Fowler family provides $2.5 million for Razorback athletic facility
by July 15, 2014 3:48 pm 178 views
The University of Arkansas announced Tuesday (July 15) that the Wallace and Jama Fowler Family has made a $2.5 million gift to help fund the University of Arkansas’ new Baseball and Track Training Center.
In recognition of the gift, a resolution will be formally considered by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees at its scheduled meeting on July 17 to officially name the facility the Fowler Family Baseball and Track Training Center. The nearly completed indoor facility is connected to the north end of the Randal Tyson Track Center and will serve more than 150 Razorback student-athletes.
“We are grateful to members of the Wallace and Jama Fowler family for their $2.5 million gift in support of this beautiful new facility,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said in the statement. “The Fowlers’ generous support of our institution and our students has been extraordinary. Their most recent gift for the Fowler Family Baseball and Track Training Center has helped provide Razorback student-athletes, in three of our most successful programs, a significant competitive advantage in the SEC and nationally. We are extremely honored to have the Fowlers name associated with such a transformational facility for our program.”
The Fowlers are longtime benefactors of the University of Arkansas and previously served the University of Arkansas on the Campaign of the Twenty-First Century Steering Committee, the Campaign Arkansas Steering Committee and the Leadership and Principal Gifts Committee.
They have also financially supported of the university in establishing the Chancellor’s residence, known as the Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House.
"Both Jama and I and our sons Wally, Chris, Mark, and their families want to say thanks,” Wallace Fowler said. “Our entire family is very honored to be presented with the opportunity to participate with the Baseball and Track Training Center project. As supporters of both academic and athletic activities of the U of A, we are very excited to help.
“Baseball and track have been outstanding programs for the Razorbacks for many years. The Training Center is a fantastic new and nationally recognized addition which will no doubt provide many benefits for years to come."
The Fowler Family Baseball and Track Training Center is near completion. The facility provides approximately 52,000 square feet of climate-controlled practice space, including a full size practice infield, throwing area, batting areas and ancillary team spaces. For track and field it provides an expansive check in and warm up area for track meets and will allow all indoor meet throwing events to be held on site.
The Fowler Family’s gift marked substantial progress toward meeting the fundraising goal for the project. Additional gifts are still being sought to meet the fundraising goal for the facility being funded by a combination of capital gifts, athletic revenues and proceeds from a bond issue. The total project cost was $9.1 million.
The Fowler Family Baseball and Track Training Center will be the first project completed as part of the Never Yield campaign.