Elon’s loyal donors continue to respond enthusiastically to the drive to build a new athletics field house, which will serve student-athletes who compete in the university’s 16 men’s and women’s sports.
Thanks to the generosity of these and previous supporters, Elon has moved closer to reaching its fundraising goal and beginning construction on the field house, which will be located at the north end of Rhodes Stadium. An additional $425,000 must be raised before construction on the facility begins.
The Ward family of Burlington, N.C., including Cynthia Ward, her son, Hunt Ward ’82, and his wife, Julia Ward, has made a $100,000 gift commitment to the field house. The Wards have been generous and faithful supporters of Elon athletics through the years, including making gifts to Rhodes Stadium, golf scholarships and the Phoenix Club. The family’s gift is made in memory of Cynthia’s husband, C. Max Ward ’49.
Richard and Judith Hendrickson, of Cary, N.C., have contributed $50,000 to the project. Richard is the son of the late Horace J. “Horse” Hendrickson, one of Elon’s all-time great coaches. Horace Hendrickson served as director of athletics and was a football, basketball and baseball coach from 1937 to 1942. Richard and Judith’s gift was made in memory of Richard’s mother, Gene S. Hendrickson.
Gifts of $25,000 have been made by Rick and Lummy Barnes, of Elon, N.C., Richard H. Shirley, of Burlington, Elon parents Jim and Gail McGill, also of Burlington, and a football alumnus who wishes to remain anonymous and made his gift in honor of former Elon football coach George Tucker. Former Elon football player Ron Foresta ’68 and his wife, Carolyn, have made a gift in honor of Ron’s late teammate, Jerry Rowe ’65.
In addition to their field house commitments, the Barneses, Forestas and Shirley made annual gifts to the Phoenix Club to support athletics scholarships and other sport programs.
The university is grateful to these benefactors for their support of athletic excellence and the Ever Elon Campaign. As of mid-August, alumni, parents and friends have contributed $66.9 million in gifts and pledges toward the $100 million comprehensive campaign goal.
Earlier this summer, crews began initial work on the field house project, including construction of a road and parking lot leading to the planned 30,000-square-foot facility, which will be designed to enable student-athletes to study and interact with their teammates.
The field house will include a large team meeting room and locker room for football; a conference room; an advanced athletic training room, including a hydrotherapy area; space for student-athletes to study; and a large strength and conditioning room. It also will provide office space for the director of athletics and coaches in the football, baseball, soccer, cross country, and track and field programs, as well as other athletics staff.
In addition, a large, second-floor room overlooking the stadium will provide an attractive venue for special university events and meetings, as well as pre-game receptions.