Ground was broken Friday for The Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership, thanks to a $4 million gift from the Wayne M. Densch Charitable Trust and a $1 million gift commitment by the Williams Family Foundation. Leonard Williams, trustee of the Wayne M. Densch Charitable Trust, was instrumental in securing both donations.
Β βWe are very grateful to the Williams family for this generous gift,β said ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ Vice President and Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury. βThanks to their commitment, our current and future student-athletes will be able to utilize all the benefits the Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership will provide for years to come.β
Β βOn behalf of my family and in support of the Wayne Densch Charitable Trust, I felt there was a need to ensure this project became a reality,β Williams said. βThe leadership at ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½, Todd Stansbury and Rick Walsh shared with me how important it is not only to have competitive sports facilities, but also how critical it is to make a big investment in the academic, personal and professional development of ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ student-athletes,β he said. βUnder Dr. Hittβs leadership, ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ has grown significantly. Our family is proud to make this investment.β
Β The Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership will serve as the headquarters for personal, professional and academic development of nearly 500 Knights student-athletes. The project cost is estimated at $6 million for the three-story, 22,000-square-foot structure. The Center will house ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½βs Academic Services for Student-Athletes, Student Services and Compliance departments. The building will include a multi-purpose classroom with space for up to 200 students, a computer lab, tutoring and mentoring rooms, study space and conference and resource rooms. It will be located just east of and adjacent to Bright House Networks Stadium.
Β Construction is set to begin in January, with the project slated for completion in fall 2015.