Broad Foundation pledges $2 million for new athletics facility

NEW SPACE--The University's plans to upgrade athletic facilities got a big boost this month with a $2 million gift from the Broad Foundation. The proposed Broad Athletic Facility--with training facilities, locker rooms and coaches' offices for the University's Division I athletics program—will be the first part of the University's Recreation, Wellness, Events Center and Stadium project.

Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez announced Nov. 16 that the Eli and Edythe L. Broad Foundation will provide a gift of $2 million toward construction of a new athletic facility south of the University’s stadium.

The facility will contain training facilities, locker rooms and coaches’ offices for the University’s Division I athletics program. It will be named the Broad Athletic Facility pending approval by the California State University Board of Trustees.

"We were made aware of a need on the Sacramento State campus that was essential to advance the University's capital program, and we were happy to meet that need," said Eli Broad, founder of The Broad Foundations.

Construction of the modern field house is an important part of enhancing the University’s intercollegiate athletics program.

The athletic facility is also the first part of the University’s Recreation, Wellness, Events Center and Stadium project. It must be completed before construction of the other facilities can begin, because parts of the project will be built at the site of the old field house.

“These are the type of leadership gifts that really make a difference for the students here at Sacramento State,” said President Gonzalez. “Eli Broad has made an impressive investment in our efforts to make this a destination campus.”

Eli and Edythe Broad are longtime supporters of K-12 and higher education, as well as the arts, science, medical research and civic development. Eli Broad is currently working to help Sacramento State develop a campus in Placer County by committing about 300 acres of land in the proposed Placer Ranch project near Roseville. He also has made major contributions to UCLA and CalTech, and is on the board of trustees of CalTech. Broad has also served as chairman of the board of Pitzer College and vice chairman of the board of trustees of the CSU System.

The Broad commitment is the largest of three major gifts this year for the new athletic facility. Earlier this year, an alumnus provided $1.3 million for the field house and tennis court renovations and McCarthy Building Company pledged to help construct the facility.

Sacramento State has now raised approximately $15 million for the Recreation, Wellness, Events Center and Stadium project.