|
|
UT breaks ground for new athletics complex and Savage Hall renovation project |
| By
Paul Helgren |
|
|
Dec 12, 2007 |
|
At precisely 10:31 a.m. on Dec. 12, 2007, 400 blue and gold balloons dropped from the scoreboard at Savage Hall, marking the official groundbreaking of the construction of a new athletics complex and the commencement of major renovations to John F. Savage Hall at The University of Toledo.
President Lloyd Jacobs, Board of Trustees Chair Richard Stansley, Athletic Director Mike O’Brien, donors Chuck and Jackie Sullivan, along with Rocket student-athletes Jerrah Young (men’s basketball), Allie Clifton (women’s basketball), Brett Kern (football) and Shannon Strachan (women’s volleyball) led the countdown to the kick off of the first major change to Savage Hall and its surroundings since it opened as Centennial Hall in 1976.
“This is a celebration of the campaign that we have come to call ‘Building Champions,’” said Jacobs. “Our University vision statement says that it is our purpose and our intention to change the world, to make life better, longer, healthier and more fulfilling for human beings. One of the ways in which we do that is the building of champions, to raise up individual lives, to enrich the lives of our community. That’s what has been happening here in Savage Hall, and will continue to happen here in an enhanced environment. Savage Hall will become an even greater center for a vibrant campus life, a center for a rich University life here in Toledo.”
O’Brien said that future UT student-athletes, as well as the campus and Toledo community, will reap tremendous benefits from the renovation and addition to Savage Hall.
“First, and foremost, it’s always been about our student-athletes who spend countless hours in this facility,” said O’Brien. “They will have new spacious new locker rooms, a 3,000-square foot training room and a 6,000-square foot weight room, as well as a fully renovated playing arena. This will be a facility that UT student-athletes, as well as our fans on campus and in the community, will be excited to be a part of.”
The athletics complex and Savage Hall project is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2008, prior to the start of the 2008-09 basketball season. The project is being funded by University and community commitments. A lead gift of $5 million for the athletics complex and Savage renovation came in 2006 from longtime UT supporters Chuck and Jackie Sullivan.
The Building Champions Capital Campaign also includes the construction of an indoor practice facility located adjacent to Savage Hall to be completed in 2009.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
