Fundraising Friday: $4M Gift is Second-Largest in History of Toledo Athletics

Paul Steinbach Headshot
Ab24 Fundraising Friday (1)

Welcome to Fundraising Friday, AB Today's weekly digest of recent developments in development.

The University of Toledo athletic department Tuesday announced a gift of $4 million from Marcia and Roy Armes that will support major initiatives within the university and athletics facilities master plans. It is the second-largest cash gift in the history of Toledo athletics. As reported by The Blade, The Armes’ investment in capital improvements will help advance every goal of Rise Together, the athletic department's five-year strategic plan that outlines a roadmap for student-athlete wellbeing and success, community engagement and facility enhancements.

Oregon State University alum Joth Ricci, along with his wife Robin and family, have made a $3 million gift to support the university's men's and women's basketball programs.The family's gift establishes two $1.5 million endowed funds with the OSU Foundation that will generate expendable resources for the two programs in perpetuity, the university announced Tuesday. Joth Ricci, known for leadership roles with Dutch Bros, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Adelsheim Vineyards, Jones Soda and, most recently, Burgerville, is a 1990 Oregon State graduate now serving as executive in residence for the College of Business.

Troy University's athletic department announced Tuesday that it has received a historic $1 million philanthropic commitment to support the construction of an indoor practice facility. The gift commitment is one of the largest received by Troy Athletics in the university's history. A day later, Troy athletic drector Brent Jones announced  that the athletic department had received a $500,000 naming rights commitment for the Troy football locker room located in the north end zone of Veterans Memorial Stadium. According to The Messenger, the locker room will be named after former Trojan Kyle Cox and his family.

Ground was broken Wednesday on the Midland Athletic Syndicate Athletic Complex, an indoor recreation facility for the families of Midland, Texas, thanks to a $2.5 million donation from Chevron. As reported by the Midland Reporter-Telegram, the new facility will include more than 100,000 square feet of playing surface, six full-size basketball courts that can turn into 12 full-size volleyball courts, and two soccer fields. It also offers male and female locker rooms, concessions, spectator seating and flex rooms for meeting and education. The athletic complex will also host tournaments, league play and provide indoor practice space and recreational space for Midland’s youths.

Murray State University Athletics continued its impressive streak of 2024 fundraising announcements this week, with the latest involving a $650,000 investment from a donor in nearby Hopkinsville. According to the university, the gift will help the department continue its mission of investing in capital campaign initiatives to enhance the athletics footprint, furthering the Racers' commitment to the student-athlete experience. Murray State has seen unprecedented growth around its facilities, the school noted, with more than $2.5 million in capital projects currently underway. In addition, it recently announced plans for a massive, eight-figure renovation to the CFSB Center for the first time since the building opened as the home of Racers basketball in 1998.

Total amount of these gifts:

$11,650,000


Page 1 of 35
Next Page
AB Show 2024 in New Orleans
AB Show is a solution-focused event for athletics, fitness, recreation and military professionals.
Nov. 19-22, 2024
Learn More
AB Show 2024
Buyer's Guide
Information on more than 3,000 companies, sorted by category. Listings are updated daily.
Learn More
Buyer's Guide