DECATUR, Ill. - A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on on Friday, Sept. 15 as the first step in construction of the new David J. and Debra C. Rathje Athletic Center which will benefit Big Blue student-athletes.
The groundbreaking was led by the Rathjes, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ President Dr. Jim Reynolds, Board of Trustees Chair Ron Branch β81, Vice President of Alumni and Development Gina Bianchi β93 and Athletic Director Dr. Craig White. The new Athletic facility will be completely funded by donations, including generous lead gifts from David β58 and Debra Rathje, Jim Perryman β83 and the Perryman family.
The estimated $10 million, 17,555-square-foot facility will be located immediately south of Frank M. Lindsay Field and west of Griswold Physical Education Center and is expected to be completed by late 2024. The architectural partner for the project is BLDD, a Decatur firm.
"This initiative continues ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ's forward-thinking momentum and will add to the outstanding physical transformations we have seen on campus over the last few years, including the Workman Family Baseball Field and the Center for Theatre & Dance," Reynolds said.
"ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Athletics programs serve as a great source of pride for the University, the surrounding communities and beyond. The support we have seen from alumni and friends of the University for this initiative not only shapes the future of ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Athletics but will benefit the University's enrollment efforts and the entire community."
The building floor plan includes:
β’ A weight room named in honor of former Big Blue Football Coach Carl Poelker β68 and Jim Perryman β83, a former NFL player.
β’ Locker rooms to accommodate junior varsity and varsity football, and men's and women's track and field.
β’ A training room, conference room and a team meeting room for multi-purpose use.
β’ Football Hall of Fame, retired jersey and team recognition area.
β’ Offices for Football, Menβs and Womenβs Soccer, Menβs and Womenβs Track and Field Coaches and Athletic Director.
"We very much believe in giving back to our community, which is one of the reasons why we chose to support this building project," David Rathje said. "As someone who was born and raised in Decatur, we want to see the community and ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ University thrive. We believe that the addition of on-campus athletic facilities aids in the recruitment of student-athletes and also increases the enjoyment of campus life for all students."
The new facility will alleviate congestion in the Griswold Physical Education Center, while meeting the needs of several Big Blue athletes and teams.
βBig Blue athletics has grown over the past few decades as more students come to college with the hope of continuing to participate in the sports they played in high school. When I was a ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ student, the University had a total of 13 different sports. Today that number is 20,β Branch said. βNearly 40% of ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔβs current students participate, or have participated, in athletics. Because so many of our students play for the Big Blue, our athletic facilities are an important part of the overall undergraduate experience, supporting student-athlete recruiting, practice and competition.β
For more information on this and other ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ initiatives, contact Vice President of Alumni and Development Gina Bianchi β93 at 217.424.6383 or gbianchi@millikin.edu.
