[4] Rowe was the architect of the fundraising arm for UConn athletics, which over the course of 13 years raised millions of dollars for a variety of projects including the building of the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.

Rowe had a framed picture of the 1980 United States Olympic men's basketball team hanging on his office wall.

Geno Auriemma, the Connecticut women's basketball coach, often visited Rowe in his office and saw the picture every time.

In 2010, Auriemma was named the head coach of the USA women's basketball team, scheduled to compete in several events, including the 2012 Olympics.

He spoke to Warde Manuel, the Connecticut athletic director, and proposed that Rowe be named a university ambassador.

There were approximately 250 UConn alumni planning to make the trip, so Rowe could serve as the person to represent the school.

The athletic director and Susan Herbst, the school president, supported the idea, so Dee Rowe was able to attend the Olympics in an official capacity.