Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, has announced a $25 million gift from alumni Chase Carey (’76), his wife, Wendy, and their children Steve (’12) and Tara (’13) in support of renovating the Reid Athletic Center and other initiatives.

The gift includes $1 million in support of the university’s club rugby program and $1 million for the university’s Center for Freedom and Western Civilization, while the bulk of the gift, $23 million, will support a renovation of the athletic center, which was first built in 1959. Renovations include a performance arena in a newly constructed south wing that will serve as the home for Colgate’s men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball teams, with dedicated locker rooms, lounges, and film rooms. Once complete, the new 35,000-square-foot arena will include additional sport office suites; locker rooms for softball, field hockey, golf, and men’s and women’s tennis; visitor locker rooms; a new football suite; and a health and performance center that integrates the university’s sports medicine, strength and conditioning, sports nutrition, and mental health and performance programs.

A longtime supporter of the university, trustee emeritus Chase Carey was an active member of the leadership group that helped construct the Class of 1965 Arena, and he played an instrumental role in establishing the Trudy Fitness Center, which bears his mother’s name.

“Athletics has always been a source of pride, energy, and school spirit that the Colgate community can share in,” said Carey. “Our student-athletes make a commitment to pursue excellence, and as part of that process, they learn lessons about teamwork and determination that are incredibly important in life. As a world-class university with world-class student-athletes, we want to build a world-class facility that will help them reach and exceed their goals.”

(Photo credit: Colgate University, used with permission)