CHAMPAGNE, Ill. – The University of Illinois Intercollegiate Athletics Division will rededicate the Ubben Basketball Complex on February 10 in a ceremony that will recognize the generous support of dozens of the athletic program’s most influential donors.
The complex, home to Fighting Illini’s women’s and men’s basketball programs on a daily basis, recently completed a two-year renovation that doubled the size of the facility, while incorporating the nation’s best technology and advancements in sports performance, sports medicine, sports science, sports nutrition and basketball training.
“The renovation and expansion of Ubben’s basketball complex is one of the most notable achievements of our recently completed With Illinois campaign,” said athletic director Josh Whitman. “When it was originally built, Ubben set the national standard for basketball facilities and contributed to a decade of unprecedented programmatic success. With this project, Ubben once again becomes the preeminent training center in all college basketball. We’re already starting to see its impact on the court, as evidenced by last year’s Big Ten men’s championship and our ability to recruit a coach like Shauna Greenwho led one of the most impressive stories in women’s basketball.”
“This project would not have been possible without the incredible support of so many of our most trusted and loyal donors,” continued Whitman. “From former student-athletes to long-time subscribers to former devotees, the widespread generosity we have experienced through this project has been both humbling and inspiring. This building will remind all who enter it no not only our program commitment to excellence, but also the generosity of so many people who have helped to make this vision of the championship a reality.”
The $40 million project is funded entirely by DIA’s own-source funds, including more than $34 million in private donations pledged to date. There are 91 unique gifts from 77 donors ranging from $100 million to $5 million. Notably, 15 men’s and women’s basketball alumni have pledged donations totaling more than $9.6 million to the project.
In the women’s gymnasium, the floor will be named Benson Family Court, in honor of the family of Jim Benson, a proud Illinois alumnus who provided one of the major gifts to the Ubben Project and brought d important past contributions to Fighting Illini Athletics, including the renovation of the State Farm Center.
“Ubben is a complete game-changer for our program,” said the women’s head coach Shauna Green. “It gives our student-athletes everything they need to be elite under one roof. From basketball, academics, strength and conditioning, athletic training, nutrition, to our own recovery room with top-of-the-line equipment, they can prepare to be the best version of themselves every day. This facility will now serve our players and attract high-level recruits from all over the country. We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped make Ubben a reality and one of the best basketball facilities in the country.
Ubben’s facility opened in 1998 as one of the nation’s first free-standing basketball training facilities, providing equal training space and opportunities for both men’s and women’s programs.
“I talk about it all the time; Fighting Illini’s passion for basketball is unmatched,” the men’s head coach said. Brad Underwood. “There is no better testament to this support than how our donors answered the call to make the renovation and expansion of the Ubben Basketball Complex happen. Because of their loyalty to this university and their dedication to our program, we are here today with the preeminent basketball training center in the country. Our players strive to be the best, and Ubben provides us with the best facilities in their class. to work together to achieve our goals.
Spaces named by major donors in the Ubben Basketball Complex
- John & Anne Dossey Student-Athlete Development Center
- CA Ventures/Scott Family Strength and Conditioning Center
- Meyers & Elle Leonard Performance Recovery Lounge
- Grand Atrium Don and Anne Edwards
- Rick Schmidt Academic Achievement Wall
- Passaneau Family Circle Drive
- Nesbitt Family Players Corridor
- Dennis and Katharine Swanson Sports Medicine Center
- Steve & Christy King Hydrotherapy Suite
- Tresnowski Family Nutrition Center
- Benson Family Court
- Dan and Diane Zerrusen Family Donor Wall
- Jim & Jenny Gillespie Women’s Basketball Office
- Steven W. Lanter Chief Men’s Basketball Coach Office
- John Santogrossi & Jane Romweber Santogrossi Head of Women’s Basketball Coaching Office
- Kelly & Jill Mark Women’s Basketball Locker Room & Team Lounge
- Bryan & Patti Ingram Basketball Men Locker Room
- Mary Kay and Edward Haben Men’s Basketball Lounge
- Mark & Bonnie Goldenberg Women’s Basketball Team Hall
- John & Bonnie Dauer Men’s Basketball Team Hall
- Jeff & Jodi Kautz Men’s Basketball Boardroom
- Steve Y. Choi Nike Shoe and Uniform Display Rack
- Display of Tim Mitchell’s Nike shoes and uniforms
- C. Michael “Doc” and Deanna Murphy Responsible for Men’s and Women’s Basketball Offices of Strength and Conditioning Coaches
