Welcome to Fundraising Friday, AB Today's weekly digest of recent developments in development.
The University of Louisville Athletic Association has approved a project to upgrade L&M Stadium, a move that will be funded in large part by a $2 million commitment over 10 years from longtime Louisville supporters Isac and Carrie Roths. Per the athletic department's announcement Thursday, the Roths' commitment will help initiate renovations to the stadium's lighting system — an essential infrastructure investment in LED technology that directly enhances the game-day experience for fans and student-athletes. The current lighting system is largely original to the stadium's opening in 1998, apart from east-side fixtures that were replaced during the 2010 expansion.
Colorado College announced Tuesday a gift of $1.8 million to benefit CC Athletics from the estate of Pat Lyon, the wife of the late George Lyon, former trustee, benefactor and 2002 inductee into the CC Athletics Hall of Fame. The George Lyon Grand Entrance at Ed Robson Arena, dedicated in 2020, stands as a tribute to his legacy and their family's devotion to Tiger Athletics. The gift from Pat's estate will strengthen access, opportunity and competitive excellence for the college's student-athletes, according to the athletic department's announcement.
The family of George Shapland, a former University of Illinois basketball player and highly influential local businessman, is making a $1 million gift in support of U of I Athletics, the department announced Jan. 16. Shapland was a member of the Fighting Illini freshmen basketball team in 1949-50 and member of the varsity squad in 1950-51 when the Illini won the Big Ten Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Final Four. In recognition of the family's generosity and impact, State Farm Center's east circle drive will be named "George Shapland Family Drive."
Former University of Kentucky men’s basketball standout Jim Master and his wife, Sheila, have donated $500,000 to Sayre, a private school in downtown Lexington, school officials announced last month. The donation will support student scholarships and the school’s athletic programs, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader, citing a news release from Sayre.
Total amount of these gifts:
$5,300,000
Running total for 2026:
$56,600,000
Total amount tracked by AB Today in 2025:
$1,671,578,500
