-known company's ability to afford such a gift.

Bigelow acknowledged the undercurrent of doubt with clear irritation. He said he is being unfairly "demonized" in public discussion of his surprise pledge.

"I've heard everything from that I have a girlfriend, to I'm conning people out of money," he said. "I heard I'm doing a Ponzi scheme. And the only thing I'm trying to do is give money."

Bigelow stressed that he has nothing to gain from making an offer he can't fulfill. He has said he preferred to give anonymously and went public only at the university's insistence.

"I'm not running for a political position. I'm not trying to get community support to build any kind of development," he said. "I'm not doing anything here in the community, business-wise. Just let me perform."

The university announced the $10 million pledge with fanfare at a news conference June 16. Bigelow said he will make the first payment July 10. Fresno State officials have said they are confident the pledge will be paid.

Last week, The Bee posed additional questions to the university about the pledge and whether Bigelow presented financial documentation showing it could be paid. President John D. Welty on Tuesday declined to comment, saying he still is collecting and reviewing information.

Tipsters have provided The Bee and other news organizations with many allegations about Bigelow and his company. But none have been willing to go on the record with first-hand information and none of the claims could be verified.

Bigelow, a former Bulldog linebacker, graduated in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in business administration, worked in marketing at The Big Fresno Fair and once operated rehab centers and group homes.

Local and federal courts show no lawsuits filed against Bigelow or his current or past businesses. State authorities say they aren't aware of any investigations involving either Bigelow or his company.

The Better Business Bureau assigned an "A" rating to Eminence Healthcare Inc., where Bigelow once was president.

The history on Bigelow's former nonprofit group homes wasn't as positive. Recent federal financial reports show both Paragon and KDTA group homes routinely spent more money than they brought in annually.

Paragon merged with KDTA in 2004; the latest financial statement is for 2006-07. Bigelow is listed there as chief executive officer; his name doesn't appear on current records for KDTA.

Bigelow said the intent simply was to break even, and he characterized the group home business as mainly a philanthropic venture. He acknowledged losing money and called it a bad investment; the business has been sold.

The only blemish on Bigelow's legal record is a 2008 arrest for drunken driving and a later probation violation in which authorities said he drove with a suspended license.

Bigelow paid $1,720 in fines in the first case -- but only after it was sent to collection, Fresno County court records show.

Court officials again have turned Bigelow over to a collection agency because he failed to make monthly $35 payments on $650 in fines and fees stemming from the second case. The first payment was due April 1.